Elise Gao ‘26  < Back A big red bruise Elise Gao ‘26 Oct 6, 2023 Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy’s field hockey, girls tennis, volleyball, boys soccer, and girls soccer invited The Lawrenceville School to a MAPL matchup in front of students, faculty, and families. The strong rivalry between the Blue Storm and the Big Red motivated athletes to compete with hunger and tenacity. Blue Storm teams expected their matchup against the Big Red to be a tough one as it has typically been in past seasons. Field hockey player Maria Rihn ‘24 commented, “The word MAPL itself is very daunting and scary. But we always play our hardest and do something that we’re proud of, which is the best thing.” This sentiment was echoed by girls tennis coach Mike Sweeney. He said, “Lawrenceville is traditionally very, very strong. [We’ve] never beaten them in the twenty-one years that we’ve been in the MAPL—so I’m always hopeful—but also realistic. They’re usually good, so we’ll see how it goes.” Most teams featured a substantial number of new and green players who had never played against the Big Red. Soccer player Dylan Stiffler ‘24 said, “[We] have a young team with a lot of freshmen and sophomores because a lot of our seniors graduated last year.” Similarly, girls tennis and girls soccer experienced major changes in their team dynamics due to an influx of new talented players. Nevertheless, soccer player Nina McDowell ‘25 remarked, “I think we’re doing well. I can feel the chemistry out on the field, and I think we’ve got some new girls this year that are talented.” Despite these changes that can easily become challenges, the teams kept their spirits high by maintaining an optimistic attitude in preparation for their MAPL game. Tennis player Emily Tan ‘24 urged her teammates to, “Stay strong and stay tough. We got this!” Volleyball player Audrey Hua ‘26 elaborated, “Going into the game with the mindset that the opponent is going to be tough will be helpful to prepare for the match. And I also think that we’re a strong team in terms of spirit and mentality this year, so [we’ll] be able to fight until the end. And that’s what matters.” Blue Storm athletes have set up high expectations for themselves to meet in their upcoming match. Soccer player Arnav Rao ‘26 said, “[My goal is to] have a clean sheet. That means to not get any goals scored on me.” A defense-oriented goal was also reflected by the field hockey player. “I just want to stay locked down on defense. [I want to] help out our goalies and keep it a close game.” Soccer player Lilly Killinger ‘26, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury, joined in the fighting spirit as well. “I’m praying I can play and get out of the boot so that I’m there. But other than that, I want our team to put up a good fight.” Indeed, Blue Storm teams fought intensely but fell short against the talented Big Red squads. Field hockey lost 0-7; girls tennis lost 0-7; volleyball lost 0-3; boys soccer lost 4-8; girls soccer lost 1-2. Girls soccer particularly performed well against a strong team, as Girls soccer coach Kristen Pixler said, “I continue to have great faith in this team. They are a connected unit that is willing to put the work in and they support one another every day and every minute of every game. From our swing players to our seniors, each player is invested in this team and knows we will compete in every match. This confidence and commitment is a game-changer. I couldn't be more proud of our team.” Though the loss is hard to process, especially in a MAPL matchup, Blue Storm athletes are moving on to their next game for a victory. Previous Next

William Luo < Back Girls Soccer William Luo Oct 13, 2026 On Thursday, October 8, Mercersburg’s girls varsity soccer team played Madeira School, ultimately falling 1–0 in a closely contested match. Despite the loss, the Storm demonstrated grit and improvement throughout the game, creating scoring opportunities and showing strong teamwork against a competitive opponent. Grace Himes ’28, one of the team’s captains, was not disappointed. “I think we had really good passing, and we worked together to pass around the players, and that’s when we were getting our chances,” Himes said. Head coach Kristen Pixler also recognized the team’s overall development. “I think we played pretty well, and I’ve been seeing improvements as we go through each game, and I think this was a really even match, so they were able to implement some of the things we’ve been working on,” Pixler said. Several players stood out in the game. Emma Thaci ’30 applauded Emily Wallace ’29 for her performance. “I feel like today was really Emily’s game. She had a lot of shots on goal, and she was commanding the midfield and as striker too. All of our attempts were started from Emily, plus she is super fast and physical, and she can get by players,” Thaci said. Pixler also praised Callie Wheat ’29 for her efforts in goal, Tierney O’Donohue ’30 for her creative play, and Wallace for pressing throughout the match. Compared to last year, the team has a younger roster with fewer upperclassmen. Pixler explained the upside to the team composition. “We have combined both varsity and junior varsity teams, so we have very different skill levels from people who have played for their whole lives to people who have just picked it up,” Pixler said. “They are actually