Conference XXVI, 2007 – “Mercy Millennials: Best Practices for a New Generation of Learners” the 26^th annual Mercy Secondary Association (MSEA) conference was held October 26-27 in Watchung, New Jersey and hosted by Mount Saint Mary Academy.  Participants included MSEA members from the United States, Argentina, Belize, Guam, Jamaica, and the Philippines.  Cindi Baughman, President of MSEA, welcomed all to the conference in the name of the board of MSEA: Melissa Bullock, secretary, and Members-at-Large: Sister Regina Ward, RSM, Carolyn Witte, Laura Held, and Bernaldino Pech.  Sister Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, Directress of Mount Saint Mary Academy and Sister Pat Vetrano, RSM of the Mid-Atlantic Leadership Team offered warm welcomes to the group as well.  A beautiful opening prayer was presented by the students of Mount Saint Mary Academy.

The Key Note Speakers for the conference were Lorraine A. Ozar, Ph.D who is the founding director of the Loyola University Center for Catholic School Effectiveness and Stephen Phelps, Ed.D, President of Bishop O’Dowd High School.  On October 26, the presentation revolved around two topics: The Evolving Shape of High Schools and Teaching and Learning for a Dynamic World.  In the afternoon, 4 representatives of Mercy Schools presented on the topic Mercy Millennial: Practices in Action.  Genie Angelis of St. Catherine’s Academy, Bronx, New York discussed Teacher Collaboration for Increased Learning. Christine Melone of Mother McAuley High School in Chicago, Illinois presented on Using Data to Shape Instruction and Teresa Sengel of Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, New Jersey shared her experiences using iPods in the World Language Classroom.  Mary Ann Steutermann of Assumption High School in Louisville, Kentucky finished the presentations with a discussion of Professional Development Tied to Student Learning.

 The evening included a wonderful dinner and tours of Mount Saint Mary Academy.  The students presented a wonderful musical overview of the diverse student body at the school.

 October 27 opened with another beautiful prayer and Lorraine Ozar and Stephen Phelps continued their presentation by discussing the Nine Essential Elements of Vibrant Twenty-first Century Schools.  In the afternoon, a panel of responders including Lisa Longo of Mount Saint Mary; Cathy Fontaine of Mercy High School in Burlingame, California; Luisa Gillett from Muffles College in Belize and Colleen Rozman of Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan reflected on the presentation and its application to Mercy schools.  The Mercy Millennials presentation ended with a roundtable discussion.

 The business meeting on October 27 included the following:  a financial report, change in the by-laws to reflect the emerging structure of the Institute and to replace the MSEA Executive Board position of Treasurer with a Business Manager to be appointed by the Board.  In addition, speeches were given by nominees to the board.  Melissa Bullock was name President-elect and Jo Valente and Rita Cutarelli were elected as Members-at-Large.  It was also announced that the 2009 MSEA conference will be held in Belize, October 16-17.

 The conference concluded with a Liturgy celebrated by the Most Reverend Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski, Bishop of Metuchen, and the commissioning of the new officers of the board.

 Conference XXVII will be hosted by Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, Virginia, October 17-18, 2008.