The changes in school policies were an attempt made for the best interest of the students. Assistant dean of students Coleman Weibley said, “The idea [of the new policies] is working with students to find a common ground... < Back New school policies The changes in school policies were an attempt made for the best interest of the students. Assistant dean of students Coleman Weibley said, “The idea [of the new policies] is working with students to find a common ground of what’s expected and how we enforce it and try to make it fair for the students.” The dress code is a notable policy that was changed. The new dress code policy states covering from armpits to mid-thighs is only in semi-form and standard dress, and no longer pertains to casual. “The big thing that students felt was that the school shouldn't determine what they wear in their free time,” said Weibley. There was also another major update in the dorm visitation policy. Under this new policy, eleventh and twelfth-grade students are allowed to close their doors to brick-length after the fall term. It also outlined expectations for visitations from same-gendered dorms which is that students must have a host regardless of one’s gender, identity, or the gender assignment of the dorm. According to Weibley, the need for change was recognized by the student-faculty committee after learning from other schools. This new policy aims to have a clear understanding for both faculties and students while including key variables such as equity and gender-neutrality. However, Weibley, along with others in charge of rule changes, acknowledged that no policies will be perfect and satisfy everyone –– the discussion around the visitation policy is rather difficult as Mercersburg has a largely binary dorm system. The third and final change was the behavioral feedback system. The previous behavioral system was established two years ago, when there were only term-long classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy allowed for points to be reset each term. Even though term classes were eventually eliminated, the point carry over policy stayed the same. Slight changes were made to meet the needs of the school and to hold students accountable. This year, class cuts and other behaviors do not reset every term, but the student count record resets every term. Weibley states his hoped outcome from the new policy:, “...hopefully [it] holds students to a higher standard of making sure they are where they need to be and also holds the students who try to gain the system a little more accountable in that sense.” The student's voices were heavily considered in changing school policies such as dress code. Student-faculty committee member Nora Smith ‘24 shared how proud she is of the new policy, “I’m really happy that our work paid off and I think the changes made such as crop tops during casual and the dress code being much clearer now are very positive.” Returning student Clare Ip ‘23 expressed her opinion on the new dress code and the old policy, she said, “The new dress code allows people to be more comfortable and actually wear the clothes they brought here. Last year, I wasn’t fully aware of the dress code policy so sometimes I wouldn’t know if what I’m wearing is allowed.” Main prefect Matt Wang ‘23 offered his perspective of the visitation policy as a student leader, “The previous policy was that if someone comes to your dorm to visit and then if he left and there was money loss, then the pri..me suspect is the person from the other dorm. But the new policy needs the visitors to stick and stay with their hosts, then this visitor will not be as suspected as much.” However, the new policies do not agree with everyone. Paloma Casariego ‘24, a Fowle Hall prefect, agreed with Wang but gave some insight on how she feels as a student and a friend, “I know that this rule was implemented to prevent theft but I don’t like it as a prefect because I have the disadvantage that I can’t go to my friend's dorm and that makes me feel more excluded since I live in Fowle.” Samuel Zhao ‘24 notes that the visitation policy is quite inconvenient, he said, “I live in Main and I want to visit my friends in Tippetts, but I always end up having to wait in front of the door standing awkwardly, waiting for my friend (host) to open the door which takes a lot of time and bothers me sometimes.” Previous Next

Corbin Kelly ‘24 < Back Full and Swankful Corbin Kelly ‘24 Swank Hall's yearly tradition of serving a Thanksgiving dinner to the entire dorm, or “Swanksgiving” as it has come to be known, was held last Sunday, November 5, in cozy North Cottage. The dorm gathered as a community as they broke bread and attempted to stay out of the cold. Swanksgiving has a long history as a tradition in Swank Hall. Despite reports that Jo Wrzesinsky started the tradition when she was dorm dean, she simply said, “No, I took it from Susan Hutchins.” Hutchins, was the girls lacrosse coach who served as dorm dean before Wrzesinsky, who served before English teacher Doonie Brewer, who served before current dorm dean and history teacher Emily Schoenberger ‘15. As in the past, the dorm faculty collaborated to provide the