< Back Leaving her mark in living color Ariel Xu ’28 Oct 16, 2026 “A free spirit,” Tom Heefner ’57 said, describing his late wife, Nancy Horton Heefner. Known for her vibrant sense of humor and passion for travel, Heefner traveled around the world to enrich both her art and her teaching. Following her early retirement at age 49, she spent much of her time exploring Europe. Science and mathematics department member Jim Malone remarked, “It was a real shame to lose her early to cancer.” Now, years after her passing in 2001, the Annual Nancy Horton Heefner Memorial Art Show continues to bring artists together at Mercersburg Academy’s Cofrin Gallery in her honor. The event is a non-juried exhibition, welcoming community members, town residents, and student artists across a variety of media to display their work. During her 22-year tenure at Mercersburg Academy, Heefner served as the head of the Fine Arts Department for seven years, teaching art history, drawing, and ceramics. Beyond the classroom, she remained deeply invested in preserving local history, serving as vice president of the Mercersburg Historical Society and the co-editor and driving force behind The Tuscarora Reader . She designed the book, completed in 1999, to introduce fourth graders to the rich heritage and stories of the Mercersburg area. “There should be a copy in the library,” Thomas Heefner noted with a smile. “If not, I’ve got about a couple hundred copies.” Malone fondly recalled Nancy Heefner’s playful nature on campus, sharing a memorable story involving student football player John Garrett. After catching Garrett playfully rocking her parked electrocar back and forth, Heefner decided to pull a lighthearted prank of her own. The next day, as she drove across the campus football field, she pretended the vehicle was broken and malfunctioning. “She pretended like the car went back and forth as if he had broken it,” Malone laughed. “Just to scare him into thinking he broke it. That will always stick in my mind. She was a very, very positive influence on so many young people.” Though Heefner passed away more than two decades ago, her presence remains deeply felt throughout the Mercersburg community, not only in the memories of those who knew her but also in the physical spaces she left behind. In the Burgin Center for the Arts, a second-floor office bears her name, serving as a daily reminder of her dedication to the arts program. Through the annual memorial art show, new generations of creators can share their work in the community she helped shape. The exhibition bridges Mercersburg’s past and future, Mercersburg the town and the Academy campus, ensuring that her passion for artistic expression continues to inspire others. Looking at his wife’s name on the gallery wall, Thomas Heefner reflected quietly on her selfless nature and love for community art. “She would be pleased with the art show, even if her name wasn’t on it.” Previous Next

Front Page News Oct 16, 2026 ’27 sweeps Founder’s Day Read More Oct 16, 2026 Power of 1000 Read More Oct 9, 2026 Ex(Ed)clusive expedition Read More Sep 25, 2026 Walking on algorithmic crutches Read More Sep 18, 2026 Phone Policy or Policing Read More Sep 18, 2026 Your Mercersburg Odyssey Read More Apr 24, 2026 Ex(traordinary) Ed Day Kaden Yang ‘29 Read More Feb 20, 2026 They came, they saw, they colleged Max Zhang ’26 Read More Feb 20, 2026 Huda F. is she? Tristan Paulette ’27 Read More Jan 30, 2026 Old Tradition, New Voices Simon Brennan ’26 Read More Jan 23, 2026 Honoring MLK’s legacy Tristan Paulette ’27 Read More Jan 16, 2026 "Joy span": Dr. Nina Tandon Michael Zhang ’26 Read More Jan 16, 2026 Alumni have seen things Bauhinia Chen ’26 Read More Dec 12, 2025 Service is going to be CandleLIT Audrey Stambaugh '27 and Tristan Paulette '27 Read More Nov 14, 2025 Bribed for breakfast Chris Carbone ’26 Read More Nov 14, 2025 The hike to get your food Michael Zhang ’26 & Tristan Paulette ’27 Read More Nov 7, 2025 Dorm, Sweet Dorm! Mingyu Lee ’28 Read More Oct 31, 2025 Living between the lines Bauhinia Chen ’26 & Tristan Paulette ’27 Read More Oct 17, 2025 ’26 victorious at Founder’s Day Tristan Paulette ’27 Read More Oct 10, 2025 Is this headline ChatGPTed? William Shen ’27 Read More

Opinions Oct 16, 2026 No sleep=tuff Read More Oct 16, 2026 Ambiguous policy Read More Oct 9, 2026 Grace for athletes Read More Oct 9, 2026 Locked and loaded Read More Sep 25, 2026 Just mandate uniforms Read More Sep 25, 2026 Just the vegan-ning Read More Sep 18, 2026 Where's my phone at? Read More Sep 18, 2026 Digital gamble Read More Apr 24, 2026 Pain for Points Angela Tang ’28 Read More Apr 24, 2026 Shooting for the Moon Preston Zhang ’27 Read More Feb 20, 2026 Milk and morality Audrey Hua ’26 Read More Feb 20, 2026 Huda on Huda Huda Mohamud ’26 Read More Jan 23, 2026 How much is too much? Ethan Shi ’27 Read More Jan 23, 2026 Opinion on Opinion William Shen ’27 Read More Jan 16, 2026 “MVGA” Liam Blanchard ’26 Read More Jan 16, 2026 Major incentive Audrey Hua ’26 Read More Dec 12, 2025 Threads of tradition Lena Wilke '27 Read More Dec 12, 2025 The ugly duckling Audrey Hau '26 Read More Nov 14, 2025 National Guard...for what? Belle Cleveland ’28 Read More Nov 14, 2025 Dreamy revolution Michelle Zhang ’28 Read More

< Back No sleep=tuff October 16, 2026 at 12:00:00 PM Citizen Gallo '29 Students, especially those at high-ranking high prep schools, colleges and universities, sometimes treat exhaustion as proof of ambition and that having a packed schedule is the only way to demonstrate dedication. Students are often pressured into thinking that they have to do a little bit of everything to stand out—have to be an athlete, have to be a club leader, have to perform community service, have to take additional courses with tutors outside the schoolday. Instead of focusing and dedicating their time on a few activities they genuinely care about, students join numerous clubs and take on “independent” research projects with the sole intention to strengthen their resumes. Being involved in many activities isn’t an inherently bad thing, but when your schedule leaves little room for actual academics and social interaction, you have to think of why you are choosing this schedule. Is it because these activities actually fulfill you? Or because you like the sound of a long resume? The problem isn’t having a busy schedule, it's thinking that you need one to prove your worth. We have all been part of the conversation that begins, “I only had four hours of sleep last night. I’m so tired.” Yet, instead of recognizing the toll it takes, we often become more impressed by students who manage to perform well academically despite it. The ability to succeed while exhausted is treated as a sign of dedication, making stress and overwhelming workloads seem almost admirable. In a competitive academic environment, being overworked is often romanticized as proof of ambition and achievement. On social media, we often see vlogs and videos of students recording their study sessions. The romanticizing of self-induced academic pressure is tempting, but notice how they are recording their studying and not the actual outcome. Seeing these online representations of what our own studies should look like can make students feel that rest is unproductive. Students may feel guilty about relaxing or spending time with friends because they believe they should always be working toward another achievement. But rest is not the opposite of productivity but a necessary measure to sustain it. With pressure to stay busy, students may find themselves working without a real goal in mind, which eventually leads to burnout. When students sacrifice sleep, hobbies, and personal time to maintain their schedules, their academic performance and overall well-being may suffer. And in a college setting, they may even lose sight of the passion and ambitions that motivated them to pursue these activities in the first place. The reality is that being busy doesn’t prove your worth; it ultimately makes you sluggish and consumed by passionless activities. Instead of encouraging students to accumulate commitments, we should encourage them to discover what genuinely interests them and devote their time to pursuing it. This is something we can all contribute to; we can all stop encouraging and praising exhaustion and stop being impressed with a long but meaningless resume. Being busy should not be a measure of success, and exhaustion should not be a badge of honor. Ultimately, the value of extracurricular activities should be measured by the passion and impact they create, not by how many activities a student can list on an application or brag about online. Previous Next

