Alumna Spotlight | Amanda Mercado ’22

As a freshman Cathedralite, Amanda discovered her love for the World Youth Alliance, a nonprofit which promotes the dignity of the human person and seeks to support human rights and values at international levels. Ms. Anne Andersson, Amanda’s religion teacher and the faculty club moderator, invited Amanda to be a co-moderator of the World Youth Alliance Club at CHS, and she held this position for the next three years!

The club’s activities were dynamic and educational; highlights included visiting the United Nations Headquarters to observe a meeting with the Holy See’s Mission to the United Nations and inviting a representative from WYA to Cathedral to moderate a model UN session and teach the students how to read a white paper. 

Mr. Philipps, Amanda’s senior year religion teacher, was also involved with World Youth Alliance Club, and through the combined leadership and passion of Mr. Philipps and Ms. Andersson, the club continued meetings even through COVID-19. “Mr. Philipps and Ms. Andersson were the heart of the World Youth Club because they set the tone, always looking out for the students and wanting to help them grow,” shared Amanda. Her teachers deeply inspired her to serve, not only by co-moderating but also by participating in Campus Ministry at CHS.

Amanda currently studies business with a minor in education at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, and she balances two jobs and a full load of college courses. As a college freshman, she was involved in many extracurriculars, but as a sophomore, Amanda realized that deep fulfillment comes from doing something she is passionate about rather than trying to do many things. Remembering her love for the World Youth Alliance and its mission, Amanda reached out to Ms. Andersson, who connected her to Ms. Paula Lopez, the President of the World Youth Alliance. This connection enabled Amanda to take the certified training program for the World Youth Alliance over the summer, which deepened her understanding of the history and mission of WYA and taught her advocacy skills. 

In a conversation with President Lopez after the training program, Amanda reflected on the question, 'What are you passionate about?' and responded that her passion was for education. President Lopez nominated Amanda to attend the APEC Industry Academia Collaboration Workshop in Taiwan as the only representative for the World Youth Alliance, and she attended as the youngest person there! The workshop featured discussions about best practices for education, innovation, sustainability, and more, but the most impactful component of the trip was the opportunity to meet people from around the world and gain exposure to a huge variety of cultures. Although she was nervous, especially because it was her first time outside of the US, Amanda was deeply grateful because everyone was so kind.

Recently, the World Youth Alliance named Amanda the North American recipient of the Viktor Frankl Award in recognition of her commitment to promoting human dignity through advocacy and education. A ceremony at the United Nations will honor her this spring! 

What resonates most deeply with Amanda about the World Youth Alliance is the value it places on family. Amanda knows the importance of the family to form a good society, and she explains that “family is so important to who I am.” For Amanda, Cathedral’s WYA community was like a family, and her experiences strengthened her character and changed her perspectives. She also credits much of her personal growth as a Cathedralite to the support of Ms. Danielle Tourdo and the CHS Guidance Department as well as the guidance of longtime CHS volunteer Ms. Rosemary Mazzo, who helped her to secure two summer internships at BlackRock. Last school year, Amanda returned to Cathedral to speak with the World Youth Alliance Club, and she looks forward to speaking with CHS students again this spring! 

Amanda, we are so proud of your commitment to promoting human dignity and the path you are forging for yourself and those who you will serve! Congratulations on your award!