< 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 Power of 1000 Amy Li ’28 On October 9, 2026, the Women in Focus: 1,000 Women Challenge, a fundraising segment of the With Full Hearts capital campaign, completed the initial phase of collective philanthropy supported by alumni, parents, faculty, and friends. Former Board of Regents president Denise Dupré ’76 proposed the challenge as a precondition for her $10 million gift to fund the Alumnae Commons at Ford Hall, the heart of Mercersburg Academy’s campus. Dupré hoped that “this approach would have a ripple effect in the community; that everyone who might participate would be uplifted to be a part of something greater than any individual.” “Whether that’s a $5 donation or a $5,000 donation, your participation is what matters. And giving the best gift that you can is important to us,” Chief Advancement Officer John Richardson stated. Chief Development Officer Carolyn Yeager felt the challenge gave equal recognition to all participating women. “Everyone has a seat at the table.” Throughout the process, Richardson also observed, “We actually had some of our male alumni making gifts in honor of women in the Mercersburg community.” Barbara Burgin, wife of former Head of School Walter Burgin ’53, who passed away in 2025, was one of the women honored in the memorial donations. Head of School Quentin McDowell knew Dupré had organized a similar challenge at Dartmouth College and admitted he was initially intimidated by the stakes. “$10 million is a lot of money,” he said. Nevertheless, McDowell added, “I was really confident that we would hit our mark.” By the end of June, 650 donors had made a pledge. Participation picked up after outreach resumed in August, and once the total reached 700 or 750, the Advancement team believed it could reach 1,000. This momentum was possible thanks to 45 committed volunteers, who kept the campaign going by calling, texting, and emailing potential donors along with the efforts of the school. FLIK Independent School Dining was proud to contribute to the 1,000 Women Challenge to recognize the many women whose talent, leadership, generosity, and care help the Mercersburg food service thrive. FLIK’s female dining hall staff members were the final donors who brought the challenge to a powerful climax. Their gifts were special because they contributed to the renovation of the kitchen workspace, which had not been fully renovated in roughly 50 years. McDowell thought their inclusion was especially meaningful: “They are the most important people on that wall, the people who are here serving us every day and taking care of us.” Upon learning that the goal had been reached, Dupré said, “I am filled with joy and gratitude that so many of the Mercersburg community stepped up to join the effort, as this is about tomorrow. It’s about the next generation of leaders. It’s about paying it forward.” Richardson said this campaign is an important “learning moment” for the Advancement Office on “how to further outreach and philanthropy of those connected to the school.” Mercersburg Academy became coeducational in the 1970s, but women had ties to the school long before then, including mothers who sent their sons and women who married into the community. Dupré, whose 1976 reunion class had the most participants in the challenge, said Mercersburg “changed my trajectory.” Asked what that turnout said about the community, Dupré answered, “This is who we are. Period. Full stop.” Previous Next

< Back ’27 sweeps Founder’s Day Carrie Yang ’27 and Lucas Chen ’27 On October 13, 2026, Mercersburg held its third annual Founder’s Day. The day commemorates the school’s founder, William Mann Irvine, in a series of grade-based student competitions including trivia, lip sync, relay races, and the highly anticipated tug-of-war. Head of School Quentin McDowell explained the design behind the new tradition: “Founder’s Day meaningfully connects our current students with alumni, parents, and friends of Mercersburg that have contributed to building the school we enjoy today. It also helps inspire students to consider how they can—when someday called upon—support causes that are important to them.” The afternoon competition draws inspiration from the Field Days once organized by Irvine but reimagines the tradition through competition between different classes to generate broader student involvement. This year, Founder’s Day featured important changes. Student leaders introduced new competitions and expanded the awards to include a second place award and the Spirit Award. Dean of Students for Community Life Andy Brown explained, “The additions were intended to help keep everyone motivated throughout the whole competition,” as well as “[to] emphasize sportsmanship as competition intensified.” Student Body President Finn Mauro ’27, who helped plan the event, noted that finding balance was one of the challenges organizers faced. “We