a very resilient team, and they have come together and they support one another, and they also communicate well.” The upperclass players have helped the younger players adjust. Thaci credited senior captains Jennica Nguyen ’27 and Ellie Stine ’27 for their leadership. “Jennica is a strong defensive back, and she has a lot of good guidance. She is able to control the field with her voice, and she is really communicative,” Thaci said. “And Ellie, she is super fast, and she is also nice off the field. She gives good guidance to us underclassmen.” Himes reflected on her responsibilities as a captain. “I like being able to lead on the field and have everyone’s voices be heard and being a person people can lean on,” Himes said. Nguyen remembers playing as a ninth grader. “It has been a great experience being able to see players grow alongside you, and just understanding the team culture and sharing it with the younger kids as they come in,” Nguyen said. Although Mercersburg fell short against Madeira, the team’s performance demonstrated its growing competitiveness as younger players continue to develop alongside experienced leaders. Previous Next

Ben Pham '27 < Back Serving up team spirit Ben Pham '27 May 10, 2024 Last Wednesday, Mercersburg Academy’s boys varsity tennis team played Highland School in a nail-biting series of matches resulting in a close loss of 4-5. This is yet another loss added to the record in a turbulent season. Max Zhang ’26 commented, “The season hasn’t been great. Even though we have a winning record I think, we haven’t done that well in the MAPL [the Mid-Atlantic Prep League].” Simon Brennan ’26 also acknowledged the tough season, saying, “Our season has been up and down.” Brennan believed there was still hope, however, adding, “I feel we definitely think we can do better, but as long as we are all in the right headspace and locked in for the MAPL tournament and PAISAA [the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association], I think we can really end this season on a high note.” This year, the boys tennis team welcomed an addition to the team with the new coach Matt Mehler, who seems to be settling into the role really well. Dave Nguyen ’24 stated, “I think coach Matt is really energetic and caring.” Brennan agreed: “Coach Matt is a great coach and a great guy. He really cares about our team and us as players. He will come up to Max Zhang and [me], and really motivate us when we are down, and make sure we are focused when we are up.” Eric Wang ’26 observed, “He’s different from our coach last year, coach Blaine Davies. Matt is more inclusive and makes us feel more like a family rather than just a team.” A more inclusive and better atmosphere has helped with the team dynamic. Zhang said, “I think the team gets along better because everyone is more focused and fits better. I think the team bonds better this year–we even had a hotpot trip.” Regarding his teammates, Nguyen added, “I think the chemistry and team bonding is a lot better than last year. During away games, we support each other a lot.” Despite the improved atmosphere and overall happiness within the team, Zhang said, “We haven’t been very consistent this year. Simon and I should do better at number 1 doubles, and the team isn’t as deep as last year.” The team's depth proves to be a consistent challenge, with Brennan commenting, “As a young team, I think that a challenge we have is confidence and the mental part of the game. Confidence is always key and the mental part of the game is what determines if you win or lose your match.” Compared to last year’s team, this year’s team consists of a lot more underclassmen. Brennan explained, “This year's team is a lot younger with our number one to five singles [players] all being sophomores and juniors.” With a big loss of top senior players, a spotlight shone on the younger players. Brennan continued, “This year’s team really had to step up and the returners are really proud of this year's team.” Heading towards the end of the season, focus remains a priority. Nguyen explained, “We still have to keep it serious, there are a lot of seniors on the team that are graduating so we need to focus on every single game.” As the boys set their sights on the MAPL and PAISAA tournaments, Zhang stated, “We are trying to do well and practice hard, it's all about being better than yesterday.” With the MAPL championships at home this Saturday, the team is hoping to see this season out on a high note. Previous Next

After the first exhausting six weeks of the academic year, most of the school body — teachers and students alike — craved a break from our hectic schedules... < Back Held back for the home game Regaon Houpt '25 Oct 28, 2022 After the first exhausting six weeks of the academic year, most of the school body — teachers and students alike — craved a break from our hectic schedules. Long fall weekend gave the community the perfect opportunity to step away, take a breath, and recharge. Some students enjoyed the exciting SAC trips and events; others, if possible, went home to see their families (mainly their dogs); and a number of students prefered to spend their leisure time hibernating in their rooms to catch up on their well-deserved sleep. For several student athletes competing on teams, their break was abridged by games or training requirements. Having obligations over long