Elise Gao ’26  < Back A couple of steps ahead Elise Gao ’26 Jan 19, 2024 While most students spent their winter break enjoying holidays and festive meals, the Blue Storm’s basketball, squash, and wrestling teams returned to school early for training and competition. Wrestling competed in the Bissell Invitational and boys basketball faced the Naval Academy JV. Though their competitions were canceled because of inclement weather, girls basketball and boys squash trained rigorously nevertheless. Prior to winter break, these teams performed successfully. Wrestling head coach Matt Shirk said, “So far the team this year has been doing good. I’ve been really surprised and pleased with their performance. We won in a tournament we haven’t won in a long time, [Holloway], and we’ve [taken] four out of five duels in our home duels. We placed sixty-third at the Beast [of the East Tournament], which is sixty-third out of a hundred and sixty-eight teams with only six wrestlers, and we placed sixth at Bissell [Tournament] this past weekend.” Boys basketball also came out strong to start the winter season. Head coach Sean Crocker commented, “We’re definitely having one of the best years that we’ve had in a long time. We’re currently 10-2. We got to the championship in two tournaments, we won the boys’ Lakers tournament over break, and we’re heading into MAPL play pretty strong.” Similarly, several squash players have found success in the early weeks of the season. Squash head coach Dominic Benacquista said, “[We held] the Flanagan, which is our event that has been running since 1972, and both teams did really well. Ana Gaytan Botello actually went undefeated and beat the number two [player] in the US along the way. From the boys’ side of things, the undefeated players were Fawad Ali Jan and Santiago Medina.” Girls basketball, however, experienced some hiccups due to many players getting COVID-19. Annie Mohr ’26 said, “We were undefeated for six games and we played a couple games with COVID issues. I had COVID, Nia [Henley ’24], our point guard, had COVID.” Nevertheless, the team has stayed optimistic and has a positive outlook for the rest of the season. Alli Caretti ’26 said, “We were a little bit off–we had lost some of our starters, which meant some tough games. But other than that, we’ve been doing very well and we’ve been moving along steadily.” For these teams, winter break presented a worrisome gap. Mohr said, “It was really beneficial for us to come back [early], not only for us to keep in shape, but also, we can only do so much by ourselves. It’s great to be in a team setting.” Basketballer Josiah Wright ’25 elaborated, “[Coming back early] definitely helped us out a lot. Just from the Christmas break—just having a cooldown and building it right back up helped us. So [coming] back early helped us to stay fit and stay well.” Wrestler Gavin Boyd ’27 observed a similar phenomenon. He said, “With the early start that we got, we got a good move on, and we’ve got momentum going really nicely. But the break really did set us back a little bit—it’s a three week break. But I think the practices that we’ve been doing [are] keeping us in really good condition.” Benacquista agreed that early training sessions helped the team return in its pre-break form. He said, “I think the thing is keeping structure and giving them time to adjust to the new routines. I think they’re all improving, and the more court time that they have, the better it is for them.” Despite a gap in the winter season, athletes came back stronger and with lofty goals. Sidarth Shah ’26 said, “So for squash, the big tournament is Nationals, with five divisions. Right now, we’re looking to be low division one or high division two. So if we keep playing like we’ve been, I feel we have a good chance on the higher end.” Wrestling is holding itself to high standards as well. Shirk said, “[The team’s goal is to] place top three at PAISAA duels, and I want to qualify ten to eleven guys for nationals this year. There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a couple of all-national americans. To add more names to that board [of national placewinners].” Boys and girls basketball teams are both eyeing the MAPL and PAISAA tournaments. Caretti said, “We’d love to win the MAPL tournament. Last year, we made it to the finals and got second place, so we’re hoping to either get there or win overall.” Adrian Rios ’25 said, “Our main goal is to win–that’s always been our main goal. But I think having fun with it, just creating a culture and a place where we can all be happy at the same time–it’s a sport we love.” Previous Next

