The Youth Mercy Associates (YMA) is a group of students at Mercy High School who are looking for a meaningful way to interact with their community. The girls are dedicated to service, prayer, faith and love.

On Dec. 8, a group of new members was inducted into YMA. They were blessed at mass and were given a certificate honoring their new membership. A new member, sophomore Brooke O’Brien, is excited to be a part of the organization.

“I joined because I want to center my life around Christ more and continue to foster the visions of faith, joy, and mercy,” said O’Brien.

Some of the activities the Youth Mercy Associates do include going on mission trips, creating service projects, leading prayer services, and being focused on faith.

It takes hard work and dedication to become a part of YMA. The process is a year long and has six requirements. Junior Gloria Neumann completed her requirements this year, including planning and leading a prayer service, a community service project, reading a book about faith, going to a special event, and regularly attending meetings.

“Even though it was a lot of work, it was worth it,” said Neumann. “It’s great to be part of something that makes me and others feel good.”

Sophomore Emma Tomsich is a YMA candidate, meaning she is in the year-long process of joining the group. This week, she helped make and sell ornaments in school with a few other candidates.

The profits will go to Habitat for Humanity, something Tomsich is happy to support.
Junior Sarah Kurpiers was inducted into the group this week.

“I wanted to be a Youth Mercy Associate to strengthen my relationship with God and with others who are just as committed to him,” said Kurpiers. “I hope to grow in my faith while helping those in need and bringing justice to the world. The YMA girls have always been such role models and inspirations to me. I hope to follow in their footsteps and become this role model for future girls and YMA candidates.”

Kurpiers is also excited for all of the service opportunities she will take part in and the friends she will make.

Through service, prayer, faith, and love, the Youth Mercy Associates set an example to others of how a Mercy girl should act.