Derry girls US bound for 'Mercy Girl' conference

PHILADELPHIA BOUND! . . . . St. Mary’s Year 13 students Zara O’Reilly, Kate Clarke and Sarah Carlin pictured with Ms. Roisin Rice, Vice Principal, at the school this week before their flights to America on Friday morning where they will take part in The Mercy Girls Effect Global Leadership conference in Philadelphia. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

For the first time ever, the city’s St Mary’s College will be attending the Mercy Girl Global Leadership Conference being held in Philadelphia, USA.

Early on Friday morning, Year 13 students Zara O’Reilly, Sarah Carlin and Kate Clarke will fly out with the school’s Vice Principal, Mrs Roisin Rice.

Also accompanying the St Mary’s College delegation is Ava McGinn, past pupil of Thornhill College who has the honour of being invited back as one of the keynote speakers at the conference that was held online over the last few years.

Well over 100 young students and their chaperones will gather in the city of Philadelphia for the Mercy Girl Effect - Student Leadership Conference. 

The Mercy Girl Effect is a ‘mercying’ movement founded over 25 years ago as the Girls Leadership Conference. In 2007, it was rebranded to become the Mercy Girl Effect, and affiliated with UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Organization in association with the Working Group on Girls.

The annual conference is an attempt to encourage younger Mercy citizens to think big, collaborate, network, share and consult with each other on how all can help build a world fit for all.

The invitation to the global conference came from Sister Deirdre Mullan, one the founding members of the NGO The Mercy Girl Effect. Sister Deirdre’s present ministry is with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.    

St. Mary’s Year 13 students Zara O’Reilly, Kate Clarke and Sarah Carlin pictured at the school this week before their departure to America on Friday morning where they will take part in The Mercy Girls Effect Global Leadership conference in Philadelphia. The girls will be accompanied by Ms. Roisin Rice, Vice Principal on the six day trip.. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Speaking this week on the girl’s departure, Mr. Brendan McGinn, Principal of St Mary College, wished all those travelling a safe journey and said they should enjoy the wonderful opportunity, adding: “St Mary’s College was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and it is fitting that this year’s theme for the conference is ‘Supplying an Education through Mercy.’

“It is a wonderful opportunity for the young people selected to attend the conference and through the programme they will enrich their understanding of the Mercy Tradition, developing their leadership skills in the process.  The school community looks forward to supporting their ideas and plans next year.”

The students from St Mary’s participated in a rigorous selection process in order to gain a coveted place to represent the school at the conference. 

Left to right, Zara O’Reilly, Kate Clarke and Sarah Carlin who are heading to Philadelphia in the United States to attend the ‘Mercy Girls Effect Global Leadership’ conference on Friday.

Mrs Roisin Rice, Vice Principal of St Mary’s College said: “We are absolutely delighted to be attending the conference which is being held at held at Gwynedd Mercy University in the States.

"The girls will have the privilege of collaborating and networking with other young people to discuss and put into action ideas that will hopefully make the world a better place.”

The Derry girls will also be travelling with Sister Yvonne Hanna and students from Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry.