Lisa Wei '26 < Back Written word about Spoken Word Lisa Wei '26 Nov 4, 2022 Friday, October 28, the Mercersburg Academy community gathered on the Irvine Hall patio for the first Spoken Word event of the year to listen to poems, stories, music, and more. Michele Poacelli, Writing Center Director and English Department Head, helps organize the event. “I thought that spoken word this year was terrific. I loved how much variety there was; how many people did poetry, told stories, played music and sang. I thought that it really showcased the talents and passions of Mercersburg students,” said Poacelli. She especially likes Spoken Word because of the ”unpolished and raw performances.” “There are many opportunities for students to showcase their talents in other performances, and those performances receive feedback and are polished. In Spoken Word, it’s more about having fun and having the courage to perform for the audience. We get to see less of the perfection and more of the genuine, authentic sharing,” Poacelli said. Performers on Friday ranged from musicians to poets. Ethan Stiffler ’25 said, “I enjoy performing because the learning and growth experience is always great.” Stiffler performed an original song on guitar as well as a guitar duet with Ian Kim ’23. Cocona Yamamoto ‘25, another Spoken Word performer, said, “I play the guitar and sing, so I thought it would be a great experience to perform at Spoken Word.” A tradition as old as anyone can remember - that of singing “Redbone” - was performed by Bob Hollis ‘24 this fall. “I’ve always loved Spoken Word and I haven’t consistently performed in them before, but there is a small tradition of Redbone being the closing act for Spoken Word. I asked Ms. Poacelli if she had anyone singing it yet. She didn’t and offered me the spot,” said Hollis. Audience members enjoyed the performances. “We loved Spoken Word this year, especially Ian Kim and Ethan Stiffler’s performance. We were not expecting the collaboration, and the combination between the acoustic and the electric was unreal,” said Isabel Su ’23, Plern Pibuldham ’23, and Jerry Wei ’25. “I loved Spoken Word this year, especially Bob’s performance. The whole event was very lively and fun,” said Jesse Loberg ’26. Mel Cort ‘23 and Kevin Hang ‘24 helped emcee the fall Spoken Word. As hosts, they kept the energy high and introduced the performers. Hang said, “I love the community gathering and having a good time during spoken word. I went up to Mel one day and asked, ‘Mel, can I cohost one day?’ They agreed and talked to me last weekend to ask if I’d host at Spoken word.” “I enjoyed Spoken Word. The cookies are great, the writings are great, the vibes are great, and I’m having a great time,” said Cort. Previous Next

Avery Liu '25 < Back Addie's album: finding her fire Avery Liu '25 Oct 4, 2024 Addie Heldman ‘25 recently dropped her long-anticipated EP (extended play). The drop included 4 original songs with full lyrics. Heldman’s style of music blends pop and folk to create a unique sound. She counts among her influences Lorde and Billie Eilish as well as music from her childhood. She said, “I draw a lot of inspiration from the music I listened to growing up, like Fleetwood Mac, The Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones. A lot of Bluegrass, because my dad is super into that. So that sort of Bluegrass feel with my teenage girl pop self.” Heldman described her creative process. “Sometimes I write songs about a feeling. Sometimes I write songs about an experience. Other times it's more like a vision I have, like an image that I can see in my head,” she said, “or it’s dreams, like I’ll wake up in the middle of the night all the time with a song lyric in my head.” Only recently has she moved to make her music public. “I decided I wanted to take it to the next level because my songs were getting more serious.” Heldman’s musical family members helped her take her compositions to a more professional place. “I’m really lucky to have such great support, like my sisters,” she said. “So luckily, I have a pretty creative family so my sister, who’s a director, helped me figure out how to find a producer, and we went from there.” She also described how they assisted her during her endeavor. “Both my sisters are really talented musicians, my sister Lillith really helped me with the harmonies. She didn’t sing in any of the songs with me but she would stand in the booth pointing up or down for how high or low I should go which was super helpful.” The grueling process of recording the songs involved dedication and hard work. “It was tough,” Heldman said, “It was a four-day recording process, at least 10 hours a day in the studio, singing, and singing, and singing, and playing guitar until my fingers were almost bleeding.” The physical process wasn’t the only hurdle Heldman encountered. “I mean being vulnerable with people is tough.” She said, “I don’t want people to be, you know, worried about me if they perceive a song in a way that makes me seem a certain way. But I think being vulnerable is good and bad for me.” To