Simon Brennan ’26 < Back A living tradition: Family Weekend Simon Brennan ’26 Mercersburg Academy's campus welcomed families and alumni last weekend. They shared cherished traditions, attended classes, and celebrated the community that defines the school. From Step Songs echoing off the mountains to the glow of the bonfire on Tippetts Beach, the weekend offered students a chance to share their Mercersburg experience with those who matter most. Family and Alumni Weekend are deeply rooted in Mercersburg history, serving a vital purpose beyond simple visitation. "They are particularly important traditions at schools that are predominately boarding, as they create the opportunity to build more community among parents, allow families to experience a taste of their children's lives at school, and, along with our alumni, celebrate traditions and attend athletic or performing arts events to cheer on our students," explained Quentin McDowell. He noted that throughout the weekend, the school also offered programming for college counseling, student life, and other key areas. Because the weekend has been running smoothly in recent years, McDowell said there were no major changes this fall. For students, the weekend offered a break from routine and an opportunity to showcase their daily lives. "I definitely look forward to Family and Alumni Weekend. I like the break from our usual routine, and I love how the campus feels extra lively and connected as a community," said Kiran Innis '27. Revant Jear '28 echoed this sentiment, noting the excitement of having parents on campus and the chance for them to meet his friends and witness everyday student life. Jack Pollinger '26 described it as "one of the best events of the year," explaining that the weekend embodies Mercersburg's motto "Define yourself here." For Pollinger, the weekend held personal significance as the chance to share his experience with his younger brother, who is not at Mercersburg. "Whether it is going out to dinner with your parents and friends, competing on such a large stage in front of a large crowd, or losing your voice during step songs while they all watch, I think it is a weekend that shows what Mercersburg and its motto are all about," he said. The weekend's signature event, Step Songs, gathered the community in a display of school spirit and tradition. Band director Shami Beni explained the careful preparation that goes into the musical for the weekend. "At the first band practice of the year, we played through each Step Song to introduce them, then broke things down by individual pieces, starting with M-E-R, followed by Old Mercersburg, and finally the Alma Mater," Beni said. He worked separately with percussionists to fix the cadence, ensuring everyone felt confident with their parts, including veterans with new parts this year. Beni views Step Songs as more than just a musical performance. "Honestly, I see it as the public school's version of a pep rally, where students and faculty come together to build excitement for upcoming games and welcome families," he said. "It plays an important role in showcasing school spirit and identity, not only for the students but also for families and alumni." The bonfire on Friday night provided another memorable opportunity, though the logistics behind the tradition required a lot of preparation. Dean of Students Andy Brown explained that the grounds team saves materials throughout the summer and fall, building the fire structure on Wednesday or Thursday before the event. "On Friday, either students or myself will go out and start putting up newspaper and other stuff that will light easily to aid in lighting the fire," Brown said. When he is notified that students are on their way with torches, he's already at Tippetts Beach. The local fire department stood by during the event, if the fire was difficult to start, Director of Technology John Chepren would arrive with a blowtorch to help. For students, the bonfire photos became a chaotic but memorable part of the experience. Noah Park '29 noted the challenge of getting big group photos but said it "truly adds to the experience." While Park mentioned that closing campus entrances caused his DoorDash driver some trouble, he appreciated the opportunity to watch various sporting events throughout the weekend. Parents and alumni found a variety of ways to connect with the Mercersburg experience. Pollinger's father, Alex ‘89, attended classes to get a sense of the rigor his son had talked about, while also participating in college counseling meetings and attending the Blue/White swim meet, and, as Jack reported, "cheering on kids he didn't even know, but students and members of the community, nonetheless." Pollinger's final Family and Alumni Weekend as a student carried emotional weight for his parents. " In a bittersweet moment of this weekend coming to a close, I found joy in creating these memories with my family and best friends that will last a lifetime," he said. Alumni returned to campus for many different reasons, many driven by their lasting connection to the school. Tearl Bradley '91, a founding member of the Black Student Union, explained his motivation: "I came back because of my commitment to the Mercersburg community, specifically with one of those communities being the Black Student Union that I was a part of." He also wanted to see former teachers including Jim Malone, Dave Holzwarth, Allison Stephens, and Andy Schroer. "It's a love for this school. It's a love for what this institution meant to me as a student, what it means to me as an alum, and for future generations of Mercersburg Academy," Bradley said. Douglas Brennan '83 attended with his wife Anabela, parents of Simon ’26 and Matthew ’28, both happy to see their sons. "I enjoyed the classes at Mercersburg. They have certainly changed a lot over 40 years!" Brennan said. The couple attended a range of classes, particularly enjoying economics, math, and physics, the hands-on lab work in particular. The weekend demonstrated how Mercersburg's traditions serve to strengthen the bonds between students, families, alumni, and the institution itself. Whether through the voices raised in Step Songs, the warmth of the bonfire, or attending a class together, Family and Alumni Weekend creates moments that stay long after the visitors depart. As the campus returns to normal, the memories made during these few days become part of the ongoing story that connects generations of the long blue line. Previous Next

