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< Back A more global narrative October 6, 2023 at 4:00:00 PM Yiting Sun '25 Mercersburg Academy has a very diverse student body. Our students hail from dozens of nations, and they therefore have an insider’s perspective on their native culture, one inherently different from Americans’. However, the climate on our campus is, in many students’ opinion, decidedly Americentric. This can be observed in both our classrooms and around our campus. The ideologies that many international students grew up with and are accustomed to are not always aligned with the predominant ideological standing on our campus. In our classes– especially history and other discussion-based courses that usually tell a narrative from an American perspective- many international students feel the need to repress their opinions for fear of becoming the “odd one out.” This can be attributed to the widespread Americanized, liberal, and sometimes uninform perspectives held by both teachers and students. For example, classroom discussions on foreign governments tend to be aggressively one-sided, often focusing on negative aspects of a nation without considering the diverse experiences and views of students, not to mention the long histories if those respective countries. From my classroom experience, we are selective in what we let define a culture. In ASUSH, we can acknowledge America’s brutal history around slavery, the genocide of indigenous peoples, and imperialism, but we don’t let that define American culture. We instead maintain an open-minded (sometimes even exceptionalist) view of the country. However, from my experience in the classroom, students and teachers often offer uniformed arguments about how “terrible” or “backwards” other nations’ cultures and political and social views are. They let that define thier perspective towards that nation. In my experience, Chinese students frequently hear joking remarks about communism in the classroom from both teachers and students. Some even go so far as saying the CCP will “make you disappear” if a Chinese student discusses ideological differences or political issues. Students discussing their nation’s government or perspective aren’t necessarily superfans of the CCP or lovers of authoritarianism, but offering their perspectives as a member of the culture frequently results in a degrading and isolating response. As a community that pushes diversity and inclusion, a biased classroom setting can be detrimental for, say, a new student from China who is experiencing their first week in an American school and only hears remarks from both teachers and students about how repressive their homeland and government are. At Mercersburg, holding alternative views is not the issue. The problem is the lack of openness in the classroom for international students to voice differing opinions against a strong Americentric majority. Community members need to keep in mind the multitude of cultures and societies that make up our student body and not push students to conform to a single, “correct,” Westernized view. Previous Next

Audrey Hua ‘26 < Back “The glorious beauty of Melissa Small” Audrey Hua ‘26 Jan 19, 2024 Still-life oil painter Melissa Small’s art is currently displayed in Mercersburg Academy’s Burgin Center for the Arts. An Awakening is showing in the Cofrin Gallery while the other collection, Layers of Vanity, occupies the corner gallery. Small's passion for art began in high school where a painting class opened a door to her future career. “I remember telling my painting teacher, Mrs. DeMartin, that I wanted to be an art teacher like her,” Small said. “She told me, 'No, go all the way,' implying that I should just be an artist. I feel lucky to be able to do both.” Aside from painting, Small teaches high school students full-time. “Creating art allows me to share things visually that cannot be translated into words,” Small said. Inspired by the gratification that painting brings her, and the joy she brings to collectors, Small shares this with her three daughters, teaching them what it means to be passionate about something. “They see me painting and understand that this is work for me, but work that I truly love,” said Small. The opportunity to exhibit at Mercersburg Academy came through a social media post that caught the attention of Small’s former schoolmate and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mercersburg, Renata Williams. Although daunted at first by the transportation and taking care of her youngest child, Small ultimately felt the experience of displaying at Mercersburg merited the journey from Beacon, NY. Sydney Caretti, Director of Galleries, shared her choices in choosing Small beyond the connection with a current faculty member. “I am especially taken by the manner in which she includes the viewer in her work,” Caretti said. “While these realized botanical renderings could be only about the flora, Small