fall weekend seems counterintuitive to the main purpose of the break. Teams like girls tennis and boys cross country cpmpeted on Friday, then no further bad requirements for the remainder of the long weekend. This provided the players and coaches with an adequate amount of time off. David Grady, head coach of the boys cross country team, said that this works well for the team. “Having a few days off is healthy and I think it gives us all a chance to rest up and recharge for the second half of the term,” Grady stated. The break prevents burnout, both mental and physical. Long fall weekend is a great opportunity for athletes to recover from the intense training they have been committed to, allowing them to return from the respite with even more strength and motivation. “It is important to keep the health and well-being of the athletes in the forefront,” Grady emphasized. Other teams, such as the boys varsity soccer team, did not have the privilege of experiencing the entire long break. Players competed on Saturday and Tuesday and practiced on both Monday and Friday. This scheduling left the boys’ varsity soccer team with only Sunday off and made it difficult to plan any outings or family visits during the break. Kevin Malo ‘24 reported that he chose to stay on campus due to the team requirements. Mike Sweeney, head coach of the girls tennis team understands this commitment. “[I] see the season in session and understand that being a part of a team is a commitment, one that is really important,” Sweeney said, but he finds it equally, if not more, important, that student-athletes receive a break. During the school week and athletic season, players and coaches follow a demanding schedule, as Grady put it. Practices, games, classes, homework, and extracurriculars keep students busy, oftentimes too busy to enjoy leisure and social time. Long fall weekend should provide students with the chance to address their personal needs, so that they have the motivation and determination to attack the second half of the term and the season. Everybody deserves a fulfilling break, Sweeney concluded. “A few days away from school is probably a good thing for everyone, students, teachers, and coaches…and maybe even the team.” Previous Next

Bauhinia Chen '27 < Back Golf swings against cancer! Bauhinia Chen '27 May 9, 2025 On Monday, April 28, boys golf competed in the Swing Against Cancer tournament hosted by Peddie School, finishing sixth overall. Head Coach Doug Smith said, “It’s an event for cancer research, and I want them to take away that you’re doing something for the good of society. Golf is both competitive and for a better cause.” Cameron Gierasch ’26 added, “My grandfather passed away from pancreatic cancer three weeks ago. It meant a lot to me to go out there knowing that I was bringing awareness to an illness that has taken away so much from many people, and to know that I can do that playing the game I love the most.” On a similar note, Stewart Allan ‘27 said, “It means a lot to me because my grandmother had cancer. She is in full remission right now, and it felt good to go out there and to do something for [fighting cancer] myself.” The team prepared for the long 18-hole format by building experience and prowess through earlier matches. Gierasch said, “We had a lot of 18-hole games…. before that, we had a lot of matches against Hill and a couple of other local schools in Virginia, too.” Allen added, “I think just having a competitive match schedule and, on top of that, the fact that we had two weeks off was good for me to refresh, feel great, and come back to do the best I can.” Smith said, “In this match, several guys played to their talent level. We did well. We were competitive. It wasn’t our best golf play, but it was good.” Miles New ’27 was the leading scorer for the team with a 79. He said, “I prepared for the match beforehand by studying the course map. I have played there before, but I knew this time there would be greater competition with more players this year... I ended up playing pretty well.” Jackson McLear ’28 said, “I played alright... I just thought about the hole I was in and stayed in the moment, going shot by shot.” The match was not without obstacles. Allan said, “It was weird because [the course] was moved out two days because of rain. It was also 18 holes but in a scramble format, so I had no idea who would be in my group. I had to get used to playing around with new people.” New said, “I came off to a slow start, struggling with the first few holes, but gradually made up for it later into the match.” “I struggled a lot with ball striking, but my putting was really good. I didn’t end up doing great,” said Gierasch. With many graduating seniors last year, the current golf team is left with mostly young and fresh faces, contributing to a different yet cohesive dynamic. Gierasch said, “This term, I think we’ve had the best chemistry we’ve ever had. And being a part of the team right now, I feel like it’s been more like a family than any other team I’ve been part of... We’re very young. We’re not a great team, but we’re building. We have a lot of potential.” New added, “As one of the returners, I am glad that I get to take care of newer teammates and serve as a role model.” Allan added, "[Our team chemistry] is slightly immature, but we get along well in that sense. It’s a good environment.” Previous Next