Tristan Paulette ’27 < Back Honoring MLK’s legacy Tristan Paulette ’27 On Monday, January 20, Mercersburg Academy celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with special programming. Jamar Galbreath, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mercersburg Academy, stated, “It’s a chance for us to pause and give additional attention to things that we don’t normally get an opportunity to explore.” Organizers invited prominent human rights activist Dr. Loretta Ross, currently a visiting professor at Smith College, to give the first Keynote Address for the day. Galbreath explained, “[Ross] brought a really humanizing element to the work that we're doing. So I hope that Professor Ross was able to model that for us and be able to bring an interpersonal connection to work that's sometimes challenging.” During her address, Ross explained the concept of “calling in” as a means to building dialogue with accountability. “Justice is not just about what we’re fighting against,” she said. “It’s about the community we’re building together.” She considered the faults that result from calling out and cancel culture. “How can you fight for human rights using the same tactics as prisons, silencing, isolating, and disposing of people? Calling out should be a tactic of last resort, not the first tool in your toolbox,” she observed. “She shared a lot of meaningful messages throughout her speech, and they really stood out to me. Calling in isn’t about judging people. It is more about understanding them without hatred,” reflected Ava Shanefelter ‘26. After the morning keynote, students assembled with their Advisories to compete with their classmates in a trivia session of Kahoot. The questions, related to the events in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., allowed students to learn about the importance of the man as a historical figure. Galbreath explained, “Our programming and planning happens to create extra space to think about Dr. King’s vision and its application to today.” The afternoon schedule offered a menu of sessions from which students could choose. “What we are offering is an opportunity to explore some different ways to enter in those conversations, maybe thinking a little bit more about what you're bringing to the conversation and what others could be as well,” said Galbreath. Jazlyn Garnett ’27 co-led the Active Listening session. She stated, “I really believe in active listening. It’s a tool people should learn early on. I like hearing the discussions that happen when people really listen to each other.” Garnett also reflected on the entirety of the day. “Taking a day to learn and reflect on Dr. King’s life and legacy is more rewarding than just having the day off. This shows that Mercersburg is willing to take a full day to acknowledge civil rights and important causes.” She continued, “It’s about making sure people are educated about the past and aware of what they can do in the future.” The day ended with Dr. Tony Keith, Jr., engaging students with slam poetry. Galbreath explained, “He brings an awesome energy and sort of agency with his work around knowledge of self and education. I just love the way that he brings that energy and also how he works to really empower lots of student voices to create something cool.” Many students enjoyed the special programming, including Shanefelter. She said, “I attended the Racial Reconciliation session because it focused on off-campus community service and learning about the local community.” Shanefelter’s personal focus, volunteer work, led to her choice. “I do community service already, so I wanted to learn more about how we connect with the community beyond campus. The person we helped told us how much it meant to him, and that made it feel like we really made a difference. So, knowing that our work helped a small team that couldn’t do everything on their own was really powerful.” Regarding the mission for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Galbreath said, “It’s a chance for us to pause and give additional attention to things that we don’t normally get an opportunity to explore. We learned a little bit about creating different opportunities and different strategies to have these conversations from calling in like [Ross], calling on folks to improve their surroundings, and sometimes calling out when necessary.” In many ways, the mission of the special programming— listen , understand , and empower —reflected Ross’s keynote: “You can say what you need to say, and you can mean what you say, but you don’t have to say it mean. Justice is not just about what we’re fighting against. It’s about the community we’re building together.” Previous Next

