Taimur Rehman '25 < Back Working toward a civil community Taimur Rehman '25 On October 28, Mercersburg Academy will host its first Civics Conference. Planned to coincide with election season, the event has been organized by Nicole Brown and Allison Stephens with support from the Civic Engagement Student Advisory Board and a lot of help from Mercersburg’s administrative teams. It will be an all-day affair with guests speaking on topics ranging from local government to the right to bear arms. Keynote speakers include Judge John Jones ‘73, President of Dickinson College, and Jill Klein P’11, former Interim President of Pitzer College. Brown outlined her hopes for the conference: “I’m really excited for all of our students to interact with guest speakers who have done amazing work in their fields, who are experts, and who cover such different areas. They are donating their time, and it is such a unique opportunity for our students.” Associate Head of School for School Life Julie Maurer ‘90 added, “I hope that students can learn something about themselves, engage in good discussions, and become informed, engaged citizens.” Head of School Quentin McDowell echoed her sentiment, saying, “The conference is about encouraging students to learn more about key topics, ask questions, share opinions, and hear the views of others.” Student advisory board members made their voices heard in preparation for the event. Tiana Lee ‘25, a board member, said, “Ms. Brown and Ms. Stephens had a big role in planning, but we did have input. We also paired ourselves as guides with the speakers we were most drawn to. One thing I hope this conference will do is let students spend time on more ‘controversial’ topics that people don’t always discuss.” Ryan Kothari ‘25, another board member, added, “The conference is a good chance for all students to think about what they truly want out of our community and as part of our country. It will create conversation and connection between the things we want to see improve or change in our lives.” Around campus, there is buzz surrounding the event. Teagen Mewett ‘27 said, “I’m excited to have guest speakers bring their points of view on important subjects to our campus. I think it will inspire students to take a more active role in their communities. I’m not old enough to make any real change yet, but I can vote in the next midterm elections. I hope I’ll remember what I’ve learned and be able to use it to vote for the things I believe in.” Morgan Hess ‘25 added, “I am planning on attending Kat Patterson's session. I’m interested in hearing about her experiences during the BLM protests. I also signed up for Mr. Heffron's session about the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. I’d like to hear others’ perspectives.” Avery Liu ‘25 said, “I’m excited about the speakers I chose. One of my choices is about prison reform, and that resonates with me because of my capstone project surrounding Gatekeepers. Civic engagement is important for students at our school. It lets them hear perspectives they hadn’t heard before.” Cole Piriano ‘26 commented, “I’m excited to see people who understand so many different aspects of the modern world. Hopefully, I can learn what it means to engage with the world around me and keep an open mind on complex issues.” Previous Next

Anish Shrestha ‘24 and Corbin Kelly ‘24 < Back Person of the Year: Emily Parsons Anish Shrestha ‘24 and Corbin Kelly ‘24 The Mercersburg News Person of the Year recognizes a individual (or a group of people) in the Mercersburg Academy community who has shown outstanding dedication, achievement, and passion for bettering the communities they are a part of. In a departure from years past, the recognition is being given in the first publication of the new year. The 2023 Person of the Year is history teacher, Director of Community Engagement, adviser, graduate student, parent, and inspiration to all … Emily Parsons. Emily Parsons grew up in Mercersburg, where she devoted herself to the community she has been a part of her entire life. In her current role as Director of Community Engagement, she works to create and nurture a deep connection to the local community with organizations like My Neighbor’s Bounty, Peckin’ Thyme Farm, and the Conococheague Institute, as well as many others. Head of School Quentin McDowell said, “ Many will talk about feeling compelled to serve the community they were born out of, but she is one of the rare few who is actually doing something. [Parsons] is an invaluable member of the Mercersburg Academy community. She contributes so wholly to the experience here for her colleagues, the students she serves as well as the larger community outside of the academy. What an altruistic experience.” Parsons took over as the Director of Community Engagement in 2021 and has since worked to completely revamp the school’s program. College counselor Daniel Hulse, who leads the PGA in the Winter Term, said, “She has a keen understanding of the difference between service and engagement and is working tirelessly to bridge the gap between the two.” Kaori Graham-Myrie ’24 has worked with Parsons as a member of community engagement. “She is a diligent leader and is always looking for new opportunities to help the community. She has also been an amazing resource and mentor for me,” he said. Recently, Parsons has bridged the gap between community engagement and education through the year-end Intensive