includes a sense of space with a dedicated light source creating a shadow and also a hand, her or another's, holding the stem.” Small enjoys painting, and even more, the process of setting up her still life. “Choosing objects and arranging them physically is an art in itself,” she said. Occasionally, Small includes writing in her artwork, allowing her to “reconnect with writing while adding another dimension to my art. It's fun to create a story through painting things.” “In hosting an artist who reflects part of our student population,” Caretti said, “I truly hope our students experience an art narrative that is inclusive and comforting, by seeing someone who looks like them.” She also hopes students will be inspired to aim for excellence in the arts courses offered at Mercersburg. “It’s all about making connections and sparking inspiration while witnessing the glorious beauty of Melissa Small’s An Awakening, ” Caretti said. “Through my work, I hope to inspire viewers to be more thoughtful,” Small concluded. “In a world where we are overstimulated and bombarded with quick videos and tons of pictures, I hope my work encourages people to slow down and appreciate the beauty that surrounds them every day.” Previous Next

Lisa Wei '26 < Back Pointe-ing you to the dance concert Lisa Wei '26 Nov 3, 2023 On Saturday, November 4, Mercersburg will hold its annual Fall Dance Concert in the Simon Theatre in the Burgin Center for the Arts. “The dance concert will start at 7:30 p.m. There will be an open dress rehearsal the night before, also at 7:30 p.m.,” said Kelsey Rupp, Director of Dance. This year’s Fall Dance Concert will showcase many different styles of dance, choreographed by many talented people of our community. “There’s a lot of contemporary and ballet, and some hip-hop,” Sophie Mielke ‘25 said. “It features work by myself, other faculty members, and students,” said Rupp. “We have a new choreographer, so there are going to be more contemporary pieces, which is really exciting,” Anouk Wandeler ‘26 said. Three student choreographers are showcasing their work at this year’s Fall Dance Concert. “Elizabeth Orders ‘25 is doing a contemporary jazz solo, Cricket Tatone ‘24 is doing a contemporary solo, and Stella Johnson ‘25 is doing a ballet solo,” said Rupp. “I think that I put in a lot of work into my solo,” Orders said. The dancers are excited about the pieces being showcased on Saturday. “I think that the dance, ‘Circus’, came out really well,” said Maggie Coors ‘26. “I really enjoyed the contemporary piece, ‘Elation’ because I really liked the song and the teacher choreographer did really well,” Judy Ma ‘27 said. “Both the tap pieces turned out really great,” said Johnson. Mercersburg Academy’s dancers expect to brighten up the community with the Fall Dance Concert. “I really like how the Fall Dance Concert could help refresh people before the fall exams, and give everyone hope,” said Taeoon Moon ‘25. In the same way, the community could also invigorate the dancers during performances. “It’s like the best feeling you get when you are on stage, especially when other people are watching and appreciating the performance,” Ma said. “I love the reaction and energy we get from the audience and how it hypes us up,” said Mielke. The final piece of the evening is a medley of four Jimmy Buffet songs. “[It] is to celebrate the music and life of Jimmy Buffet,” said Rupp. “I liked the finale piece the most because that’s where everyone is involved. It’s also a collection of special songs,” Moon said. As the dancers get ready for the upcoming performance, many memories which will be cherished are forming. “My favorite part of the Fall Dance Concert is probably the costumes,” Coors said while laughing with her fellow dancers. “I really like how it’s like one big family, especially when we are warming up together,” Orders said. Previous Next

Rachael Zhang '28 < Back Taking a Gamble Rachael Zhang '28 Jan 24, 2025 Though only in her first year at Mercersburg, Lucia Gamble ‘25 has made her mark across Mercersburg’s broad arts department. By her own account, she has experienced rich and fulfilling growth in the arts at Mercersburg. “My time has been really positive. There are so many opportunities here. I've been able to try a range of different subjects, which has broadened my horizons,” Gamble said. She has explored everything from sculpture, ceramics, videography, and p hotography to dance and chorale. Kelsey Rupp, Gamble’s dance instructor, spoke highly of the artist: "When Lucia came in this year as a postgrad, her willingness to jump in was truly remarkable. She has a positive p resence in the dance studios, always eager to work hard.” She further commended Gamble for her positive energy in the dance studios and her willingness to make the most of the opportunities available through Mercersburg's dance program, all of which have contributed to Gamble’s technical and performative progress. “When