Jelly Nguyen '24 < Back This doesn't rhyme, but... Jelly Nguyen '24 Apr 14, 2023 For every month, there is a celebration. In February, it’s Black history. In March, it’s women’s history. In April, poetry it’s poetry. National Poetry Month was established in April of 1996 by the Academy of American Poets with the hopes of recognizing the role of poetry in American life. Within Mercersburg Academy, there are many ways to recognize this month. The haiku contest, which is open throughout April, is a way for students and faculty to demonstrate their love of poetry through a simple but meaningful poem. Also featured, will be a “haiku of the day” when members of the community read a haiku of their choice to the rest of the community after advisory lunches. To start the month, Oscar Su ’25 read the poem he wrote and submitted to the haiku contest. Also a part of the monthly celebration, a form was sent out to the entire community, asking “What’s your favorite poem?” This continues to encourage the community to engage with their inner poet and share the art they appreciate. “People connect to poetry and this gives a place for them to share what poetry means to them. Poetry connects real feelings to real connections and memories and could be a way to mark important things in life,” said English Department Head and Director of the Writing Center Michele Poacelli. As a part of the celebration, Mel Cort ’23 is offering a workshop on Tuesday, April 18. Cort will offer the workshop “Bookbinding for Beginners” from 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm at the Writing Center. For many members of the Mercersburg community, poetry is an integral part of their lives, a way to express even the tiniest things that seem negligible in everyday routine. For Poacelli, poetry is a way to pay attention to the littlest details of life that one often overlooks. “The reason I like poetry so much is that it makes me see the world. Poetry helps to draw attention: Stop, pause, look around, consider, and reconsider,” she said. For Cort and Isonah Dlodlo ‘23, two active poets in the community, poetry is a way to express their feelings about trivial things that are often ignored by the normal eye. “ I use poetry as a creative outlet and a way to romanticize my life. I like writing about inconsequential moments that seem pretty as if they're the center of the world. Some of my favorite poems I've written are about hearing aids, ordering at Mcdonald's, a nurse who was nice to me, and a leaking trash can,” said Cort. For Dlodlo, poetry is, in simple words, life. “ Poetry for me is a means of breathing, it is life, it is how I process and express my emotions. It's flawed and sometimes I hate it. But I also always love it.” Previous Previous Next Next

Jack Lewis '25 < Back Reporting with heart Jack Lewis '25 Jan 17, 2025 On Monday, January 13, 2025, Mercersburg Academy welcomed PBS NewsHour foreign affairs and defense correspondent Nick Schifrin as this year’s Schaff Lecture on Ethics and Morals. Schifrin shared powerful reflections on the role of empathy in journalism and the moral complications of reporting from conflict zones around the world. Schifrin began his talk by recounting a poignant moment from his time covering the war in Ukraine. He met a Ukrainian mother whose son had been tortured and killed during the conflict. He stood with her as she identified his exhumed body. Despite the unimaginable pain she was enduring, Schifrin approached their conversation with empathy, asking her gently, “Tell me about your son.” Schiffrin mentioned another moment when interviewing victims of war, admitting, “I was already crying before what she said was translated.” Her tone and body language expressed more than the translator’s words. He explained that as a reporter, he aimed to honor her story without exploiting her grief and described how this is the same for any journalist covering such events. Schifrin has had an extensive career, taking him to some of the world’s most dangerous regions. From reporting on the annexation of Crimea and the war in Gaza to covering the Syrian conflict and the fallout of Osama bin Laden’s death, his work has had to respond to the realities of war and the ethical dilemmas journalists face in the field. Schifrin noted the personal toll of his lifelong work, particularly on his family. Reflecting on a broadcast in 2014 in Gaza, he recalled a text he received from his mother in which she conveyed her fears for his safety. Despite this personal tug, he emphasized the importance of the work, describing it as a responsibility to inform the public and amplify the voices of those directly affected by conflict as well as a calling in his own life. His emphasis on empathy extended beyond individual stories to the larger mission of journalism. Schifrin argued that ethical reporting requires journalists to truly listen and seek understanding, rather than simply chase headlines. He encouraged the audience to consider the moral weight of storytelling and the impact it has on both the subjects and the audience. With a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Schifrin has built his career on integrity and a commitment to uncovering truth. His work has received numerous awards, including the Peabody Award and the National Press Club’s Edwin M. Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence. Schifrin concluded his formal lecture, leaving the audience eager to ask questions. “I thought the speaker last night was incredible. I will remember his answer about world peace for a long time. The idea that humanity is the opposite of war resonated a lot with me,” Addie Heldman ‘25 explained. “I was also really excited that the school brought in someone who works in media and journalism because I think now more than ever, they impact our age group.” “It was cool to see outside my bubble. I’m in a really good place, but there are people out there going through so much,” Asher Keim ‘28 said. “Seeing what others are dealing with and feeling for them was eye-opening.” Previous Previous Next Next