had to find athletic events that people could do, but also for people who aren’t as athletic and that will engage everyone in the community,” he said, adding that the new awards were intended to give every grade something to compete for. Ultimately, the Class of 2030 took the Spirit Award, the Class of 2029 finished in second place, and the Class of 2027 snatched the coveted belt. A fan-favorite event, lip sync, returned to headline Founder’s Day. The performances did not disappoint. Chase Ruch ’28 identified Kellen Greene ’28’s backflip as his favorite moment. Jerry Sun ’27, whose electrifying dance moves impressed a panel of judges, noted that his class performance was no overnight success. “We spent Sunday and Monday night practicing for more than two hours. We also worked with Paris Zhang [’27] and Jillian Remeikas [’27], who really helped us organize and choreograph the entire dance. Overall, it was the result of a collective effort,” he said. The afternoon’s events culminated in a tug-of-war among the grades. Chelsea Shaver ’27, who served as “the anchor for the [senior] girls,” said her favorite moment was when her team regained momentum from a losing position and won against the class of 2028. For many, school pride was a highlight of the event. Pedro Magalhães ’30 said, “Even though we are separated by grades, it’s nice to see how we can still come together and have a fun day.” Nicholas Zhou ’29 embraced the competitive side of the day. “I’m looking forward to beating the senior class and having a wonderful time with my peers,” he said before the competition. Though the class of 2029 did not achieve that goal, they finished as runners-up, a marked improvement over their last-place finish last year. The experience of Founder’s Day differed depending on where each class stood in its Mercersburg journey. Grade Dean JD Bennett described the ninth grade’s experience as one of “discovery,” something “fresh.” Senior Grade Dean Tim Kerr encouraged his students to make the most of their final experience: “It’s just trying to squeeze out all the juice from every event that we’ve been doing, because it’s the last time that we’ll do that here.” As Founders Day becomes a formal tradition, it may continue to evolve. McDowell noted that though he hopes it remains a day of reflection and competition, he believes “natural evolution is important.” Brown similarly hopes the event stays “student-centered and student-designed,” allowing future generations to continue shaping what has already become a celebration of Mercersburg culture. Previous Next

< Back Stage to studio, technique to expression Jada Bao ’28 Oct 16, 2026 Mercersburg’s Director of Dance, Kelsy Rupp, began her lifelong dance journey in a theater seat at just two and a half years old. Watching her older cousin perform in The Nutcracker , young Rupp leaned over the edge of her seat, pointed directly at the stage, and said, “I wanna do that.” That spark ignited a passion that carried her from early childhood classes at age three into serious training by age ten. Throughout her youth, Rupp established herself as a remarkably athletic performer. Known in ballet for her powerful turns and jumps (often stepping into energetic roles like the Spanish Chocolate soloist or Marzipan in The Nutcracker ) and later in modern dance companies recognized for their physical intensity, she built her early career around raw strength and dynamic movement. Yet, as she launched her career, her understanding of dance evolved. While pursuing her undergraduate degree at Radford University and performing professionally, Rupp discovered that her true creative passion was moving from the center of the stage to work behind the scenes. Recently, her focus has shifted toward choreography, expression, and guiding young artists as an educator. Rupp’s draws her teaching philosophy from what she wishes she had experienced as a young student. Her approach prioritizes compassion, meeting dancers wherever they are in their skill levels, and fostering an inclusive studio environment. “I pride myself on being able to teach a multi-level class,” Rupp said. “My ultimate goal is that they leave with a love for dance as an art experience rather than just trying to be great technicians.” Moreover, Rupp introduced body consent early in her teaching career. Recognizing that dance instruction often involves physical adjustments, she understands that every person's body is their own, and they have the right to decline; therefore, she always asks permission before making corrections. Above all, her primary goal is to ensure students leave the studio with a sense of safety as well as a deep appreciation for dance. Rupp’s perspective on the craft has also evolved since her high school days as an assistant. While her early career concentrated on strict technique, she now places greater value on creative voice and individual expression. Reflecting on her