William Luo < Back Family Weekend Sports William Luo Sep 29, 2026 Girls Cross Country The Blue Storm girls cross country team finished first overall at the Family Weekend Invitational. The team’s first home meet of the season included several personal records and strong performances. Coaches Christopher Bright and Mariana Manzo Puente were pleased with the team’s performance. Bright was glad to see several runners finish their first ever 5K, while others recorded course and season personal records. Teresa Nyarko ’28 noted the performance of Ally Snyder ’28, who improved her time on the course by seven minutes. “She’s so enthusiastic,” Nyarko said. “She’s always brightening up the team mood, and I think she’s a really strong addition to our team.” Bright particularly highlighted the team’s support for one another. “The runners who had finished returned back into the course to cheer the folks who were still out there and running,” he said. “That was the highlight, I think, for all of us today.” Boys Cross Country The Blue Storm boys cross country team finished first overall at the Family Weekend Invitational, with Dominic Grady ’28 and Joseph Cechini ’28 finishing first and second respectively. Head coach David Grady was pleased with the result. “It was a good performance for us,” Grady said. “It was really nice to see Dominic and Joey go one, two.” Grady also highlighted Matthew Orders ’28, and James Coors ’27 for recording times that placed them in the top 10. The victory included a win over MAPL rival the Hill School. Both Gradys highlighted Siebert, who transitioned from sprinting to cross country this season. “It’s a big transition to run cross country, and he’s showing some signs of being able to make that transition in a good way,” Coach Grady said. Wil Kipe ’27 recorded a PR, while Coors finished under 20 minutes. Dominic Grady was also satisfied with the team’s performance. “It was a bit windy, and everyone finished in a great time and a lot of people PR’d,” he said. “Overall, it was a great race and everyone did really well.” Girls Varsity Field Hockey The Blue storm girls varsity field hockey team showed resilience throughout its match, recovering from a difficult start and improving as the game progressed. Coach Jomara Coghlan, reflecting on the team’s performance, acknowledged that the team did not begin the game as strongly as it hoped, but emphasized the team’s improvement throughout the match. “I think we had a rough start to the game, but we showed progress as the game went on,” she said. After the opponent scored in the first half of the match, the team continued to battle and created opportunities for themselves. Coghlan also highlighted the team’s continued effort as an important part of their performance. Rather than allowing the difficult opening to determine the rest of the game, the team adjusted and continued to compete through the match. Girls Varsity Soccer The Blue Storm girls varsity soccer team opened league play against the Hun School of Princeton with a solid performance. Despite several players battling sickness and injuries, Mercersburg competed with full energy throughout the game and showed improvements in both its defensive organization and movement across the field. Coach Kristen Pixler was very proud of the team’s overall performance. “We anticipated plays better, connected passes more consistently, looked for the switch, and closed down open channels during transitions,” she said. Although the team still has areas to improve, she described the match as “a strong start to our league season.” Pixler highlighted Tierney O’Donohue ’30 as a gamechanger at center back, repeatedly shutting down Hun’s fast breaks and supporting the team in transition. Emily Wallace ’29 also provided vital defensive support, while Michelle Ayeni ’29 brought physicality and composure to the back line. In midfield, Michelle Zhang ’28 played every minute in the game and helped create opportunities while consistently dropping back to support and cover for her teammates. Charley McCracken ’27 contributed on both ends of the field with incredible strength and speed despite battling illness. In goal, Callie Wheat ’29 recorded 17 saves, helping Mercersburg remain competitive throughout the close 0-1 match. Boys Varsity Soccer The Blue Storm boys varsity soccer team defeated the Hun School of Princeton 2–1. With the crowd behind them, Mercersburg created several opportunities throughout the game and held off the Raiders to secure the well-deserved victory. Head coach Timothy O’Donohue said, “I was really happy with how the guys played. We played some good possession. We had a lot of good performances.” O’Donohue added, “We had to kind of hold on at the end, but I’m happy with the overall performance.” Tadhg O’Donohue ’29 and Ewan McDowell ’27 scored for Mercersburg. Forward Christian Garcia-Rivas ’27 praised both goals. “I want to highlight Ewan’s goal, and also Ty’s goal was very fantastic,” Garcia-Rivas said. “It was a banger.” Luke Prugh ’28 also pointed to O’Donohue’s goal as a highlight. “Ty, his free kick from outside the box, that was a crisp hit.” Prugh also praised Garcia-Rivas and the other forwards for their performances. Coach O’Donohue highlighted freshmen Prince Perry ’30 and Ishamail Willie ’30 along with the two goalscorers, but he applauded the entire team. “A lot of young