Saint Ursula Academy Fall Magazine FINAL 2015(clone)

The Mechley Family

Sharing Their Passion for Saint Ursula Academy
The Mechley family attended the SUA Centennial Gala when SUA celebreated 100 years in 2010.
Front Row L-R: Braden Mechley, Eileen Mechley, Dr. Anne Wallace ’82
Back row L-R: Tom Brennan, MC Wallace Brennan ’84, Camille Mechley Gartner ’86, John Gartner,
Heidi Mechley Felton ’84, Michael Felton, Bob Broscious

We know that our success is a result of our entire

Throughout their lives both Eileen and Braden believed

Saint Ursula community. We are thankful that so many

in the importance of education. Eileen, in fact, was so

supporters throughout the years have done so much

passionate about the importance of a good educational

to make Saint Ursula the exceptional school it is today.

foundation that she, along with her sister, Evelyn Ennis

So many have shared their talents. So many have

Wallace, founded the Montessori Center Room pre-school

given freely of their time. So many been generous with

in 1970. Eileen and Evelyn’s five daughters all attended

gifts of their treasure. Consequently, we can provide

the pre-school.

top-notch facilities, educational resources, expert and
engaged teachers and growing financial assistance.

As Eileen and Braden searched for high schools for
their daughters, Braden drew on memories of his own

We are fortunate to have families who have supported

childhood, “We had humble beginnings and I saw at a

us over a wide span of generations and years!

young age the power of a strong academic foundation.

The Mechley family is one shining example. They,

So as our children grew, we looked for schools where we

like many others, provide a faithful example of the

felt our children would get the best education.”

commitment and dedication that has enabled Saint
The founding Sisters of Saint Ursula Academy had a vision. It was a strong vision that created the
Saint Ursula Academy we know and love today.
Established by the Ursuline Sisters over 100 years ago, Saint Ursula Academy has grown and
changed throughout the years. It is the result of a century of nurturing by our founding sisters
and carried on by all the faculty, staff, students, parents and benefactors who have experienced

Ursula Academy to flourish.
Back in the 1970’s Braden and Eileen Ennis Mechley
began to explore high school choices for their three
daughters, Susan, Heidi and Camille. Searching for a

“What we found at SUA
was truly special.”

challenging and nurturing college preparatory school,
they canvassed the schools and their friends and

In 1977, Eileen, along with her oldest daughter Susan

family. Braden encountered two professional mentors

and her sister Evelyn visited area high schools. Searching

and SUA parents, Judge John W. Keefe, father of

for a challenging college preparatory school, they chose

Generations of graduates, along with their parents, point to our family spirit, our care for each

Lelia ’77 and Ruth