youth in rigorous settings, Rupp’s advice for her students and her younger self is "It's just not that serious." Recognizing that dance originated as a universal form of human communication and community celebration, she encourages dancers to stay true to themselves and give up perfectionism. Even as a seasoned dancer, Rupp often tells her students about embarrassing moments throughout her dance journey. One such was surviving a stage fall, and another a high school Nutcracker incident in which a 30-second quick change left an earring inside her pointe shoe, piercing her arch mid-performance. Rupp brings a rich trove of experience to the Mercersburg community. She reported having engaged in post-show traditions like hunting down local Chipotle spots with her former touring company and drawing artistic inspiration from groundbreaking choreographers like Kyle Abraham and German dance-theater legend Pina Bausch. Today, Rupp balances her ongoing personal artistic explorations with leading the school’s dance program. For her, dance remains an ever-evolving language rooted in empathy and bringing people together through movement. Previous Next

Jack Lewis '25 < Back The 'Burg responds - or doesn't Jack Lewis '25 As tensions increase due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian war, students at school campuses across the globe are attempting to understand how to respond. However, many believe one notable absence has been Mercersburg Academy, where the dialogue has not been as prominent as on many other campuses. Students reported a lack of discussion or activism, highlighting an engagement gap. Many feel that formal coverage has been limited, as it mostly occurs during informal conversations among students in classes. “After the attack on October 7, our school did a good job of trying to create open discussion, such as brown bag lunches. However, since then, it seemed to fade away,” said Gigi Devlin ’24. “The school hasn’t been doing anything to promote conversation, and also, students don’t really want to have the conversations because they seem too scared to talk with people who have different opinions.” Taimur Rehman ’25 noted, “I think we are fairly detached from the world as a school, but it is our responsibility to be citizens and engage with the world. We could engage more and bring in different perspectives, but overall I am not completely sure what the best response would be.” Others suggested that a quieter but more educational approach toward building awareness and discussion on campus is necessary. “As an academic institution, our school shouldn’t have the obligation to respond to a global conflict. Education on the topic is important, but besides that, it is no longer in the school’s hands,” said Devin Rotz ’25. “I think administratively, there could have been more of a response. I understand we do definitely have two very different demographics on either side,” said Olivia Glick ’25. “I don’t think [the administration] needed to come out and say what they specifically support; there just needs to be more of an acknowledgment of the situation.” For some, the response has been adequate. “I feel the heart of the conflict is within the government and things that we as a school cannot control. My teachers have done a good job of informing us about the protests and overall conflict, without persuading a certain belief,” said Avery Liu ’25. Looking ahead, seniors bound for college next year are contemplating how the Israeli-Palestinian war may impact their college experience. Devlin speculated, “I assume that, unless the universities respond to the students’ claims, which I do not think will happen anytime soon, there still will be protests.” “I totally think it will affect my freshman year of college. It is a little bit scary, seeing what is in the news,” Corbin Kelly ’24 noted. “I see students being… arrested for protesting, but at the same time we see these protesters affecting life on campus.” “I think college should be a place for activism and a place to find a safe space; however, I do think the current integration of students and non-student protests that are most active have polarized the issue more than it would be if it were just students alone,” Gabe McGuire ’24 said. Kelly remarked, “I think Mercersburg’s response could be analyzing how our school prepares students who are going to the college campus’ where these conflicts are playing a large role in student life.” Mercersburg’s campus is experiencing a response to the Gaza War, represented by varying levels of engagement, awareness, and discussion. As seniors prepare to attend college this fall, it is important to encourage attention to the current dynamics on campuses nationwide and abroad. Previous Next

