< Back Grace for athletes October 9, 2026 at 12:00:00 PM Carlynn Schultz ’29 The light outside has long faded. As the bus pulls back onto campus from an away athletic game, the single thought on your mind is to collapse onto your bed. You finally manage to drag your exhausted body to your dorm only to have the dark hallway suddenly illuminated by the flash of your cellphone screen as you get a notification that you have been marked absent from the last two classes of the day. Accompanying the email is a notation declaring that you have accumulated six absences in the classes, adding yet another issue to your overflowing to-do list. That is the life of a student athlete. This is not a fantasy, but a reality that I lived through last year along with so many other students. The current attendance policy is set up in a way that does not take into account the schedule demands of students, nor does it account for or appreciate the massive amount of time given up by our students to represent our school, not just in athletics but in theater, Model UN, and other platforms. The policy, with its threat of loss of credit, punishes students for fulfilling their team and community responsibilities. Games and other performances are considered required appointments, leaving the involved students with an absence. Not only does the current policy leave students with no positive outcomes when torn between responsibilities, it also does not distinguish between absences due to carelessness such as oversleeping and absences due to school-sponsored events. As a result, a student who repeatedly skips class and a student who repeatedly misses class to represent Mercersburg athletics accumulate seemingly equal absences, creating an inaccurate picture of their respective commitments to academics. The policy also counts absences for commitments such as medical appointments and field trips, which are often outside a student’s control. These issues raise a simple question: how should the policy be changed? To this I answer that if, for a school-sponsored event, a student has notified the teacher in advance and completed or arranged to complete the work missed, they should receive an excused absence that does not count toward a loss of credit in the class. This distinction would create a record that more accurately reflects a student’s attendance while also reducing the anxiety and stress of students who participate in varsity sports or other off-campus PGA commitments. While some may argue that an absence from a class no matter the reason still has the same effect, this is not so. A student who has completed all the work for the class and is diligent in their participation even outside the classroom will have a much greater positive impact on the culture and learning of the class in comparison to someone who has chosen to cut the class. The Attendance Policy should show the difference. Students should not be punished for choosing between two responsibilities the school itself asks them to fulfill. When caught between a rock and a hard place, how are you supposed to come out without a scratch? Previous Next

< Back Pro-Affirmative Action September 22, 2023 at 12:00:00 PM Adwoa Sankah '26 I strongly believe Affirmative Action is necessary, and it creates benefits for our society. To further explain, Affirmative Action is a government-organized policy which encourages and equalizes access to college opportunities for racial minorities, women, and other underrepresented groups. To fully appreciate the importance of affirmative action it's crucial to understand the historical context. Throughout a significant part of American history, highly-ranked colleges and the jobs they unlocked were effectively reserved for wealthy, predominantly white men. Affirmative Action confronts the deep-rooted racism and discrimination that historically made it difficult for marginalized groups to excel in higher education and professional spheres. With this policy, schools were less likely to prevent qualified students from attending their school because of their sex, race, ethnicity, and more. By enhancing academics and workplaces, affirmative action provides a more inclusive community. In an academic setting, studies have shown that having more diverse classrooms increases creativity by giving rise to new and unique ideas. Interacting with people from different backgrounds improves students' social skills and empathy: learning to relate to others, resolve conflicts, and work effectively in diverse teams. These skills are beneficial both inside and outside the classroom. In my opinion, Affirmative Action does not disadvantage white and Asian applicants. Instead, individuals are considered alongside their peers, meaning they must meet the same criteria and qualifications as everyone else. The policies are in place to address existing inequalities and systemic barriers, not to target or disadvantage white individuals. Affirmative Action also yields economic benefits. Giving individuals from marginalized backgrounds better access to higher education and better-paying jobs, they are more likely to achieve higher incomes and improve their economic circumstances. When historically marginalized groups have greater access to education and employment, they also have buying power. This leads to the increase of new market opportunities for businesses to supply to a more diverse consumer base than without this policy. To conclude, affirmative action is a step in the right direction to level the playing field for underrepresented groups. Originating from a historical era when racial minorities and women were systematically denied access to opportunities enjoyed by others, its active stance against bias and prejudice results in a more equitable educational environment and workplace. Affirmative action also fosters diversity, stimulates creativity, and enriches the collective intellectual capacity of society. Previous Next

< Back Conserve-ing your opinion September 15, 2023 at 12:00:00 PM Andrew Leibowitz ‘24, Erika Tso Sowah ‘24, and Maria Akaras ’24 The Mercersburg News opinion page is meant to be a space where members of the student body can freely voice their opinions. In recent years, however, the page has fallen short of these standards, which we hope to rectify this school year. Rather than fostering diverse opinions, the page has typically published articles with more “mainstream” perspectives. This is understandable, of course, but true diversity of opinion is key to building an inclusive paper, as well as stimulating difficult conversations. Though we have a student body of varying political opinions, liberal-leaning views have typically been showcased. Past articles have also been rants, rather than adequately evidence-based opinions. As editors, we hope to change this trend by imploring our peers to share their fact-supported opinions. The line between rumor and fact, as we know, appears blurry at times, but when mere opinions are published, they can be harmful to the rest of the community. As well as promoting varying and even opposing voices, our goal for this year is to publish thoroughly researched opinion articles rather than rants. Essentially, “know before you go.” One major focus is to fairly and respectfully elevate conservative voices to bring constructive and informative discussion to campus through the newspaper. Though this initiative has been attempted many times in the past, conservative students have been fearful that their perspectives might be attacked by those in the community who hold opposing views. By promoting both liberal and conservative opinions side by side while also requiring the use of verifiable facts and information to produce informed arguments, we hope to have prominent conservative viewpoints spotlighted more often. Many of the issues showcased within our paper are Americo-centric, and we intend to enrich the paper by demonstrating the perspectives of international students on both American and global issues. Another perspective to elevate is that which comes from different grades. Often seniors are the ones writing opinions, thereby underrepresenting viewpoints held by underclassmen. By inviting a mix of students of all grades to write, we hope to ensure that the voices of all Mercersburg students are heard. It is ignorant to assume that a PG has the same worldview as a freshmen. In the end, the main purpose of Mercersburg Academy is to bring together a community of talented, thoughtful and intelligent students from around the world. It would be a mistake to not elevate ALL the voices that comprise our community, and the pages of the Mercersburg News are possibly the best place to demonstrate our community’s diversity and strength. Previous Next

< Back Closed on Sunday October 14, 2022 at 12:00:00 PM Reagon Houpt '25 and Nina McDowell '25 If you participate on any sports team or even in an outdoor education program, you can relate to post-game/excursion dinners on the road. Oftentimes, food options are limited to what is most convenient, usually fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy’s or gas station runs to Wawa or Sheetz. A fan favorite for a great number of students is Chick-Fil-A, beloved for its chicken sandwiches, nuggets, waffle fries, and lemonade (with extra ice). Although its products are crowd-pleasers, Chick-Fil-A has had its share of controversies and boycotts. Chick-Fil-A most notably has underlying Christian motives, hence their closure on Sundays. Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-Fil-A, has financially supported the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Christian Foundation, and various other religious organizations, which openly stand against LGBTQ+ rights and the Equality Act, a bill that “prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.” In 2018 alone, Cathy donated over $1.8 million to groups that resist LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, Cathy has previously voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s not uncommon to witness homophobia seemingly everywhere. When PGA leaders make the decision to eat at Chick-Fil-A, this can arouse an internal conflict among students who identify as LGBTQ+ or loyal allies. After a long and physically exerting day, one cannot simply choose not to eat at the establishment if it’s the only available option. I question whether I feel unspoken pressure from my peers or embarrassment to admit that because of how I identify, I won’t eat somewhere that is so well-loved. Additionally, for someone with dietary restrictions, Chick-Fil-A’s menu can be difficult to navigate. Vegetarians are left with slim pickings, and there are even fewer options for vegan lifestyles. Nutrition is crucial for athletic performance; that being said, protein is especially important for recovery. Besides chicken, there are no alternative main protein sources offered at Chick-Fil-A. Waffle fries and a small side salad (sans chicken) are not enough to sustain an active teenage body. At home, it is easier to avoid corporations that clash with your moral beliefs, but when the only choices are to support the business or go hungry, this makes it difficult for students to feel in control. Choosing to take a PGA group or team to Chick-Fil-A is not only distasteful to the openly LGBTQ+ students, but it also has the potential to make those who are questioning their identities feel uncomfortable and the vegetarians go hungry. Previous Next

< Back Digital gamble September 18, 2026 at 12:00:00 PM Tristan Paulette '27 Growing up in Loudoun County, I always assumed that data centers were the norm. When one was built near my old elementary school, I never questioned its construction, nor did I see it as a trend that would come to sweep the United States. Really, the epicenter of data center development was Loudoun County long before their extension across the country. A hub of digital communication, the DC suburbs were the perfect place to connect people across the Atlantic. Nearly 70% of the world’s internet traffic travels through Virginia. Data centers in Virginia didn’t start out as hubs for AI. But this year, we made the headlines. The New York Times’ title read, “A County Got Rich From Data Centers. Some Question ‘At What Cost?’” After over two decades of development, I can safely say to other localities across America: the rapid, unregulated expansion of the data center industry was never worth “the cost.” Data centers’ expansion in Loudoun County has created energy scarcity not only in the county but throughout the entire region. Now with data centers at the forefront of local politics, the county stands at the precipice of energy consumption. Data centers alone now account for 21% of Dominion Energy’s—by far the largest energy company in Virginia—electricity distribution, projected to double by 2040. Loudon’s grid vulnerability, due to its data centers, has earned Virginia a seventh-place ranking in power outages among the other fifty states. Water scarcity has also become a concern. The data center industry—one of the most energy-intensive industries on the planet—uses inordinate amounts of water to cool down the vast computer banks. A study from George Washington University found that “data centers in Northern Virginia consumed two billion gallons of water in 2023—a 63% increase since 2019.” And this water isn’t reserved specifically for data centers—it comes from the county’s drinking water. Jared Mummert, Senior Data Center Reform Campaign Coordinator at the Piedmont Environmental Council, said in an interview with me, “Data centers are not transparent. They don't disclose how much water they use, and, in fact, they will use non-disclosure agreements so they don’t have to say how much water they use.” This, in and of itself, may not seem overly problematic. The core problem is scaling with time. Many of these numbers may not seem cataclysmic immediately—one of the wealthiest counties may be able to withstand energy and water shortages by investing in new infrastructure—but, data centers in Loudoun continue to grow faster than the county can work to patch up the problems they cause. You may wonder: why bother building data centers when they come with so many associated problems? The answer is money. Today, the data center industry accounts for 39% of the county government’s tax revenue—over $1 billion. This money, though, has created a dependency on profitable data centers. Without their input, the county would lose almost half of its tax revenue, jeopardizing the standard of living that residents are so well accustomed to. The story of Loudoun County is a warning to other counties looking to AI data centers for quick cash. Not only are they disastrous for the environment, causing critical health effects, and just plain ugly, but they also threaten the crucial infrastructure that residents need and create a toxic reliance on private industry to support Loudon residents. So, when the New York Times asks, “At What Cost?” This is the answer—a disastrous, inescapable cycle that endangers the foundation of counties’ ways of life and culture. Previous Next

< Back Project Fail Mary September 9, 2022 at 6:00:00 AM Kevin Hang '24 It’s a summer evening, and I’ve just finished about three hours of playing video games after waking up. I decided, “Hey, since it’s two days away from school starting, I should maybe start reading the community read.” I looked at the front page. It’s Andy Weir. I think I know this guy from somewhere, but I’m not sure from where; maybe I’ll enjoy this book. Oh, how severely mistaken I was. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am now using it to prop my computer up to eye level. My disdain for this book, however, I feel isn’t necessarily unwarranted, as I’ve spoken to a few other people who largely share the same sentiment. Project Hail Mary started off fairly interestingly. An astronaut slowly discovers that he is in a spaceship alone, using only deductive reasoning and his memory. Wait a minute, a spaceman alone in space? Hey, that sounds familiar… Anyway, after realizing that his dead crewmates were Russian and Chinese respectively, my stomach churned. “Oh, it’s one of those books,” I said aloud. It’s one of those, American man saves the space day books. Cool! For a school that flaunts its internationalism, it’s strange to be assigned such an American centric book - one that stereotypes its Russian astronaut as a drunk and an addict, while also stereotyping its Chinese astronaut as a stoic, non-speaking commander, both caricatures of their motherlands. Thank god for the academically disgraced American underdog who swoops in after his international crewmates lay shriveled up and useless. The grade specific summer readings didn’t spare us from the idealized, glorious America, either. 10th-grader Taimur Rehman shared his opinion on the 10th grade book, Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card , “I’m not a big fan of it’s over dramatization of parts of the immigrant struggle, but mainly I don’t like it’s wording; it seems like it’s trying to appeal to the reader almost too much.” The book is a pretty broad generalization of tens of millions of people and is also just an overdramatization of immigrant issues in America. Finally my main gripe with Project Hail Mary also applies to this book, the issue being that it places America on a pedestal while demonizing other countries. While Unbroken , the 11th grade summer reading book, was a gruesome story about the reality of wartime, it still managed to push in the pompous gospel of Christianity. While my main issue with the summer reading books is the fact that they all amplified the extremely flawed glory of America, Project Hail Mary , the book itself also sucked. It was entirely too wordy, downright boring at times, and just felt like another fan-fiction that Andy Weir wanted to write for himself. Andy Weir? More like Andy Weird. Previous Next

< Back Bake my Monday better November 8, 2024 at 12:00:00 PM Matthew Orders '28 Dessert is my favorite part of a meal. It genuinely brings a lot of joy to my day, and that is why during every sit-down lunch at Mercersburg, I wonder what the dessert for the day will be. Most of the time, my question is quickly answered. But on Mondays, I have to grapple with the heartbreaking realization that there will not be any treats at the end of the meal. This has to change. People should not have to have the same saddening realization I do during lunch. Dessert should be provided even if it is unhealthy. Mondays are generally bad days of the week. You have the most time left until the weekend, and you are required to go to Monday night dinner. Why make the day even harder for students and faculty by depriving us of our sweet treat and starting the week off on a bad note? Dessert is proven to give you more energy and to make you more happy; these are things that many people need in the middle of a school day. When I go to lunch and eat a brownie or two, I feel much more ready and excited to go through the rest of the day—a day consisting of two more classes, a PGA, Monday night dinner, and study hours. It is especially important that teachers and students get this energy. After all, we are the people that need it the most. A high school is a place where we are supposed to be more free and independent than ever before, but dessertless lunch is not the way for the school to reinforce our freedoms. Instead of being treated like capable people, our school is babying us by making decisions about our diets on our behalf. While it could be argued that dessert is unhealthy and that limiting it from students and faculty will be a healthier alternative than not, this is not a good way to make the menu healthier, especially since only taking dessert away from one meal a week is not going to do anything. An alternative option would be to have desserts on Monday, and instead of completely taking them away, help people make healthier choices. Rather than having a sad and tired school after lunch on Monday due to a lack of dessert, why don't we offer fresh fruit or healthier alternatives? Nothing brings people together like food. Many important decisions or meetings happen over a good meal or snack, so why should we be deprived of having this way to connect? Dessert is a tool for energy, happiness, and bonding, and an essential part of any meal, so why shouldn't we have dessert at lunch on Mondays? The answer is clear: we should have a sweeter Monday. Previous Next

< Back Course Remorse September 16, 2022 at 6:00:00 PM Norah Copenhaver '24 Whether you are a returning student or a new student, you may have experienced stress and confusion when selecting your classes prior to an upcoming school year. The school often makes it seem like every student has control in choosing their classes to meet their own expectations and academic level. Despite this, you may have realized that this isn’t usually the case. Personally, in past years, I've found myself bored and restless in classes because I wasn't allowed the opportunity to choose my own academic path. When I attempted to select my courses, I was often met with an email along the lines of, “After discussing with your teacher, we don’t believe this class is right for you,” referring to my wish to take an honors or advanced studies course. At Mercersburg, we are encouraged to do our best and strive for greatness, but at the same time the school makes students feel like they aren’t aware of their own academic limits and capabilities. The notion that other people know more about what’s best for your academic load seems to take away from the individuality that’s celebrated at Mercersburg. Despite being a returning student, I know it can be difficult for new and transfer students, too. Coming in as an upper-middler, let's say you may have taken many APs at your previous school, but you are rejected or discouraged from taking honors or advanced studies courses. This makes it harder to demonstrate academic growth on your transcript across a transfer in schools. You may fight for your choice in classes and send a million emails back and forth, but many new students don’t know of that option. Course selections shouldn’t come down to battles over email with the Academic Office. I understand that the faculty and administration mean well and want to set students up for success in their classes. Obviously a tenth grader who barely passed geometry should not take honors precalculus. However, at the end of the day, the Academic Office should not have the final say in deciding someone's potential in a subject. Students, new and old, should be trusted to judge their own academic ability with minimal interference from the school administration. Previous Next

< Back Travel un-graded October 31, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM William Shen ’27 What if your one chance to explore the world with Mercersburg comes... at the wrong time? That’s the reality for many sophomores and seniors at our school. While everyone will be in eleventh grade at some point, students who are otherwise eligible and eager cannot participate in the summer global travel programs simply because they are not juniors. Travel programs are probably one of the most exciting and mission-aligned opportunities Mercersburg Academy offers. Whether it’s studying classics in Sicily, learning about marine life in the Bahamas, or having the time of your life whale-watching in Monterey Bay, travel opportunities provide students with the hands-on, worldview-expanding education that most people only dream about. However, Mercersburg’s summer programs are currently open only to juniors. The logic behind that decision may seem reasonable, but the policy could benefit from more flexibility. While permitting students to go on multiple trips would be impractical, a middle ground to provide flexibility is possible: allowing sophomores and seniors to apply but keeping the “one trip per student” rule. That way, the school would not face overburdening financial strains, the experience could remain exclusive and meaningful, and more students could find the right window in their Mercersburg career to participate. After all, not every student’s timeline looks the same. As juniors, some may have full summer schedules, family obligations, or financial reasons that make travel impossible in that specific year. Others may only come to Mercersburg as seniors, missing earlier chances. If travel ought to be rare and rewarding, why limit an opportunity so memorable and impactful? The idea that sophomores are “too young” doesn’t hold up. Many are already 16, meeting the age requirement for Flock travel grants; they could go through the same application process, write the essays under the same prompt, and receive the same pre-trip guidance as juniors do. Maturity, although rational in this way, should not be bound rigidly to grade level, and in fact, younger students may have even more time post-trip to bring their experiences back to campus and apply them in school life. And as for seniors, it’s possible to grow into this kind of opportunity later in their high school journey. Just because they missed the trip in 11th grade doesn’t mean they’re less deserving in 12th. In fact, seniors who have already navigated college apps and upper-level coursework may approach the experience with deeper reflection and appreciation than some juniors. Additionally, including multiple grades would better reflect the real world, where people work and collaborate across age groups and experiences. While the program may provide 11th graders more opportunities and incentives to bond within their class, including sophomores and seniors wouldn't take away from that. Instead, it would open the door to more inter-grade connections, something just as valuable. One of Mercersburg Academy’s core strengths is our tight-knit and diverse community, so why shouldn’t we incorporate it into the travel experience? I believe in the value of these programs. I believe they create global citizens and challenge students in ways classrooms don’t. But, I also believe they should be more accessible, not just by virtue of financial aid or application but by eligibility. Yes, just one summer trip per student – but let’s give more students the chance to make it count on their timetable. Previous Next

< Back Don't tik away free speech January 24, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM Lilah Weisberg ‘25 TikTok is as much of a threat to the average user as a papercut. In the aftermath of the recent US Supreme Court decision to support the TikTok ban, many are questioning the rationale behind it. Although TikTok has, ironically, already returned to the public square, the supposed problem has not been addressed. The fact that the US government was willing to ruin the lives of millions of small businesses and creators over false narratives warped by Congress reveals a much bigger issue in US politics. One narrative used to justify the ban is that TikTok poses a “national security threat.” The argument is that the Chinese-owned app collects personal information from US citizens. However, legal experts not affiliated with the US government have debunked claims about the types of information TikTok can access. They have found that it can access only very basic information from users, such as names, email addresses, and sometimes locations. Thus, the “threat” is exaggerated and propagated by the US government to push its agenda. So, if access to personal data isn’t the true concern, what is the real reason that the app is banned? FBI director Christopher Wray stated in direct reference to TikTok: “The FBI is very focused on the threat of disinformation, especially from foreign adversaries trying to use social media as a tool to influence our democracy, influence our elections, and sow discord.” This may sound like a reasonable concern, but the US government has no authority to restrict online activity to reduce the sway of politics. This is censorship! It is simply an excuse to consolidate more wealth in the hands of the