Justin Oh ‘25 < Back Managing anxiety in an ever anxious world Justin Oh ‘25 This past Monday, Mercersburg students gathered in the Simon Theatre for the first endowed lecture of the school year: the Ammerman Family Lecture. School Minister William Whitmore said that the endowment “supports a series of distinctive programs for the Mercersburg Academy community that brings to the community speakers of national renown who have important perspectives on significant issues of the day and the capacity to help young people understand the relevance of such issues in their lives.” This year's lecture was given by Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, researcher in psychology, Hunter College professor, and published author, most recently of the book Future Tense. She spoke to the evolutionary necessity of anxiety for survival and encouraged the audience to embrace their nervous moments. Regarding the choice for this year’s speaker, Whitmore said, “Dr. Dennis-Tiwary was selected given her unique approach to anxiety and her previous experience speaking with high school-age students.” He also explained the relevance of Deniis-Tiwary’s field of expertise for Mercersburg students: “Given the prevalence of concerns around anxiety on our campus, and in the wider society, we felt it was important to bring in a speaker who could help us frame these issues in a different way.” Regarding the substance of the message, many students generally had positive opinions about it. Bingxiu Qin ‘25 said, “The speech was thought-provoking and relevant to my life, as I gained a new perspective on anxiety, which I found helpful in dealing with my stressful schedule.” Alex Van Ess ‘24 said the speech gave him insight on harnessing his anxiety for success. He said, “Rather than thinking of anxiety as something debilitating, I can now try to make it a tool that I can use to get work done efficiently and make it through during stressful or high-pressure situations.” At the same time, there were some voices that criticized some portions of Dennis-Tiwary’s speech. She was seen by some as overly academic, and prone to minimizing the personal experiences of anxiety and anxiety disorders. Crystal Chiu ‘25 said, “I wish she would have specified that this talk was more about ways to approach anxiety, or even spent some time digging deeper into anxiety disorders.” During the following day’s Q&A session, Dennis-Tiwary addressed these criticisms directly, going so far as to ask students for feedback on how she could have improved her talk, saying with a smile, “I’m an excellentist, not a perfectionist.” She acknowledged that due to time constraints, she was unable to make her points with as much understanding and empathy as she had wanted. She affirmed her belief that those experiencing disordered anxiety should get the help and support they need, and she offered an analogy to illustrate her point. “Emotions are like waves. They come, and they go, and they rise. You can learn how to swim. You can learn how to surf. You can even learn how to sail. And sometimes [the wave] will flatten you, but that's just being human.” Following the Q&A, Fawad Jan ‘24 said, “Personally, I really liked it. I play squash and find anxiety to be helpful when I have to play a match. I learned new things, and the Q&A also clarified some views I already had about this topic.” Previous Next

Amanda Xi '25 < Back Celebrating AAPI Amanda Xi '25 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, abbreviated as AAPI month, is celebrated every May in the United States to honor the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have immigrated to the country. AAPI includes a wide community, and at Mercersburg, many students identify themselves as such. Asian communities immigrated to the United States as early as the Gold Rush of the 1840s; however, the nation did not recognize their contributions until 1979. AAPI month was originally a week, named Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, but in 1990, May was made the designated month of tribute. This choice was not random, May is an important month in Asian American history. It was when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the US and when Chinese workers finished building the first US transcontinental railroad. Today, AAPI month is an opportunity for communities of Asian descent to celebrate their accomplishments and be recognized by all Americans. The Asian Student Union at Mercersburg was founded one year ago to bring together Asian-identifying students from international and domestic backgrounds. So far, they have hosted SSC takeovers, bringing culture to the community through H-Mart snacks and movie nights. Jordan Yuan, ‘24, one of the founders of ASU, says, “We just want to have fun and get together having a good time.” For AAPI month, ASU is planning something bigger for the entire school. At Friday’s school meeting, ASU is bringing Jillian Tamaki, a Japanese-Canadian illustrator, to speak about her art and representation of self. Leaders of ASU have been planning this event since early this year. Yuan says, “I read a book by Tamaki over the summer, and I thought it would be great to bring her over to talk. AAPI month is the perfect chance to introduce more works from the AAPI community.” Students have also expressed excitement about joining the AAPI celebrations around campus. Since ASU is a new student union, this is the first year they have hosted the school-wide celebration of AAPI month. Students widely approve of this plan. Yiting Sun ‘25 says, “I’m glad we are starting to show more appreciation for other cultures, especially as an Asian American right now.” Celebrating AAPI is exciting for Asian-identifying students but for the greater Mercersburg community, it can be equally rewarding. Germany Johnson, ‘25, a third-year Chinese language student, says, “I am excited about the talk on Friday. I think it’s good to learn about new cultures, especially because we are such a diverse community.” Previous Next