Ben Pham '27 < Back Buzzing with excitement: Del Toro returns Ben Pham '27 Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy buzzed with excitement as Academy Award-winning actor Benicio del Toro ’85 returned to his alma mater. Best known for his iconic roles in Traffic, The Usual Suspects, and Sicario , del Toro brought personal stories and thoughtful advice to campus for current students. Del Toro shared candid reflections, saying, “For every success you see, there [are] so many rejections and doubts. To survive all that, I think I developed short-term memory—because you have to turn the page and move on.” Originally a business major at the University of California-San Diego, del Toro enrolled in an acting class because it seemed “easy.” Instead, that class sparked a lifelong passion for acting that would shape his life and career. Returning to campus, del Toro reflected on Mercersburg's impact on his journey: “[While] I’m looking at the campus, and I'm looking at this ecosystem where I grew up, I thought about myself here. Because of Mercersburg, I got the tools to become an individual—[to] have my own thoughts, my own ideas—and later, when I left Mercersburg, everything came into place.” Science teacher Jim Malone coached del Toro on the varsity basketball team during his time at the Academy. Malone recalled the actor’s days as a student-athlete: “He was a real leader. He was a happy kid. He was a fun kid. He was a responsible kid. I coached him in basketball, and his senior year he was team captain—he led the team on the scoresheet and in the lockers. [He was] a great student of the game.” Regarding del Toro’s most recent return to Mercersburg, Malone said, “He's stayed in touch. I’m always delighted to spend a few minutes with him when he's here.” Del Toro’s visit extended beyond being interviewed by school archivist and Film Studies teacher Doug Smith, with a special screening of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington , a film featuring fellow Academy Award winner and Mercersburg alumnus Jimmy Stewart ’28, followed by a Q&A session. The movie was appreciated by the Mercersburg community. Shine Jo ’25 said, “I love the movie. I feel like his expressions are just priceless. You can't have that good of an expression Jimmy Stewart has, and even though the movie is black and white, it still had so many emotions and colors. Benicio and I talked about the hat, which meant a lot in that movie, representing his whole emotional journey throughout the movie.” Many students were left with lasting impressions and lessons learned. Maddie Weiss ’25, who interviewed del Toro for her senior capstone project, said, “He said some really insightful things. He constantly said throughout that he always loves an underdog. I think the film he showed really reflected his humbleness and how down-to-earth he is.” His presence was also felt through more personal interactions throughout the day. Director of Capstones JD Bennett stated, “What I've enjoyed the most is watching him interact with students. He's been so patient and so gracious; he must have posed for 500 photos today. He was signing autographs when he met with Stoney Batter. How engaged he's been with everyone has made the day feel really inclusive.” Jo added, “I'm going to a big college, and he also gave me a lot of advice on how to meet people, and that it's okay to be alone sometimes, just not lonely. It was a lot of life advice, especially from someone so experienced.” Weiss echoed the sentiment: “As someone who's going to NYU Tisch next year and studying at the same studio he did [the Stella Adler Studio], what he told me about his experience there just makes me even more excited.” Previous Next

Audrey Hua '26 and Bauhinia Chen '26 < Back 7/11? More like 24/7 Audrey Hua '26 and Bauhinia Chen '26 Disclaimer: Satire Edition On Monday, March 31, Mercersburg Academy announced that the True Blue Cafe will be open 24 hours daily, Monday through Sunday. This change reflects the unprecedented increase in student demand and is a decision meticulously made by administrators, faculty, and staff. The True Blue staff was overwhelmed by the number of orders. "We're completely overloaded," True Blue staff member Jessica Saunders said. "I took the 2 am shift because I thought it would be easy, but it’s honestly been like a zombie apocalypse — the students just keep spawning." "I've never seen so many of us packed in one place," Derrick Park '25 said. "It's like the Enchanted Forest after first check-in." Another True Blue staff member, Frankie Jones, complained about their inability to keep up with the orders. "We've started frying our burgers in the grease we wipe off tables — it saves so much time,” he said. Dean of Student Life Andy Brown and Head of School Quentin McDowell discussed the crisis and announced a novel solution: True Blue Interns. "We were looking for a way to alleviate the burden of our lovely True Blue staff while also allowing students to engage positively with the Mercersburg community," McDowell said. "So far, it's been really successful," Brown said. "We’ve had