Ivy Chan ‘24 < Back Catchin’ up with StuCo! Ivy Chan ‘24 Jan 27, 2023 Mercersburg students know and love the Executive Student Council. Despite this, many do not know the details of what their jobs entail. It is important to know what the Executive Student Council is doing for the Mercersburg community, so Ivy Chan ‘24 spoke to President Peter Rice ’23, Vice President Kalwa Tembo ’23, and Executive Member-at-Large Manuel Ponce ’23. This article is their discussion of what the student council is up to this year. Mercersburg News: What has the Student Council been working on this year? Peter Rice: Along with running fundraisers and hosting school and class events, Student Council is currently working on a list of school policy changes including bringing back meal cuts and creating a system for boarding students to have sleepovers in other dorms. Manuel Ponce: We have been working on a couple of things such as bringing back same-sex fob privileges, extending gym hours, and reintroducing meal cuts. Kalwa Tembo: We kicked off the year by bringing in Dr. Williams’ smoothie and açaí bowl truck way back in early September. Since then we’ve been meeting with Mr. McDowell Wednesday mornings to discuss changes we’d like to see in the school this year. Peter, Manny, and I have been working tirelessly to continue to make Mercersburg a great place to learn and enjoy our teen years. MN: What are the student council’s goals for the year? PR: The Student Council's goal is to always improve the overall life and culture of the student body, and this remains true this year. MP: We are mostly trying to change a few things here and there but most importantly trying to hype up Irving-Marshall Week. Culture rebuilding! KT: We want to bring back a lot of the school policies and rules that have changed while the school was battling Covid to bring back some of the aspects that drew us to the school all those years ago. We want to leave Mercersburg a place the kids can proudly call “their home away from home” by creating great relationships that will last a lifetime. MN: What inspired you to run for the Student Council? PR: I joined the Student Council because I thought it would be a fun way to get more involved within the Mercersburg community. MP: I love hearing from students about what they would like to see changed in school, and I am excited to have the opportunity to advance these ideas for the benefit of the student body. KT: The long-lasting authenticity of this school is what I appreciate about it most. The student body is composed of my favorite people in the world, and they deserve to have people working within the school to advocate for them. MN: In what ways can students not in the Student Council get involved? PR: There's nothing stopping you from bringing your ideas directly to the Office of Student Life, and I encourage everyone to do so when they discover an issue they're passionate about. You can also speak to any member of the Student Council and we will do our best to make the changes you would like to see. MP: They can always talk to Peter, Kali, or me if they have any ideas or concerns with the school. We are here to listen and take in any thoughts the students have! KT: Please talk to us! No matter how you do it, trust me we will listen! MN: How do you want underclassmen to carry on what the Student Council has been working on already? PR: I hope that the underclassmen will just continue shaping the school to the way they want it to be. MP: I would say to just push for the ideas that spark your interest the most. You will have our support no matter what! KT: Keep the love going man! Don’t lose sight of the common goal shared by all of your student leaders, to encourage and help all students. Previous Previous Next Next

Meet The Team! Editor-in-Chief Carrie Yang '27 Editor-in-Chief Tristan Paulette '27 Managing Editor Susanna Huang '27 Copy Editor Charley McCracken 27' Online Editor Pema Namdol '27 Online Editor Trace Russell '28 Photo Editor Liam Glick 27' Front Editor Lucas Chen '27 Front Editor Liza Hoa '27 Opinion Editor William Shen '27 Opinion Editor Riley Choi '28 Features Editor Eric Wang '27 Features Editor Michelle Zhang '28 Sports Editor William Luo '27 Sports Editor Matthew Orders '28 Arts Editor Ethan Shi '28 Hustle & Bustle Editor Alle Garza ’27 Hustle & Bustle Editor Audrey Stambaugh ‘27 Editor-in-training Ariel Xu' 28 Editor-in-training Kaden Yang Social Media Manager Mae Van Hove '27 Join News applications open in the spring term of each year!

