Adrienne Howard < Back Boys & Girls Basketball Adrienne Howard Feb 17, 2026 Last Friday, the boys and girls varsity basketball teams traveled overnight to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League championships, which not only closes out the season but also determines final league rankings. Both teams entered the weekend confident but faced strong opponents in challenging game environments. The boys entered the tournament seeded sixth and lost their opener to the Hill School, while the second-seeded girls beat Peddie School but eventually fell to the Hun School of Princeton, finishing third. Cam Weyforth ’27 said, “Our team always competes no matter the competition, and we are always going to put our best effort in.” After the game, however, Weyforth admitted disappointment. “I don’t think we played well… we had so much more to give. We still proved we were worthy even if we didn’t end up where we wanted to be.” Coach Sean Crocker added, “We were unable to match their level of energy the entire first half. We gave up 65 points just in the first half,” he said. “Although the team made 15 threes, we needed to close out better on shooters and finish possessions with a rebound.” He added candidly, “Coaches have to coach better. Players have to play better. Everything has to get better,” but noted, “there was a bit of improvement after halftime, since the players tried to execute what we were asking them to do to the best of their ability.” On the girls side, Jessica Dang ’26 said, “We went in pretty confident. Our season had been going well, and we thought we were going to have the chance to play in the finals.” That confidence was tested during their matchup against Hun. “It didn’t go as well as expected… it was difficult playing with such a short bench,” Dang added. “We did well with our communication. We have strong team chemistry and are good friends, which translates onto the court.” Nicole Lueng ’26 said, “The whole season we played really well… we played really hard to the end and still pushed ourselves even if it wasn’t the result we wanted.” Maddie Greenaway ’28 echoed a similar message: “I felt confident. I thought we could win if we put our mind to it.” Head Coach Paul Sipes said, “The consensus on the team is we wanted to do better than what we did.” He credited individual performances, noting that “Nicole [Lueng] was our bright spot on Saturday.” Sipes also pointed to external factors. “The refs called tough fouls aggressively, so our kids got a little timid and nervous and backed off,” Sipes said, “Hun also had a home-crowd advantage.” While the final outcomes were not what either team had hoped for, the weekend highlighted areas for growth as both programs look ahead to the state tournament. Previous Next

By Audrey Stambaugh ’27 < Back Quinn-jecture! By Audrey Stambaugh ’27 Oct 10, 2025 Advanced Studies: The Making of the 21st Century-Quinn Ferguson Honors Seminar is back. History department member Erin Caretti is bringing it to life with a new focus on public history. After a pause of one year, Caretti is teaching the class following fellow department member Allison Stephens, who taught it before the hiatus. The seminar has a strong legacy at Mercersburg Academy and is unlike any other history class offered. Caretti describes it as “an exploration of modern history leading to current history.” This course, designed for students to initiate and facilitate their own learning in a seminar format, emphasizes conversation and experience over traditional assessments. “I really am trying to limit the writing,” said Caretti. Lily Hubbard ’26 and Joe Segal ’26 are taking the class as seniors. “There’s a lot of energy in all of our class discussions,” said Hubbard. Segal added, “I appreciate Mr. Caretti’s teaching style,” he said. “You’re a better student in the end.” At the beginning of the fall term, the class took a field trip to the Flight 93 Memorial in Sommerset, Pennsylvania. The trip helped students gain perspective on the modern history of 911 and how it changed the nation. “We had a really good talk about the memorial after we came back,” said Hubbard. “It was nice to hear where people had similar experiences and where they had different experiences.” Caretti explained that trips like this are an important part of the Quinn Ferguson curriculum because they allow students to grasp history that might otherwise feel distant. “Sitting in a classroom and reading articles, no matter how emotional they may be, for students who were not alive during 9/11 or are not American, these events are a very distant thing in the past,” he said. Segal agreed with this philosophy. “It was eye-opening,” he said. “Being foreign and also not being alive during 9/11 makes it quite difficult to relate to a certain extent. But actually going to the place… there’s an ambiance to being where it actually happened. That helps you relate more to the people.” In the Quinn Ferguson Honors Seminar, students find the significance of historic topics in the present and share these insights with their community. Caretti mentioned the possibility of a Quinn Ferg Instagram page this year. By the spring, students are given almost complete freedom to pursue their own interests. Then, said Caretti, by “bringing it back to the class, going to the greater public at Mercersburg, or even beyond,” students can help the public learn, grow, and share. Hubbard and Segal are proud to be taking the course and excited for the year ahead. “This class is really unique to Mercersburg,” said Hubbard. Segal added, “It’s all about building the skills to analyze the world and make positive decisions that push society forward.” Previous Previous Next Next