guys played well. The veterans played well, so it was a good day,” O’Donohue said. Girls Varsity Tennis The Blue Storm girls varsity tennis battled through difficult conditions during its match on Family Weekend. Despite strong winds and light rain, the team continued to compete hard throughout the afternoon against the Raiders of the Hun School. Coach Michael Gerard was pleased with the team’s overall effort. “We played great. Hard fought matches all the way across the courts,” Gerard said. “Our players adjusted to those conditions really well.” Rachael Zhang ’28 also emphasized how the windy conditions affected the match, while praising the team’s effort and personal achievement throughout the match. “It was the first time this season that we won a set of our games; we definitely improved in communication and getting to the ball with more speed and accuracy.” Gerard also emphasized several individual standout performances. Rachael Zhang ’28 and Rachel Zou ’30 delivered one of the day's highlights by reaching a third-set tiebreaker in their doubles match, while Lucy Huber ’29 won her match in two close sets after battling from behind. Eliana Heiss ’29 also fought through a competitive match and came back strongly in her second set. Girls Varsity Volleyball The Blue Storm girls varsity volleyball team competed against the Hun School of Princeton during Family Weekend. Although Mercersburg lost 3–1, the team was competitive and there were multiple highlights throughout the matchup. Head coach Will Hill was pleased with the team’s effort. “They played really well. They learned how to fight, and that was our problem before,” Hill said. “We give up a lot of points and we get down, but today they fought. So I’m very happy about that.” Middle blocker Clare Mohr ’29 noticed improvement in communication and coverage. “I think something we did well was communicating most of the time, better than we did our last game at the Potomac School,” Mohr said. Mohr also highlighted Maisie Smith ’30 for finding open spots on the court. Sofia Monroy Santiago ’28 felt similarly about the team’s defense. “I think we improved a lot on communication and covering our hitters and defense,” she said. Monroy Santiago highlighted McKenna Koch ’28 and Lena Wilke ’27 for their versatility, resilience, and leadership throughout the season. Koch credited players Ella Daniels ’30, and Peyton Pixler ’28 for their drive and grit. “They’re really working really hard,” Koch said. “They have talent, so them just being supportive everywhere and hyping the team up during hardships is important.” Boys Varsity Squash @ The St. James Three Mercersburg boys squash players competed in a professional satellite tournament at The Saint James, a club in Springfield, Virginia. About the boys’ performance Coach Dominic Benaquista said, “They performed really well. It was good to just see the guys compete and be able to coach them through a tournament.” Ramiro Albelo ’27 and Martin Falconi ’27 both reached the quarterfinals, which Benaquista deemed “a great achievement.” Albelo saw the tournament as an opportunity to showcase his skills despite wanting a stronger result. “I’m not 100% happy with the results, but it was a good tournament,” he said. Falconi and Rohan Roy ’27 expressed appreciation for the coaching support. Falconi highlighted Benaquista for “always looking to improve the students,”while Roy paid thanks to both Benaquista and assistant coach Mike Sweeney. For Benaquista, competing at this level reflects the program’s growth throughout the years. “It just shows the quality of kids that we’re getting in and the level of squash that they’re playing,” he said. Previous Next

Mercersburg Academy’s boys varsity squash team has enjoyed an excellent season so far... < Back Boasting about boasting Gabe McGuire '24 Jan 27, 2023 Mercersburg Academy’s boys varsity squash team has enjoyed an excellent season so far, including two key championship victories: the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Squash Open and the Flanagan Tournament. In their current state, the team is predicted to place among the top 16 in the nation. Both coaches and players share the optimism. “This year our team is the strongest it has ever been in school history. This is outstanding of course, but we also have to be intentional about our schedule and the levels of teams that we compete with. Our list of invited teams for this year's Flanagan Invitational included some teams that are normally quite strong, like Hill School, Potomac, and St. Christopher's of Richmond, but this year our ladder has depth like never before. Nearly every player from our fifth position down is a senior, which also gives us an advantage on experience,” said coach Ryan Tyree About the MASO tournament, team captain Francis Betkowski ’23 said. “We knew going into it that the hardest team was going to be Saint Christopher's. We lost last year, but with the addition of Santiago [Medina Carrillo ’24] and Adrian [Guijarro ’25], we were bound to whip everyone. It was nice to see everyone play their best and work on a couple of shots.” Aside from strong experience on the court and phenomenal players, the team achieves such competitive ratings thanks to the expert leadership of the coaches. “Our team has tremendous talent and experience, but that doesn't automatically translate to having an effective team