wealthy, powerful American billionaire CEOs of other social media companies by forcing the partial sale of TikTok to American investors.. The idea that TikTok is a useless app is another narrative propagated by politicians. The fact is that TikTok allows businesses and creators to build their own platforms and thrive. With over 170 million monthly users in the US alone, the app creates the perfect opportunity for small businesses to advertise and sell their products. A study from Oxford Economics estimated that the 7 million American small businesses on TikTok generated 15 billion dollars of revenue and contributed more than 24 billion dollars to the US GDP in 2023 alone. The proposed ban would hurt millions of people by putting their livelihoods in jeopardy. In addition to the clear negative impacts that banning TikTok will have on millions of people and businesses, TikTok is also a sentimental app for millions of teenagers. Psychologists, parents, and teachers have said that social media is bad for teenagers and has various negative impacts eclipsing the pleasure from scrolling through mindless videos. What they don’t seem to understand is that social media contains our diaries, connections, and an escape from the dystopian world we are now living in. We are able to escape the idiocracy that is US politics, the pressure that is school and grades, and the fatigue that comes with being a teenager in the 21st century. Through sharing a few laughs or edits or encouraging videos, TikTok has become more than just an app to us. This unprecedented act of censorship puts in jeopardy the freedoms we were promised at the founding of the country. And with the Soviet-adjacent political atmosphere our country is approaching, freedom seems farther from reach than ever. Previous Next

< Back Opinion on Opinion January 23, 2026 at 12:00:00 PM William Shen ’27 At four in the afternoon, I suddenly realized in fear that I had an opinion piece for the Mercersburg News due the next night. With no topic in mind, what was I supposed to write about? An opinion article about opinion articles, of course. Of all the pages in the newspaper, the category that interested me the most is the Opinion page. Traditional journalism emphasizes neutrality, suspending judgment, and a version of the truth as objective as possible, but not necessarily the Opinion section. Opinions are everywhere. We read them in newspapers, hear them in classrooms, and scroll through them online. Often, they provoke a brief reaction: agreement, disagreement, maybe even rage or frustration—before we move on. In a community like ours, however, opinion writing should serve a greater purpose. These pieces matter not because they divide us, but because they have the power to spark conversations that actually lead somewhere. Too often, readers decide whether they agree or disagree with an opinion and stop there. This approach renders opinion writing a static position rather than a dynamic exchange, since disagreement alone does not promote understanding, and stances without reflection rarely lead to growth. It is true that in conversations, such as the example of civil discourse presented by the Civics Student Advisory Board during the school meeting, meaningful conclusions can be drawn from a multiplicity of opinions; an opinion page seldom achieves that effect, since the reader is always on the receiving end. Meaningful opinion writing should invite readers to think more deeply, not just about issues at hand, but about their own assumptions. It should encourage dialogue, whether that be conversations among students, discussions in classrooms, or reconsideration of one's own long-held beliefs. Of course, not every opinion can or should inspire immediate action, but every opinion should leave its audience with something they can think about and work with, a different understanding, a new angle. The responsibility does not rest solely with the writer either. Readers, too, must be willing to engage with opinions thoughtfully rather than consuming them passively. While opinion writing does not offer a solution or an outline for change, it should prompt the readers to pause and question. After all, even small shifts in perspective can lead to meaningful change in a school community. I did not always believe in the power of opinion writing: when I wrote my first opinion on the school’s Global Programs and how a greater portion of the student body should be made eligible. I had a follow-up with Ms. Parsons, where I learned about the complexities behind the difficulty of expansions. I thought that was the end of the story, until two months later, in a conversation, Ms. Parsons told me that there is a possibility to extend the travel opportunities to sophomores, and she is working toward it. While no immediate policy change has yet occurred, the opinion opened a dialogue, one that continued beyond the page and into real consideration. If we treat opinion writing as a starting point rather than a conclusion, it can become one of the most powerful changemaking tools in our community. Opinions should not simply fill space on a page; they should challenge us to listen, reflect, and move forward, together. Previous Next