those listening to her songs, Heldman has a message. “I want my listeners to know that it's for them,” Heldman said. “It’s for people to feel seen because we're living in sort of a tough time right now where the world is feeling pretty complicated. I want to express my unique experiences and then have people feel seen and validated and that's my goal for my songs.” Emphasizing the support system around her, Heldman said, “My parents have always been big inspirations for me, and given me such good [a] good taste in music, and my friends for streaming the songs over and over again. So that’s great and I’m lucky to have them all.” Heldman’s full songs are currently released on Bandcamp and she plans to release the songs in the near future once a week on other streaming platforms including Spotify. Previous Next

Fran Garcia '26 < Back Blue Review review Fran Garcia '26 Oct 13, 2023 This year marks the 50th anniversary of Blue Review, Mercersburg’s student-run publication featuring arts and literary works by students. The Blue Review staff works to take a year’s worth of student submissions and combine them into a booklet of around one hundred pages. Originally published weekly and titled “The Sunday Evening Review,” It even featured recipes in some of its earliest publications. “ The Blue Review team works in two groups: arts and literature. Both of these collaborate in developing a theme, finding pieces, critiquing pieces, and designing/developing the book,” said Andrew Leibowitz ‘24, a member of the Blue Review team. Throughout its 50 years, Blue Review has won multiple awards with its most distinguished coming from the Columbia National Press Association. “For the past two years, and hopefully three with our newest book, we have won their highest award, the gold crown,” says Leibowitz. “ [Blue Review is] the only publication of its kind on campus,” says Bob Hollis ‘24, another Blue Review staff member. Blue Review showcases a year's worth of work, acknowledging outstanding pieces created by students. Submitting to Blue Review and seeing their work published is something that many students look forward to every year. Blue Review embraces the spirit of teamwork and community at Mercersburg, as it is a student-led organization in charge of featuring those students who go above and beyond in their creative work. For the 2023-24 school year publication, the Blue Review team is in the process of designing a theme and outlining the book’s design. Because submissions will continue to come in throughout the year, it’s hard to predict exactly how the book will look. Previous Next

Karin Sugiyama ‘27 < Back Celebrating creativity in clubs Karin Sugiyama ‘27 Sep 20, 2024 At Mercersburg Academy, arts clubs are integral to student life, offering creative outlets for students and a sense of community. Fiber Arts Club and Stony Batter Club are perfect examples of two groups that enrich individual experience while making a meaningful impact on the wider campus community. The Fiber Arts Club, led by Amanda Xi ‘25 and Sierra Guo ‘25, provides opportunities for students to express their passion for fiber arts and provide a relaxing escape from students’ demanding schedules. Guo finds joy in leading the club: “It feels almost rewarding to see people knitting and crocheting in their own time and I think it is really a great way to introduce fiber arts to the community.” Xi added, “Starting this club with Sisi has given me an opportunity to make art and to share that with others who have the same interest.” The Fiber Arts Club welcomes students of all ages and from all dorms. As Guo explained, “Just from the club fair sign-ups, I got to meet a lot of people I had never met before and it just gives us a chance to bond with other people in the community over a shared interest—people that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.” The club also works with communities beyond Mercersburg Academy, through projects such as knitting washcloths for a local hospital and creating hats and scarves for women experiencing miscarriage. Guo said, “We introduce fiber arts to humanitarian projects, which is kind of an unconventional way to apply this art, but it is really rewarding.” In contrast, Stony Batter Club is dedicated to the theater, offering a different but equally valuable opportunity for student life led by Sarah Ali ‘25 and Crystal Chiu ‘25, both long-term Stony Batter members. Chiu elaborated, “Theater has always been a passion of mine. I wish everyone could enjoy the happiness I get by experiencing this art form.” She sees her role as crucial in sharing her joy, adding, “It is important that arts are spread across campus, especially because we are in a school system where it places heavy emphasis on sports.” Ali focused on another contribution of Stony Batter Club. “We are a group full of awesome people and everyone is so supportive. I just really love the community of Stony—that is probably my favorite part of it and that is why I like leading the club.” She reflected on how Stony Batter has shaped her time at Mercersburg: “Through the club, you get to meet a lot of people and build bonds. In fact, I met Crystal through Stony and we have really been inseparable, 4 years later.” William Tutt ‘25, a key member of the club, echoed, “I love doing theater and seeing other passionate folk really invigorates myself to continue doing what I love.” Both clubs share the goal of introducing Mercersburg students to the world of arts while uniquely contributing to the school’s community. Whether through knitting projects or theater performances, the impact of these clubs is a reflection of the vibrant and supportive environment at Mercersburg Academy. Previous Next