Elizabeth Orders '25 < Back Our Students are (O)h (S)o (L)oyal Elizabeth Orders '25 Disclaimer: Satire edition “Here ye, here ye!” Allison Appenzeller chants while unrolling an exceptionally long scroll penned with a quill from the Thunder mascot costume. “We gather on this fine Friday to shame the students who have dishonored our beloved OSL.” This was the scene greeting students and faculty when they sat down for school meeting last Friday: Andy Brown sitting on the Simon Theatre stage upon a throne, stroking his menacing goatee. The meeting was planned to introduce Women's History Month and watch the different grades’ draft picks for trivia (the lineup was rumored to include staunch allies like Wyatt Parks ‘25). “My eyes were assaulted by the sight of Mr. Brown in a VERY loose tunic with student activities interns feeding him grapes,” said Ellie Sapp ’25, in the bathroom of South as she scrubbed her eyeballs with hand soap, desperately trying to purge the vision from her memory. Stella Schwartz ’28, similarly horrified, fainted from the highest balcony into the crowd below. The meeting, commandeered by the Office of Student Life, introduced the new behavior point and punishment system. In order to ensure maximum attention from the student body, the temperature in the Simon Theatre was turned to 50 °F, and any student missing from their seat was kidnapped, blindfolded, and bound before being driven back to the Burgin Center for the Arts in the OSL golf carts with a dunce cap adorning their head. Some students fled to One North to avoid the two-hour school meeting block. “I support the kids’ choices to patronize local businesses,” said Doug Smith as he wielded a coupon gun that rained 20% off One North discounts on the students cheering below as they waited to bow to Brown to show their fealty. The infamous Conduct Review Committee was abolished and replaced by the Most Esteemed and Right Honorable Tribunal of Unseemly Behaviors and the Restoration of Noble Dignity. Jen Craig announced this, rising from the floor while setting fire to the head of the CRC, Hisano Enamoto ’25, as her maniacal laugh rang through the theatre. The new Most Esteemed and Right Honorable Tribunal of Unseemly Behaviors and the Restoration of Noble Dignity (or MERHTUBRND for short) has elected to keep the old tiered punishment system. However, they decided to replace the consequences with “Condemnation that will have students quivering in their clogs and finally caring about the logs they get from OSL,” according to Laurie Rice, who recently left the office citing “creative differences.” “Referral to the Dean” will instead lock students in stocks on the quad. “We have decided to get rid of Chipotle fundraisers and now raise money by selling students tomatoes with with to pelt their peers!” chirped Emily Parsons gleefully as she skipped away, imagining all the profit to be collected. “Warning” will be replaced with light stoning. “I got bored watching students walk aimlessly around the track; my Sunday mornings will now be invigorated by throwing stones at students!” cheered David Bell, recently coming out of retirement after hearing about the modifications. Terrifying portraits of Bell in a bloodied Mickey Mouse tie now litter the hallways in a campaign to scare students straight. “Final Warning” in now two sentences: for girls, being burned at the stake, and for guys, being tarred and feathered. “I will never take a shower after lights out again,” exclaimed Jerry Jin, quivering with his towel barely hanging on as a wagon pulled him away for his retribution. Previous Next

Simon Brennan ’26 < Back Old Tradition, New Voices Simon Brennan ’26 On Friday, January 23, the Mercersburg Academy community gathered for a school meeting led by students Iman Zhakan '26 and Pema Namdol '25, and history department member Harvey Hinman, to revive an old school custom: Chapel Talks. The idea to feature personal speeches emerged from the School Chaplain Task Force, where conversations about creating space for community members to speak freely about their differences led to nostalgia for the former practice. "Some of the people who had been here longer said that we used to have a tradition called 'Chapel Talks' (a sort of 'this I believe' speech by students or employees)," explained Associate Head of School Jennifer Craig, who worked with the task force. "Ultimately, we so enjoyed hearing about everyone and their different backgrounds on the 15-person task force that we thought we should try to resurrect it sooner rather than later." Assistant Head of School for Community and Culture Steven Lee planned the inaugural meeting. "I was approached and asked to be a speaker, and I immediately said yes," Zhakan ‘26 said. "I think it was a great opportunity to tell a story, and I am never opposed to that." Zhakan's speech took a personal approach, sharing a unique story that challenged the audience to reconsider how they perceive moments of beauty. Though initially worried his message might not resonate, Zhakan "just wanted the school to be more open to the unique experiences each individual has had." Jennica Nyguen '27 said, "Iman's story was very personal and unique to him, which made me realize how moments of beauty are often undermined by a lack of understanding or confusion.” She additionally expressed her connection to Namdol’s story: "My name also isn't common in my home country and even more so in the United States." Namdol’s speech centered on navigating multiple identities, using the different names people have called her throughout her life to illustrate moments of her experience. "Being split between