< Back Ambiguous policy October 16, 2026 at 12:00:00 PM Siyuan Wan ’27 Mercersburg Academy’s policies are intended to promote order, encourage student responsibility, and create a safe learning environment. Yet students arrived on campus to find brand-new school rules and enforcement policies that now face scrutiny and have become the center of debate. Some of the rules seem to contradict the very goals they strive to achieve. From phone restrictions to the dress policy and dorm visitation, the gap between written regulations and everyday school life raises an important question: Are the school’s policies actually serving students, or are they merely complicating their lives? The school’s current phone policy offers the clearest example. According to the Blue Book, students must keep their phones “out of sight and silent.” They cannot carry phones in their clothing pockets; violations will result in disciplinary action or logs. At the same time, students must have their phones readily accessible throughout the school day. Therefore, leaving a phone in the dorm, even unintentionally, can go against the handbook. The school justifies this requirement through the campus use of Informacast, an emergency notification system intended to protect the community during potential threats to campus safety. However, the policy simultaneously restricts students’ access to their phones while requiring them to be constantly within reach. Even teachers, coaches, and other faculty members sometimes expect students to respond promptly to digital messages, despite the restrictions. The new regulations erase much of the school's recent efforts at modernization and digitalization, from the FLIK dining service’s QR codes to the school’s increased reliance on Google calendars. Mercersburg seems to want a coin to land on both sides at once: one side limiting student phone use and the other benefiting from having access to students and their whereabouts at all times. Similar inconsistencies appear in the school’s dress code changes. Mercersburg presents itself as a close-knit community where students form meaningful relationships beyond the classroom. Its promotional materials frequently depict students wearing Mercersburg-branded T-shirts and hoodies, yet the dress policy restricts much of this clothing to designated casual-dress days. During days that require more formal attire, students are asked to keep in mind the oxymoron: business casual. The school encourages students to take pride in community belonging, but their opportunities to express that identity through everyday clothing remain limited. However, the larger problem lies in the Blue Book itself; some written rules are so restrictive or ambiguous that their enforcement varies among faculty members. For instance, the Blue Book explicitly limits opposite-gender dorm visitation to 8-10:30 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, but the stated policy provides no similar guidance for same-gender visits. Despite this ambiguity, students have reportedly received disciplinary logs for violating visitation expectations that are not clearly explained. This inconsistency creates an unfair situation for both students and teachers. Students may face consequences for behavior that other faculty members routinely permit, while teachers who faithfully enforce written rules risk being perceived as unnecessarily strict. The problem is not necessarily individual enforcement, but the lack of clarity in the rules themselves. When questioned about inconsistencies, the school may characterize the Blue Book as a set of guidelines as opposed to absolute rules, but guidelines should not become rigid standards only when convenient. If students can be punished for violating a rule, the school should clearly communicate all expectations and exceptions. Ultimately, Mercersburg is a college-preparatory institution. Its purpose extends beyond academic achievement to helping students develop independence, judgment, and responsibility. School policies should reflect that mission. Rather than merely teaching students to avoid their phones, the school should help them develop healthy technology habits they can carry into college and beyond. Likewise, the Blue Book should reflect the rules actually enforced in school life, with ambiguities clarified and exceptions explicitly stated. Rules are necessary for any school community, but their effectiveness depends on clarity and consistency. Previous Next