she started, she didn't have much prior dance experience, but her confidence has soared. I've seen her excel in j azz dance, and her ballet training has also improved greatly. Her strength lies in her ability to adapt, learn, and take feedback,” said Rupp. “I'm really proud of her and wish we had more time.” Nevertheless, Gamble’s art journey has not been without its challenges. “With ceramics, it was hard to pick up at first. It was more challenging than I expected, but with practice, it got easier,” she said. She also had to adapt to the structure of course offerings at Mercersburg in contrast to the United Kingdom, where “you don't have as much free range to choose what you wanna do; back home, you choose something, and then the teacher approves it and then you go ahead with that. At Mercersburg Academy, you receive an assignment and then you complete it.” One of her greatest accomplishments has been her work in Arts Practicum, in which she experimented with a photographic print technique called cyanotypes, leading to impressive results despite her inexperience. Gamble has moved on to linocuts, turning her photos into carvings and printing them with ink. After graduating from Mercersburg Academy, Gamble plans to study commercial photography and journalism, potentially at the University of the Arts London or another university in her home country. She credits her teachers at Mercersburg and her previous school as well as photographer Andy Gotts as her greatest influences. For younger students interested in the arts, Gamble offered, “Try as many elements of the arts as you can” and “Put yourself out there.” She suggested, “Just because you haven'tdone something before doesn't mean it's not for you. It takes time to develop and hone a skill. Make the most of every opportunity.” Previous Next

Maddie Mamoudis '27 < Back Arigatō! Maddie Mamoudis '27 May 3, 2024 On Saturday, April 13, Mercersburg’s Japanese students held an event to raise money for the Red Feather Central Chest of Japan. The evening involved selling food in the Simon Student Center. All proceeds went to the organization, raising money for families impacted by the most recent earthquake which occurred on January 1, 2024. Fundraiser organizer, Cocona Yamamoto ‘25, spoke passionately about the planning. “It was a long process, we had to write a proposal and the proposal had to be approved by several committees so that took a while.” Efforts to create the fundraiser began at the beginning of the winter term, but it was difficult to proceed due to scheduling. Director of Community Engagement Emily Parsons said, “It took a while to get done, so I was proud of her for sticking with it.” According to Karin Sugiyama ‘27, “Cocona made everything possible.” The earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale, causing hundreds of people to pass away and leaving thousands in shelters. “Cocona did a great job; she saw a need in her home and decided to do something about it,” said Parsons. “She came to me wanting to do a fundraiser to help with the earthquake victims in January.” Sugiyama commented further, “The fundraiser was also to raise awareness about the natural disasters that happen in Japan because Japan’s a place where natural disasters occur a lot.” The Central Chest of Japan aids in disaster and social relief and is currently helping those harmed by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. They provided immense support for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, contributing a significant amount of money. That earthquake had a magnitude of 9.1 on the Richter scale, caused a deadly tsunami, and damaged a nuclear reactor. The Central Chest of Japan has been operational for 77 years, and donations have totaled JPY 950 billion (which is approximately USD 6 billion). Elie Shimaoka ‘26 said, “I personally experienced the 2011 earthquake; it affected me quite a lot. I had to leave Japan for a while due to radiation, so I really wanted to help others going through similar experiences.” The proceeds from the event came from snack and crepe sales, each purchase representing a small gesture of solidarity with those impacted by the earthquake. Yamamoto said, “I told everyone [involved with the fundraiser] to buy snacks from Japan, and those were the snacks we sold during the fundraiser.” Overall, Yamamoto’s event showcased compassion and altruism, earning a total of USD 880 for the organization. Previous Previous Next Next