< Back Swoon for Ju Yun Alyssa Lee '25 Sep 22, 2023 Ju Yun, a Korean-American artist based in Virginia, is opening her show in Mercersburg’s Coffrin Gallery. She has held exhibitions at the Susquehanna Art Museum as well as at multiple colleges. As an Asian American artist, Ju Yun’s journey with her personal identity is expressed through her art, a creative mix of Korean and American culture. Since the Mercersburg show is Ju Yun’s first time displaying her work at a high school, she says, “I am excited to show my work to young students.” “Moving to another country and having to take on and adapt to a different culture and lifestyle can also impact someone’s personal identity,” says Ju Yun, referencing her migration to America. Moving to the other side of the world creates confusion about a person’s identity and cultural differences. However, Ju Yun’s approach is to unite the two different worlds using art. Her inspiration comes from “traditional Korean culture with a sense of humor and combining it with current American pop culture.” Transforming Korean art and mixing it with vibrant colors and shapes, Ju Yun offers a personal version of a hybrid culture. Sydney Caretti, member of the arts department and director of galleries at Mercersburg says, “[Ju Yun] is talking about her identity and figuring out who she is, which is so important for our students.” Despite her busy schedule and an exhibition at George Mason University on November 7, Ju Yun agreed to hold this exhibition at Mercersburg. Ju Yun is going to “bring a whole new perspective that we haven’t had” says Caretti. “[Ju Yun’s] art isn’t standard, it isn’t in a frame, it’s more tactile and part of our world. I just can’t wait for her to connect with our students. We are really lucky she is making time for us.” “Since most of my audience is students, I am looking forward to watching the reactions of Mercersburg students to my work? I hope they find some humor in them. It's nothing too serious,” says Ju Yun. As an art teacher herself, Ju Yun says, “Believe in yourself. Trust your instincts and don’t feel the need to rush your development as an artist. Enjoy every part of this process.” Ju Yun’s show opens on September 27, and sips and nibbles will be held on September 30 during Family and Alumni Weekend. Previous Next

Claire Chow ‘26 < Back Recruiting male choristers! Claire Chow ‘26 Sep 12, 2025 As people sat in the pews of the chapel and listened to the Chorale perform during Convocation, many in the audience couldn’t help but notice that the choristers consisted mostly of female students, and only four males, including Director of Bands Shami Beni. However, if you peek into the Chorale room in the Burgin Center for the Arts during Rotation E, you will be met with an even bigger surprise: the Chorale has one male participant—Miles New ’27. Jim Brinson, Chorale Director, said simply, “We need more tenors and basses to balance the soprano and alto parts.” With 14 girls in the Chorale currently, New’s voice is swallowed by the sopranos and altos around him. This brings up the underlying question: Are fewer boys participating in the arts? In recent years, the number of male choristers has gradually decreased. However, New noted that in all the years he has participated, there has always been at least one other boy, making this year especially noteworthy. New feels as though his responsibility and role in the Chorale have become more important. “With fewer people supporting the major tenor parts,” he said. “Any mistake stands out more.” Brinson also pointed out the problem of New having no one to lean on and that “it's difficult to make sure a single tenor is confident when he is the only voice.” Even with this imbalance, New’s mood, dedication, and interest remain the same. He chooses to stay in Chorale because he enjoys the class and the group. “I love performing in concerts, and I really appreciate Brinson’s energy and support, as well as [Shami] Beni’s amazing attitude.” Beyond the technical skills, one of the most valuable aspects of what Mercersburg’s arts program offers is the collaborations and friendships that come from working with classmates towards a shared goal. Whether you love the arts or you’re just trying to fulfil your credit requirement, the bonds formed in the studios, on stage, or in the gallery carry over into other areas of school life and beyond. With the spotlight all on him, which New calls “a bit too much at times,” he hopes more boys will join Chorale. Brinson is hopeful we can make that turnaround in the near future. Previous Next