William Luo < Back Girls Cross Country William Luo Oct 13, 2026 Last Friday, Mercersburg’s girls varsity cross country team defeated Shalom Christian Academy in a home dual meet. Unlike traditional meets that include multiple teams, dual meets are relatively uncommon for the team. Seven runners recorded personal bests, highlighting the team’s improvement as the season approaches its final competitions. The team prepared for the meet during Captains Week, which included a captains-led practice on Monday and activities recognizing the team’s leaders. Teresa Nyarko ’28 appreciated the change to practice format. “It was really nice just to get together outside of running and get to know each other better,” Nyarko said. The captains have played an important role in developing the team’s culture, particularly among younger runners. Jocelyn Mumper ’30 reflected on their leadership, saying, “It won’t be the same without them, because they are like the glue of the team.” Other teammates have also contributed to the team’s positive atmosphere. Nyarko highlighted Hana Vogtman ’27, who “always keeps the team upbeat” during practices and meets. On the course, Mercersburg delivered several strong individual performances. Coach Christopher Bright reported that seven runners achieved personal bests, including Zola Bright ’30 and Ginger Boardman ’27. One of the meet’s most memorable moments came when Boardman completed her first 5K. Bright recalled hearing the team cheering as runners rushed to support their teammate near the finish. “I heard a big cheer, and across the tennis courts, across the turf, I could see the team running from the finish line towards the turf to greet Ginger,” Bright said. “The whole team came up and cheered for her because they knew it was her first 5K.” The team’s improvement was also evident among its younger runners. “I think I PR’ed, fingers crossed that this marks a great milestone for my Mercersburg running career,” Caroline Aldrich ‘30 said. In her final year of cross-country, Madeline Chu ’27 reflected on the team’s overall performance. “I’m really proud of the team. I feel like it was a really good race for us all, especially since we are nearing the end of the season,” Chu said. The team has also been adjusting to the absence of head coach Betsy Cunningham, who is currently on medical leave. Bright credited Cunningham for establishing the supportive environment that continues to shape the program. “It’s a wonderful experience largely because of her leadership and what she’s able to do for the culture and the tone,” Bright said. During Cunningham’s absence, Bright’s primary commitment is to the runners. He said, “My goal is to be the best helper I can be.” As the season approaches its final contests, Mercersburg’s runners continue to demonstrate improvement both individually and collectively. With seven personal bests, a victory over Shalom Christian Academy, and strong support from teammates and coaches, the Storm hopes to carry its momentum into the remaining competitions. Previous Next

Elise Gao '26 < Back Pre-season madness Elise Gao '26 Dec 8, 2023 The end of the fall term was busy for athletes as they had to juggle final exams with preseason for winter sports. After testing, athletes headed to their respective sports—boys and girls basketball, boys and girls squash, swimming and diving, track and field, and wrestling—to prepare for the upcoming season. Many athletes had a hard time re-adjusting. Swimmer Rhiannon Myhre ’25 remarked, “I would say the biggest challenges were getting back into the pool after being away for the summer, and getting back to the routine of swimming six days, [on top of] schoolwork, and social life, and everything like that.” Basketball player Lilly Killinger ’26 agreed: “I think everyone is kind of a little bit rusty and just trying to get back into the groove of things.” For some sports, strength and conditioning was the focus of preseason. Runner Bella Levina ’25 noted, “One of the most important things is cardio and being able to run. So even people who did field events were running. In addition to that, we went to the weight room, and spoke to [strength coach Brian] Canida; he explained to us how to work with weights,” Wrestler Hayden Shirk ‘24 explained. “[We worked] on a little conditioning too, got that off our chest, just getting ready to hit the ground running once the real season starts.” The track and field team faced the challenges of accommodating athletes of varying skills. Head coach Betsy Cunningham said, “Probably the biggest challenge is that, with track and field, you have so many different events. So you have high jump, pole vault, and long jump, and triple jump, and sprints, and hurdles, and distance. So that’s kind of our biggest challenge–just making sure all of our kids get the opportunity to work with the right coaches.” The boys basketball team even used the time before the Thanksgiving holiday as well as part of the break to start focusing on team bonding and game experience. Head coach Sean Crocker said, “We played two games as we headed into Thanksgiving break down at St. James and those went pretty well. I think we went through some growing pains in the fall, especially with the new guys in playing pickup, but I think that we’ve come together as a group since then. I like the dynamic a lot.” Similarly, swimmers and divers settled into their respective team dynamics. Swimmer Quinn Larkin ‘25 said, “I feel like we’ve all become brothers and sisters–this team is a family.” The new divers began