< Back Fetter is better October 28, 2022 at 10:00:00 PM Taimur Rehman '25 John Fetterman and Doug Shapiro are the Democratic candidates for this year’s Senate and gubernatorial races in Pennsylvania, respectively. Fetterman is the sitting Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania and is fairly different from your typical Senator. Fetterman prides himself on being a man of the people and a progressive, with some of his main focuses being the legalization of marijuana, criminal justice reform, raising the minimum wage to $15, and having a right to attainable health care. This is not the only reason that I believe Fetterman is the obviously better candidate. Fetterman’s Republican opponent, talk show star Dr. Mehmet Oz, used to be a highly respected and brilliant cardiac surgeon but decided that promoting pseudoscience and alternative medicine for large payouts was a better usage of his time. The Democratic choice for governor, Josh Shapiro, is the state’s attorney general and focuses his platform on LGBTQ+ rights, workers' rights, election security, and reproductive rights. His opponent, State Senator Doug Mastriano, a former US Army Colonel, is a far-right and rather radical choice for the state. Mastriano’s platform focuses on eliminating mail-in voting, severely restricting abortion rights, and propping up the coal and natural gas industries. Shapiro’s political career started right after he left Georgetown Law, when he ran for the PA House of Representatives. Shapiro’s tenure as attorney general has been one of effectiveness and action, in which he’s done good work for Pennsylvanians. Mastriano on the other hand, has done little as a State Senator, with a majority of his time spent opposing bills and being banned from committees for leaking confidential information. Mastriano’s Ph.D., which he frequently flaunts and uses to buttress his claims, is now being called into question. Mastriano is claimed to have falsified information and made assumptions during the writing of his thesis. Pennsylvania needs to decide whether its loyalties lie with the far-right or whether it wants to take a step towards true leadership with the election of Shapiro and Fetterman. While both Shapiro and Fetterman have problems of their own, the election of Mastriano and Oz would be a step backward for Pennsylvania, and fundamentally endanger many of the rights of Pennsylvanians. So this November at the polls, consider what you want to be the future of the Commonwealth and decide whether your loyalties lie with the betterment of the state or with a mere political party. Previous Next

Bauhinia Chen ’26 < Back Not so cooked after all Bauhinia Chen ’26 Oct 17, 2025 On Wednesday, October 8, the Class of 2026 experienced “PJs and Pancakes” —a Mercersburg tradition in which seniors spend half a day in their pajamas eating pancakes in the dining hall while working on college applications instead of attending academic classes. In the heat of the college application season, the event re-serves time for seniors to break free from the school routine to focus and meet with college counselors. This year, Mercersburg Academy’s two new counselors, Erin McHugh and David Stephenson, experienced PJs and Pancakes for the first time along with the class of 2026. McHugh said, “I was excited about it because I did something similar at my previous school. I really loved Mercersburg’s twist on it by making it a fun event.” Stephenson described the day as “a nonstop process of providing feedback to students.” He added, “This process is a very different environment than typically sitting here in my office.” Across the board, the event was productive for students. “I can see the difference between the day before PJs and Pancakes and the day after because they just get so much work done that day,” said McHugh. “Finishing a section or getting a solid draft of an essay done helps them feel like they’re getting closer to the end.” Stephenson agreed, “It was great, because for students who are over scheduled and don’t have a lot of time, it carved out space in the day where they can have sustained focus and meet with their counselors...The gift of time is always the best thing we can give students during the college application season.” Many students were grateful to have the time designated for college applications. “It was nice having a little break in the middle of the week from classes and to really sit down and lock in all day,” said Anouk Wandeler ’26. “A lot of the time, having homework that’s due for the next day can interrupt your thought process when it comes to college apps, so having that set time was very helpful,” said Joe Segal ’26. The casual environment had a marked effect on both students and counselors. “I think the casual setting made it easier for students to come talk with me,” said McHugh. Class president Cole Piraino ’26 agreed, “It removed the stressful aspect of college apps. Dr. McHugh was really helpful.” “Being able to go in your pajamas was really nice. It just made it a lot more relaxed,” Marli Elshazly ’26 added. Wandeler said, “It was definitely more relaxed than being in a one-on-one meeting with your college counselor. It was a setting where you could just sit with your friends and have a whole breakfast table going on.” Students benefited from being surrounded by their peers as they worked. “It felt a lot more human, seeing other people work on their college apps. I