course that she coordinates with the Conococheague Institute: Full on Frontier. Co-leader and fellow history teacher Rich Heffron remarked, “The highlight of Full on Frontier has been the many laughs I've shared with Ms. Parsons as we dressed up in 18th-century dress and tried our best to share our passion for history with a bunch of students. What I love about working with Ms. Parsons is that she cares deeply about her work—and it shows—but she never takes it too seriously.” Matthew Wedd, who directs the Conococheague Institute, said, “What struck me as a partner to the program was the zeal, energy, and communication she put into our relationship to ensure the students had a great experience at the Conococheague Institute. This alone could count as a full-time job in many spheres. [Ms. Parsons] always seems to have an empathetic understanding of the students, and ensures that they push themselves to excel while having a great time.” Along with her many responsibilities as a teacher and leader at Mercersburg Academy, she is a student at Shippensburg University, where she is working towards her second master's degree, this one in counseling. McDowell said, “The fact that she is doing this particular program is a reflection of her desire to continue to grow professionally, to be able to utilize her strengths as a sought-after resource and counselor of others. She optimizes the lifelong educator/learner model as she has dedicated her life to not only educating but to become more educated.” In the classroom, Parsons is adored by her students. American Studies student Tiana Lee ’25 said, “Her class is never boring. She always comes up with creative ways to learn and discuss American history.” Likewise, faculty and staff alike admire Parsons’ value in the Mercersburg community. Heffron said, “It's impossible to overstate her importance to this institution. In sports, there's a term ‘glue guy,’ which is used for a player who isn't the star but who is the one who enables the team to excel. Ms. Parsons is one of those ‘glue’ faculty members at Mercersburg who truly embodies the spirit and mission of this school and lifts up everyone around her, whether that be students, faculty, or staff.” Fellow history teacher and longtime friend Daniel Walker said, “As one of my closest friends for over two decades, I can tell you that she is always looking out for others (both inside the school and out). She truly defines Mercersburg in terms of service to others and striving to give her students the best learning experience!” Outside of school and through all of the work she has undertaken, she has also raised a family. Jay Howley ’21, her eldest son, commented, “She really is a person driven by care. She is utterly selfless and has done so much for the Academy. Everyone has a story where she’s been there for them.” In her time at Mercersburg Academy, Parsons has worn many hats. She has been: the Dorm Dean of Fowle Hall, the founding Director of Springboard, the Steam Camp Program Director, the co-leader of trips to both France and Argentina, along with many other tasks too numerous to mention. She has been recognized with the Ammerman Distinguished Teaching Award and holds the Marilyn and Robert M. Kurtz '52 Chair for American Studies since 2015. Her sons, Jay and Evan Howley, are graduates of the Classes of ’21 and ’22, respectively, and her daughter, Sarah Howley ’26, is a lower-middler. People to contact: HR to get a list of her past roles and positions: Danielle Nordyke Appointed to the Marilyn and Robert M. Kurtz '52 Chair for American Studies in 2015 Recipient of the Ammerman Distinguished Teaching Award First director of Springboard Capstones Co-leader for the ABA Symposium trip to Argentina Co-leader for the French program's trip to Paris STEAM Camp Program Director History Faculty (also taught for Quinn-Ferguson) Dorm Dean in Fowle Hall Community engagement Director https://www.mercersburg.edu/news-article/~board/general-school-news/post/greatfaith-emily-parsons-p-21-22-and-the-community-engagement-team History: Walker Scho Heffron - Intensive Community Engagement: Mr Brinson Mr Hulse (ask for current list of CE) "Being a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I knew that I wanted to be a part of Community Engagement. The first time I met Ms. Parsons, I could feel her energy and passion. She has a keen understanding of the difference between service and engagement and is working tirelessly to bridge the gap between the two. Watching her work inspires me everyday. Her battery never turns off and she is the first one to get your back or get the back of any student she interacts with. As someone who is considered local, she has been a huge force in building relationships with the outside and ensuring that Mercersburg Academy upholds the values and integrity when we are working with others." CE PGA Winter Term: Kate Kalinowski Sean Flaherty AJ Patel Ivan Dwyer Christine Jiang Brie Wyant Alice Yoo Iseo Yun Jelly Nguyen Iseo Yun (Food pantry intensive) Kaori “I have had the great opportunity and pleasure to work with Ms. Parsons over the past three years through community engagement and in my personal service project. She is a diligent leader and is always looking for new opportunities to help the community. She is had also been a an amazing resource and mentor for me.” Matthew Webb (Connecocheague Institute) “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily since August 2021 when she reached out to the Conococheague Institute as part of her new role as Director of Community Engagement. In a short time a thriving partnership had been launched that would have students involved in diverse and rewarding philanthropic activities ranging from cemetery restoration, historic preservation, tree plantings and gardening. What struck me as a partner to the program was the zeal, energy and communication she put into our relationship to ensure the students had a great experience at the Conococheague Institute. It’s only zooming out from CI and seeing the larger scope of Community Engagement that makes you realize that she puts the same effort and time (with considerable emails and logistics) with a multitude of partner sites (Peckin Thyme, Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity etc) which is quite the endeavor. This alone could count as a full time job in many spheres, and the extra effort (making double trips for students, organizing birthdays or making jam with the grapes that students harvest) is incredible. She always seems to have an empathetic understanding of the students, and ensures that they push themselves to excel while having a great time. The result though is a program that greatly benefits local non-profits with their workload, and in turn provides Mercersburg students with rich and rewarding experiences that will help shape their own perceptions of community…and perhaps volunteer, intern or work in the non-profit field as a result! It is also inspiring that Emily undertakes this role in addition to having a family, furthering her academics, being a full time teacher, and leading the 'Can you Live 18th Century' Intensive! I look forward to continuing to work with Emily with Community Engagement. I’d love to see it expanded so more students can enroll. I hear there is quite the queue! In delving through CI’s records, I also have photographs of Emily providing student experiences at CI as far back as 2006, and that she maintains such passion and tirelessness is legendary. An ageless determination to be emulated by all.” Devin Rotz (President of CE counsel) Ms. Parsons has been a compassionate leader for Community Engagement, always working to bring different people together. One feat this year was bringing together Mercersburg’s community Engagement council and James Buchanan’s NHS and student council—something Mercersburg hasn’t done recently. There is something always brewing with her and community engagement, always looking for ways to advance community relations and develop our program and council. Additional Sources: Willis: South Africa Trip Coleman: Puerto Rico McDowell (Masters in Counseling in Shippensburg) Done Craig (Masters in Counseling in Shippensburg) O’Connell? Someone from Baking Club? Her Kids? ( Sarah , Jay) “She really is a person driven by care. She is utterly selfless and has done so much for the academy. Everyone has a story where’s she’s been there for them.” Dorm Dean in Fowle 4 year senior girls? Crystal Yuen Her Students Human Geography American Studies Previous Next

Bauhinia Chen ‘26 < Back Eagles Bauhinia Chen ‘26 Last Friday, amid fervid clamor in the Simon Theatre, the long-awaited Mercersburg mascot reveal finally took place. As the Blue Storm logo came into view on the colossal projector screen superimposed on a raging thunderstorm, an outburst of cheering and applause issued from the passionate crowd. The commotion eventually culminated with the emergence of the new mascot from the darkness, unveiling itself to be an Eagle. When asked why an eagle, Associate Head of School Jennifer Craig said, “The Blue Storm manifested itself mostly as a 2-D representation of a lightning bolt or two words on a sign. It's hard to argue that it was a mascot in the most traditional sense. The school was looking for a more concrete and united representation of something we strive to be.” “One of the first steps we took was to survey our entire Mercersburg community to get their input. We looked at each and talked about which animals are native to our region and whether they had characteristics that paired well with Storm. That led us to the three original candidates. The Eagle received the majority of votes,” said Head of School Quentin McDowell. History department member David Bell said, “The Blue Storm is fine as a mascot, but because it's not as tangible as animals or most other symbols it can be a bit confusing when people ask ‘What's a Blue Storm?’ I'm happy with the eagle, as I prefer the imagery associated with eagles.” Students had much to say about the mascot. “I feel like the wolf and the mustang wouldn’t accurately represent the school. The eagle would be the perfect mascot for Mercersburg because of its relationship to the storm,” said Jinn Phakam ‘26. “I think the eagle and the Blue Storm are a great combination because they are both in the sky,” said Yuma Matsuo ‘25. “I'm happy with the eagle. The logic and reasoning behind the choice seems sound… but I sort of wanted to keep Blue Storm,” said Leah Willis ‘24. Some students favored other candidates over the eagle. Annie Wu ‘27 said, “I believe that [the eagle] is a more commonly used mascot than wolves, and hence I like the wolves more—the eagles are banal. I prefer the wolves also because they live in packs, which embodies team spirit.” A few faculty members taught at Mercersburg in the days of the Blue Devils - the athletic identity but