worlds isn't something that you should be scared of, but something you should embrace," Namdol stated. She believes this message resonated deeply with the Mercersburg community: "I know a lot of our community is split between life at home and life at school, so it is important for people to know that they aren't alone." Hinman's speech explored the concept of wonder, though he admitted the process wasn't straightforward. "When Mr. Lee first asked me to speak, I had no idea what I wanted to say, so I procrastinated," he confessed. After starting with a graduate school essay and revising multiple times, he crafted a narrative that balanced entertainment with meaning. "I wanted to offer the school something that would have some entertaining elements and share a bit of how I've come to find meaning in my life." Craig emphasized the importance of these diverse stories to Mercersburg's identity. "Different beliefs—studying, trying to understand, exploring, and talking about those beliefs and stories—are at the heart of so much good, creativity, and positive action in the world," she said. While acknowledging that much of Mercersburg's history stems from a narrower cultural background, she noted that these speakers "demonstrate multiple different facets of the people who make Mercersburg" today. All three speakers expressed enthusiasm about continuing the stories. "I hope we continue this practice so that others get to share their stories; I'm eager to hear them all!" Hinman remarked. Zhakan echoed the sentiment: "Definitely would do it again." Previous Next

Olivia Glick '25 < Back Bringing back the triathlon Olivia Glick '25 The Mercersburg Triathlon was an integral part of Mercersburg Academy’s culture for thirty years before being put to rest during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, thanks to the hard work of Louisa Gunkelman ‘25, it is making its return. The 2024 Mercersburg Triathlon is sure to raise spirits across campus during the final few weeks of the school year as our wider community comes together on Sunday, May 5, to compete and support each other in one of the most competitive contests in the world. As someone who competes in triathlons regularly throughout the summer and fall, I am very excited about the chance to experience one at Mercersburg, as well as see other community members compete in the event for the very first time. The distances for this year’s triathlon will include a 400-meter swim, a 10-kilometer bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run. Individual males and females comprise two categories, and the third is a co-ed team category for anyone wishing to participate in groups. All are welcome, including faculty members and their children. For each category, gift cards will be awarded to the top three finishers. As a faculty child, Gunkelman has fond memories of competing in the triathlon with other kids when she was younger. She believes the tradition deserves to be reinstated as part of the annual school culture. Gunkleman worked closely all year with Assistant Dean of Students, Andy Brown, to bring back this event. According to Brown, he only helped with logistics. “Louisa has generated the excitement, sign-up information, and energy behind this event,” Brown noted. The two met in the fall and winter terms to work out details such as prizes, categories, and the course itself. Gunkleman also worked with Mercersburg Outdoor Education (MOE) to provide bikes for the event. “[I want to] attract people who want to do something active on a Sunday and raise student morale,” Gunkleman stated. This event has done so. In just the first several hours of its announcement, triathlon sign-ups reached fourteen students, with even more adding their names in the days following. For many, this will be their first time attempting a triathlon. Rhiannon Myhre ‘25 is one such. She will run the final leg of the race for her team. “I am excited to bond with two of my closest friends in such a ridiculous way that I don’t think many get the opportunity to do. I am so excited for the dinner conversation that we will have as we laugh about how we decided to sign up for a triathlon on a whim!” exclaimed Myrhe. This sentiment is shared by many of the athletes. The Mercersburg Triathlon promises to be an exciting activity in the final days of the school year. The best advice I can give to those competing for the first time is: “Don’t drown; don’t fall; don’t walk. Just Tri .” Previous Next

Jelly Nguyen '24 < Back The legend of Lora Jelly Nguyen '24 Last Monday night, the Mercersburg Academy community gathered in the Simon Theatre for the first endowed lecture of the year. This year’s Jacobs Residency Lecture was Dianna Lora ’00, is now the licensing production manager at Zynga for the upcoming video game Star Wars: Hunters . Dianna Lora is a Bronx native. Her parents immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. Lora’s parents did not speak much English, so their entertainment surrounded the Atari console in their home and the game The Legend of Zelda . Through a non-profit organization called “A Better Chance,” Lora gained the opportunity to pursue her high school education at Mercersburg Academy as a first-generation low-income student. As an Afro-Latina in a predominantly white community, Lora experienced culture shock. But through her perseverance, Lora’s hard work was rewarded when she earned a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and became the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college. At this year’s Jacobs Residency Lecture, the Mercersburg community learned Lora's life story chronicling her rise to success from a humble background. In his introduction, School