Ellie Yang ‘27 < Back Back in the olden days Ellie Yang ‘27 Apr 19, 2024 The Conococheague Institute (CI) is a hands-on regional learning center established in an 18th-century historic farmstead in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. CI’s 30-acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has undertaken a mission to “develop and foster awareness, understanding, and stewardship of the cultural and natural history of the Appalachian frontier of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.” The property’s history extends back to the early 1730s and the original site has become a learning opportunity for visitors today. CI’s museum life began with site tours and now allows visitors to engage with 18th-century history and natural beauty. Matthew Wedd, Executive Director of CI, is the main face of the organization. Wedd said, “All donations, grants, and accounts are undertaken by me. Maintaining a good relationship with donors and community partners is paramount.” Mercersburg and the Conococheague Institute have established meaningful connections over a period of years, especially through the Community Engagement program. “Mercersburg and Conococheague have had a relationship longer than my own time at CI, through Community Engagement and volunteer projects, but the relationship took off in August 2021, when Emily Parsons reached out to me as part of her new role as Director of Community Engagement,” said Wedd. Soon after, a partnership was established involving students who participated in a variety of activities ranging from cemetery restoration, historic preservation, tree plantings, and gardening. Wedd noted, “The Community Engagement program has a huge impact on our site, not just by providing so many willing hands for larger projects, but by enabling us to be able to schedule these activities regularly.” The CI also partnered with Mercersburg to launch their intensive program which received national recognition and allowed the establishment of public programs and summer camps at CI. This award-winning program is called “Full on Frontier: Can you Live 18th Century” “Matthew and I put together the CE connection and we worked on the Intensive,” said Emily Parsons. Wedd added, “The program also raised CI's awareness to donors, and resulted in a $1,000,000 endowment contribution split between the Conococheague Institute and Mercersburg Academy from alumnus Robert M Kurtz, Jr. ‘52.” One of the students who has worked extensively with the organization is Selena Feng ‘24, who did an internship for the CI last summer. Feng explained, “I’m another set of hands or another maroon shirt there to help out and answer questions.” The opportunity allows students to get to know hundreds of people who visit over the summer and lets them take a look at events such as Fall Frolic and Archery programs. “The impact I’m most proud of is teaching kids about history and watching their eyes sparkle in excitement,” said Feng. The CI offers a plethora of opportunities and allows people to explore the depths of Pennsylvania's colonial history and participate in frontier-themed activities. Previous Previous Next Next

Audrey Hua '26 < Back South Central PA's Finest Audrey Hua '26 Sep 22, 2023 What’s a Day Student Ambassador? Well, you might be familiar with their former title: Day Student Prefects. Led by a tight group of qualified seniors and upper-middlers, this revamped position seeks to bridge the gap between the day/boarding life, while simultaneously enhancing the day students' experience on campus. Roz Remzikas ‘24 was inspired by her past Day Student Prefect, Hannah King ‘23. “I'm super sad she's gone, but I'm happy I can be that for other people,” she said. Day Student Ambassador Augie Bennett ‘24 was inspired by his friend Holden Walker ‘23, while Ava Guzic ‘25 and Eliana Sandy ‘24 were motivated by their desire to advocate for other day students. Guzic said, “I've noticed problems over the years, and I want to help fix that for others.” Sandy lived in the basement of Fowle Hall during COVID in her freshman year, where “there was no electricity, [it was] always too hot or too cold, and smelled like mold.” She ate meals alone in the locker rooms, unable to dine with her friends in the gym because “it wasn’t my assigned day student space.” Her experience left a strong impression, urging her to “create that sense of equality which I feel like hasn't been there for a while.” The role of a Day Student Ambassador is multifaceted. Remzikas noted her assistance in ferrying students to school, providing a wardrobe for last-minute athletic changes, and scheduling lunches with tight-knit day student groups. Sandy said, “We're going to be very involved with SAC events.” Guzic added, “We have direct meetings with Mr. Brown regularly, so we get to talk directly to him about issues.” “The big thing is we don't have to do a lot of dorm duty,” Remzikas said, comparing the roles of Day Student Prefects and Ambassadors. “There was never an opportunity for us to really meet and engage with our students as Prefects,” Sandy said. “We have a greater chance for advocacy in the role of Ambassador.” “I like the freedom an Ambassador has,” Guzic said. Bennett added, “It’s a nice way to stay involved in the community but also not take a whole bunch of time.” Sandy is passionate about introducing the Mercersburg student body to the local day student communities, including “the Saturday farmer's market in my hometown, Waynesboro, and the most adorable bookshop I’ve ever been in, Wee Scot.” “I've heard students say, Mercersburg is in the middle of nowhere, but they aren't really given the opportunity to explore all the little towns around here,” Sandy wrapped up. A huge step for the community would be to connect with our local friends. “We’re in such a beautiful place; I just wish there was more appreciation.” Previous Previous Next Next