unofficial school mascot, among them, math teacher Andy Schroer. “I was okay with the image and nickname of the Blue Devils. I understood why the school felt the need to change the nickname. Among the three candidates, I didn't have a favorite, though eagle or wolf were ahead of mustang, because mustang is the mascot for a local elementary school,” he said. “I was fine with the Blue Devil because it was the mascot for at least my first ten years here. The Blue Storm did not appeal to me that much. Out of all the candidates, my favorite was the eagle. I like all birds of prey,” said Jim Malone, science and mathematics teacher. Science teacher Dave Holzwarth ‘78 said, “I'm cool with the eagle/Storm brand. Being a physics teacher, it's important to note that storm events and thermals are an eagle's best friend for migration and staking out territory.” Amid a medley of opinions, it is hard to condense every sentiment into one all-encompassing consensus. Whether the eagle will prove to be the appropriate mascot for Mercersburg will be up to the community to decide. Previous Next

Caroline Hobbs '26 < Back Let it Glo! Caroline Hobbs '26 After numerous weeks of fundraising and close competition, Mercersburg’s PGA’s made their way to the starting line of the 3rd annual Special Olympics Glo Run (or SO Glo for short) on Friday, November 4. This year, the school raised a total of thirteen and a half thousand dollars, a truly significant amount of money that will surely impact the lives of many who benefit from the Special Olympics Maryland Organization. For the members of community engagement, they knew that contributing to Special Olympics was the right choice from the start. “ Mercersburg Academy has been working with Special Olympics Maryland for many years (Fun Fact: Special Olympics began in the state of Maryland!),” said Brenden Daly, Community Engagement adviser, “In late October, we helped Special Olympics Maryland run the Fall Fest cycling event down at Fort Ritchie (in Cascade, MD). It gave us all the opportunity to see how the money raised at events like SO Glow can have such a positive impact on athletes with intellectual disabilities -- it was a truly amazing opportunity!” Planning one of Mercersburg’s biggest events is no easy task. “We spent weeks preparing,” said community engagement member Kaori Graham-Myrie ‘24. “Lots of it was deciding how we were going to structure the event differently this year compared to the past. Even though it was a lot of work, we always split it up within our PGA.” Director of Community Engagement Emily Parsons emphasized the reciprocal relationship that Mercersburg maintains with Special Olympics in regard to planning, “A lot goes into the run because we coordinate with Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD). They helped us design the t-shirt (arriving soon!!), come up with the course design, and create the donation webpage. They also visit with us several times throughout the fall to talk about the Special Olympics.” Daly suggested that the planning was in some ways like a sport, “ SO Glow is fall CE's culminating event (we joked it was our playoff game!), so not a week went by when we weren't planning something!” Some ideas suggested during the planning process created conversation between students, most notably the initial decision to run with student’s respective grades, rather than with PGA’s as had been the custom in previous years. Graham-Myrie commented on the decision, “ Our initial intentions with running by grade was to try something new. We had ran with PGA every year for the past two years, and we thought that this would be a good change.” Students, however, demonstrated their love for the run by asking it to be changed back to PGA affiliation. “After our announcement, we got a LOT of feedback about wanting to run with PGAs. The students decided to go back to running with them since the funds were being raised by PGAs.” With hundreds of glow sticks and light up glasses in hand, students ran (or walked) through the intricately planned path across the Mercersburg campus, created by the course planning committee. The run certainly created numerous memories for all, “My favorite part of SO Glo were the cool light up glasses,” said Dorothy Skuba Grey ‘23. “They were so bright that they obscured my vision! But that’s okay since I had such a good time. I honestly didn’t really notice!” “I really loved getting dressed up in neon costumes with the girls cross country team,” said Anne Sehon ‘25. “We also listened to Christmas music while we ran. It was one of the best moments I have had as part of the team.” “My favorite part was just seeing it all come together and go smoothly,” said community engagement member Axel Flurry. “The money we raised really changed people's lives for the better, and for me that’s all that matters.” At the finish, teams and groups were greeted with a dance party, drinks and donuts. By the end of the night when all the festivities were complete, the dance PGA had raised the most money, a total of three thousand, four hundred forty five dollars. As a result of the school’s contributions, Head of School Quentin McDowell rewarded students with a dress down day and buffet lunch in order to celebrate. With the continued success of the event year after year, the Mercersburg community is sure to keep this “glowing” tradition alive. Previous Next

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