Alumna of the Year

Hellooo Alumnae!

Last Friday, Dolly Wells Mersinger '67 was named Alumna of the Year! For those of you that have happened upon any alumnae event, you know what a presence Dolly has and how much support she continues to give to the school. Aside from being a graduate, parent (Blair Mersinger '02), and dedicated alumna, Dolly is also a member of the Board of Trustees!!

During her address to the class of 2009, Jubilee Class of 1959, and the other alumnae in attendance, Dolly recited a poem she wrote for the Class of 2009 as they prepare to embark on their college careers. Once you read it, I know you'll agree that Mr. Geisel (ahem ahem, ladies! That's Dr. Seuss!!!) couldn't have churned out anything more inspirational for the occasion!

As always, our many thanks to Alumna of the Year Dolly Wells Mersinger for her continued dedication to Maryvale and its Alumnae!!!

A Charge to My Fellow Alums
The Senior Class of 2009

The day that it started
The day it began
Was the day our folks said
Girls can make a new plan.

Girls can think about things
In a different way.
Girls can put a new spin
On the problems of today.

And what could it be
That would help us along?
Why it was the feeling
That we do belong
To the Maryvale community
Headed up by Sister Shawn.

So our folks got excited
And put up the money
Put aside their fears
And said, “Don’t worry, honey.”

We went learning in places
We never had been
Striving to perform
So success we could win.

We learned to create
We learned to persist
We learned new terms
And we learned to insist
On integrity and fairness
In our daily lives
And with this foundation
We’ll continue to thrive.

We learned to think deep
And we learned to have capers
Between electronic tasks
And twelve page term papers.

And why did we do it ?
Why work these hard tasks ?
We did it in order to make
Learning last.
We wanted to prepare
For lives with impact
We wanted to take with us
Skill sets to unpack.

And while all this was happening
Rich friendships we made
That distance and time
Never will fade.

I came to this castle
In the year fifty-four
The sisters had just barely
Opened the door.

To girls and to boys
Who were looking for more
And to parents who wanted
To feel most assured
Of a good education
That was really top-drawer.

My family soon saw
That this place was quite awesome
With it’s boxwood, carriage house,
And azaleas in blossom.

But what attracted them most
What they saw all around
Was the caring environment
In which this school abounds.

The older I’ve gotten
The more that I know
Life confidence I’ve had
Was from Maryvale bestowed.

You will see it too
As you move from this castle
The calmness you’ll have
In the face of life’s hassles.

The ability to see clearly
The things you should do
And the stamina to step up
And see those things through.

You’ll see how the logic
And clarity was laid
Carefully taught
So you’ll never be swayed

By those who would want you
To go along with might
Perhaps into ideas
That you feel are not right.

These are the gifts
This special place has given you
You’ll think about them more
As you bid Maryvale adieu.

You’ve been nurtured and taught
And pushed and corrected
But you’ll stand up tall
In all that you’re tested.

You’re headed to college
With a head full of facts
You’re fully prepared for life ahead
So relax !

The day is now here
To try out your new stuff
You’ll go forth from this place
With learning enough
To try your new wings
And be on your own
With learning potential
That MVP helped you hone.

We all leave this castle
And go to new places
New challenges,
New addresses
And lots of new faces

But as you look back
Don’t ever forget
Your gifts to the school
And what they’ll beget.

Your friendship, your interest
Your time to stop in,
All contribute to this place
And the learning within.

Your enthusiasm, your time
Your thanks to great teachers
Are part of the legacy our
Alumnae preaches.

Come back to us often
Both soon and down the road
Your interest and caring
Will help Maryvale carry her load.

So to you, fellow alums,
I give you this charge
Share your talents and gifts
Whether small or large,
With the castle and towers
Of stone and gray
That governed your learning
And showed you the way.

And I cannot help mention
No matter how funny
To remember Maryvale
With a gift of your money.

Yes, the day that it started
The day it began
Was the day our folks knew
Girls could make a new plan.

Girls do think about things
In a different way
Girls will put a new spin
On the challenges of today.


Dolly Wells Mersinger”67
May 15, 2009

Good Luck, Seniors and Welcome
to the Maryvale Alumnae Association