settling in and learning the ropes alongside more seasoned athletes. Boys captain Alex Van Ess ’24 said, “We got our basics back down for the divers that are returning. We just eased into it. The new divers were learning the basics.” Girls captain Eliana Sandy ’24 added, “I think the team dynamic this year, so far, is great from what I’m seeing. You know, there is a lot of camaraderie–a lot of joking. Diving is always kind of a chill sport.” Year-long squash players began training at the beginning of the school year. Player Ana Botello Gaytan ’25 said, “We started training on the first day of school. We started training only during the afternoon, and then we began to train in the mornings also.” Head coach Dominic Benacquista commented, “They’ve just generally been preparing the whole time as they’re playing tournaments all around the country.” The rest of the squash players’ priority was to make the team. Benacquista said, “We had tryouts for a couple of days, and then I think there were only three or four practices before we went onto Thanksgiving break–it was a pretty quick turnaround.” Behaquista alluded to the numerous holidays that disrupt the winter sports eason. Head diving coach Frank Betkowski expressed similar sentiments: “The biggest challenge for, I think, any winter sport, is that we have a preseason, and then Thanksgiving, and then we have three weeks of practice, and then we have Christmas, and then we come back. So our season is interrupted twice by a long break.” Despite the challenges during the preseason, athletes and coaches pulled through, and the teams are looking forward to the winter season with a glint of ambition in their eyes. Betkowski said, “Well the goal for diving is the same as the goal for swimming–we’re focusing on Easterns. So, even in November when we start, my competitive divers are looking to the end of February to try to score as best they can at Easterns. They’ll have a lot of other competitions on the way that will allow them to gauge their progress, but their goal is to score as high as we can in Easterns.” Cunningham added, “Ideally, we win MAPLs—that’s always the goal—but I want to see a lot of improvement within each of my athletes throughout the course of the year; and that’s what’s the most important thing.” Basketball player Bryson Brown ’24 said, “Our goal for our season is to try to win all our games and work together as a team.” Killinger added, "I think the team’s goals for this year is to win this tournament that we’re playing in this weekend and just do well in MAPLs again because we’re a good team, so we want to do well.” Some talented athletes are aiming even higher. Wrestler Amon Yamamoto ’26 said, “My goal is to place at Nationals this year. Last year, I almost placed at Nationals, and this year, I’m pretty confident that I will.” Squash players Gaytan and Huzaifa Ibrahim ’24 are looking to step into international spotlights. Ibrahim said that his goal is “to win the U.S. Junior, which is happening in fifteen days. [It] is the third biggest tournament in the world, so it’d be great if I win that. And worlds.” Gaytan said that her goal is to “have a good place in the US Open and win the nationals in Mexico.” Every team, player, and coach pursues different goals for the winter season, but they are all looking forward to having fun. Hayden Shirk ’23 said, “My goal personally is just to have fun. This is my last year; I’m not wrestling in college, so [I’ll] just try to enjoy it for what it is, get the most out of it, [and] spend time with friends.” Myhre ended by saying, “I think my overall goal is to make myself happy, make myself proud of what I do, and leave the water knowing I did everything I possibly could to get to where I am. I don’t want to have any regrets.” Previous Next

Always a fundamental part of the Blue Storm’s competitive athletic roster, the boys basketball team... < Back Shootin' game and takin' names Ann Sehon '25 Dec 9, 2022 Always a fundamental part of the Blue Storm’s competitive athletic roster, the boys basketball team is laying the foundation for a winning season. “We have played 6 games already, we are 3-3 on the season, losing 3 games to some of the top teams in the region,” head coach Sean Crocker said. “We have one of the stronger rosters that we've had in the time that I've been here, featuring a good combination of younger guys and some very talented older players.” The team’s top five players include Jinwoo Kim ‘23, Jasper Hedin '23, Josiah Wright '25, Bryson Brown '24, and Jay Colón '25. Crocker added, “The goal every year is to get better and improve every day. We are hosting the MAPL tournament this year, so it will be a goal for us to perform well in that.” The Storm has a road game versus Naval Academy Preparatory School on Saturday. Previous Next