< Back Where my phone at? Jada Bao ’28 Sep 18, 2026 At the start of this school year, Mercersburg introduced a sweeping new phone policy. The intention behind it is undeniably for the good of everyone. By restricting cell phones along with headphones and earbuds during the academic day in public spaces such as the dining hall, the school aims to force us out of our digital bubbles, encourage more face-to-face communication, and foster a tighter-knit community. In an age of constant screen distraction, encouraging students to engage with one another is a goal worth supporting. However, a great intention does not automatically yield a flawless execution. In fact, a brand new system is usually imperfect in the start, having a lot of problems and holes in it. The core issue with the novel phone policy is not why it exists, but how strictly and inflexibly it is being enforced while the system itself is still going through a process of improvements. Transitioning from a policy where phones were allowed almost anywhere outside of class to one where devices must remain entirely out of sight during the school day requires immediate change of habits and quick adaptation. While the school sent out general notices over the summer, the exact details were not fully publicly announced (though accessible in the Blue Book) until a school meeting. Launching such a major policy shift and putting it immediately into action with no exceptions likely left most students scrambling, including me. Many could not remember their class schedule, missed critical updates that they intended to check later, or felt an overwhelming wave of anxiety about unread, time-sensitive emails during the day. To easily solve the problem, I feel like making announcements in dorm meetings before school started and giving advice of writing down or remembering your schedule in advance might have helped the students that were scrambling. Furthermore, the physical logistics to support this transition were overlooked. For instance, most students previously kept their blue cards in their phone cases. Banning phones out in the open without providing alternative card holders to put on backpacks forced a little bit of chaos and made the policy extremely hard to fulfill. Card holders are available from the tech and student life offices, but it doesn't seem like that was widely publicized. Similarly, students without watches now struggle to track time, especially when communal clocks like the one in the dining hall are behind the actual time. This can cause tardiness to class, meetings, or appointments, and make it feel necessary for students to sneak out their phones to check for the accurate time. The rigidity of the policy also clashes with daily campus realities. Banning phones in the dining hall during Saturday meals or informal dinners feels overly restrictive for times intended for relaxation. Likewise, forbidding phone use during free periods if one is in academic spaces like the library treats a self-directed study block with the same strictness as an actual class. When a student has their phone taken simply for holding it because they forgot to put it in their backpack when walking between classes, the enforcement feels punitive rather than constructive. When a school introduces a brand-new policy, logistical problems, but expecting perfection from students when the system is still developing is unreasonable. To truly achieve the community-building goals Mercersburg desires—which is a great intention—the administration needs to balance its firm vision with practical flexibility. Small but vital details such as supplying basic tools like card holders, ensuring campus clocks are accurate, improving advance communication, and allowing minor leeway while students are adjusting and the system is still improving would transform this policy into a shared success and actually achieve the intention of building a better community. Previous Previous Next Next

William Luo < Back Field Hockey William Luo Oct 6, 2026 Mercersburg varsity field hockey fell 6–1 to Chambersburg Area Senior High School this past Wednesday. Despite the result, players and coaches saw improvement throughout the game, leading to the conclusion that the matchup was more competitive than the final score suggested. Head coach Jomara Coghlan saw the game as another opportunity for the developing team to get exposure and learn. “I think it is a great growth experience for the girls since they stepped up and the passes got better as the game went on,” Coghlan said. Charlie Hamilton ’28 believed the game was winnable but acknowledged that the team struggled to play together. “It wasn’t our team’s best game, just because I think everyone was a little bit emotionally charged,” Hamilton said. “I think it was definitely a winnable game, but we didn’t play as a team the way that we had played in our previous games.” Hamilton believes the team can still gain a lot from the loss. “I think it was a good learning experience for us to kind of keep our heads in the game and not let ourselves get worked up,” she said. Captain Sammi Chepren ’27 commented, “Through the second and third quarter, we did well with marking up on people.” However, with several players unavailable and no substitutes, Chepren said fatigue made recovery and getting back to the ball more difficult later in the game. Although Mercersburg has faced challenges this season, players have noticed the growing team chemistry under Coghlan. “There were a lot of new people this year, myself included,” Hamilton said. “I think with our new coach, we’re doing a lot better as a team.” Chepren agreed that the young roster has bonded as the season has progressed. The team uses small activities, such as a daily question, to build trust and understanding. “I think it’s helped us get to know each other a bit more,” Chepren said. One of the team’s biggest moments this season came in its victory over St. James, the first field hockey win since 2023, Chepren and teammate Whitney Webb ’27’s freshman year. In that game, Hamilton scored a season-high of 5 goals. Chepren highlighted her work with Hamilton on offense and Webb’s defensive stops and accuracy on corners. Hamilton, in turn, praised Chepren for her immense grit. “She always keeps her head up,” Hamilton said. “She’s always there to uplift everybody. She always has something positive to say, and I think that’s really helpful for us as a team.” Coghlan similarly applauded Chepren’s leadership. “It is not easy when field hockey is not your main sport, but she still took up all the pressure and led the team for growth,” Coghlan said. For a team comprised of many young and new players and a new coach, the season remains focused on building the foundation for the years to come. Hamilton believes the progress will continue. “I think it’s going to continue to get better,” she said. Previous Next