dynamic. The coaches are working to keep our players mindful of the importance of building trust and strengthening bonds that will carry us through when facing the highest competition,” said Danny Adusei-Poku ’23. The coaches do everything they can to facilitate the success of their players. It is common to find Tyree in the squash courts before and after the school day and on weekends, using every available hour to mentor his players. His devotion has certainly paid off. The team waits in anticipation for its next tough match against Episcopal Academy. “They will be one of our most difficult matches to date and they should be a great test of our strength,” said Adusei-Poku. The team will also face Mid-Atlantic Prep League rivals Blair Academy and the Hill School this weekend at home. Then, the team eagerly anticipates proving its mettle at the MAPL championship in early February and then the high school national championship tournament at the Arlen Specter Center in Philadelphia before spring break. Previous Next

Sophie Han ’27 < Back Leaving them in the dust Sophie Han ’27 Oct 3, 2025 Family Weekend gave Blue Storm cross country teams the chance to race on their home course, celebrate progress, and look ahead to MAPLs. For the girls, the meet carried special meaning. “I liked running on our home course because it was Family Weekend, so it was nice seeing everyone cheer me on,” said Maddie Chu ’27. Captain An Yan ’26 added, “The home meet is a chance to build connections.” Assistant coaches Christopher Bright and Mariana Manzo Puente said, “Team support is very important. This weekend, we cared less about speed and more about keeping them healthy and having fun.” The season’s earlier races built this confidence. Girls' head coach Betsy Cunningham said, “Frankfurt was our first race, and Gabby broke her own course record from last year. At Peddie, six girls broke the course record that had stood for more than a decade. Gabby ran 18:10 and Ella ran 18:51.” Teresa Nyarko ’28 also saw progress: “My time difference from last year’s first race to this year’s was four minutes. With the team’s support, it made me believe this season will go well.” Captains have helped guide that improvement. “I always get nervous before races, but with the captains’ help, the team pushes past that mental block,” said Gabby Cechini ’28. Cunningham said, “In every race, varsity is there for JV and JV is there for varsity. Even with separate races, we’re a unified team.” Fellow captain Ella Blanco ’26 added, “The previous captains did so much for me, and I hope to do the same this year,” adding, “The Peddie course was mostly flat and gave us confidence for MAPLs there.” The boys shared similar experiences. James Coors ’27, who dropped 58 seconds for a personal record, said, “We’ve been cheering a lot. On long runs, it’s nice to have someone to run with.” Captain Liam Beighley ’26, who won on Family Weekend, reflected, “It went good. Ended up with the course record and a 94-second win. Additionally, though, I rolled my ankle and had to slow down.” Earlier in the season, he also broke the Peddie course record. “When I came to Mercersburg, my two goals were to give back more to the team than when I arrived and to stay healthy.” Leadership has been central to the boys’ progress. Captains Imangali Zhakan ’26 and Frederick Wu ’26 emphasized, “Last year, I was focused only on MAPLs. This year, as a captain, it’s also about team culture and making sure everyone gets what they deserve is a fulfillment of being in a team.” Joey Cechini ’28 added, “The team is smaller this year, but that made connections easier. In practice, we push each other, and the bus rides back are always fun.” Boys head coach David Grady acknowledged the challenge ahead: “The goal has always been to try and win MAPLs. But cross country is vulnerable to injuries, so we teach them to be smart about how they run. We definitely have a good shot, and racing at Peddie again will give Liam and the team another chance at fast times before the season ends.” Assistant coach Harvey Hinman took a more philosophical view: “Running is incredible because the only thing you need are a pair of shoes. Whatever this season builds to, I hope they find joy in it and carry that with them for life.” Previous Next

William Luo ‘27 < Back Clothing & communing William Luo ‘27 May 16, 2025 The Community Closet opened to all students on Thursday, April 24, during Help Block and continues to be available every Thursday in May. Originally, the space was created to support students who might not have access to the clothing they need for formal dinners or even school day dress. It has already proven to be a hit, attracting many students. At the end of each school year, Mercersburg Academy hosts the Cheap Thrills Sale, to which students, faculty, and staff donate unwanted items. These items are then sold at low prices to the community, and unsold items are moved to the Community Closet. “[The idea] came from Renata Williams, our director of DEI last year,” Emily Parsons, Director of Experiential Education. “She left in the middle of the year. So she had this idea, and then it sort of turned into this small faculty group.” Initially, the Community Closet didn’t attract much attention. “Nobody knows about it. Nobody uses it,” said Lisa Wei ’26, one of the student organizers. Recognizing student interest