feast. Maria Rihn ‘24 commented, “The food was amazing—not just because of HOW it was cooked, but WHO it was cooked by. The table was made up of everyone’s contributions, which made it all the more special!” Dorm resident, Fred Horn roasted two huge turkeys to meet the hungry demands of the dorm. “He spent three days prepping the turkeys and they spent eight hours in a smoker, which made them extra tasty,” reported Schoenberger, having witnessed the hours of work. She noted that the joy of Swanksgiving goes far beyond the food; it’s also about the community. “It was a really special time, and it felt especially homey this year because we held it in North Cottage. It really felt like a real Thanksgiving!” said Scho. Of course, as with any large event there naturally comes some stress. Schoenberger reported a moment of domestic tension in the transit of the food. “The fact that Mr. Horn spilled turkey juice all over the back of my car when he was transporting the turkeys to North Cottage. But honestly, it’s not that bad, because now it smells like a Thanksgiving feast every time I get in my car.” Since Thanksgiving only serves as an American holiday, it’s something that not every student celebrates back at their home. Arpi Karapetyan ‘24 said, “My family doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, so this was a nice change to celebrate with friends.” Crystal Yuen ‘24 noted that Swanksgiving is different from celebrations with her family: “At home sometimes the food has a few more dishes that are, like, very Chinese, but it’s one of the meals where my family likes to do the classics.” Former Swank resident Bailey Weibley ‘11 has now begun introducing her own children to the tradition. “ My favorite part about Swanksgiving is everyone being together. It might sound cheesy, but Thanksgiving in itself is all about families gathering, and Swanksgiving is the same. We have former Swankstas, present Swankstas, and future Swankstas in attendance each year and it makes it so special.” Previous Next

Audrey Hua '26 < Back Quaking in the pews Audrey Hua '26 On a rainy Sunday afternoon in April, members of Mercersburg community–the borough and the Academy alike–gathered in the Irvine Memorial Chapel for the Mercersburg Community Chorus Concert, a concert performed biannually by over 60 local community members. “I play the carillon for forty-five minutes before each program,” Jim Brinson, organist and carillonneur, said. “My favorite part is seeing how many volunteers come to sing. They come from all over this area, and none of them are paid, except the soloist and the orchestra.” Bryan Morgan ’07, Director of Music, shared his experience. “When I was a student here, I was in the Community Chorus. I knocked the average age down by like forty years, but it was fun!” he chuckled. “I think it’s a great event for the community, and it’s really awesome to see people that enjoy singing, enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves.” Morgan’s favorite part is the quality music. “You get to hear a professional orchestra right in our own chapel; it’s so cool.” Marilyn Houck, retired Mercersburg athletic trainer, has performed with the alto section since 1975. “I love the Durufle: Requiem. I’ve sung it maybe two times before, and I love the music, orchestra, and everything that goes with it,” Houck said. Her sister, who resides in Florida, drove all the way up to Mercersburg “just for the concert!” Kayla Statler, Vice President of Community Chorus, said, “The opera choruses are amazing. It’s a lot of fun to sing them and watch the soloists perform.” Sheila Parsons, who came to watch her daughter Elizabeth, said her favorite moment was “the soloist wearing a cape and holding a sword or the ‘Meow’ song because it was so silly!” Chinese teacher Grace Abel and her husband Andrew agreed: “It was wonderful.” Richard Rotz, Community Chorus director and founder and Mercersburg’s retired Director of Music, said, “It’s great music; music will stay with you for a long time, and these guys did it really well. “Magic was swirling all around me,” said art teacher Sydney Caretti. “We have a push-pull in visual arts, and my goodness, the push-pull was there. I love when it all comes to a crescendo, and it goes whoosh! I loved their acting, too.” The Community Chorus Concert stands strong, preserving the passion of local singers and performers. “In this country, choruses like that have been dying out,” Brinson explained. “People are not committed to singing groups like they used to be, so the fact that Mercersburg has a chorus like this is somewhat unusual.” He emphasized, “I’m glad this tradition is still alive.” Previous Next