a record number of applicants. In fact, we've included a section for students to check their alternate choices - including Student Council President and Mugwump - in case they don't get in." "I screamed when I saw the email," Reed Warner '25 said. "I was on my twenty-fourth cookie of the night and I literally just stopped and said, 'Oh my God, I got a True Blue internship!'" Max Friedman, Head True Blue Intern, described the process. "On top of academic prerequisites, the application requires a personal statement, culinary research paper, graduation from a food science summer course with full marks, and four 1000-word supplementary essays. The first round of winnowing is then followed by two seven hour interviews with Mr. McDowell.” Amid the exclusive list of admitted interns, one student managed to outshine the rest for the coveted Head True Blue Intern. Next year, Friedman will pass the torch to Duc Nguyen ‘26. "They usually only let in current seniors in Cum Laude with an 106 average who will reject an Ivy," Nguyen said. "I was really surprised when they accepted me, a junior who only has 52 APs and 1439 service hours." This year, the acceptance rate for True Blue Interns is projected to drop to 3.2%. Due to roaring demand and the rigor of the internship, a new position will be added in the coming school year: the True Blue Intern Intern, which will provide the opportunity to train under a real True Blue Intern. This position is set to offer a gateway into the True Blue Intern position for applicants who missed the mark but displayed promising potential. Previous Next

Andrew Lebowitz '24 < Back Judge John Jones Andrew Lebowitz '24 On Friday, September 16, 2022, the Mercersburg community witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event: the installation of Quentin McDowell as the school’s eighth head of school. Students, faculty, staff, parents, and members of the Board of Regents were introduced to the ceremony’s main speaker, Hon. John Jones ‘73. Since graduating from Mercersburg, Jones has attended Dickinson-Law School and been named one of its “top 25 most influential graduates.” In 2002, Jones was appointed by President George Bush to be the District Judge for the middle district of PA. Jones has spoken on two other occasions at Mercersburg Academy, once at commencement in 2006 and next as the 2009 Cum Laude speaker. For the Induction, Judge Jones was an extremely easy pick. “Judge Jones is an exceptionally dedicated and decorated Mercersburg Academy alum that I have known for many years,” says McDowell. “He has served as an important mentor for me during my time here, particularly as I moved into elevated administrative roles. Judge Jones is also in academia himself as the newly appointed president of Dickinson College, which only added to the appeal of having him speak at this important ceremony for our school.” Board of Regents member Tom Hadzor ‘72, who introduced Jones at the installation, said “A federal judge hopes to have one monumental case during his or her tenure, John had two.” Jones was the deciding judge for Blair v. Shippensburg , a case in which a student sued the school to stop enforcing a speech code. He ruled in favor of the student and issued an order for less restriction of free speech. Another important ruling was Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District , in which Jones sided against the school boards required teaching of “intelligent design” in the Dover public school, calling it an unconstitutional breach of the establishment clause. Lastly, in Whitewood v. Wolf , Jones reversed Pennsylvania’s legislative prohibition of same-sex marriage. During his speech, Jones praised McDowell: “Quentin brings humility, joy and an essential optimism to everything he does. It is those who lead with passion, sincerity, and focus who will achieve greatness, Quentin McDowell my friend, possesses these traits in abundance.” With the final words of his speech, Jones celebrated the new head of school and looked towards the future: “Let me echo the high praise from Quentin's former boss and predecessor now. Our new head of school has all the tools that will lead him to greatness as Mercersburg's eighth head of school. I cannot wait to see all the success that he achieves in the years ahead as well as the impact he will have on so many of you and so many young lives. Those who attend this phenomenal school will have the great good fortune to experience an exemplary role model and truly inspirational leader. Congratulations and Godspeed my friend.” “I thought Judge Jones did a wonderful job with his remarks and, if I had to pick what I thought was the most impactful, I would say that I greatly appreciated the way he wove the history and historical figures of Mercersburg Academy into his speech. The acknowledgment of the dedication and determination of those that have come before us is really important to me” stated