Sophia Mielke ‘25 < Back Celia Kerf: thinking two step ahead Sophia Mielke ‘25 Nov 1, 2024 Celia Kerf ‘25 is a year-round participant in Mercersburg’s dance program as well as a Dance Captain and National Honors Society for Dance Arts member. Kerf enjoys Mercersburg’s dance program because of the wide array of opportunities it provides her, offering students a variety of styles to learn and perform, such as ballet, modern, and jazz, to name but a few. “I really like how many performances we do each year,” said Kerf. “The program is really versatile and I feel like I've gotten a lot better at hip-hop especially because I didn't used to do that style.” However, hip-hop is not the only area that Kerf has improved upon. “Her ballet technique has grown so much in the past year and a half,” said the director of dance, Kelsy Rupp. While Rupp can only comment on Kerf’s performance and growth over the past three years, her words speak volumes. “Celia demonstrates exemplary flexibility between all of these styles of dance. Artistry-wise, she is leaps and bounds from where she was three years ago,” said Rupp. In terms of her growth, Kerf said, “One of my accomplishments is being able to attend summer programs and performing there as well.” Celia is also very proud of her induction as an upper-middler into the National Honors Society for Dance Arts chapter at Mercersburg Academy. In order to gain this distinction, a dancer must list all of her accomplishments in and for the art of dance. Each contribution to the art is worth a specified number of points, and a dancer must reach 30 points to be inducted. “It’s been really cool to track and see everything I’ve done and continue to do for dance,” said Kerf. In addition to her performances at Mercersburg, Kerf states, “I really liked competing at Grier and the Regional High School Dance Festival in Norfolk, VA.” These opportunities were offered to the pre-professional group of dancers in the program, of which Celia is a long-standing member. “Celia is a very committed and disciplined dancer and she is always ready to work,” said Rupp. Rupp also noted the initiative that Kerf shows in choreography, commenting that she is always thinking two steps ahead. “Her ability to ask questions is her biggest strength. She is very detail-oriented; she wants to do things right, and her ability to break things down and ask questions is like her little superpower,” said Rupp. Kerf also feels that the Mercersburg dance program has prepared her well for dance opportunities outside of the school and she will continue to share her talents wherever she ends up next. “I’m applying to a lot of colleges to double major in dance, but otherwise I would minor and do a dance team,” said Kerf. “I’m working with her now on her senior portfolio, and her senior solo. I’m so proud of how much of a go-getter she has really turned out to be. She’s ready to go,” said Rupp. The Fall Dance Concert Is coming up on November 9. “I’m hoping to do a solo in the fall [dance concert] and be a part of guest artist pieces to make the most of my time here,” said Kerf. Previous Next

This year, Sarah O’Leary ’16 returns to Mercersburg Academy as a member of the arts department, teaching ceramics, drawing, and digital photography... < Back Sarah O' Leary Sep 9, 2022 This year, Sarah O’Leary ’16 returns to Mercersburg Academy as a member of the arts department, teaching ceramics, drawing, and digital photography. O’Leary, originally from California, completed her post-graduate year at Mercersburg and was not only involved in the arts but swam for the Blue Storm. One of her favorite memories from her time at Mercersburg was swimming in a record-setting relay at the 2016 Eastern Swimming and Diving Championships, when the girls won the team championship. “ I was leading off, so I was standing by the block and I looked to the side, and the whole team was lined up, all chanting the same thing together and cheering for us,” said O’Leary. After graduating, O’Leary earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Pennsylvania. “I was able to pick and choose whatever drawing, painting, sculpture, or ceramics class I wanted. I sort of jumped around and took a lot of different classes in all subjects,” she said. After college, O’Leary briefly taught art in Houston. O’Leary has spent her life creating works of art. She shared, “I really have a passion for making things. The act of creating a drawing, creating a sculpture, or something on the wheel, it just fills me with joy.” She doesn’t quite have a favorite between ceramics and drawing; she finds something special in both medias. “I really love lines and holding a pencil. I love the way graphite looks on paper. But, at the same time, there's something really centering, calming, and beautiful about ceramics.” O'Leary cited Mercersburg’s welcoming, supportive, and overall positive environment as a significant reason in her decision to return. “Mercersburg was