Andrew Lebowitz '24 < Back Alumni Change Andrew Lebowitz '24 Last weekend, Mercersburg family and alumni arrived on campus to experience and celebrate the longstanding traditions of Step Songs and the Bonfire during fall Family and Alumni Weekend. Even though these traditions continue today, many things have changed on the Mercersburg campus. Some alumni offered their perspectives on how Mercersburg has grown over the years. Mr. Phil Lloyd class of ‘65, parent of ‘90 and ‘94, grandparent of ‘26 and Board of Regents member emeritus, 1994-2022, said he loved the changes in academic methodology, mainly how the school has switched from reliance on lecture-based classes to classes set around the Harkness table or dedicated to student projects. Lloyd noted that although there have been changes in the classroom, Mercersburg has always emphasized ideals of respect, community, and inclusion and that will never change. He said, “You walk out of this school a better human being.” Katie Stover ‘07 appreciates the community’s neverending kindness and hospitality. Nevertheless, she was shocked when she saw studnets playing and hanging out on the quad. When she was at Mercersburg, this was never allowed. She added that she had heard alumni talking about how the size of the dining tables had changed (and some that she spoke with were very thrown off by this!). Ted Smith ‘83 loves seeing the Arts and Sports facilities when he returns to Mercersburg, because they didn’t have such high-end facilities when he studied at Mercersburg, though the swimmers always had amenities that other sports did not. Smith observed how much more organized the Burg has gotten throughout the years. For Joie Xiao ‘22, the big change was that Mercersburg is now using social media platforms to showcase activities/traditions happening on campus. As a four year dancer, she applauded the addition of the arts showcases during Family and Alumni weekened and the development of more hands-on programs. Joshua Bowling ‘08, like Joie, loved seeing the additions to the Arts Programs, especially the advanced studies art class, and the encouragement of all of the ways students can express themselves through art. Julia Maurer, class of ‘90 and Associate Head of School for School Life, loves how Mercersburg has always had such a strong community atmosphere and how strong the relationship ties have remained at Mercersburg over the many years. Previous Next

Audrey Hua ‘26 < Back T-minus 100 Days ‘til Graduation Audrey Hua ‘26 What day is it today? You might say it’s a Friday (finally). You might say it’s eat-your-leftover-valentine's-chocolate day. But this seemingly ordinary day, the 17th of February, marks a hugely significant day for our class of ‘23 friends… ONE HUNDRED DAYS UNTIL GRADUATION! The Class of 2023 share their memories and anticipations as they await the day they will leave Mercersburg behind. “I can’t believe there’s only 100 days left,” said Day Kim ‘23, the only surviving senior in Fowle Hall. “My life is gonna change so much in these final few days.” Clare Ip ‘23 said, “I have loved participating in school traditions such as boxer bikini and paint the numbers.” More seniors shared their own favorite memories, such as Irving-Marshall week, Chelsea Ward’s favorite. “Senior prank and skip day,” from Kalwa Tembo ‘23 (met with many nodding heads), and, “Whenever the Head’s Holiday happens,” according to Ellie Miller ‘23, another popular choice. “I’m looking forward to the Spring dance concert,” said Angela Watts ‘23, a PG, dancer and legendary “rainbow-pants” actress of recent show, Heathers . “My best memories were the Octet performance at the Fall Pops Concert, leading Inbound, and playing pool with my friends in the SSC,” said Matt Wang ‘23, referring to his ability to spellbind the entire front row of the Simon Theatre with his Baby Lock The Doors solo during the Fall Pops concert. Iconic fire-haired Heathers antagonist, Damien Dowling ‘23, finished with his favorite moments, “Mr. Malone’s cookie breaks and weekend speech.” In terms of the future; Talia Cutler ‘23, quick-witted Opinion News Editor, is looking forward to “being in a dorm and not having to check in,” but “Declamation and leaving” are top of her favorite memories list. Heather’s leading actor and Mercersburg homecoming queen, Tyerra Rooffener, said, “Not having teachers watch my every move.” “The senior class is great,” said Betsy Cunningham, the Senior Class Grade Dean. “I’m really proud of our class council. They chose the speaker for commencement this year,” she explained, “[and] they’ve got all sorts of things planned. We’re talking about bringing in some food trucks, something fun for the spring, and all sorts of different options.” She noted the class focus on service this year. “It starts the tradition of giving back to the school.” A month ago, the senior class held an all-school auction, which proved to be a huge success. “We ended up donating four hundred dollars to CASA, an organization in Hagerstown that helps people who are in abusive households.” Not everything is smooth sailing for the seniors, though. “It’s a hard time of year,” Cunningham said. “For a lot of our kids, especially seniors, as college acceptances, or deferrals rule in, this emotionally can be a really hard time. There’s a lot of unknown, and the unknown can be terrifying. Helping my kids get through this time is something that is important to me.” “I’m looking forward to senior spring,” Jamie Hyung ‘23 said. “Campus looks even more beautiful in spring and I would like to enjoy my last few months spending time with my friends outdoors.” Many seniors expressed their vision for the warmer season. “Squash