The National Merit Scholarship Program has determined that Madison DeFrancisco ’25 and Grace Prayias ’25, who were among 16,000 Semifinalists in September, have met all of the requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition. They will be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Awards with announcements to be made between April and July.

On February 14, Sister Lisa D. Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. (Mount Saint Mary Academy Directress and President of the Mount’s Chapter of the Cum Laude Society), Denise Materia (Assistant Directress for Student Life and Athletic Director), Jacqueline Muratore (Assistant Directress of Faculty, Curriculum, and Planning), Elizabeth Roper (Director of College Counseling and Chapter Secretary of the Cum Laude Society), Eileen Honicky (Assistant Director of College Counseling), Dana Goad (School Counseling Department Chairperson), Jennifer Morzano (School Counselor), and Elise McTamaney '15 (School Counseling Assistant & Testing Coordinator) recognized the seniors elected to the Cum Laude Society for the Class of 2025.

The Echoes literary magazine, which is published by the students at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, recently received “Distinguished” status from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for its edition entitled, "Utopia." This honor marks the 12th year in a row that our students have produced literary publications worthy of recognizable merit. The upcoming theme of this year's magazine will be "Nostalgia."

The Mount's NASA Hunch Culinary Team (L.I.O.N.S. - Ladies In Ongoing NASA Studies) participated in a competition on February 3 at Passaic County Tech Institute in Wayne. In September, the team was given the NASA Hunch Culinary Challenge of creating a unique pasta dish. Over the past few months, students brought in several dishes to try which needed to meet strict nutritional guidelines. The recipes were adapted to meet that criteria. 

On Thursday morning, the Mount community united in faith during a special Catholic Schools Week Liturgy in Immaculate Conception Chapel led by Monsignor William Benwell. Prior to the Mass, members of the ASL (American Sign Language Club) taught students how to sign a portion of the gathering song, "I Say 'Yes,' My Lord."

On January 24, the Future Medical Professionals Club received a hands-on experience with cadavers and were instructed by first- and second-year medical students at the Rutgers Medical School Cadaver Lab. The trip, led by Dr. Michael Bernard (science teacher and club advisor) was especially impactful for Julia Kot '26 and Liliana Gallagher '28, who shared their insights.

The Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry presented special awards to two Mount Saint Mary Academy students during a ceremony on Saturday, January 25, at St. Francis Cathedral in Metuchen. Bishop James F. Checchio congratulated Katherine Byrne ’25 and Manuela Roncancio-Roldan ’25 on being recognized for their extraordinary spiritual and outreach endeavors.

It was a meeting of the math minds at the Mount during the 18th Annual Math Competition between 50 young women from area schools competing on our campus, as well as young men competing at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen on January 25.

Mount Saint Mary Academy has earned College Board's AP^® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to both AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). The Academy has been recognized by the College Board for its excellence in educating young women in AP Computer Science since the award was established in 2018.

Congratulations to Madeline Fretz '27, Celia Carnesi-Silberstein '27, and Erica Anselmo '27 for their nomination to attend the HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Leadership) New Jersey Leadership Seminar at Drew University from May 30 to June 1 due to being outstanding leaders.

On January 7, members of the Class of 2024 shared their college/university insights and experiences with seniors during a special panel discussion at the annual Return to the Mount in the Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater. The event was coordinated by the Advancement Office/Alumnae Office/Alumnae Association and the College Counseling Department.