liked reading what other people wrote,” said Sean Flaherty ‘26. McHugh stated, “I’ve heard from one student that reading another student’s essay really gave him some really good ideas and helped him realize the direction he wanted to go in.” Segal said, “I liked being able to speak to the people around me. It helped me get my own ideas flowing and bounce off what other people are doing.” Stephenson added, “I think for those students that haven’t really been as much on the ball with regard to their college applications, their peers have hopefully inspired them to devote more care.” As deadlines approach, this time of the year marks a pivotal period for the graduating class to build and polish their applications. Leaving PJs and Pancakes feeling satisfied and rewarded, the seniors will continue working closely with counselors as they navigate the next chapters of the college process. Previous Previous Next Next

Amanda Xi '25 and Jolie Zhu '26 < Back A redirection for PGAs Amanda Xi '25 and Jolie Zhu '26 At Mercersburg Academy, Performance Group Activities (PGAs) are daily afternoon programs for students, offering options from athletics to internships to performing arts. This year, however, several changes were made to the menu in an effort to redefine program goals. These included cuts to Community Engagement, Strength and Conditioning, and adjustments to internships and music groups. Discussions about PGAs began last year. One of the faculty members leading the task force, Michael Conklin, Dean of College Counseling, gathered a group of teachers involved with PGAs to discuss new ideas, considering the criteria, purpose, and outcomes of a PGA and the definition of a “performance group activity.” The changes came after collaboration between the school administration and the Board of Regents. “We're a medium-sized institution with big school programming. For us to do the things we would like to do really well and create a better quality of life for our students and faculty, we need to reduce the scope of what we offer,” Conklin said. Many PGA offerings lingered after COVID-19, during which Mercersburg was more lenient about what qualified as a PGA. However, with 33 PGAs offered in the fall term alone after the pandemic, resources and faculty were stretched thin, leading the school to reduce their number and strengthen support for the remaining programs. Now, all PGAs must meet the four requirements of teamwork, regular coaching, physical activity, and public performance. Jennifer Craig, Associate Head of School for Student Life, overseeing PGAs, said, “Even though some PGAs were popular among students, they were not fulfilling the purpose of what we want students to learn at Mercersburg. Previously, activities were so disparate that the program lacked a unified purpose.” This has led to cuts in some PGAs, the redefinition of others, and the addition of new ones. One cut was to Strength and Conditioning, which allowed students to work out independently. Past participant Dylan Ridgway ’26 said, “I miss Strength and Conditioning because it was nice getting a workout in and then going to practice my spring sport during the fall.” The PGA was cut because it didn’t meet all the criteria, though serious athletes still seeking extra training can join a specialized training PGA. For example, basketball players can join "Fall Basketball," where team members come together for group workouts to encourage team bonding and spirit. Another change was the removal of the Community Engagement PGA, which allowed students to participate in community service opportunities on campus and in the surrounding area. This year, community engagement now falls under the broader “Experiential Education” program, led by director Emily Parsons, who previously headed Community Engagement. “Admittedly, I miss having a core group; we could get on a bus and bond and get to know the partners over the course of the term. But now, we can involve more students,” said Parsons. Experiential Education includes organizing community service events for sports teams, internships, and Model UN. Now, the football team helps pack food for the local shelter—something previously reserved for Community Engagement. Jamar Galbreath, head football coach, said, “It’s a great time for the team to bond, but I would love to see more hands-on work in town; however, with the time constraints, that is usually not an option for us.” Andrew Chang ’26, once part of Community Engagement, said, “I think integrating community engagement into all PGAs is more beneficial—everyone can now learn to work with our community.” However, Christine Jiang ’26, a former participant, misses the original program's dedicated focus. “Community Engagement was my first serious volunteer experience, and I learned a lot. I hope the school brings it back.” Internships remain a PGA option, but like Community Engagement, the program experienced modification. Now limited to 11th and 