kind of my first educational experience where I felt like it wasn't about just getting a good grade and jumping through hoops. I felt like it was really about exploring who I was and forming relationships with faculty. I felt like I was really allowed to be me here, and that's not something I saw in many educational spaces,” she said. Returning to Mercersburg offers O’Leary a space to explore herself and her teaching style while connecting with her students in a way that is unique to the space. She said, “When I had the opportunity to come back and participate in something that I really believe education should be like, it seemed like a good opportunity.” O’Leary is most looking forward to the student art shows, but aspires to do an exclusive ceramics or digital photography exhibit. “I would really just like an opportunity to showcase the specific mediums in the Burgin [Center] because [it] is amazing. It's my favorite building on campus.” Previous Next

Maddie Stonebreaker ‘27 < Back About Face: confronting humanity’s choices Maddie Stonebreaker ‘27 Oct 11, 2024 On October 4, 2024, Mercersburg Academy welcomed artist Elaine C. Wolfe and her exhibition, “About Face.” Wolfe’s art deeply reflects her insights into the “human condition” and the reality that “human beings can so easily be led into doing things,” as she explained. Her work serves as both a personal reflection and a broader commentary on society. An inspiration for most of Wolfe’s work was her parents' life. She stated, “When they met in World War II, their lives were ruined along with everyone during that time.” The emotional weight of their stories along with her reflections on the consequences of war is conveyed in her art. Her artistic exploration of these themes allows her to address the fragility of human existence and the moral dilemmas faced during war. In addition to her familial influences, Wolfe draws inspiration from her own life in Scotland. Sydney Caretti P ’24, ’26, Mercersburg’s Director of Galleries and a member of the arts department said, “She owned a vineyard with her husband, and raised Morgan horses, as seen in some of her pieces.” This setting inspired her creativity and infuses her work with the themes of life, growth, and connection to the natural world. Wolfe often uses real models in her art, drawing on their forms and expressions to guide her. Through her work, Wolfe intends to prompt reflection on the past and to challenge viewers to consider their part in the present. Her historically-based series, Never Again , consists of three paintings: “Never Again a Bystander,” “Never Again a Victim,” and “Never Again a Perpetrator.” Each piece depicts events that unfold during war, illustrating the consequences of human action and inaction. For Wolfe, the imagery has the opportunity to serve as a reminder of the responsibilities that people hold as individuals and as a society. Caretti asked, “Are you going to be a perpetrator, a bystander, or a victim?” She hopes that the works could invite viewers to engage in a dialogue about their own choices and moral stances. Wolfe’s art compelled onlookers to confront uncomfortable truths and consider the impact of their actions on the world around them. Caretti offered high praise for Wolfe’s creations. She described them as “a pure form of expression, beauty, and ethereal grace.” She also explained the works’ ability to go beyond conventional boundaries. Caretti remarked, “Wolfe feels what she is painting, engaging the viewer.” Wolfe’s art inv ites audiences to connect with their emotions on a deeper level, encouraging them to move beyond simply observing to truly feeling. Caretti noted, “In each piece, we can see the emotion in her hand, allowing us to see not just what happened, but how she feels about it.” Xiomara Del Rosario ’26, said, “These pieces are powerful and meaningful, wowing the audience.” Rosario said that she felt the emotional impact of the paintings, which worked to express Wolfe’s personal life in a creative medium. Previous Next

Brendan Shorb '24 < Back The Wire is fire: A review Brendan Shorb '24 Apr 21, 2023 HBO’s The Wire packs a punch with its thematic detailing of a failing city’s infrastructure. The five-season drama set in Baltimore realistically unveils the various components behind the city’s drug trade and reevaluates the systems keeping it in place. By revealing the missing political puzzle pieces of the inner city, the true red herring of the illicit War on Drugs is the drugs themselves. Government cover-ups, an impoverished street culture, and a lack of funding in the metropolitan school system are what truly keep the youth down in the hole of crime, addiction, and the never-ending cycle of police violence. It’s this level of subversion that makes the complexities of The Wire feel less like fantasy and more like gritty nonfiction. The first season is misleading. On the surface, the series portrays itself as a typical police drama in which the detectives always catch the low-level street dealers by the end of the season. Instead, the main characters explore the