Minister Will Whitmore said, “Dianna Lora was chosen as the Jacobs Residency Lecturer due to her unique accomplishments and perspective. When talking about sense of place, addressing virtual space and gaming was a priority due to the interest in this from our student body. Dianna also brings a unique perspective as an alumna, Latinx woman. We felt the combination of this was valuable to our community. I got a lot of enjoyment hearing her story and being inspired by it. The slides were fun too!” Lora’s talk was well received and perhaps even changed the perspective of some. Charlie Xu ’26 was particularly fascinated with the unique way that Lora began her speech, having the whole community start it with her by pressing a virtual start button simultaneously. Olivia Wetzel ‘24 said the speech felt personal to her. “I connected with her passion and how she really liked her job. I think it showed that people should do what they love and how they can be successful and happy at the same time.” Alyssa Lee’s ’25 favorite part of the speech was when Lora talked about how Mercersburg changed her life and gave her more opportunities to succeed despite her starting point. In addition to the lecture, Lora also enjoyed a special dinner with the Latinx/Hispanic Student Union and the Black Student Union where she shared more details about her life story. Kevin Malo ’24, vice president of LHSU, felt he was greatly inspired by this more intimate conversation which provided a chance for him to relate to Lora even more. “ During our dinner talk, she explained her journey on how she made it from the Bronx to Mercersburg Academy, which hit very close to home for me. She mentioned that she participated in a program called A Better Chance, which is a program very similar to NJSEEDS, from which I graduated. It felt great to be able to relate to the child of immigrants and being able to make it out of a not so great town.” Deran Shippy ’25 of the BSU learned a lot from the experience. “What I gained from the talk was how you should always be the best version of yourself no matter what the circumstances are.” Malo added, “The speech made me feel emotional because I know the exact feeling she had in that moment; it was one of those ‘I made it’ moments.” Lora finally fulfilled her passion when she began working in the gaming field and cooperating with many high-profile companies and franchises in the industry, such as Ubisoft, Sony, and Cartoon Network. Coming from a modest background where she was, she said, expected to fail, she never gave up. Lora stands as a prime example of always fighting for your passion and dreams. Previous Next

Tiana Lee '25 < Back Walking through history Tiana Lee '25 Last Friday, Nia McAdoo visited Mercersburg Academy to present her family-owned Homage Exhibit–a mobile Black History museum. The private collection of Nia and Morris McAdoo features over 650 selected items, representing the nation’s history from slavery to the election of Barack Obama. McAdoo explains, “Each artifact represents an icon, cultural phenomenon, or pivotal historical moment and accompanies works created by artists and creatives.” Mercersburg’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Office and McAdoo have been working together over the past three years to schedule the Homage Exhibit on campus. For the past two years, the exhibit showed virtually and received great participant feedback, nevertheless. Renata Williams, the director of DEI, initially saw the exhibit as an opportunity to impact the community in the virtual format. Jamar Galbreath, assistant DEI director, said, “To be so close to so many historic artifacts which offer a perspective into the experience of Black History in America makes Black History tangible to the here and now.” According to the DEI Office, the first in-person exhibit was a big success. Williams stated, “We were able to share information and invite folks from the Mercersburg community, local school districts, the Racial Reconciliation Committee, and obviously the entire Mercersburg Academy network - including faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni.” Galbreath reflected, “I am grateful for everyone who visited. Thank you! Members of Racial Reconciliation of Franklin County came to visit the exhibit, and I think that opportunities like this help us build bridges between Mercersburg Academy and our connected and neighboring communities.” Mercersburg students were impressed. Selena Feng ‘24 said, “My favorite part of the exhibit wasn’t an artifact, but the story of how the exhibit formed. This exhibit felt like a bite-sized version in terms of artifacts, but it still had very impactful artifacts that were curated to focus on a more specific narrative.” Ruby Shang ‘24 found the African-American magazines to be her favorite artifacts. She said, “In those magazines, we got to see a different approach toward Civil Rights events and social culture at that time.” Oscar Su ‘25 added, “The Time magazines were interesting because they were such an iconic piece of media. I thought it was fascinating how it’s kind of a representation of America’s views on Black people as a whole.” With the success of the event, the DEI office continues to be busy programming future learning opportunities. Later this month, the Black Alumni Association will host Mercersburg native and Academy alumnus Chris Frisby ‘95 in a virtual fireside chat about the role of Black soldiers from Mercersburg in the Civil War. “We want to pay special attention to things that expose our community to rich cultures and identities that exist within,” Williams explained. Galbreath added, “We are partnering with Mr. Brown and Student Activities to host a trip to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture on March 24! We are planning something hip in April. We’re keeping it under wraps for now, but stay tuned!” While recent advances in DEI programming have been significant, Williams emphasized, “The hope is that we can continue to celebrate all identities in our community, not only during specific months but always.” Previous Next

