CUMBERLAND, RI- -Sr. Martha Mulligan, principal of Mercymount Country Day School, has announced that 6th grader Olivia McCarthy-Kelley is this year’s recipient of The Catherine McAuley Award for the 2009-2010 academic year. This is the sixth year that the award was presented by the Principal in June.
The award recognizes the fulfillment of the school’s mission by a student in grades two through seven who routinely exhibits Mercy in their actions within the school and community at large. Their character exemplifies the Mercy spirit of kindness, compassion and openness to everyone, serving as a role model for other students. Candidates are nominated, by self or others, and complete an application process including two letters of recommendation that attest to the character and merciful service of the candidate. The applications are reviewed by a five-member committee composed of the principal, members of the Board, Mercy Integration Committee, faculty and previous award winners.
Olivia is an honors student who also won the school-wide spelling bee and grade level Imagn8 contest this year. She participated in the school drama production of “Bye Bye Birdie” as well.
Outside of school, Olivia is an altar server at St. John Vianney Church in Cumberland. She is a Girl Scout, actively involved in service activities through her troop, such as assisting at a local food pantry, singing holiday songs for the elderly at nursing homes, and sponsoring families with gifts at the holidays. Olivia also volunteers with her family through Children's Friend & Service and St. John Vianney, including walking each year at the annual CFS Walk for Children event and shopping for items for children sponsored for the holidays through CFS and the church. She also has several international pen friends, loves music, singing, dancing, and art.
Sr. Martha Mulligan, principal, shared in a press release, “Olivia is a shining example of the Mercy charism and spirit of Catherine McAuley, our founder. She is compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others, and an enthusiastic and self-confident young lady. Her faith and love of God expresses itself in who she is and what she does – a unique gift and thus Olivia is a deserving recipient of the 2010 Catherine McAuley Award.”
Olivia is the daughter of Kevin Kelley and Kimberly McCarthy of Cumberland, RI. The family is a member of St. John Vianney Parish in Cumberland, RI. Olivia’s brothers, Austin and Ian are also Mercymount students.
Mercymount Country Day School, a private Catholic elementary school (Pre-K- Grade 8) is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy Northeast. Our 45 professional faculty and staff members are dedicated to the total education of the child on all levels: spiritual, intellectual, physical, and psycho-social. The school currently educates 450 students from 315 families in over 25 towns in Northern Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Founded in 1948, Mercymount celebrates over 60 years of academic excellence grounded in faith.