in free clothing, Parsons and the faculty group decided to expand access. “Over the course of this year, we've kind of realized that more students just want to have that experience and have access to free clothes,” Parsons said. “So we decided to open it up to everybody these Thursdays in May to see how it goes while also making sure that the students who need it can have access to it.” To get the project running, Parsons reached out to Community Engagement interns Wei and Reese Alter ’26. They sorted through donations with a student perspective in mind. “We unloaded a bunch of clothing donations from the bag, and then we sorted them into things that should just be donated to Goodwill,” said Alter, “and then things that we think students here would actually wear or maybe faculty. Then we put them up on the shelves in hangers.” The response has been overwhelmingly positive. “I was surprised at how many students showed up,” said Wei. “On the first Thursday that we operated, a lot of people showed up, and people even found me and Reese asking when it would open again. And then next week, there were even more people.” Students reported finding a wide variety of clothing. “It was really exciting because I found a shirt which was the same shirt that I was wearing, just in a different color, and I was very excited, and it was a very good find,” said Ally Snyder ’28. She added, “My eyes sparkled as I entered the room of paradise… So many fire pieces… I love it.” “I think this is a really good idea to just give out clothes for free… because it makes student[s], feel like they bought clothes in a shop, but, actually, we didn't spend money,” Riley Choi ’28 said. Maintaining the space is an ongoing effort. “You have to keep organizing it,” said Wei. “So Ms. Parsons, Reese, and I are thinking about trying to work on organizing and unloading clothes every Monday during PGA time.” After their initial success, the team is looking toward the future. “How do we keep interest and keep the inventory kind of interesting, keep kids wanting to go up there if there might be some new things?” said Parsons. “I think we have to figure that out and make sure that we're rotating things in and out too with the seasons.” As the Closet’s popularity grows, so does the hope that it becomes a lasting part of campus life. “I hope that in the future, people can continue what Reese and I have been working on,” said Wei. “I hope that future community engagement interns and just people who want to help out would be able to expand this project to help more people in our community.” Previous Previous Next Next

Last Saturday, the Mercersburg Academy boys varsity squash team took the long ride out to Lawrenceville School to compete in the annual Mid-Atlantic Prep League tournament... < Back Lawrenceville takes the L Ryan Tyree, Mercersburg Squash Varsity Girl Coach Feb 14, 2023 Last Saturday, the Mercersburg Academy boys varsity squash team took the long ride out to Lawrenceville School to compete in the annual Mid-Atlantic Prep League tournament. The last Mercersburg-Lawrenceville meeting was actually the first match day of the season, when, after a grueling two-hour 3-4 loss to a Division I Gilman School squad, the team mustered their mettle to emerge with a 4-3 result, the first win over Lawrenceville in living memory. So after ten weeks of training and match play, the boys were keen to rise to a new occasion and win again, hopefully in an even more decisive fashion. As the number one seed, the boys began the day against 4-seed Blair Academy, where they convincingly settled things with a 7-0 scoreline and every player winning in straight sets. Being the favorite on paper is nice, but the team spent a lot of time thinking and talking about how to approach a rematch with no home court advantage, and the desire for revenge likely to inspire the opposing squad. As the first flight of matches got underway, the 8 (exhibition) 6, 4, and 2 positions were up. Just like at Nationals, the format at the MAPL tournament is seven points. In the exhibition bout Dawson Hastings ’23 lost a closely fought 1-3 match, but all three other Blue Storm players won their opening sets: Francis Betkowski '23 at position 6, Fawad Jan '24 at 4, and Santiago Medina '24 at number 2. Santiago would go on to secure the first win for Mercersburg by winning three-love, but the other two opponents were not giving up so quickly. Francis' opponent battled back to win both the second and third sets, reversing the momentum and getting within one set of a Lawrenceville win to tie the match. Meanwhile, Fawad staked himself to a two-love lead before dropping the third set, giving his opponent a glimmer of hope. Fawad went on to take back control of his match and collect the second win for the day for the Blue Storm! Even though the scoreline read 2-0 in our favor, it was still very much anyone's match, especially since Francis was down 1-2 against a higher rated opponent. Then, it happened. Drawing on his experiences from his freshman year playing at Nationals, when the match was tied at 3-3 and the whole match depended on him, Francis began his comeback. Clawing his way to a nail-biting 11-8 win in the fourth, he pushed his opponent to the pinnacle of the game of squash - the fifth set. Francis started out slow and his opponent stayed in the lead until the score read 6-8 to