Kate Sui ’29 < Back Catya Bookhammer Kate Sui ’29 Oct 3, 2025 Catya Bookhammer has joined the counseling department. Bookhammer brings experience working in community health centers with both children and adults. After initiating a public school mental health clinic, she “fell in love working with children and students.” Bookhammer has previously worked in government programs. Bookhammer has found the school community especially welcoming: “I really appreciate the friendliness and warmth from both students and faculty, which makes the community feel so pleasant and welcoming.” Looking ahead, she is eager to collaborate with fellow counselors and strengthen relationships with students. “I want students to feel comfortable and willing to come for help.” Outside of counseling, Bookhammer enjoys spending time outdoors: “I love hiking, gardening, and spending time in nature.” Having lived in the Mercersburg area for many years, she already feels a strong sense of home: ”I’m happy to be part of a school that cares about both academics and well-being. I look forward to bringing warmth and dedication to my role.” Previous Previous Next Next

Carrie Yang < Back Engineering Cub Article Carrie Yang Feb 17, 2026 On Wednesday, February 11, the Engineering Club met with members of the Mellott Company, including alumnus Paul Mellott ‘70, to learn about the professional world of engineering and plan a tour of the Mellott Company’s factory. The Mellott Company specializes in rock crushing, and students had an opportunity to ask professionals questions about the inner workings of the field. Club President James Coors ’27, who orchestrated the meeting, has long aspired to become an engineer. “One way I've always thought of a good way to educate myself on that and other people in the Engineering Club was to have people from different companies come talk to us about what they do,” said Coors. “I met Mr. Mellott last year when I was doing a Zoom call for the alumni office. I heard about the Mellott company, and that's when I thought it'd be a good idea to meet with them because we had that connection.” Coors continued, “I thought it would be a good way also if we could get some students who couldn't go on the factory tour, and they could still ask questions about the company.” Students–leadership council and members alike–delved into the nuances of engineering career paths, with employees graciously fielding questions. Randy Bates, the Vice President of Systems at the company, noted, “ The Mellott family and the company [have] always reached out to the community. They instill that into the employees here as well. You'll see Mellott employees at county fairs and different parades and functions. We're out there.” Students affirm that the meeting broadened and deepened their understanding of engineering. Club member William Sellery ’26 explained , “What stood out to me particularly is their focus on culture and really being able to work on something hands-on and not just in theory.” Jacob Curry ’27 was impressed with the company’s longevity. “Engineering is starting to become a very polarized field in the sense that there are actually a lot of people who leave jobs within two years, and then there are people who stay at jobs for fifty-plus years,” said Curry. “They all knew each other–they all liked each other. They seemed a lot more relaxed than the typical engineer archetype.” “You have big, massive companies where you can work on a massive range of different things, and you can be working hands-on,” said Sellery. “Or you can also be in smaller companies, which are often, I'd say, nowadays overlooked by a lot of people.” Like Coors, other students aspire to pursue engineering in higher education or explore fields adjacent to engineering. Curry said, “It's been a pretty [long-time] goal of mine to obtain an engineering degree and become an engineer.” On the other hand, Sellery, who is President of the Robotics Society, noted that “there’s a lot of overlap [between the two clubs].” The Club hopes to visit the Mellott Company in April. “It will be a lot of learning to see what day-to-day the engineers do, what happens…around their company, and [we’ll] get to see a lot of the facilities that they run,” said Coors. The upcoming visit and similar off-campus events will set a precedent for future club activity. Curry explained, “I feel like more real-life young professionals and even older professionals are what Mercersburg students need to hear from.” Previous Previous Next Next

Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 < Back Learn to make a difference Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 Oct 7, 2022 In 2021, Mercersburg Academy partnered with the online-tutoring program Learn to Be, a non-profit organization that allows students in high school to tutor younger students in underserved communities. Learn to Be has a pay-if-you-can policy, meaning if families are able to pay for lessons they can; however, it is not a required payment, making tutoring more accessible to more students. Although the program is based in California, it has broad outreach, with students and tutors located across the US. This partnership was established by Director of Community Engagement Emily Parsons, who reached out to Learn to Be after several students expressed interest in tutoring at the local elementary school but were restricted due to COVID limitations. “I looked around for online tutoring programs that could partner with us, and I found Learn to Be. Their platform allows us to manage our tutors through our own partner portal which really helps me keep an eye on tutors and the connections that they're making,” said Parsons. “They're dedicated to helping students who could really benefit from tutoring and could fall behind easily without extra help. They select their students and then manage the communication between the family and the student.” Peter Rice ‘23, one of the first volunteers, said, “I started tutoring because I saw it as a fun way to give back and help others during a time when it was harder to do community service because of COVID. It also seemed fairly easy to do and it has a real impact on the students you tutor.” Finding time for tutoring at Mercersburg can be difficult. Parsons explained, “Tutors are asked to give one hour a week to their student which can be tricky considering our schedule.” However, students have been able to navigate their way around this issue. “I first told them the times I was free then let them pick which one worked for them. We set up weekly meetings during that time and if an unexpected event ever came up during our tutoring time we rescheduled for the following week,” said Chuks Ugori ‘23. Student volunteers also mentioned that they were able to develop several skills through tutoring. Maia Somma ‘24 said, “I tutored French primarily so that I could strengthen my own French skills as well as be a mentor to students who need extra help. I’ve definitely improved my communication skills and my ability to organize information in a cohesive way for the lessons I designed.” Ugori also commented, “I learned to teach concepts in innovative and fun ways to ensure that the kid getting tutored doesn’t get bored and shut off.” Learn to Be is an extremely beneficial organization for both the tutor and the student, as both leave the session having gained new strengths. Tutors have the opportunity to practice their time management as well as organizational skills, while students are able to receive help on areas they struggle with, free of charge. Previous Previous Next Next

Cate Dougherty '25 < Back Golfin' Eagles Cate Dougherty '25 Apr 12, 2024 Last weekend, the Mercersburg girls golf team competed against the Hill School for their first Mid-Atlantic Prep League match of the season. Although the girls suffered a close loss with a score of 200-190, head coach Dough Smith and the players are confident in the team's ability to produce good results going forward. "Weather has made it very difficult to even practice,” stated Smith, “[I think] that we have not got into a rhythm this year [and] we have had multiple matches and even more practices canceled.” Although the team can use the golf simulator during the rainy and windy weather, captain Kate Kalowinski ’24 commented, “It isn't as effective as going to the range.” The team's dynamic this year has been excellent due to the abundance of senior leadership. “ We encourage and support each other,” said captain Sihyeon Bae ’24. “We always smile even though we [may] lose our match. I think it’s because we focus more on having fun regardless of the result.” This season also welcomed two new players, Zoe Duffy ’26 and Pema Namdol ’27. “The girls’ team is so supportive. The other girls welcomed me when I joined,” said Duffy, “We want to create the best team dynamic we can, have as much fun [as] we can, and win more.” Looking past the recent gloomy weather, upcoming games include the MAPL championship, the state championship, and the Swing Against Cancer golf series. The team remains optimistic about the rest of the season. “When we are locked in and ready to go, I am confident about… [the] spring,” said Smith. Kalinowski added: “We have a real shot; everything just needs to click.” With the worst of the weather hopefully out of the way, the teams will finally be able to get into the swing of things and have great matches this weekend in an upcoming tri-match against Blair Academy and Hill. Previous Next