nationals, bonding with my teammates, sitting outside with friends on a picnic blanket, walking to Food Lion… a lot of it is the little stuff,” Greta Lawler ‘23 reminisced. “Senior year is definitely a weird mix between feeling sentimental and super excited, so I think just make the most of every moment you have here.” “A meaningful thing I experienced at Mercersburg is simply being here,” Hongyu Jasmine Zhu ‘23 shared a beautiful reply, “Having learned to gives thanks to the sunny times, and when in struggles and tears, coming to find comfort in a nibbling squirrel, a thousand colors of the sky, and many warm hearts.” In preparation for the rest of the year, Cunningham recommended, “Continue to be supportive of each other, and recognize and remember what Mercersburg has given to you,” She emphasized the true takeaway from Mercersburg. “There are a lot of good people here. This place, and these people, are going to be here to support you. It’s the people that matter; more than the classes, more than anything, it’s the connections.” To all the seniors, she left a note of contemplation: “In five years, when they reflect on their senior year, I hope they will remember everything that we are here.” Previous Next

Dean Tae '24 < Back Mr. Worldwide heads to Asia Dean Tae '24 Head of School Quentin McDowell will travel to Hong Kong and South Korea on April 15 i n conjunction with Mercersburg’s regional events for accepted students and families from Asia. McDowell will update attendees on the school, specifically with regard to the many projects in progress, including meaning and mastery, civic engagement, the campus master plan, and much more. McDowell emphasized the importance of the school’s global networking initiative: “It gives the school the opportunity to connect with our families (current and past) as well as many of our alumni. It ultimately helps inform our decisions about how to best serve everyone here on campus. Personally, it is all about seeing familiar faces and exploring different places.” The school’s previous trips have been very successful in terms of establishing a strong Mercersburg image and personal connections in Asia. “The Mercersburg brand is strong abroad, particularly in Asia, and that is due largely to word-of-mouth advertising from the students' families and alumni who live there. They are eager to share their experiences with others and encourage new families to learn more about our school. We are very fortunate to have those strong voices, and it has definitely elevated awareness of and interest in Mercersburg,” said Amy Marathe, the director of strategic marketing and communications. Even when the representatives couldn’t travel abroad due to pandemic restrictions, the Academy made continuous efforts to stay connected. Jake Kennedy, associate director of admission, said, “The school took extra care to ensure our international students were sufficiently supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the Virtual 'Burg days. Many families abroad noticed that our virtual programs were far more accommodating than other schools, and those efforts were noticed and appreciated.” In preparation for his tour to Hong Kong and South Korea, McDowell generously held a reception at the 1893 house to meet with students from both countries. “I was really happy that he invited us all to his house and asked about our experience at Mercersburg. He was perhaps open to feedback, asking for any improvements the students would like,” said Claire Chow ’26. “I was excited when I heard that Mr. McDowell will be visiting South Korea and Hong Kong this spring. I’ve always wanted to share my culture with the people here at the Academy, and I assume his trip to Asia would be a great opportunity for him to experience my culture and have meaningful conversations with parents abroad,” added Derrick Park ’25. McDowell is determined to fully recognize the school’s large Asian population in campus life, as well. “He has been making a lot of effort and actions to acknowledge the Asian population here. He celebrated the Lunar New Year with us and celebrated our community's important events with care,” said Coco Zhai ’24. Asian Student Union President Ben Cho ‘24 said, “I am pleased that Mr. McDowell is trying to make a deeper connection with the large Asian population of Mercersburg Academy.” Others were quite unsure of the purpose of the trip and even cynical about the motive. Ivy Chan ’24 said, “I am uncertain about the reasons behind Mr. McDowell's upcoming trip to Asia. It could be an opportunity for the school to secure financial support and funding for its initiatives.” Koon Hui ’25 added, “It is rather surprising that he would choose to only go to Hong Kong and Korea.” Considering the COVID restrictions still in place in other Asian nations, McDowell’s stay was restricted to the two countries. “ Where we would typically visit 3-5 different countries, we are only going to Hong Kong and Seoul on this trip. We are already looking at getting back to our normal routine in the fall of 2023,” said McDowell. Current and prospective Mercersburg Academy students and families can look forward to a new tradition of annual visits that will promote goodwill between the school and its Asian representation. Previous Next