Riley Choi '28 < Back "Putt"ing in the work Riley Choi '28 Oct 18, 2024 This year, the girls golf program is running concurrently with the boys during the fall season. The girls' official competition season occurs during the spring. The decision to offer extended training for girls during the off-season is strategic. Head coach Doug Smith explained, "If you don't get practice in, you can feasibly go six months without touching a golf club. That is very hard to do, and we want the girls to be in a position where they can succeed." This year, Kelsey Li ’26 and Jiwon Chung ’28 are the only members of the girls team practicing during the fall. Li, the only returning player, noted, “The fall program can be hard at times without the rest of my teammates, but that also gives me the ability to completely focus on my game." The girls have a sporadic training schedule without competitions. “On weekdays, I arrive at 4:10 and play golf until 5:40,” said Chung. “I practice for about an hour and a half. I don’t practice on weekends, though.” Li usually starts off putting and practicing her overall short game, then moves on to irons and drives to refine her skills. She added that she tries to play a few holes throughout the weekend. “Training now is much more relaxed for me as it isn’t my season yet. I don't have mandatory Saturday practice like in the spring but I still strive to work hard during practice.” Asked about their goals, Chung, a newcomer to both the team and the sport, said, “I’ve played golf before in Korea, but I didn’t really play it often before coming to this school. I’m hoping to improve my overall skills of swing and improve my posture in order to get a high distance and far distance while hitting the golf ball.” Li stated, “My official goal for the spring is to hit a consistent 43 to 45. This score will help us a lot score wise. I’m about three to five strokes off right now, so I’m working hard to get there before spring. I hope to not drag down my teammates and let down the coach!” Previous Next

William Luo < Back Boys Soccer Clash Springdale William Luo Sep 22, 2026 Mercersburg Academy's boys varsity soccer team battled back after two defeats to tie Springdale Preparatory School in a hard and well-fought home game on Friday. The team struggled to recover after two goals by Springdale off defensive set pieces. Despite falling behind, Mercersburg continued fighting, the game eventually ending in a tie. Head Coach Timothy O’Donohue said he was proud of the team's performance. “It was a hard-fought game. The guys did well in the fight-back. I’m proud of the effort. They worked really hard,” O’Donohue said. One of the most eventful moments in the game came late when João Salomão Ventura ’28 scored, bringing Mercersburg to a tie with Springdale. Assistant coach Will Slater said, “I thought the second goal, João Ventura’s moment created something out of nothing. For the team to kind of build into that moment, I thought that it was a well-deserved second goal.” Ventura was also pleased. “I think it was an amazing comeback because we lost and then we could tie the game,” Ventura said. “Looking at myself, I think it was a good match. I could score the last goal.” Although the comeback was significant, the players and the coaches recognized areas needing improvement. Ventura pointed to the team’s defense on corners as a major weakness, as Springdale used two such opportunities to score. The loss of many graduates has also changed the program this season, and the team is still developing its identity. “It's very different. A lot of new players, new coach, and so we are all just sort of learning and trying to build on these new additions,” Slater said. O’Donohue is looking forward to growth and success. “Very good, very talented. A lot of players overall, good talent pool. We’re only going to get better as the season goes on,” O’Donohue said. Returning players have noticed the potential in the team. Trace Russell ’28 noted that several new players have already made an impact. “Our new guys from Liberia, Prince and Ishmael, they just came to the team, and they are fitting in beautifully,” Russell said. Returner Garcia-Rivas ‘27 spoke optimistically. “I think the team came back pretty well, so we never gave up, and that's how we scored the second goal. We tied it up,” Garcia-Rivas said. With most of the season still ahead, the coaching staff is focused on steady improvement. Slater said the team’s goal is “progress day-by-day,” both individually and as a team. O’Donohue gave the group similar advice for the remainder of the season: “Just take it one game at a time and try to learn from your mistakes and take it game by game.” Previous Next