McDowell. Emma Dilalla ‘24 said “He projected a lot of love for McDowell and for the school. Judge Jones knew five out of the eight heads of schools, and he believed McDowell fit the characteristics of all of them.” History department chair Allison Stephens’ Advanced Studies: United States History class had the chance to hear Jones’ thoughts on democracy prior to his address to the school. “He explained his overall career. This made me develop a further understanding of the legislative branch and the balances the system holds. What stood out most to me was his approach on how people latch onto public opinion too easily. It worried him how many people follow different political types without further questioning,” says Ruby Shang ‘24. “It was important to me to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with Judge Jones,” said Stephens. “The students are just now starting to learn the principles of the constitution and the reasoning behind its structure. In this hyper political time, having Jones talk about the need for non-partisanship on the bench was particularly salient. I hope that we will be able to have him return to campus later in the year.” Previous Next

Alex Cho '23 < Back Cast the ballot! Alex Cho '23 Mercersburg has long maintained a community engagement program that fulfills the PGA requirement. Recently, however, a small group of students and faculty members came together to establish the Community Engagement Council (CEC) designed to provide service opportunities for students outside of the PGA. Their focus is currently set on expanding voting awareness at Mercersburg. When asked why the CEC started this campaign, CEC member Talia Cutler ‘23 said, “Many people do not know where or how this process starts. We hope we can provide as much guidance as we can to get people to vote. If we get students involved now, they will hopefully be involved for a long time to come.” She also provided the details of their campaign. The CEC has placed posters around campus with voting information and a QR code to a website called Rock the Vote. Founded in 1990 and directed toward young voters, Rock the Vote is an organization that provides resources to answer specific questions, like how people can register to vote and how to vote by mail-in ballot, knowledge crucial for Mercersburg students. The CEC’s goal is to clear any uncertainties toward voting and instill a sense of excitement and responsibility among the students. CEC member Andrew Leibowitz ‘24 said, “We hope to see a higher voter turnout from Mercersburg students and get involved in government and social change.” Previous Next

Jolie Zhu '26 < Back Reviving an old tradition Jolie Zhu '26 At a recent school meeting, Andy Brown, the Dean of Students for Community Life, made an exciting announcement to the Mercersburg community: Founder’s Day, previously known as Field Day, will make a comeback. This tradition, originally centered around athleticism and competitive spirit, will be revived with some changes. Head of School Quentin McDowell, who proposed reinvigorating this tradition, explained that his inspiration came from his passion for Mercersburg's history. “There's a part of me that really enjoys our history and understanding our history,” McDowell remarked. He said he learned about other schools celebrating Founder’s Days and saw value in people sharing their Mercersburg stories through this tradition. McDowell added, “I realized that Dr. [William Mann] Irvine had a Field Day in the fall, and I thought how cool it would be to have a Founder’s Day similar to Field Day that would honor him and what he used to do, as well as have this really important message about how our community has been built over a century-plus.” School Archivist Doug Smith explained, “The original Field Day was an athletic competition in the morning. But at another point, it became an interschool track meet, and the whole school would come down and watch this track meet.” Ultimately, the Williams Cup Champion, awarded to the top performer in a series of athletic competitions, emerged as a highlight of each school year. However, the tradition's legacy is complex. “The idea and effect of Field Day, historically, was to bring the community together and make everybody feel like part of Mercersburg. Unfortunately, it led to some unsavory community building practices that the school did not promote,” Smith noted. Such practices eventually led to the discontinuation of the tradition. In reviving the event, this year's Founder’s Day celebration will feature a school meeting with Mercersburg benefactor and former Board of Regents Chair Deborah Simon ’74, who will share her Mercersburg story and contributions to the school. Many minds have been working to plan the fun lineup of activities for the afternoon. Madeline Chu ’27 noted, “In the Student Council meetings, we discussed Founder’s Day and voted on the events that will be