Lucas Chen '27 < Back "Homeboy" Gregory Boyle to visit Lucas Chen '27 Mercersburg Academy will host the 6th annual Joe B. Generosity of Spirit Lecture on Friday, February 14. This lecture series honors the life of Joseph Hilliard Beauregard ’18, who passed away the fall after his graduation. School Minister Will Whitmore reflected, “Joe was this infectious spirit–a beautiful human who made all feel so welcome. His classmates and his parents wanted to come up with a way of honoring him, so they started this lecture series.” This year’s speaker is Father Gregory Boyle, a Roman Catholic priest who has dedicated forty years to gang member rehabilitation in central Los Angeles. Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, the world's largest nonprofit gang rehabilitation and intervention program. Homeboy Industries supports former gang members who want to redirect their lives toward a more positive future through job training, education, and social services to allow them to reintegrate into society. “The lecture itself hinges on this idea of sharing ourselves with others and that when we position our spirits outward toward others, something transformative will happen,” said Whitmore. “Boyle felt like a natural fit for the lecture because he has an understanding of the human heart, soul, spirit, and condition that allows all of us to connect with something deep within ourselves. When I’m struggling, I will often listen to or read one of his books as a way of reminding myself of what I can do and how I can do it.” The anticipation of Boyle's lecture extends to the student body, with many students excited to learn from his insights into human connection and transformative work with former gang members. Tahir Hasanov ’25 said, “I have only heard about Father Gregory Boyle from word of mouth, but I heard that he is amazing, both as a speaker and person. No over exaggeration but I have only heard positive things about him, so I’m excited to see him speak.” Yule Kwon ’26 said, “I want to learn about how religion will impact my life. I know life will become more positive by believing in religion, but would it help people understand each other?” Carrie Yang ’27 added, “I’m hoping to learn more about how Boyle approaches the process of healing and transformation, his personal stories, and especially how he instills a sense of belonging among marginalized people.” Finally, Taimur Rehman ’25 said, “I think it will be interesting to learn about Father Gregory Boyle’s work with prisons and to hear from someone who quite literally has a generous spirit.” Through the Joe B. Generosity of Spirit Lecture, Whitmore hopes “students and faculty have something within their hearts, within their spirits, touched—that they feel seen, that they feel like they can engage with, and that it calls them to care the way they would like to be cared for.” Previous Next

Tristan Paulette ‘27 < Back Baby’s first step (songs) Tristan Paulette ‘27 Oct 6, 2023 I hadn’t heard of Step Songs before Family and Alumni Weekend last week. Now, I see why it’s one of Mercersburg's most unique and unforgettable traditions. As a new student, I had no idea what this tradition encompassed, and what it means to our community. I was just told to join my PGA group at the steps to Main Hall. Afterward, I realized that this is a truly amazing experience, one that has helped me to form closer bonds with the Mercersburg community. Step Songs is a tradition at Mercersburg in which the community gathers to sing the school’s songs. These include M-E-R, Old Mercersburg, and the Alma Mater. There’s plenty of music and fanfare on the steps of Main Hall, followed by a massive bonfire where students gathered for pictures and hot chocolate. From my point of view, it was safe to say that we were hyped up, loud, and extremely excited about the event. It really helped to bring our school together, literally and figuratively. I thought it was a fantastic way to start the school year, and also show our families that Mercersburg is a place where we can feel safe and included. I didn’t really know all of the school songs and their exact functions, which made me feel a little awkward; however, over time, new students will learn all of the lyrics to feel more included in our annual Step Songs tradition. I really respect our faculty for joining in on the school spirit, for two reasons. Firstly, it was awesome, hilarious, and fairly brave! Secondly, it shows that our faculty and staff, and even our former faculty, still have a dedication and commitment to we students here at Mercersburg. I also appreciate the fact that most of the announcements came at the beginning and end versus being in the middle, so they wouldn’t interrupt us. However, I would prefer in the future that all of the announcements (Art Showcase, thanking parents, etc.) follow the festivities so that there isn’t a huge interruption between the pre-Step Songs activities (singing, music) and the actual event. I had a few issues with some of the logistics and location of Step Songs, too. I wasn’t a fan of trying to cram the entire school onto a couple of stairs; it made for a really overcrowded and awkward time. Additionally, the end of Step Songs felt like a bit of a disaster, as the area got extremely crowded. I felt like I was being rushed down a river at the end. It would be nice to leave by row or by PGA’s in the future, as it will be less chaotic. Lastly, I would like to commend the band, led by Mr. Beni, for playing for us. They did an amazing job! Overall, Step Songs was an amazing way for the Mercersburg community to bond with and get to know each other better. It creates school spirit and pride. From my perspective, I saw it as a great way to get the 9th grade hyped and excited for the school year. Previous Next

