This break offered me invaluable time to reflect and reconnect. It was also an opportunity to see many familiar faces that have graduated from Mercy in the past few years. That is one of the special aspects working at Mercy there always seem to be alumnae returning to campus. Lately I have seen it in athletics, in October nearly all of our volleyball graduates from the 2023 class attended senior night and supported the program.

This past weekend I attended my high school reunion and  cherished the opportunity to connect with many classmates.

I attended an all girls Catholic school and loved my experience. I had teachers and coaches who challenged me and most importantly a supportive community. Much like Mercy's partnership with Serra we had a brother school. We shared classes, attended rallies, liturgies and dances together. Returning to the campus during the reunion was a whirlwind of emotions, with memories flooding back the moment I stepped foot on familiar grounds. One of my first stops was to seek out our league championship banners – a proud symbol of our accomplishments hanging on the walls. As we walked around, we were met with enthusiastic greetings from classmates, even some teachers who joined us for the occasion. Taking a tour of the campus, I was struck by the transformation. In 2017, devastating fires had swept through campus, leaving many buildings in ruins. As I reconnected with many I couldn't help but think about our Mercy community and our young Alumnae doing the same this week. Having been away from my high school community for some time I left the reunion with the feeling of theres no place like home. Every time I visit with our Mercy Alumunae I know they share the same feeling.