Catherine Orders '23 and Greta Lawler '23 < Back She's more ethical than you... Catherine Orders '23 and Greta Lawler '23 Dec 9, 2022 To get a student perspective on Conduct Review Committee (CRC), the Mercersburg News sat down with the student chair, Koko Chen ‘23. Mercersburg News: What is your role on the CRC and what do you do in each meeting? Koko Chen : I am the student co-chair. Attending every CRC allows me to have a well-rounded view of incidents and the overall atmosphere of the school in order to make just decisions. MN: Can you or other students on the committee be disqualified from hearing a case? KC: Students are not disqualified from hearing a case but rather recuse themselves if they believe they will not be able to make a fair judgment due to their relationship with the appearing student. Although student members will be "disqualified" if the student in the case requests an administrative CRC. MN: How does the whole committee stay up-to-date and consistent with recent cases and consequences? KC: The CRC values precedent cases in order to remain fair and constant with our decisions. We also have meetings on weeks when there are no cases for all members to catch up on recent decisions so that everyone has a clearer image of the overall community norms we are building. MN: Why do you think having student voices on the CRC is important? KC: Student voices are crucial to CRCs so that we are able to provide the committee with more perspective within our community as fellow students. We might be able to better understand situations that students find themselves in. MN: What are the benefits of having a discussion-based disciplinary system over a more objective set of consequences? KC: Our system allows students to have more understanding and evaluate student misconduct case by case so that we can grant the most understanding and our best interest for each student under the blue book. MN: Is there anything you would like to see changed or improved about the CRC process? KC: I hope that the CRC process would gain more transparency within the school. I also hope that people can recognize the severity of certain consequences and avoid doing such actions that may lead to warning or final warning. Previous Previous Next Next

Most students have probably seen a pack of shirtless students running around campus. Those dedicated runners are the cross country teams... < Back Boys & Girls XC Dean Tae '24 Mar 18, 2023 Most students have probably seen a pack of shirtless students running around campus. Those dedicated runners are the cross country teams and they have delivered some outstanding performances since the start of their season. The biggest highlight of the season for the girls team so far has been its meet at Carlisle on September 24. Although not registered as an official team due to unexpected illness and injury in a few runners, the team excelled. “Every single person who ran broke a personal record, so that was really exciting,” Erika Tso Sowah ’24 said. The boys’ team also ran well at Carlisle. The top four varsity runners–Bryce Brown ’24, Brendan Shorb ’24, Cole Smith ’23, and Winston Watkins ’25–paced themselves in a tight pack, ultimately finishing within twenty seconds of one another. “It was great to see that pack of white-and-blue jerseys at the front of the field,” said assistant coach and history teacher Rich Heffron. The team’s only home meet of the season, occurring during Family & Alumni Weekend, was another highlight for several runners. Among several teams, the girls finished second and the boys third. “Running our home meet this weekend was an amazing experience having a home crowd and a strong performance of the team despite the weather,” said Jake Cruikshank ’24. “The home meet was my highlight of the season since I got to see my friends and family cheer for me as I ran,” Oscar Su ’25 agreed. The girls cross country team, even with the loss of many runners due to injury and sickness, still dominates the ranks during meets. Most runners have achieved personal records during meets and some even continue to set personal bests every week. “Some highlights from the season are getting the opportunity to watch all of the new runners set PRs and bonding with the team,” agreed Leah Willis ’24. Heffron says that the team will be in shape to challenge for the Mid-Atlantic Prep League title in the upcoming championships. “We've been progressing steadily from race to race and although we are currently the third strongest team in MAPL right behind Peddie and Lawrenceville, our guys have been running personal bests almost every race so I think there's a chance we could surprise our rivals at the conference meet.” Anne Sehon ’25 is very optimistic about the team’s finish. “The season has definitely been a bit rocky so far, with only our first meet being run with an entirely healthy varsity squad, but it feels like we're on an incline towards running faster as a team,” said Sehon. David Grady, boys head coach and math teacher, has lofty yet achievable goals for his athletes. “I expect all of our runners to improve significantly from last season. We have already had several runners performing at a much higher level than last year, both in terms of their times and their placing in large meets. Cole Smith and Winston Watkins are two such runners. Jake Cruikshank and Oscar Su are ahead of where they were last year as well,” said Grady. Both girls and boys cross country teams are looking forward to contending for the MAPL championship at Peddie School on October 26, followed by the PAISAA state championship on October 29. With such great expectations already set by the runners, the remainder of the season is one to anticipate. Previous Next