< Back Feelin’ the burn December 13, 2023 at 12:00:00 PM Solie Stenger ‘25 In the intense world of competitive youth athletics, where dreams are pursued with passion and aspirations soar high, a dark cloud looms over the playing field: burnout. The quest for excellence and pressure from both parents and peers, paired with relentless training regimens, has created a noticeable trend that threatens the very essence of competitive youth sports. The first question we must ask is about what “burnout” really is. Burnout can be defined as “a negative psychological and physical state in which young athletes feel tired, less able to perform well, and less interested in playing their sports.” Experts say that two main factors cause burnout: overstress and overtraining. Overstress, rooted in the mental aspects of youth athletics, stands as a primary factor in this phenomenon. While physical training often takes the spotlight in discussions about young athletes, the significant mental pressure they face is frequently overlooked. Youth engaged in sports often strive to earn approval from parents, coaches, family, and teammates, creating an immense amount of pressure, even for young children. Additionally, athletes must also juggle academic responsibilities with their athletic pursuits, requiring effective time management. Especially at institutions like Mercersburg Academy, where intense academic rigor is present, putting the “student” before the “athlete” can be extremely difficult. However, despite the mental challenges, research indicates that athletes often experience improved grades during the season, attributed to enhanced time management skills. According to NATA, student-athletes can perform up to 40% higher in overall test performance. So, while the mental toll of sports is formidable, the potential for valuable life lessons and benefits is significant, if students can learn to manage the stress associated with the sport. Athletic burnout is also physical as much as mental. The overuse of certain muscles and body parts can cause significant damage and have long-lasting impacts on developing bodies. Many researchers have found that if an athlete plays one sport for too long without taking adequate time off, then not only will it hurt them physically, but it will damage their belief in and love for the sport. Dr. Richards, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in athletes, supports this view. He told me, “Athletes often get injured for not taking time off: for example, little league pitchers and baseball players come into my office all the time with a case of something we call ‘little league elbow.’ This is a bad strain from throwing repetitively, never taking time off, and never using other muscles. I will tell parents he can't throw again for two months if they want it to get better. If the child keeps pitching, it will only worsen.” This proves that overuse injuries are real and athletic burnout isn't simply all mental or even a “dislove” for the sport. Some children just become overworked after years and years of non-stop practice. Now that an overview of why youth athletes become so burnt out is evident, it's important to be able to identify some preventative practices. Contrary to most people's beliefs, the answer is not to press your child to quit sports or completely give up. Rather it is the opposite, as countless studies have proven that being multisport athletes benefits children both mentally and physically. It also prevents overuse injuries. Richards stated, “Encouraging participation in various sports is good: for instance, advising a baseball player to stop throwing for three months not only helps physical recovery but prevents mental burnout. Overuse injuries are the things I see most in baseball and running, often leading to stress fractures, as I’ve seen at Shippensburg University. Cross-training, involving activities like stationary biking and water jogging, is an effective solution, relieving pressure on bones and injuries.” On the mental side of things, being able to take time off a “main sport,” and moving to one with less pressure is great for the mind. The best parts about cross-training are that it works different muscles, children learn to become coachable, and they obtain body control year-round. Bo Jackson is a testament to this belief: he was a star outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) while he simultaneously pursued a career in the National Football League (NFL) as a running back. Jackson shows that the benefits of playing more than one sport are visible at all levels. To further mitigate the problem, parents, faculty, and coaches must recognize the symptoms of burnout, including fatigue, lack of effort, or just growing dislike for the sport. In such an instance, let the child try another sport for a while to see if they will eventually come back with a more positive and brighter outlook. Taking a hiatus does not mean completely “dropping the ball”; it is the best course of action and has been proven by many sources as well as doctors, such as Dr Richards. Being a multisport athlete is a great solution to helping stay healthy both mentally and physically. It keeps young athletes alert, engaged, and quite literally on their toes. Overall, the issue of youth athletic burnout demands our attention and concerted effort. As we watch the passion of the younger generation on playing fields, it becomes increasingly clear that a rethinking of priorities is essential. The search for excellence should not come at the cost of physical and emotional well-being. However, both can be prevented if recognized quickly and treated appropriately with care. It is imperative for parents, coaches, and sports organizations to recognize the signs of burnout, and to create an environment that encourages fun as well as peak performance. By embracing a flexible approach, balancing competition with rest, and nurturing the love for the game, the path can be paved for a sustainable and positive athletic journey for our youth. Previous Next