< Back Ex(Ed)clusive expedition Claudia Piraino ‘28 At Mercersburg Academy, travel is an integral part of education. The opportunity to explore different cultures and build personal curiosity allows students to make connections and broaden their perspectives. The program offerings change from year-to-year, and depend on cost, student interest, leaders’ availability, and global politics. Director of Experiential Education Emily Parsons noted, “Flights are crazy expensive due to fossil fuel prices rising.” She also remarked on the impact of personal needs, saying, “Teachers prefer not to go on the same trips for many years consecutively.” This year, there are a variety of trips running, both new and returning. Spring Break features a tried-and-true trip to Costa Rica: Service in the Sun – Service Learning, Spanish, Culture & History for seniors, upper middlers, and lower middlers. Summer offers programs in Marseille and Paris, France: Multiculturalism, Social Justice & French; Barcelona, Spain: Art, Culture & Spanish; Oslo, Norway: Sustainable Urban Development, Culture and History; Bahamas: The Island School – Marine Biology & Sustainability; and Alaska: Climate Education, Indigenous Cultures, Sustainable Living for upper middlers and lower middlers. Lorelai Kachur ’28, grateful for the opportunity, said, “I have never been out of the country, so it would be cool to go anywhere.” Some students even imagined other possible trip destinations. Dare Fadahunsi ’29 suggested an African adventure, where students could dive more deeply into the culture of another continent altogether. Although there have been numerous changes to the program itinerary, the addition of lower middlers is arguably one of the most debated, as the programs were previously reserved for upperclassmen. The idea came from a Mercersburg NEWS article written last October. Parsons explained, “It got me thinking about [offering Global Programs to a wider student body], so I took it to the executive team, and they said ‘that’s probably a good idea.’” She added, “The numbers in global programs have been down in the past couple of years, since a lot of 11th graders couldn’t travel due to internships, sports, jobs, or college applications.” Allowing lower middlers to participate attempts to solve a series of trade-offs students had to face. The student body responses have been mixed. Sebastian Tith ’27 said, “I don’t think it’s a bad requirement, but I also think that it could cause some conflict if 11th graders lose spots to 10th graders. They’ve been waiting to do a global trip for a while, and that spot being taken by a 10th grader seems contradictory.” Whitney Webb ‘27 agreed, drawing from her own experience, saying, “I don’t like it because I think that it stops 11th graders from bonding with their own grade. It definitely helped me know people that I had never really spoken to before, and I think that once you bring other grades, it kind of breaks that bond apart.” Webb further questioned the maturity levels of 10th graders, stating, “I think it takes the seriousness away from what you learn, which can cause chaos because it’s through a younger lens.” Fadahunsi even agreed that lower middlers may just be “too immature right now.” Kachur, who has waited since 9th grade to experience Global Programs, made her opinion clear: “I am so jealous that they get to go and I didn’t.” Elaborating on her frustration, she said, “It should be exclusively an upperclassmen thing,” because “a lot of the appeal for the global programs, the summer ones specifically, is that you get to bond with your grade, and I don’t really want to bond with the sophomores.” On a lighter note, Revant Jear ’28 looked forward to sharing upcoming adventures with lower middlers. “I am so happy for them. I feel like this is a great opportunity to get to know more people regardless of grade differences.” Angelina Lin ’29 echoed Jear’s perspective: “I think it’s a good opportunity to learn new cultures since sophomore year’s workload isn’t too harsh.” She then added, “Honestly, juniors and seniors are really busy, so they won’t have actual time [to travel].” Despite the controversy over logistical changes, Global Programs remain a Mercersburg bucket-list experience with a special emotional place in students’ hearts. Students who immerse themselves in these trips return not as travelers, but as global citizens, gaining a deeper understanding of the world and developing increased empathy for those around them. Through these excursions, Parsons hopes students will be “ready to practice thoughtful leadership and share their transformations with others.” Previous Next

< Back Jay Howley Cara Buck '29 Sep 25, 2026 Last Friday, the Burgin Center for the Arts hosted a Sips and Nibbles showcase featuring artist and Mercersburg graduate Jay Howley ’21. The event featured a range of Howley’s works, including prints and detailed doodles that turn everyday scenarios into intricate art. Howley credited arts department faculty members Sydney Caretti and Kristen Pixler for pushing his artistic growth and introducing him to a variety of materials and techniques during his formative years on campus. Howley described his stylistic development as “not something I decided on or made a conscious decision of but a hodgepodge of influence and discovery.” Much of his work is directly influenced by his time at Mercersburg. As a lifelong “fac brat,” Howley essentially grew up on campus, so his artistic style and crafts have been shaped by the place as well. His creative journey spans from childhood finger paintings and simple drawings all the way to a formal exhibit in the Coffrin Gallery, a familiar place he passed by every day on the way to class. Caretti, who had the fortune to teach Howley in Advanced Studies: Studio Art, recalled his creative mindset. “He always had a unique way of approaching his assignments, especially a time when he depicted a self-portrait through a mirror on the ceiling,” she said. Through a variety of art classes at Mercersburg, Howley discovered which materials and methods worked best for his personal style. Howley explained that he still uses the tools he grew up with in his father’s printmaking shop, emphasizing that everything at its core comes back to drawing. His story and creative background offer inspiration to other student artists who work with basic materials and may not have access to expensive art supplies. His unique style and outlook have led Howley to prosper since leaving Mercersburg. Director of Experiential Education Emily Parsons—who is also Howley’s mother—remarked that her son’s art is “whimsical but also has some purpose.” Currently living in Baltimore, Maryland, Howley works with the local Creative Alliance. His art circulates throughout the community, where he has designed signage for local establishments. Howley said that he enjoys being able to “add to the visual culture of Baltimore, which is already so rich.” After leaving campus, Howley earned a degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a particular focus on printmaking. At MICA, he really became involved with the surrounding community, creating posters designed to catch the attention of passersby for local bands and businesses. Part of Howley’s success, as noted by Caretti, comes from the accessibility of his art. Because of the techniques that he uses, he keeps his pieces more affordable than many contemporary artists. In addition to producing his own pieces, Howley is currently working to become an art teacher. Howley has come full circle, and having his vision back at Mercersburg brought great energy to the Burgin Center of Arts. Previous Next