held.” Jessica Dang ’26 added, “We're going to have events around the track such as holding a spoon with an egg. It's not just sports activities; everyone will be included.” The complete list of events was kept secret and sent out on October 1, 2024. Adding to the excitement, the winning grade will receive a miniature Heads Holiday and something truly special – a unique token of achievement designed by Head of School Quentin McDowell. “It’s very ridiculous,” he teased, hinting, “Everybody wants to do a silver bowl or a little trophy, and I'm like, no, I think we can get weirder than that.” He kept the specifics under wraps but promised it will be something memorable. The response to the prospect of Founder’s Day has been overwhelmingly positive. Paxton Diana ’26 said, “I think it should be really fun.” Shubhlean Kaur ’27 added, “I think it's interesting that the school wants to spread awareness about it, and I appreciate the school trying to inform people about the history of Mercersburg.” Smith captured the essence of this “new tradition,” saying, “As a school archivist and a coach, I like any events we can do that build pride in our school and link us to the past and hopefully to the future. I think this event is something that we can build upon, that will grow in our community, and that the kids will like.” Previous Next

Cole Piraino ’26 < Back Devin wants your vote! Cole Piraino ’26 In the Tuscarora school district, more than 2,000 students are represented by a school board made up entirely of adults who are far removed from the classroom. For his Capstone project, Devin Rotz ’25 dedicated himself to challenging the local status quo by running for office. Located in Franklin County, PA, the Tuscarora School District provides summer programs, tutoring initiatives, technology integration, and the management of general education across the district. The responsibility of these projects falls into the hands of the school board members. But there’s one significant difference between these members and the students they represent: their age. Rotz’s election would bring a youthful perspective to school board discussions. “I am running for the school board because we need a student voice. In an ever-changing education system, it’s more important now than ever to have a student voice representing the current issues facing us,” he said. Highlighting the need for new perspectives, Rotz added, “Some people in the community are exhausted with the same rhetoric [used repeatedly] from our school board members.” Rotz has clear goals for the board. He noted: “transparency, common-sense spending, better support for faculty and staff, and ensuring our facilities are future-ready.” These are the core principles by which Rotz is guiding his campaign. To maximize his chances at making it through the primaries, Rotz chose to cross-file, putting his name on both the Democratic and Republican primary ballots. This means he has already won a spot on the Democratic ballot for the November election. However, in an area that leans heavily conservative, Rotz’s chances of overall victory are limited if his name is affiliated with the Democratic Party, which is why he is still fighting for votes among Republicans. On the Republican primary ballot, Rotz has four opponents, three who currently serve on the board. Though it may appear ambitious, Rotz’s goal is within reach. The election has four spots up for grabs. With only five candidates, Rotz has a good chance. Considering that Rotz is the only youth candidate (besides Mr. Hawbaker), he is a standout. “I am optimistic that I have a good chance of winning. I hope that voters will want a fresh and young perspective on the school board.” Rotz said. “In o ur local elections, people don’t have to put themselves out there because no one runs for office. I am having as many conversations and interactions as I can utilize social media.” Rotz believes this may very well push him into a much-needed victory for Franklin County. Rotz has had this vision for quite some time, agreed both Director of Capstones John David Bennett and Director of Experiential Programs Emily Parsons. “ Devin has been talking to me about running for office for the past few years,” said Parsons. “I knew that he was interested in pursuing a local elected position last year, but his decision to run for school board was an awesome surprise this fall!” “I love it when students do work in any capstone class that they’ll carry with them well beyond the classroom,” said Bennett. Devin’s campaign embodies the opportunities that students are given through Capstone and is an example of making the most out of their senior project. A Rotz victory in the polls could be revolutionary for the school board and the community it serves. If the purpose of a school board is to represent and serve student interests, then meaningful representation must include the voices of young people. Previous Next