The senior class took on the responsibility of raising money for goats as part of the Lent Project. We reached out to teachers, students, family members, and others for donations, and the response was incredible. The seniors were ultimately crowned “the G.O.A.T.S” after raising the most money of any class, collecting over $1,100. One especially generous donation came from 8th grader Jace Ripley, who contributed $200, as well as Mrs. McCaig, who made large contributions for many students. On behalf of the class of 2026, thank you to everyone who supported us and helped make this effort such a success!

As part of this year’s Lenten project, the Notre Dame community came together to support a local family facing a difficult loss. After the passing of their father, the family was left with the responsibility of maintaining their farm and taking care of their animals. Each grade level took on a role of feeding a subsector of the family’s animals. The junior class was tasked with raising money to provide feed for the family’s chickens. Through this effort, students were able to contribute in a practical and meaningful way, helping ensure the animals were cared for during a very challenging time. This project reflects the true purpose of Lent: sacrifice, service, and compassion for others, critical values as our mission as a Sisters of Mercy School. While the task itself may seem simple, the impact is very real. By coming together, the junior class helped ease a small part of the burden and showed what it means to live out faith through action.

For Notre Dame High School’s 2026 Lenten Project, the sophomores were chosen to raise money for the pigs! On Monday, March 16, they sold candy for $2 per trough and earned a total of $139. All proceeds went to buy feed for the pigs of a family in need.  

The Freshmen, who were tasked to feed the cats on our Lenten family’s farm, held their fundraiser on Thursday, March 18, during advisory and lunch, where you could wear a cowboy hat and ride to take a picture with a horse! They could also have their photo taken with our Library Cat, Fiona, who was not entirely sure she approved of the activity. The Steeds graciously volunteered their horse and a pony, and, with their help, the 9th graders raised $273. They would like to thank their Class Council, homeroom teachers, and Mrs. McCaig.

The International Expo is back for its second year here at Notre Dame! This year, there were a total of 16 countries, almost double the number from last year. These countries include China, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Ireland, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Australia, Spain, Mali, Nigeria, Canada, and Mexico. Each county had a table and a posterboard to inform visitors about their country. The boards included information about popular cities, foods, festivals, and much more, while the tables had items from the presenter's country. Students, faculty, and guests came during periods 2A, 2B, 3A, 4A, and 4B to experience different cultures. When they arrived, they were given a passport to collect stamps and stickers from different countries, and there was also a scavenger hunt where visitors had to find out how to say “Hello” in different languages. When the event ended, everyone I talked to said it was a fun and educational experience. With the conclusion of this year’s event, I am even more excited for next year's! 

The Mercy Mission visit includeds an interview-style conversation between guests and Notre Dame Students, where they engaged in an open discussion about their experiences at ND. They were asked how they uphold the school’s values of service and moral responsibility, as well as how they have grown through academics, various extracurriculars, and community service. Through this, the wider community can better understand how Mercy values have become an ingrained part of our students at ND.