Sports Sports Oct 13, 2026 Girls Cross Country William Luo Read More Oct 13, 2026 Girls Soccer William Luo Read More Oct 6, 2026 Golf William Luo Read More Oct 6, 2026 Field Hockey William Luo Read More Sep 29, 2026 Family Weekend Sports William Luo Read More Sep 22, 2026 Girls Varsity Volleyball Team Battles Back Against Holten-Arms William Luo Read More Sep 22, 2026 Boys Soccer Clash Springdale William Luo Read More Sep 18, 2026 New manager on the pitch Read More Sep 18, 2026 Character, culture, Coghlan Read More Apr 14, 2026 First Home Track Meet Matthew Orders Read More Feb 17, 2026 Boys & Girls Basketball Adrienne Howard Read More Feb 17, 2026 Swimming & Diving Adrienne Howard Read More Feb 10, 2026 MAPL Squash Champs Revant Jear Read More Feb 10, 2026 MAPL Track & Field Sheily Ramirez Read More Jan 30, 2026 Storm at PAISSA duals Sheily Ramirez ’28 Read More Jan 30, 2026 Picking Up The Pace Ethan Shi ’28 Read More Jan 23, 2026 Squash shines at home Deetya Tandon ’29 Read More Jan 23, 2026 Diving makes a splash Revant Jear ’28 Read More Jan 16, 2026 Strong slalom weekend Adrienne Howard ’26 Read More Jan 16, 2026 Basketball MAPL opener Kaden Yang ’29 Read More

Hustle & Bustle Edition #1 Read More

Features Oct 13, 2026 Organ Michelle Zhang Read More Oct 13, 2026 Pumpkin Carving Michelle Zhang Read More Oct 6, 2026 Food Lockers Kaden Yang Read More Oct 6, 2026 Let’s talk about mental health Becca Harrison-Yan Hip Read More Sep 29, 2026 Ai Amara Okoye Read More Sep 22, 2026 Jeremy Thompson Amara Okoye Read More Sep 18, 2026 Digital Gamble Read More Sep 18, 2026 Where my phone at? Read More Apr 14, 2026 New Turf Michelle Zhang Read More Feb 17, 2026 Engineering Cub Article Carrie Yang Read More Feb 16, 2026 Paris Zhang Wiliiam Luo Read More Feb 10, 2026 ASU Celebration Carrie Yang Read More Feb 5, 2026 Ellie Yang Paris Zhang Read More Jan 27, 2026 Super Smash Bros Micheal Zhang Read More Jan 20, 2026 MRSU Takeover Carrie Yang Read More Jan 20, 2026 simon klinga Jolie Zhu Read More Jan 13, 2026 Senior Auction Carrie Yang Read More Dec 9, 2025 Deleon Nail Business Carrie Yang Read More Nov 14, 2025 Ready, set, glow! By Bauhinia Chen ’26 Read More Oct 17, 2025 Signed, sealed, delivered Sophie Han ’27 Read More