Bauhinia Chen ’26 Editor-in-Chief < Back VISAble tension Bauhinia Chen ’26 Editor-in-Chief A recent onslaught of deportations and revoked student visas targeting international students brought forth by executive orders from the Trump administration has sparked controversy and anxiety nationwide. Boasting a diverse student body, Mercersburg Academy hosts a large number of international students, many of whom have voiced their concerns about the current situation and their futures. In a departure from standard journalistic practice, the News has chosen to withhold the names of students who agreed to be interviewed to protect their identities. A principal worry is how international students may be more vulnerable to losing visas over minor infractions. “I know there was a guy who had a small traffic violation from years ago, and he got fined. After he resolved it, it was still used against him in immigration. My mom was voicing concerns that this is possible for me and that I should be careful about getting tickets and violating other small rules,” a Korean student added. Many have also expressed that they are being more cautious about what they voice politically. “We see how the current administration has taken away students' visas and rights because of behaviors such as protesting and posting political content on social media. That makes me more wary about what I say on social media,” said a Chinese student. A Korean student agreed, “My parents have [told me] to be mindful of what I say now, and I cannot post or express what I want to say as freely.” Current seniors expressed apprehension about their futures. A senior from Canada said, “I feel insecure with my visa… at the moment. Traveling home through the border is a lot slower, and I recently got stopped for the first time when I was crossing. Under the current situation, it's a lot harder for me to get my visa for university. I am on high alert for not getting into any legal trouble.” Newfound uncertainties and hostility that international students face may undermine the popularity of the U.S. as a destination for higher education. A Chinese student said, “I feel like we’re losing faith, including some of my friends—they're already trying to look into universities outside of the US. I'm still going to be in the US at least for my undergraduate years. But you know what? Maybe if our education system continues to be affected, I might be looking for another country's university for my graduate school.” History teacher Rich Heffron echoed the worry. “How much will the uncertainty affect students' willingness to apply and take the risk of going to a school abroad where your visa might be revoked at the last minute or might be revoked while you're here? Typically America leads, especially in higher education; it's a place to go for advanced degrees. But we may start seeing a shift to universities in South Asia or Europe due to this.” Vicki Thompson, Director of College Counseling, commented on a recent upturn in events. “There were colleges all across the country that were experiencing some students losing their visas, just sort of disappearing overnight. But recently, a number of those visas have been restored due to the individual and federal lawsuits seeking to restore students’ legal status amid targeting by immigration authorities. I don't think we should panic because much of this is the result of a very sudden executive order. These terminations openly disregard the regulations governing student status termination. I think we all have to be vigilant in staying on top of the news.I know everyone in our office is reading everything we can get our hands on to stay abreast of the situation.” On a more positive note, Grace Megaffin, Director of Admissions, confirmed that Mercersburg's visa procedures remain unaffected for now. Megaffin said. "To date, there have not been new policies or alterations in our ability to issue I-20s, so we are hopeful the current political landscape will not change this piece of the enrollment process for our newest families. This year, we have new students from 23 different countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and North America. International students currently make up 20 percent of our student body.” Previous Next

Audrey Hua '26 < Back How can we be better Audrey Hua '26 Last weekend, Mercersburg sent a group of students to attend the thirtieth annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference, part of the People of Color Conference (POCC) sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools. I had the honor of going with fellow students Indira Moshi ‘24, Corbin Kelly ‘24, Talaina Jarrett ‘25, and Carrie Yang ‘27 to St Louis, Missouri to take part in an incredibly diverse gathering of two-thousand-twenty-three high school students from independent schools all over the country. In addition to Mercersburg’s student representatives, four faculty members attended the adult portion of the conference. “Last year was my first time at the PoCC, so I spent a lot of time and energy just enjoying the experience,” Jamar Galbreath, Assistant Director of DEI, said. “This year, though, I had the great opportunity to put theory to practice.” Justine O’Connell, Director of Global Initiatives, said, “I am so thankful I had the opportunity to go