Bob Hollis '24 < Back Music to my ears...and my plate Bob Hollis '24 Oct 7, 2022 With the departure of Merriwether Godsey’s Bill Korhammer comes the promotion of Sarah Music to the position of Director of Dining Services at Mercersburg Academy. Music said, “I came across MG in a general job search for a catering position within the Chambersburg area. I have always loved event planning and catering events. So when my family and I relocated here I knew that was what I wanted to continue to do.” Music is very enthusiastic to accept this opportunity. “I am most excited about being able to create the third place for the students, faculty, and staff. I am sure you are asking what does that mean? If you think about it, everyone has home being their number one place. Then, for the student's school is your second place and faculty and staff have work as theirs. So your third place is where you spend time outside of your two other places. So, being away from home and stepping out for a breather from work the Dining Hall and food are that place and reason to bring people together. During my time here I have focused on catering events throughout campus to bring visitors in to have an unforgettable experience. So now, I want to add those touches and details to the dining program.” Sarah Music she also wants to continue to improve the culinary experience at Mercersburg. “I have so many ideas about how I want to enhance the dining program. Some are going to take longer than others to implement. One thing we are actively doing is trying to source more local ingredients. This has been an ongoing effort and will continue to be. I am also looking forward to getting the students more involved to help create more diversified menus. I have a meeting this week scheduled to collaborate on different strategies to implement this idea. I’m also excited about how we can utilize the True Blue Cafe more. I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, but it will be a process to get the cafe operating to its fullest potential. I want to be sure the cafe adds to the culture and the experience, not take away or cause a distraction.” Ultimately, Music feels that it is the people she works with and feeds who make her job great, not just the fact that she enjoys her work. She said “My favorite part has honestly been and continues to be the community as a whole. I lost my brother in February 2022 and the amount of support that I received was indescribable. It was during that time I felt that even though I lost my brother, I gained so much more.” Mercersburg also looks forward to working with Music. Previous Previous Next Next

Ellie Yang ’27 < Back Good eats Ellie Yang ’27 Apr 5, 2024 At Mercersburg Academy, Ford Hall serves as a space where community members convene to enjoy meals and forge connections. Over the years, our dining hall has continuously evolved to meet the needs of its diverse community. With a dedicated team of chefs and staff, there is a focus on further improving the dining hall and its operations. Recently, the dining hall introduced the “Meri-Mercer Diner” concept, which runs on Friday and Saturday nights. “We listened to what the students were saying. They wanted something more fun, more entertaining, and less fancy,” said Erin Guy, account manager of Meriwether Godsey. Gaining positive feedback from the community, the Meri-Mercer Diner looks to be a versatile, energetic, and upbeat concept for students and faculty as well as the dining hall staff. The dining hall staff, who work from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm, are cross-trained to ensure smooth operation during busy periods. Guy said, “13 hours we are cooking and prepping or whatever we need to do to make sure we have the food out for you guys.” In addition to operating the dining hall in a more efficient way, the staff also serve healthy food options and offer more options for all dietary needs. “A lot of the food is cooked completely fresh. All the soups are homemade, even the tomato soup, and we try to keep a vegan or plant-based option,” said sous chef Flo Runyon, who has been part of the community for 21 years. Giles Wickham, Director of Dining Services, added, “We try to make sure there are [a variety of] offerings every day.” With double-sided hot lines, a newly added oatmeal bar, and an adjusted salad bar, dining hall changes are crafted with the community in mind. Front of house staff Heather Faust said, “The new setups they have are more organized, helpful, and convenient for the community to use.” Runyon praised the variety of the salad bar and ensured the inclusion of all dietary needs with a vegan and gluten-free pasta line. With additional support towards a healthier community, Kathy Johnson, back of the house staff for 22 years, said, “We prioritize good food and healthy food so nobody gets sick from eating something they shouldn’t have.” Beyond their roles, each dining hall staff member finds joy in serving the Mercersburg community. “My favorite part is when I can come out in the dining hall and I see everyone enjoying what we’re creating,” Wickham said. Faust agreed, “Serving the students and seeing their happy smiling faces, that’s my favorite part of this job. Seeing their smiling faces makes me smile.” Johnson said, “When I have a bad day, only one person has to lean down and say thank you and I feel like, ‘Oh my god I’m a dishwasher and I’m appreciated too!’” The dining hall is not just about the food. Behind the scenes is a crew of amazing staff who prioritize the community’s needs and happiness, making the dining hall an integral part of the Mercersburg experience. Previous Previous Next Next