< Back A weak week? February 3, 2023 at 12:00:00 PM Taimur Rehman '25 Irving-Marshall Week is one of our school’s oldest traditions, and it should be a unique and special part of everyone’s Mercersburg experience. But in the years after Covid-and all of its ups and downs, the buildup to the week has lost some of its sparkle. And to me, this largely comes down to a lack of school spirit. Spirit is what makes events like Irving-Marshall Week so memorable, but when people don’t show up to events, aren’t decked out in their colors, and largely ignore the week’s festivities, Irving-Marshall becomes another boring school-sanctioned event. For this not to occur, the week has to be “hyped” up. The main responsibility for the hype falls onto the current seniors. You all are the only people who’ve experienced a pre-covid Irving-Marshall Week, and you’ve got to bring the energy this year to ensure the week continues to be a joyous Mercersburg staple. While getting into the spirit of the week is important, so is participation. Signing up for events, and signing up to coach are two ways in which you can have even more of a role in the week, and will set the groundwork for the next several years of a lively and exciting week. This year is a pivotal moment in the continuation of Mercersburg’s traditions, and I urge everyone to try their hardest to make sure that we continue to celebrate and cherish the things that make Mercersburg Academy unique. And I know, sometimes it’s hard to feel excited about something you barely know about, but trust me, after you experience a true Irving-Marshall Week, you’ll always be quick to answer the question, “Irving or Marshall?” Previous Next

< Back What's Harvard? April 19, 2024 at 12:00:00 PM Paris Zhang '27 I'm sure we have all seen at least one video titled "These Are the Stats That Got Me into Harvard," in which that one student shows off their 4.0 GPA, national award in literature, and 100 hours of community service. It's wild how crazy their extracurriculars are, enough to leave everyone thinking, "You have to do that to get into Harvard?" Recently, I've seen more of these videos pop up on my reels, and they not only heighten my stress levels but also make me wonder what it is about Ivy Leagues that people obsess over. As students at a college preparatory high school, we have all heard of them: Harvard, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, and Cornell, schools renowned for their academic excellence and selective admissions. In recent years, Ivy League schools have become a symbol of "superiority." It's like wearing a designer brand, but instead of showing off your wealth, you show off your intelligence. When someone is accepted into one of the Ivies, people can't help but show their awe with gaping mouths and widening eyes. It's automatically assumed that Ivy students are brilliant, hardworking, and dedicated. It is not untrue, since to be accepted, not only do student have to be at the top of their class, they also have to excel in extracurriculars like sports, arts, and music, and show active engagement within their community. Nevertheless, does this mean students who get rejected from Ivies are not all of those things? Absolutely not. It has become increasingly more challenging to get accepted to Ivies due to fierce competition. According to Crimson Education, Dartmouth's acceptance rate has dropped from 10.4% for the class of 2021 to around 6% for the class of 2027. Other Ivies, like Cornell and UPenn, have also shown a significant decline in acceptance rates. All the Ivies now have an acceptance rate of less than ten percent. Even when the bar is so high, why do these northeast colleges still receive tens of thousands of applications worldwide yearly? The fundamental reason is that people believe Ivy League schools provide students with top-notch resources and career opportunities. This claim is not baseless: according to Claybourn, "Early-career (which PayScale defines as three years of work experience) median pay in 2022 was $86,025 for Ivy League graduates, compared to $58,643 for those who graduated from other universities.” In today's highly competitive job market, the job opportunities these schools offer students are undoubtedly appealing. Growing up in a Chinese household, my parent's academic expectations for me are not low. I've always been taught that education is the key to success. My parents hope I get into an Ivy, and even if I don't, they say it'll be okay because I tried my best. Still, I know for a fact that they would be over the moon if I did. They would earn bragging rights at family gatherings and tell all of their friends. At the end of the day, what truly matters is following your passions and personal growth, which are much more important than the name of your college. Sure, Ivy schools can guide you to excellence, but if you have dedication, you can succeed anywhere, regardless of the school. In fact, many high-profile figures did not graduate from Ivies. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, went to Auburn University, and Karen Lynch, Forbes' number one female CEO, received her bachelor's degree at Boston College. Although I understand the "Ivy college craze," what college students graduate from does not determine their abilities to build a successful life. Previous Next