to the conference and learn from incredible educators and speakers.” Sydney Caretti, art teacher and Director of Galleries said, “I am amazed by and proud of our students who dedicated, with purpose and promise, their time and energy for a better world community.” The group was joined by Head of School Quentin McDowell who participated in the Heads of School Summit as a part of PoCC. He reflected, “I found it to be an exceptionally valuable experience where I had the opportunity to examine my work through a multitude of new lenses and expand my understanding of what I can and should do to foster, among other things, a deeper sense of belonging for our student and adult communities.” The conference started on November 29. At 4 a.m., we loaded ourselves on a van to Dulles Airport. We arrived in St Louis and headed to the opening ceremony. Before we knew it, SDLC had officially begun. Throughout the conference, we were split into family groups, which were smaller cohorts comprised of roughly 60 other students. In my group, I made at least twenty new friends, hosted a Rock-Paper-Scissors championship, journaled, and talked about major problems regarding diversity and equity in schools. In the evening, we split into Affinity groups, based on race, sexual orientation, and/or mental health. One of my favorite activities was the silent movement. In a room of 2,023 silent students, a speaker read out identifiers allowing each student to stand when they connected with the identifier. It was amazingly powerful to see hundreds standing with you. On the last day, we celebrated our peers as they performed in a talent show. Then, we went to see the symbol of St. Louis – the Gateway Arch. After dinner, we attended Cirque du Soleil, an acrobatic show, and it was a terrific end to the trip. Of course, the conference wasn’t without its challenges. We spent fourteen-plus hours each day at the conference. Each morning we had to drag ourselves out of bed. Five days went by in a flash, and I felt myself reeling from the new experiences and lessons. My biggest takeaway from SDLC was this: I am so incredibly grateful for this space. Many students expressed a feeling of isolation, often being one of the few Black or Asian students in their school. Mercersburg Academy is diverse, and we are a community that should foster respect and love, but there is still inclusivity work that needs to be done. One thing is for certain – attending SDLC was a life-changing experience, and we will not let that go to waste. The conference ended with many tears and exclamations of “I love you all!” exchanged between new friends and confidantes. But there was one girl’s speech that really stuck with me. As she looked into the sea of people, people who were vastly different but all inherently human, she said: “I used to look out the window and see gray, but now as I look into the crowd all I see is color.” Previous Next

Simon Brennan ’26 < Back Painting ’26 Simon Brennan ’26 Last Sunday, Mercersburg’s senior class came together for its first official senior tradition: Paint the Numbers. The senior class kicked off Spirit Week by leaving their mark at the Davidson Gate and concluded the event entirely covered in white and blue paint. For many seniors, the experience exceeded expectations. "It was way more fun than I expected. I was not prepared to be so covered in paint," said Ella Blanco ’26, who spent an hour afterward trying to remove paint from her hair. "I think I saw a different side of people, which was fun." The tradition carried emotional significance for students who had watched previous senior classes participate. Jessica Dang ’26 reflected, "Walking to paint the numbers, Kamden [Jenkins ’26] and I reminisced on our freshman year, seeing the seniors with blue paint on them. We've always talked about Paint the Numbers and now we just experienced it. It feels surreal, and this is the first senior tradition, which makes me emotional." Barbara Gamboa ’26 echoed this sentiment. “To be able to finally [participate in] the senior tradition that I’d been watching for three years.” The paint-splattered clothes become a badge of honor. "What made this the [most memorable are] the clothes; the paint is never going to wash out,” Gamboa remarked. William Choi ’26 added, “It gave us memories and photos that would last us a long time.” Some remarked on the deeper meaning of the tradition. "I really liked how with all the colors we truly felt as if we were in the driver's seat, as [Class of 2026 Grade Dean Andy] Brown would put it," Choi reflected. Despite the chaos inherent in the tradition, the evening ran smoothly, reported Student Council members who helped coordinate the tradition. "It was very successful and flawless. People were very respectful and there were no issues," said Class President Cole Piraino ’26. Class Historian Lareina Wang ’26 agreed, noting, "Overall it went pretty well; everyone seemed like they had fun." Brown, in a moment of reflection, reminisced on his experience over the past three years. "Being a grade dean to the Class of 2026 is one of the highlights of my job," Brown said. "They are a great group of kids, and I have been amazed by their growth over their time here. I am so excited for them to have a strong senior year, and I look forward to all of their future accomplishments and impacts." Brown offered advice to the senior class: "Life is full of chapters; continue to write your Mercersburg chapter and enjoy the time," he said. As the Class of 2026 moves forward through its senior year, Paint the Numbers serves as both a beginning and a reminder. It marks the start of a series of traditions that will define their final months at Mercersburg. Previous Next