Voice and Vision is a structured Arts class that allows seniors at Mercersburg Academy to build their art portfolios. As a college preparation program... < Back Voice and Vision Sep 30, 2022 Voice and Vision is a structured Arts class that allows seniors at Mercersburg Academy to build their art portfolios. As a college preparation program, Voice and Vision also helps students to find colleges and identify how to further present themselves in the broadest and most appealing way possible. Voice and Vision is meant to cull a primary or supplemental portfolio for college application. Sydney Caretti, Director of Galleries and the course instructor, started Voice and Vision as an official class about three years ago. Caretti said, “I love that there is a clear purpose for the work that we’re doing, and I like the title of this class because it allows students to develop their voice and exemplify their personal vision.” Voice and Vision is an advanced course, intended for any senior who “ …comes into the course with a fairly established working body of artwork and is looking to stand out in the college process,” said Caretti. As an elective course, Voice and Vision allows students to explore their passions, and serves as a boost in the eyes of the colleges they wish to attend. Rachel Mallory, a college counselor who works with the Voice and Vision program, assists students by looking at their individual ability in art and using that ability to benefit them in the college application process. “It’s a fun way to continue art at a little bit higher level,” Mallory said. “They are able to explain who they are as artists, and what their inspirations have been.” Hannah King, a student who chose to take Voice and Vision to develop a strong, supplemental fine arts portfolios for college applications, said, “I have been able to grow the strengths and skills that I may not have paid a lot of attention to in the past.” One skill King is looking forward to growing is creating a large painting, as she has never done that before. The college application process is generally stressful, but with support from Caretti and the college counselors, Seniors such as King are able to compile a collection of their most representative artworks for their portfolio to submit to colleges, courtesy of the Voice and Vision course. Previous Next

Shublean Kaur '27 < Back A peek behind the faces Shublean Kaur '27 Dec 8, 2023 If you haven’t seen it yet, this year’s Advanced Studio Art pieces are currently showing in the Burgin Center for the Arts Cofrin Gallery. From afar, the pieces look very beautiful, and as you get closer, you can see deeper meaning. “It really defines who I am as a person”, said Cocona Yamamoto ‘25, a member of the Studio Art class. “My portrait really means that throughout your life there’s a lot of people you’re going to meet and a lot of them will come and go but the person who is going to stay with you from the very beginning is just yourself,” said Yamamoto. Another student artist, Collin Jin ‘25, said, “[My piece] symbolizes life and my appreciation for it.” Although Jin was not fully satisfied with the results of his portrait, he reported that completing it will help him grow as an artist. Jin’s favorite piece in the show is Anne Sehon’s ‘25. Sehon’s self-portrait presents her looking upward, with bugs around the canvas, even some on her face. The piece relates to her childhood when she was called “bug-eyes.” The way Sehon displays this nickname on the canvas brings a literal lens to it. The design process of the class self-portraits took much of the fall term. “We spent a lot of time talking about what it means to make a self-portrait and trying to say something more than just what’s on the canvas… as a class, we talked a lot which was really nice,” says Grace Chi ‘25. Behind the faces, each piece has a deeper meaning when viewed up-close. Previous Next