An exciting moment for the girls indoor track and field team took place two weeks ago when Hannah King ’23, Erika Tso Sowah ’24, Anne Sehon ’25, and Adrienne Howard ’26 broke the 4x400m relay record, turning in a time of 4:23.83, nearly two seconds faster than the previous record... < Back Racing into the recordbooks Ivy Chan '24 Feb 3, 2023 An exciting moment for the girls indoor track and field team took place two weeks ago when Hannah King ’23, Erika Tso Sowah ’24, Anne Sehon ’25, and Adrienne Howard ’26 broke the 4x400m relay record, turning in a time of 4:23.83, nearly two seconds faster than the previous record. (Uniquely, the record setting relay represents every grade in the school.) Grady noted that the four girls have been standout runners since the beginning of the season. “Hannah King recognized early on that with herself, Anne Sehon, and Erika Sowah, there was the potential to approach the school record. After seeing Adrienne run in workouts, Hannah realized we had a legitimate fourth runner who could complete the relay team. From then on, it was really the girls who motivated each other to work together towards the goal of beating the record.” Head indoor track and field coach David Grady shared the different things the girls did to prep for their race. “The girls ran hard in interval workouts to improve their ability to perform well at racing 400 meters. They also worked together on baton handoffs for the relay. The challenge for a relay is to get everyone to run their best on the same day. So, mental preparation is important as well, and it really was the girls who encouraged each other to be ready on race day.” King explained their mentality going into the race; “We knew we could break the record, and it was just a matter of doing it. Although we also made it a point to tell each other we could only do our best and that there are more opportunities to not be very hard on ourselves.” Erika Sowah shared how she prepped race; “I always listen to music to hype myself up before warming up. Then as a group, we would do warm-up laps outside and stretches together. Right before we run the four of us hold a baton and pray to Beyoncé–it’s funny so it calms our nerves a bit.” About the ritual King quipped, “Before our first race together, we thought of someone we all respected, and [Beyoncé] was the clear winner.” About the possibility of breaking the record, Sowah said, “Our mentality was to run the best we could because we realized that if we went into the race trying to break the record, we might jinx ourselves. So instead, we each said we would give it our best shot, and see what happens from there.” Meet strategy also played a part in the record-breaking performance. Sehon revealed, “My coaches and I also decided to run in the 1600 meters instead of the 800 one so that I would have some more energy in my legs for the 4x400.” Sehon added, “We went on a warm-up run and talked about how we just needed to treat it like any other race. We wanted to give it our all without feeling the pressure of attempting to break a record because that mentality could make or break a race for someone.” Similarly, Howard said, “To prep, I made sure to stay hydrated and eat well before the meet. I also made sure to stretch the nights leading up to the meet and even took an ice bath. Going into this meet, our thought was to sprint as hard as we could and to leave all our energy on the track. When we felt like giving up, we just reminded ourselves that it was only two laps.” Grady also shared the plan going into Mid-Atlantic Prep League and Pennsylvania independent schools championship meets. “For the championship meets, the athletes will focus primarily on individual events. That said, they are all capable of coming back with a strong relay performance at the end of the meet. Hannah King is hoping to defend her high jump titles in the MAPL and PAISAA. Anne Sehon was runner-up in both the MAPL and PAISAA in the 800m and she is hoping to win the 800m in those meets this year. Erika Sowah is looking to challenge for the top spot in the triple jump and long jump, and Adrienne Howard will look to place well in the long jump and 200m.” King hopes the relay team will place well against the other MAPL and PAISAA schools. She said, “We don’t have a particular time we are working towards. It is really important to the four of us that we relax because we are our own worst critics when analyzing our races.” Sehon expressed similar ambitions; “I’m really excited for PAISAA’s and MAPL’s because I think we all have a shot to PR in both our single events and the 4x400. Both meets will have very competitive relay races, so we might be pushed to break the record again in search of a MAPL and state title.” Previous Next

The Blue Storm girls varsity basketball team is enjoying its most successful season in recent years with a current record of 9-9 overall and a 3-2 finish in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League... < Back Shooting the lights out Derrick Park '25 Feb 3, 2023 The Blue Storm girls varsity basketball team is enjoying its most successful season in recent years with a current record of 9-9 overall and a 3-2 finish in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League. The positive dynamic between returning and new players explains the team’s success. All players have stood up as leaders on and off the court and have proven their talents to bring home numerous wins Head coach Paul Sipes said, “Our team is awesome. Each player does something different to help us win and push each other to get better in their practices. Different players have stepped up at different points of the season.” The leadership shown by co-captains Maddie Goodhart ’24 and Rachel Hull ’23 consistently elevates the team. The team is also full of talented young performers. Key players like Leilani Isel-Register ’24 and Annie Mohr ’26 consistently prove themselves on the court. “Leilani really carried us through Blair, a comeback win at Washington HS and a win against Hill, but in other games, Annie had gone crazy and scored over 20 points in a few games this season. Madison and Rachel have had huge roles as captains leading our teams in rebounds and steals respectively,” said Sipes. Sipes added, “We have had a few really solid games including a near upset of central OH powerhouse Hathaway Brown at the Western Reserve Tournament, a revenge win against St. John Paul the Great at the She Got Game tournament, knocking off Hill and Lawrenceville at home, beating Goretti, and the comeback win at Washington. We are a wild team to watch.” The players also feel the positive atmosphere that the team has built. Mohr said, “It was very hard for us to bond at the beginning of the season because there were only three returning players. As the season went on, we bonded more as a team and learned how to play better together.” The team’s goal is to make it to the championship games for both Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletics Association (PAISAA) and MAPL tournaments, no easy feat, but their hope is that their strong morale will push them to exceed even their own expectations for the rest of the season. Previous Next