Alice Yoo '27 < Back Glax to be here Alice Yoo '27 Apr 11, 2024 Mercersburg Academy’s girls lacrosse has been training intensively for upcoming Mid-Atlantic Prep League games. Captain Maria Rihn ’24 said, “We came into this week in total MAPL-prep mode, working hard every time we stepped on the field to hone what we have learned so far. We go into these MAPL games with the goal of focusing on small wins, maintaining possession, and hustling the entire time.” The team has especially been focusing on attitude and focus before and during games, which has been their key to achieving optimal performance so far this season. Nina McDowell ’25 said, “For our MAPL games, we go into it like we do every game—wanting to win it. We want to outrun and out-hustle our opponents no matter what.” Compared to last season, the team has lost graduating seniors who were “the majority of [their] starting lineup,” according to Alishya Thurmond ’26. But team members agreed on how the team has been strong and supportive, even with a wide range of skill levels. Rihn explained, “The team is made up of a balance of experienced players, players newer to the sport, and players who had never picked up sticks prior to this season! The best part about this is that we have all learned how to play together and support each other as we navigate this season.” The team identifies its close-knit connection as something that has never changed. Captain Emerson Lissette ’24 added, “We continue to always cheer on our teammates and encourage each other with positivity through every game and practice. We love spending time together and the whole team still meshes as well as we did last year. We take care of each other, and we trust each other.” The team was able to build such a close connection due to the memories they had made. Hadley Frey ’26 noted, “We spent a lot of time on the Florida trip getting closer to our team and making really good memories and also progressing on the field too! We won our first game and put up an amazing fight against our first MAPL team even with some last-minute changes to our plans!” The fierce match against the Hill School last Wednesday was mentioned often as a game they were proud of. Thurmond said, “We played Hill and even though we lost I was extremely proud of each and every one of us for the hustle and grit we put into the game and staying positive the whole time.” Attitude, perseverance, and trust, what the team values the most according to Rihn, could truly be seen through the team’s performance. Girls lacrosse team is looking forward to winning the upcoming MAPL games, with their ultimate goal being to stay positive, have fun, and grow as a team. Previous Next

Fran Garcia ‘26 < Back Lunching with my Compadres Fran Garcia ‘26 Oct 6, 2023 If you walk straight from Main Hall and take a quick right down Church Street, you’ll find Compadres. The small, homey business has quickly become a staple in Mercersburg Academy students’ diet and one of their favorite places for students to eat off campus. Compadres is a Mexican restaurant owned by a Mexican family, the Ortegas, who moved to Pennsylvania around 20 years ago, opened El Sombrero in Greencastle six years ago, and then Compadres as a sister restaurant in 2022. Maria Ordoñez, Compadres staff member, stated that she loves to welcome students as they were both very educated and respectful to her and all the people working at the restaurant. She was saddened to see no students during summer and pleased when classes started several weeks ago. Among the most popular dishes for students are the Beef fajitas, tacos, and the Burrito Rancho Nuevo according to Ordoñez. But these are only some of the many items you can find on the menu. The Latino community is very small in Mercersburg. Still, Compadres founder and owner Mireño Ortega hopes to shine a light on the Latino community and the culture by sharing his family’s traditional Mexican recipes. When entering the restaurant, you immediately hear traditional Mexican Rancheras. Rancheras are songs typically sung by small groups of mariachis. This music—and the smell of Mexican cuisine— brings a small chunk of Mexican culture to Farmland, Pennsylvania in a way that no one has done before. Besides students from Mercersburg Academy who patronize the restaurant, you will also see families, firefighters, construction workers, and other people from the town. Students and teachers describe Compadres as a lively place where the staff members will never fail to make you feel at home. Previous Previous Next Next