intricate methods that the dealers use to avoid police detection in the projects. What they find is a community with drugs at the epicenter. For the children, all they have known is selling drugs. For the adults and growing teens, they die defending their corners and are quickly replaced by the children. Compelling characters represent this sorrowful, powerful, and impactful cycle of human expenditures: the stick-up man Omar, the notorious Marlo Stanfield, and the sleazy mayor Thomas Carcetti. White politicians give grandiose speeches to win votes, show up to black churches, and lie and falsify the numbers to make it seem like they are improving the city, allowing them to maintain power. Famously, Omar mocks the justice system by showing how robbing drug dealers and defending drug dealers in court is no less moral than what the politicians are doing. A lawyer claims that because Omar robs drug dealers, he is leeching off the drug trade. However, Omar is self-aware, shouting, “I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. But it’s all in the game though, right?” He is right, the drug trade is a money game: the best means of exercising police brutality and keeping the poor, well, poor. In the third season, drug-trading corners are secretly interrupted to push dealers to the outskirts, lowering homicide rates and making the current government look proactive. In the fourth season, the inner-city school systems prioritize school performances and benchmarks rather than caring for the emotionally damaged youth. The racial disparities of the school system highlight the rich white administrators' attempts to understand the impoverished African American neighborhoods and how to properly educate their children. In the fifth season, an infamous drug dealer, Marlo Standfield, retires to live life among the rich. Unfortunately, he finds himself unable to adapt to civil society because of his upbringing and background. It’s these changes of expectations that make me, as a screenwriter, intensely passionate about good television writing and making masterpieces like The Wire . The series becomes Shakespearean in its tragedies and Roman in its politics. Each character's death feels thought-out, without over-dramatization, symbolic of the unforgiving nature of the War on Drugs. Throughout the series, the political figures do not suffer the consequences that the street characters face. While police deaths occur, they are few and accidental, a byproduct of irresponsibility and prejudice. For example, a white cop accidentally kills a black undercover cop because he automatically perceives a “suspicious” black male as a threat. I admire these types of depictions because they convey emotion that evokes an almost angry, intrinsic response in the audience. Audiences quickly realize that the main character of the show isn't a person, it’s Baltimore. Signs of good writing are the writers’ ability to capture the complicated spectrum of life that doesn’t exist in black and white but more in gray. Shows like The Wire are important, spectacularly crafted forms of art that develop the gray without bias and without restraint. Higher forms of television writing ask their audiences to interpret the art themselves. Like the War on Drugs, it’s not drugs; it’s a culture. HBO’s The Wire is worth a shot. Previous Next

Bauhinia Chen '26 < Back pARenTs’ weekend Bauhinia Chen '26 Oct 6, 2023 In accordance with Family and Alumni Weekend convention, Mercersburg Academy’s Simon Theatre hosted an Arts Showcase on September 30. Consisting of a medley of performances across various mediums of art, primarily performing, the Arts Showcase provided an opportunity for parents to view a piece of their children’s work as they might not be able to make it to full shows. Each performance in the show demonstrated the core of the arts programs in an abridged manner, teasing the audience with snippets of future performances. Jessica Doubell, the Technical Director of the Burgin Center for the Arts, oversaw the operation of the event. She said, “The Arts Showcase provides an opportunity to see our students who work in the arts doing what they enjoy. Our students work so hard all the time and it's nice to have a chance to show our families what we are working on. For the alumni, I hope it reminds them of their time here with fond memories of performing or creating.” Performers also spoke positively about their experience. “I love participating in the showcase. I feel honored to be one of the representatives of the Jazz Band to perform and solo on the stage. The performances tonight also got me looking forward to upcoming art programs,” said Emily Tan ‘24. “I am blessed to see my peers presenting their talent! I also enjoy simply being on the stage,” said Samuel Zhao ‘24, the student leader of the Octet. “It was a good opportunity to prepare for the Fall Pops Concert in November,” said Collin Jin ‘25, another member of Octet. “The Arts Showcase gives space to the PGAs and groups that don’t perform outside of their few shows a year, so I was really excited to help