< Back Character, culture, Coghlan Kate Sui '29 Sep 18, 2026 As the fall sports season begins, Mercersburg Academy welcomes the new head field hockey coach Jomara Coghlan. Before coming to Mercersburg, Coghlan played as a goalkeeper and spent nearly 20 years coaching field hockey at collegiate level, most recently at the College of Wooster. Apart from her experience with the sport itself, she was also a professor in the Wellness and Physical Education department, an NCAA compliance officer, and a Title IX investigator. With years of experience working with student-athletes, Coghlan chose Mercersburg because she wanted to be part of a community where she could have an impact on the students both academically and athletically. As she begins her first season here, she emphasizes one major value for the team: “Building character and culture is more important than winning percentage.” Her approach to coaching comes from almost two decades of experience at Division III level. Coghlan said that coaching taught her “how to build something from the ground up with players at every level.” Throughout her career, she has learned that while field hockey skills are important, what truly stands out are the culture and team dynamics. These experiences now shape how she hopes to develop the field hockey program at Mercersburg. When asked about the goals she has for the team this season, Coghlan highlighted that her “top priority is culture before results.” Instead of judging the success of the season only through the results, her goal is to build a team where players are willing to show up with full energy, compete hard, and continue to improve. “If we can get every player ready, buying into a standard, and see steady improvement week to week, that’s a winning season in my book, regardless of the record,” she said. For Coghlan, developing a strong team does not happen instantly; instead, it comes from creating a standard that every player can contribute to throughout the season. Coghlan believes that field hockey itself also represents many of the qualities she hopes her players will develop. She described field hockey as a game that “rewards discipline, teamwork, and resilience.” She added, “It’s not an easy sport; you have to be skilled and conditioned, and you can’t hide on the field.” She believes that players will experience and understand these values more as they experience the sports themselves, and part of her role as a coach is to help them recognize these lessons throughout the season. Although Coghlan is new to Mercersburg, she has already noticed the school’s strong sense of tradition and pride. When asked about the Mercersburg community and what field hockey brings to it, she explained that the sport gives students another place to build “discipline, teamwork, and community,” outside of the classroom. Her first season is about creating a culture, helping players improve, and building a team whose growth can continue beyond the field. Coghlan emphasized, “Success will not simply be determined by the final score.” Previous Next

Kaden Yang ‘29 < Back Close call for Blue Storm Kaden Yang ‘29 Oct 10, 2025 Last weekend, the boys’ varsity soccer team took on the Peddie School in their first MAPL home game of the season. Despite a strong performance, the Blue Storm fell short in a narrow 1–0 loss. The match drew a supportive crowd and plenty of energy from the sidelines. Christian Garcia-Rivas ‘27 said, “It was exciting because they won against Perkiomen [School] 2-1, and we beat them 3-1. So it was about to be a close game. Also, it was a MAPL game; it's a big tournament and a big league game. Unfortunately, we lost, but there are more games ahead, and we have to keep working hard for those MAPL games.” The team’s preparation before the match reflected their determination to perform their best in their first MAPL home game. Assistant coach Will Slater stated,” I think you can split the game into two parts — before Peddie scored and after. Our preparation really showed in our dominance in the first phase of the game, but I don’t think we were fully prepared for the challenge the second phase brought. That is, of course, our responsibility as coaches.” Throughout the game, the Blue Storm created multiple shooting opportunities and dominated possession of the ball. Grant Wilkinson ’26 noted, “ The [Team’s] chemistry was through the roof in the first half; we were playing through them. Unless we made a mistake, they didn’t touch the ball. So our Chemistry was fabulous. Then we got scored on, and it kind of just went downhill from there.” Looking back on the season, the players recognized how those early experiences built the foundation for their performance against Peddie. Pedro Abranches Pederneiras ‘26 said, “The first few games of the season were really good. I think we took a little too long to really find our shape and to build a culture. We’re still building it, we’re still getting better. Obviously, there are some ups and downs, but I think we’re doing a good job and we’re building a good team with a good culture and we’re always trying to get better every game.” Despite the loss, the coaches still have ambitious aspirations for their players. Head coach Skyler Clark said, “ My number one goal definitely transcends the game of soccer. I want my players to grow and develop as people above all else. I want them to practice grit, attention to detail, selflessness, respect, and love for something bigger than themselves so that when they walk down the graduation platform, they are fully prepared to accomplish their own hopes and dreams.” Despite the tough loss, the Blue Storm showed growth, unity, and potential that will carry them through the rest of the season. With continued focus and resilience, the team is determined to turn lessons from this game into success in their upcoming matches. Previous Next