Sophia Mielke '25 < Back Sips & Nibbles: honoring our history Sophia Mielke '25 Sep 27, 2024 On Sunday, September 22, the Burgin Center for the Arts hosted the year’s first “Sips and Nibbles” event, an opportunity for the community to view the art in the Coffrin and Corner Galleries while enjoying small snacks and drinks. The annual show is the Nancy Horton Heefner Memorial Art Show, displayed in the Coffrin Gallery. The 2025, Advanced Studies: Studio Art’s class projects featured prominently. “Currently in the gallery is a community show honoring Nancy Horton Heefner, who was an art teacher here. She passed away, but her husband is on the Alumni Council and is a graduate of Mercersburg,” said Sydney Caretti, arts teacher and Director of Galleries at Mercersburg Academy. “In conjunction with the Historical Society, we put this show on.” The exhibit was open to Mercersburg Academy students and people from town. Members of the Historical Society came to support the memory of Nancy Horton Heefner. Many of the local artists who submitted pieces also came out to recognize the talents of others. “The great thing about this show is, it’s non-juried, so we don’t deny pieces because it ‘doesn’t fit’ or it ‘isn’t what we’re looking for,’ so this show is anything and all ages,” said Caretti. “I believe our youngest artist is Eleanor McSweeney, and I’m not going to guess our oldest artist, but we have a wide range and it’s beautiful.” Many students took time on Sunday afternoon to attend. “I like how there’s no restrictions to what you can make, and how there are infinite possibilities of what you can show people,” said Cocona Yamamoto ‘25, a Mercersburg Academy artist. “I really like all the colors and I feel like all the landscape pieces are really nostalgic,” said Sydney Wijaya ‘27. This exhibit featured works ranging from paintings of landscapes to sculptures constructed of ceramic and wood to metalwork. The artwork included a variety of mediums as well, such as oil paint, acrylic paint, oil pastels, watercolor, yarn, and common markers. “Everyone should know how absolutely talented our area is with visual art, and how giving they are, to share what they love. It makes them feel so good to have people come out to Sips and Nibbles,” said Caretti. “The next show that’s coming is the Elaine Wolf show, titled, “About Face,”… will be going up this week,” noted Caretti. She also thanked Harry Cameron, a talented and dedicated Sips and Nibbles pianist, for the entertainment he provided during the event. Previous Next

Paris Zhang '27 < Back Popping with passion Paris Zhang '27 Apr 10, 2024 "It's hard to pick standouts because I honestly enjoyed every one,” said musical director Kristen Morrow, commenting on the performances in the 2024 Spring Pops Concert last Friday evening. That night the audience enjoyed a variety of performances by the Strings Ensemble, Jazz Band, Magalia, and Octet. The night started with two beautiful pieces by the Strings Ensemble, led by Michael Cameron. They transitioned into Usher’s "Yeah!" which was "rhythmically fun and interesting," according to Morrow. The audience responded with huge applause as the performers stomped their feet to match the beats. Then, the audience welcomed the Jazz Band, led with excitement by Sahmi Beni. Several seniors, such as Kene Olusanya ’24, Emily Tan ’24, and Alex Van Ess ’24, performed solos. "All the solo parts that they came up with were from their own minds," said pianist Tan. "They made these songs theirs." Tan indicated that the band started preparing its songs in the fall term. "That definitely gave me more time to practice and to come up with the solos. All of these songs we practiced for at least two to three months," she said. "I thought the leadership and musicianship shown by our seniors was outstanding. The years of practice and experience leading up to last night gave them the confidence to share some of what they have worked so hard to develop," said Morrow, "I truly admired their courage and commitment." Tan also commented on the soloists' courage: "Everyone did such a good job standing out there in front of everyone." Claire Chow ’26, a member of Magalia who had a solo in the group’s version of Ed Sheeran’s "Kiss Me," said the concert went amazingly and wonderfully, and she thought the group performed better in the concert than in their rehearsal. "We picked songs we liked," she said. She loved that Avallina Orfield ’25 rapped in "Payphone” by Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa. The audience was immersed in the performance and people were singing along while waving their phone flashlights. This was also the case when Octet performed "Falling For U," a song composed by Mercersburg’s own Coco Zhai ’24. A burst of laughter from the audience accompanied Octet as they walked on stage, wearing Hawaiian shirts while singing "The Coconut Song." "I love the choreography they did for ‘The Coconut Song,’" Chow commented. In one song, Magalia and Octet joined as "Magtet" to sing Morrow's favorite song, Cyndi Lauper’s "True Colors." "It has been a favorite song of mine since the 80s, so it has a special place in my heart. I also especially love the sound when the low and high voices of each group combine to form Magtet," said Morrow. Asked how she worked with her colleagues to organize the concert, Morrow responded, "We aimed to strike a good stylistic balance and a pace that would make the concert flow easily. Also, there was a conscious effort to create a program order and seating plan that allowed all the ensembles to support each other as a community." Overall, Morrow thought Pops 2024 was a huge success, noting "a strong spirit of unity and mutual admiration among Mercersburg's student musicians." Previous Next