Lawrenceville. But Francis had put in the work, and forced his opponent to put in more work. The game leveled at 8-8, then 9-9. And then Francis won the match. With three wins, the Storm only needed one more. Danny Adusei-Poku '23 lost a hard fought first game, as Huzaifa Ibrahim '24 began his match in the number one position and Adrian Guijjaro '25 opened up a commanding first set against his opponent. Both Adrian and Huzaifa went up 2-0 as Azian Subhani '23 began his match in the five position. Azian lost the first set, but battled back to take the second and even things up. Azian was extremely hungry to keep the momentum going, but his opponent found an extra gear and went on to take the match, notching the first win of the day for Lawrenceville. Meanwhile Danny's opponent kept one step ahead of him until a very close third set and ultimately took another win for Lawrenceville. The match stood at 3-2 for Mercersburg, so the energy within the team was palpable, looking for ways to secure that final match. Adrian's opponent fought back in the third set, leaving Adrian still in the lead at 2-1. On the next court over, Huzaifa built upon a blistering opening 11-2 win in the first set, and never gave his opponent a moment to breathe. Some amazing points were exchanged, but on this day there would be no speculation for the crowd as to which player was in command. Taking the win and securing the team match for Mercersburg, Huzaifa closed down every avenue: 3-0. And just to complete the team goal of a better result than the last meeting, Adrian went on to defeat his opponent in the fourth with a dominating performance. The Mercersburg boys varsity squash team found themselves hoisting the MAPL trophy for the first time in school history, ending a Lawrenceville winning streak that began with the formation of the MAPL over 20 years ago. Previous Next

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

Judy Ma '27 with Lisa Wei '26 and Tahir Hasanov '25 < Back S(ee)YA later! Judy Ma '27 with Lisa Wei '26 and Tahir Hasanov '25 Apr 12, 2024 The School Year Abroad program allows a select group of students to spend a full academic year studying in another country. Depending on their respective language studies, students can go to a variety of countries in Europe. Ben McNeil, Language Department Head, stated, “Our students from Mercersburg Academy have studied in Rennes, France; Zaragoza, Spain; Viterbo, Italy.” Students from boarding schools across the United States join those from Mercersburg at their respective sites. While spending time learning in another country, students live with host families or in dormitories to gain direct language experience through study, travel, and daily life. McNeil commented, “It is incredibly transformative. Oddly when you put yourself in such a vulnerable and safely uncomfortable situation, you gain incredible confidence. You gain friends and family in another country. You come back home with robust communication skills in a second language. You prove that you are capable of taking on challenging situations.” Each year, several students apply to do a school year abroad. Malaika Mankey-Akogbeto ‘26 is traveling to France next year. Akogbeto stated, “The environment and the community seemed very welcoming. Although I haven’t been there yet, the emails are all really nice and I have these Zoom calls with my class, and so it seems nice so far.” This current year, students are studying in France, Spain, and Italy. Among them is Reagan Houpt ‘25 in Viterbo, Italy. “I will say the most memorable part is the trips I’ve taken with my friends; however, even the mundane is memorable. Every evening I spend doing homework next to my host mother on the couch while we chat is memorable. Every walk to school in the medieval city I live in is memorable. It feels like I’ve lived here for years, because my experience has been filled with the richest of memories,” he said. He reported further, “My experience at School Year Abroad has been life-changing, amazing, and insightful. Every day I am grateful for the opportunity to be where I am and to do the things I am doing. I have no regrets. I have learned so incredibly much this year — about Italian culture, the Italian language, and other interests I have dived into, but also about myself. I have learned what I’m passionate about, the types of people I want to surround myself with, how to handle stressful and confusing situations, to not take myself so seriously, and countless other lessons that I intend to carry with me for the rest of my life.” After students finish the year or semester, eleventh-grade students return to Mercersburg to continue their usual studies, while seniors go straight on to college. Houpt hopes that other Mercersburg students will take advantage of the incredible opportunity. “My best advice as you have a few months in advance to leaving: if you have a question or curiosity, follow it. Research what intrigues you about your upcoming journey. Also, reach out to others! With social media, it is so easy to find and contact the others that you will share this experience with. It may help ease some nerves to talk with people before you leave and plant the seeds of a great friendship.” Students can attest that these SYA programs offer a variety of benefits and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Previous Previous Next Next