Maddie Stonebraker '27 < Back Crazy, Rich, and Asian Maddie Stonebraker '27 Oct 18, 2024 On Friday, October 12, the Asian Student Union (ASU) organized a Simon Student Center Takeover, offering attendees drinks, delicious food, a movie screening of Crazy Rich Asians , and unforgettable moments. The ASU at Mercersburg Academy is a student-led organization committed to creating community among Asian students. Co-vice President Tiana Lee ’25 stated, “We aim to provide Asian students with a sense of belonging and a place to connect with their cultures.” Additionally, Student Activities Leader Shubhlean Kaur ’27 said, “The overall goal is to launch a strong initial program that creates awareness about the ASU.” By organizing events and cultural celebrations, the ASU hopes to engage its members and the broader student body, creating an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can appreciate and learn about the variety of Asian cultures within the Mercersburg community. The success of the evening came from the time spent organizing. Cecilia Wang ’25, the President of ASU, reflected on the efforts involved, saying, “The event took a lot of planning, especially organizing a trip to H Mart to gather everything we needed. We came up with the idea of a movie night early in the fall term and wanted to ensure we provided great snacks for everyone to enjoy.” The process also involved selecting snacks that appealed to many people. Arnav Rao '26, the Student Activities Leader, added, "We chose snacks and fresh fruit to offer healthy and enjoyable options for students." The ASU then contacted multiple departments to secure permission for the event and organize a budgeted trip to H Mart. "We then worked with the film club to select the movie and planned the food we'd serve," added Lee. Co-vice President Cocona Yamamoto '26 concluded, "It was a long process, but it was worth it!" Overall, the food and film drew a diverse crowd. Wang said, "The event turned out to be better than we expected, thanks to the support from everyone involved." Rao added, "We gave away almost our entire supply of snacks in the first 35 minutes." Blanca Coronado Pomares '27 attended the event and stated, "I loved seeing the welcoming atmosphere where everyone was enjoying themselves and savoring delicious food." Harper Tiker '27 said, “It was a fun and welcoming event with people enjoying the movie and food.” The ASU has more plans for future events, hoping to maintain this positive atmosphere and strengthen student bonds. The takeover demonstrated the importance of cultural representation and the joy of shared experiences in communities. Previous Previous Next Next