12th graders, internships require a written application. Craig explains, “Instead of students who may not know what they were choosing, we decided to make an application for internships and be purposeful and clear with the expectations and outcomes.” There has also been a removal of the policy that allowed student music groups to take a term off PGA. Under the old model, students in Magalia, Octet, and Band could skip a term of PGAs to compensate for evening rehearsals, but this option is no longer available. The change has been challenging for both faculty and students. Shami Beni, music teacher, noted, “If we as teachers hold our students to a high standard and expect them to practice outside of class, it doesn’t make sense for students to have a full schedule of PGAs and no time to focus on practice.” Mikahel Martínez-Arocho ’25 agreed, saying, “We spend hours rehearsing throughout the year, and with the time, effort, and energy we put in, we deserve to have a term off.” Ethan Ma ’27, an Octet member, added, “Musical commitments add a lot of pressure for people in Octet and Magalia. It’s 2-3 hours per week the entire year, so I think the school should change it back.” Even PGAs not directly affected by these adjustments may feel the impact. Girls’ tennis, which usually receives 30 sign-ups yearly, saw 47 girls enroll this fall. Mike Sweeney, head girls varsity tennis coach, said, “We received a lot more sign-ups this year. Maybe some of these girls would have signed up for Strength and Conditioning or Community Engagement, but it’s hard to tell.” Mogere Nyakoe ’25, a four-year team member, said, “There are a lot more girls, but it’s nice because we get to see many people learn tennis who usually wouldn’t try. We also have three coaches this year instead of two, so we get more detailed coaching.” Similarly, Liam Glick ’27 is participating in cross country for the first time. Despite initial hesitations, he noted, “I have already made a lot of improvements and reduced my time by minutes.” It seems these PGA changes have empowered more students to try new activities. PGAs are continuously evolving to meet the goals of students at Mercersburg Academy. “If there’s an experience you really want to stretch and grow in, and you have a proposal for it, we would always listen to that,” said Craig. Conklin added, “We are taking student feedback, and the student experience deeply matters to us.” Previous Next

< Back Sleep(less)overs begin April 12, 2024 at 4:00:00 PM Rhiannon Myhre '25 Growing up, sleepovers were always an essential part of my childhood. I remember having my first sleepover at six years old, and even though I was just across the street, I felt I was the most independent kid in the world. That moment of saying, "Bye, Mom and Dad!" and running off with my best friend will always be one of my most cherished memories. Now, I often find myself describing going to boarding school as one big sleepover. I mean, I literally live with one of my closest friends who I am lucky to call my roommate. I'm not far off when I say this experience is just one big sleepover. However, at the end of the day, it's only a sleepover with one person. As I currently live in a predominantly underclass dorm, I really began to miss my friends and value the time I used to have in tenth grade when I could run upstairs and hang out with some of my best friends after studying. It doesn't sound like much, I am well aware. However, when I found out that there would be a new sleepover policy implemented, I was ecstatic. The sleepover policy means that I get to go and relive my childhood memories of sleeping in a new and unfamiliar place, e.g., a different dorm. I get to be surrounded by the people I see all the time walking around campus, except this time in a dorm setting. The sleepover policy as a whole allows for individuals to take advantage of all the different environments Mercersburg has to offer. When I found out that a student could host only three sleepovers a term, I was a little aggravated. However, after stepping back and examining, I realized that three sleepovers in my dorm and three sleepovers in another person's dorm aren't actually as few as I thought. We all want to be around our friends, but let's be honest, if you're anything like me, you also value your time to yourself. Therefore, I think the limits on how many sleepovers one can have are fair, surprisingly. I do have one bone to pick with this new policy. I find it absolutely absurd that you can't host more than one person per sleepover. While I understand that the rooms may seem like they are not big enough to hold two cots, I still think it should be all up to the roommate and the person currently living in the dorm to decide whether or not they feel comfortable having two guests. At the end of the day, that is only a minor factor in the sleepover policy and one that surely can change over time. Overall, I am so excited to bond with my friends and see and explore the many environments of Mercersburg! Previous Next

