Kate Sui ‘29
Oct 17, 2025
Last Saturday evening, October 11, Mercersburg held the first Spoken Word event of the academic year in the Edwards Room. The fall spice-themed event was thoughtfully decorated by Barbara Gamboa ’26 and Grace Labans ’26 under the direction of English department chair Michele Poacelli. They provided cupcakes and other delicious treats for the audience’s
pleasure. With tablecloths and small flickering candles on each table, the room was transformed into a dreamy, cozy cafe that
heightened the evening’s enjoyment. The new hosts for this year’s Spoken Word series, MCs Pema Namdol ’27, Cole Piraino ‘26, and William Choi ’26 brought energy and enthusiasm to the event.
The evening kicked off with the lovely harmonies of Annie Mohr ’26 and Manika Dalai ’26. The duo shared that their
performance, a cover of "My Tears Ricochet" by Taylor Swift, that “fits the acoustic guitar genre,” one they had eagerly anticipated performing. They expressed deep appreciation for the audience, saying they were “glad that they created an opportunity for students to gather together to share a piece of nice music as a part of the community.”
The energy continued to build immediately following the acoustic set. The girls’ soccer team took the stage to perform their rendition of "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman, a song they had diligently practiced all week. In a wonderful show of solidarity, the audience illuminated the room with their cell phone flashlights, waving the lights rhythmically to the music. The performance was a true ignition of warmth and spirit, with everyone singing along and big smiles lighting up their faces. The team’s strong voices and visible team spirit fostered an undeniable sense of connection, filling the entire space with laughter and joy.
Other than the musical acts, students shared great prose and poems throughout the night. New to Mercersburg and Spo-
ken Word, Rebecca Liu ’29 per- formed a creative poem she wrote that explored the impact of artificial intelligence on stu- dent academic lives and the uncertain future development of AI. Her thoughtful subject matter and literary skill amazed the audience, with Rachael Zhang ’28 commenting, “It was hard to believe that this piece was written by a freshman.”
Poacelli expressed gratitude and pride to see such a wide variety of themes
and formats of literature presented. From poetry and storytelling to songs, each performance brought something new and unique to the stage. She said, “What makes me most proud is seeing students pushing themselves to perform, as standing here on stage is already an act of bravery, being able to present yourself and your thoughts with confidence is definitely something deserved to celebrate.”
Poacelli offered special recognition for the final piece, a powerful and deeply moving presentation on women’s rights by Kate Sui ’29 and Deetya Tandon ’29. “As two ninth-graders, their ability to write and speak on such a complex and politically charged topic showed great maturity and courage.” Audience member Celine Liu ’29 added, “Their performance left a strong impression and reminded everyone of the power of words and voices.”
As the first Spoken Word night of the year concluded, Poacelli encouraged more students to take part in future events, emphasizing, “Spoken Word not only is a space for creativity, but also an amazing opportunity to grow in public speaking and share your ideas with the community.” Whether you want to express something personal or raise
awareness about important issues, Spoken Word is always a safe and supportive platform to be heard.