bring dance into a new arena! I had lots of fun sharing my art form with the greater Mercersburg community, and I hope we can have more chances like this to engage outside of our usual borders!” dancer Elizabeth Orders ‘25 said. Also a dancer, Stella Johnson ‘25 said, “I enjoyed performing in the Arts Showcase because it is such a good opportunity to show families how great the arts at Mercersburg are.” Caroline Hobbs ‘26, who represented the Blue Review by reciting poems from past publications, said, “I am very proud to show how successful we are and showcase our amazing poetry.” The Arts Showcase ended with a euphonious rendition of “Bridge over Troubled Water” from the chorale. One of the members, Jolie Zhu ‘26, said, “It was stressful that we had a short amount of time to prepare. Although there were a lot of hiccups along the way, I was happy with the result.” The showcase received praise from many parents for its variety and execution. “I absolutely enjoyed the showcase! It blew my mind. I was unsure what to expect, but I came and saw the whole art department performing. It was amazing seeing the variety,” said one parent. “There was a lot of variety, and everyone was performing at a high level of ability. It was very impressive,” said Sophie Kim P ‘26. “I liked how there was a lot of participation from different art departments. Everyone was putting their heart and soul into the performance. They were all engaged, and there was a lot of attention to detail,” said Roy Hua, P ‘25. “I loved it! It was nice to have a little taste of everything. After watching the showcase, I am now excited for the upcoming programs. It is always amazing to see students perform,” said Michele Poacelli, P ‘24, ‘26. The family weekend arts showcase fulfilled its intentions and provided a feast of the arts with its combination of music, dance, theater, and literature. Previous Next

Tristan Paulette '27 < Back For You & Me: Coco's talent on display Tristan Paulette '27 Apr 19, 2024 “It was the most rewarding moment of my life. Seeing people enjoying my music makes me so happy… I learned about myself, and I found my music and songwriting style,” said Coco Zhai ‘24. The event that she was speaking about was her capstone performance, titled “For You & Me.” She played a variety of songs, most of them self-written and produced. Her originals carried an extra twist: they were inspired by people at Mercersburg. For example, “Conversations” was inspired by Ben Cho ‘24, and “What I Want to Say to You” was inspired by Maria Rihn ‘24, both people who have impacted her life. In addition to those songs, she performed her originals, “Until the End,” “Stay with Me,” “With You,” and “Wish List,” “Losing Happiness,” and “Falling For U.” In addition to gaining inspiration from the personal growth of her friends and classmates, she has also seen herself evolve as an artist. “This year, I did a lot of extra work in order to improve as an artist. I've been studying AP Music to enhance my music theory knowledge, I took music classes twice a week outside of school to study production and songwriting, and also I did a lot of research during my capstone class.” About the challenges of the Arts Practicum, Zhai said, “I think it was the songwriting process. It is hard to write 10 new songs within a month, I had to really squeeze ideas out of my mind and make sure it's good. I learned about myself, and I found my music and songwriting style. As well as how to really manage time effectively due to the huge amount of work I had to put in. I would recommend the arts practicum capstone for the students who want to be fully immersed in the arts. It takes a lot of time and creativity, but it surely is rewarding.” The audience hooted their approval after each piece. Pema Namdol ‘27 said, “I really enjoyed the show, and I thought that she had some really good songs. The energy of the crowd was really good.” She continued, “They were all new songs, and I thought that she did pretty good in all of them. I thought it was really fun to see someone who I know has a lot of talent and see everyday get to show it off in front of everyone.” Kristen Pixler, Fine Arts Teacher has watched Zhai develop in her years at Mercersburg. “She came to Mercersburg with such a background in music and performing,” she said. Pixler emphasized Zhai’s need for time to prepare and a specific space to write, create, and perform her works. “She wrote all of those songs!” she said, “I mean the amount she has done in such a short time… is incredible.” When asked about the performance itself, she had this to say: "She is such a strong performer… If you were there, all of her friends, everyone who was there was singing along, super engaged with what she was doing… Not surprisingly, she had a packed house and more would have come if there was space. I think it was just an absolute celebration of her and it was wonderful and it was one of the most special performances I have ever seen… It was tremendous, it was a wonderful night and I hope she feels the pride and the love from the community.” Previous Next