Ivy Chan '24 < Back Oculus: Escape Reality (and learn, too) Ivy Chan '24 Oct 14, 2022 Beginning this fall term, Lenfest Library will open a virtual reality (VR) lab available to all community members. Students will have access to educational apps and immersive travel experiences at an elevated level. Behind the opening of the VR lab is Nicole Brown, library assistant and Tech Integration Specialist at Mercersburg Academy. Brown explains the impulses that led to the establishment of the space. “I attended the International Society of Tech Educators conference last year and learned a lot about how schools, libraries, and businesses are incorporating virtual reality into their institutions. I've been reading a lot about how virtual reality is being used in all sorts of creative ways- doctors are using it to treat depression and chronic pain, artists are using it to create sculptures which they then 3D print, the military is using it to train pilots- there are so many innovative ways that the technology can be used.” Brown took on the project as a natural fit within the parameters of her job description. The library has been doing a "soft" rollout of the facility. “We introduced it to students for the first time on Community Reading Day. Next week we will announce the appointments of VR lab student proctors who will support other students during evening hours. The goal is to have the technology available to students without disrupting the normal studying routine,” Brown says. For the fall term, the VR lab will be open twice a week during the day, allowing students who have a free period to stop by and use the technology. Teachers will also have access to the lab for their classes. “There are powerful and immersive videos that cover content ranging from 9/11 to Exploring the Oceans. We have an app called ‘Mondly’ that allows students to practice speaking a language within the context of a practical life situation, such as saying hello to a friend or ordering a meal in a restaurant. There are so many possibilities to incorporate this into content areas. The goal is to continually expand the services that we provide as we move forward,” Brown says. Brown continues, “The Oculus Quest 2 headsets have incredible graphics. The headsets also have a built-in mic and audio, and the sound quality is excellent. We have headsets so that users who need to block out the ambient sound are able to do so,” she says. Director of Library Services Alexandra Patterson adds, “I’m so excited to invite the community into the new VR lab! It will be a great resource for teachers and students.” Olivia Wetzel ‘24, says, “It’s so cool that Mercersburg is expanding beyond what a typical library is. I have tried VR before, and it was so fun, so I can’t wait to try it out in the library!” Haris Yahaya ‘24 says, “I’m excited about the VR lab because it is a new opportunity to see things in a different way, and I’m hoping to use it sometime in my school projects such as a science experiment.” Talia Cutler ‘23, a library intern, has experimented with different equipment and a variety of VR applications. Cutler recommends some cool applications in the VR lab, such as “the World Traveler program, which lets you travel anywhere in the world virtually.” She says, “I would encourage anyone to test it out even if they are not sure if they like VR.” Previous Previous Next Next

Christine Jiang '26 < Back All aboard! Christine Jiang '26 Apr 25, 2025 Mercersburg Academy has hosted a number of fundraising events to provide aid to Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. The most recent event occurred in the Lloyd Aquatic Center on Sunday, April 20. Ukrainian students Bella Levina ‘25 and Nadiia Honcharenko ‘25 put their heads together to organize and host a cardboard boat race in the swimming pool, with the funds raised going to United24, a Ukrainian governmental platform, to purchase Type C ambulances. They consulted Emily Parsons, Director of Experiential Education, for help. “We’ve done a fundraiser for Ukraine for the past three years,” stated Parsons. “Bella, when she was a freshman, was involved with the fundraiser where we sold donuts for Ukraine, and then we did the same thing last year.” Levina added, “I think it’s just become a tradition to help my home country and raise awareness about what’s going on, and I think that is the main reason why we keep doing it.” The idea of hosting a cardboard boat race came from DJ Weymuth, maker-space and robotics instructor. Levina said, “I started talking to him about doing a fundraiser. He suggested doing a boat race, and I was like, ‘That’s actually not a bad idea.’ I think we just stuck with it because it’s fun and engaging, and that’s what we were striving for.” Planning began in November. “It was a long process. We had to first start with the bureaucracy and fill out a bunch of forms, and then we had a bunch of meetings with Ms. Parsons, Mr. Weymuth,” stated Honcharenko. “It was very good teamwork. Faculty helped us a lot.” A major concern was safety, but participants did not need to take a swim test as lifeguards were on duty during the race. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a cardboard boat race at Mercersburg, so sometimes it’s hard for people to understand what it is. We tried lunch announcements, emails, videos,” Levina said. Their efforts resulted in considerable sign-ups across grades. “I honestly just really wanted people to have fun because if I wasn’t the organizer for this fundraiser, I would have entered this race so fast. I would have found a team and signed up because that’s something I’ve been dreaming of doing since I was really small. I think, for now, the goal is just to make it a fun event so that people can enjoy their time. Maybe next year they’ll know what it is better, and more teams will sign up.” Participants embraced the spirit of the event wholeheartedly. Designs varied, ranging from pontoons to duct-tape paddles. Teams were eager to lend their support to Ukraine. William Tutt ‘25 said, “I love Ukraine, and I feel like it’s something that often gets forgotten with a lot of the other problems going on right now. I just wanted to come out and support.” Avallina Orfield ‘25 echoed his sentiment, saying, “I think this is a really good cause.” First, all teams raced against each other. Those in the top four then competed in the semifinals; after racing, everyone had fun in the water. “The competitors were phenomenal,” said Weymouth. “Super pleased with the enthusiasm. Wish the crowd was a little better and bigger, but overall, for the first year, I love it.” Previous Previous Next Next

Lisa Wei ‘26 < Back Day student ambassadors Lisa Wei ‘26 At Mercersburg Academy, Day Student Ambassadors play an important role in helping new and returning day students experience adjust and find opportunities for their interests on campus. “They really make an impact in our community in whatever way they can, whether it’s more inclusion, more spaces, or more opportunities and just to make sure that all the day students’ needs are met as well,” said Andy Brown, Assistant Dean of Students. “The Day Student Ambassadors are always present when I come in, even on weekends I see them, and they are always here for anyone who needs it,” Dormitory Dean of Tippetts Hall, Matt Jacobs said. Unlike the former Day Student Prefects, Day Student Ambassadors work more with student events and daytime activities to ensure that day students connect with the boarding elements of the community. “Day Student Ambassadors have the opportunity to host day student events and partner with the SAC. We are more focused on a smooth transition from Mercersburg to home life every day instead of making sure our ‘children’ follow rules and keep their spaces clean,” said Eliana Sandy ‘24. “Day Student Prefect was an effort to give day students the same opportunities as boarding prefects, but it didn’t work super well because it often required them to stay on campus later than usual. Ambassadors do most of their work during the day and have little to no responsibility in the dorm,” Ava Guzic ‘25 said. From now on, at the start of every school year Day Student Ambassadors will be on hand to help new students adjust to campus life: finding buildings, reading the schedule, learning Mercersburg terminology. “They were really helpful at the start of the year in getting everything ready, prepping the common areas and welcoming in the new day students,” said Sarah O’Leary, Dormitory Dean of Fowle Hall. The Day Student Ambassadors work hard to let day students know that they are an integral part of campus life, not a side thought. “As Day Student Ambassadors, we help by representing day students better and giving them access to more resources. Day students are often overlooked in scheduling as well, so we work to fix that,” Sarah Ali ‘25 said. “The Day Student Ambassador program gives day students a voice and provides an equivalent role to any day students who want to be Prefects,” added Guzic. “They help us keep our common room clean and give us helpful advice,” Madeline Stonebraker ‘27 said. So far, the Day Student Ambassador program has suggested numerous improvements to the day student experience. “We have been working on expanding virtual help sessions for day students who have to leave before help sessions start,” said Brown. “ We often struggle with things like schedules and resources, so making necessary changes in those areas helped improve our time at Mercersburg, ” Ali said. In the future, Mercersburg Academy hopes to add to the Day Student Ambassador program. “ I am excited about making a more comfortable environment for myself and other day students,” said Ali. “I hope they just keep building that foundation of leadership for the day students in our community,” added Brown. Previous Next