Maria Akaras ‘24 and Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 < Back "It's only three points if I skip." --- Everyone Maria Akaras ‘24 and Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 Dec 9, 2022 In order to enforce expectations set in the Blue Book, the student handbook, Mercersburg Academy utilizes a behavior point feedback system. When a student violates one of the expectations, they are alerted by the faculty member who witnessed the violation and then later by Veracross with a notification of the points they received and why. Associate Dean of Students, Coleman Weibley, said, “Prior to the behavior point feedback system, there would be more immediate consequences for behavior issues. We felt that the system felt more punitive than we wanted it to be, so instead we decided on a point-value system so students would face consequences once they reached a certain threshold.” This change resulted from the Office of Student Life’s regular review of the feedback system and its effectiveness. “I believe that the student life team has given a lot of thought to the behavior point system and has revised it this year in response to feedback from last year. The behaviors are clearly defined and it is up to the faculty to trust in the system and log behaviors when they see them. My concern about the system is that I feel that immediate feedback is most valuable when trying to change behavior, so a log that might not get formally addressed for a day or two loses some of its meaning. However, I do understand the underlying rationale of supporting students' agency and choice and giving space to make mistakes and to then learn from them,” Jackie Sweeney, Main Hall Dorm Dean, said. The intention behind the behavior point system is crucial to understand in discussions about system’s design. Ideally, the system is a way to encourage students to adhere to the school's policies, by recognizing the patterns of a student struggling to meet the Academy’s expectations. Weibley said, “A lot of the time the Office of Student Life is seen as being more disciplinary, but we genuinely want to help students feel like they are being treated fairly.” Regarding fairness of the system, Fowle Hall dorm dean, Haley Tyree, explained, “There are multiple checks and balances to try and make the behavior point system as fair as possible. First, students are notified about the behavior point by the faculty member giving it and via email through Veracross. In that email it states that the student has 24 hours to address this point if they think it was given incorrectly. In the dorm specifically, we meet as a dorm faculty to try and set norms and expectations. I ask all of my faculty to add in a note when entering behaviors so that I can review why different things were logged and make sure we have clear documentation. At the beginning of the year, we go over rules and expectations with dorm residents and give many reminders throughout the year in dorm meetings, wing meetings and emails. Dorm faculty communicate with advisers and address students individually when we see that someone is struggling. Finally, all of the dorm deans meet regularly and have consistency checks to try and ensure that we are enforcing rules and expectations in a similar manner.” Weibley added that the consistency check is designed “to address the narrative that certain dorms are more relaxed than others to make sure that every faculty member is held to the same expectations.” The perception that some dorms are more relaxed than others is one that many students hold. Weibley said, “I know that this narrative is not the case, but being aware of the student perspective helps us address that and ensure that we are trying our best to be as consistent as possible.” Sheri Mahoney, Keil Hall Dorm Dean, adds, “What we should always be doing is working towards fairness, and I know that the residential life team is doing that. We look at the data and we talk with our faculty and show them the data. We touch base with our residents and use all of that information to make policy changes when necessary.” “If students are feeling like they are being treated unfairly in any situation for any reason, they are willing to have a conversation with the Office of Student Life or the DEI office to help find a solution. We don’t want any students to feel like they are being treated differently; we want everyone to be treated fairly. We are really big on having that egalitarian spirit and finding solutions to these perceptions,” Weibley concluded. Previous Previous Next Next

Tahir Hasanov '25 < Back Ramadan Mubarak! Tahir Hasanov '25 Apr 14, 2023 Every year, Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, the holiest time in Islam and the focus of one of Islam’s Five Pillars. During the month-long period, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking every day, from sunrise to sunset. It is a time for Muslims to show kindness and patience and to get closer to God. In 2023, Ramadan extends from March 23 to April 20. The holiday is capped off with Eid-al-Fitr, the celebration of breaking the fast. In the Mercersburg community, there are several students, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who are observing Ramadan. Among these students is Fawad Jan ’24. According to Jan, “The purpose of Ramadan is to become not only a better Muslim but a better human being. Ramadan helps you understand what people with no food and water go through. It also helps you stay disciplined throughout the month and get rid of all your bad habits.” Some of the students who are fasting are also participating in athletic PGA’s. Although dehydration can make things tough, students are still getting through it. Bori Miryusupov ’24 is fasting while playing on the boys tennis team. “Personally, I am used to fasting, as I have observed Ramadan since the age of 6. Also, I have been playing tennis for a long time so the practices aren’t that bad. I am thankful for my coaches, as they are very understanding and respectful of my decision to fast.” Teachers, advisers and coaches are notified of the students who are fasting, so they can help accommodate them during the month. Upper Middler, Arpi Karapetyan ’23 describes the ritual, “Ramadan has helped me connect to a part of my culture and the dining hall staff has been extremely helpful by packaging breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to eat during suhoor [morning meal] and iftar [evening meal].” Sarah Music, the director of dining services at the Academy describes the dining hall’s meal adaptations for Ramadan “At first, it was a little challenging because we had to gauge the portions a little bit differently because we were going by our recipes and portion guides but they weren’t a sufficient amount, so we had to adjust our portions appropriately.” Talaina Jarret ’25 stated, “Having food prepared for us has made fasting easier, especially since they can’t open the dining hall extra early for just a couple of students. Having a microwave in the dorm has also helped us out because eating a cold lunch or dinner isn’t as enjoyable as a warmer dinner or lunch.” There are only a couple weeks left in the holy month of Ramadan. Eid-al-Fitr is coming up soon, and Muslim students are preparing to celebrate that important holiday and the completion of the month of reflection and fasting. Previous Previous Next Next

Shubhlean Kaur ’27 < Back Field hockey shows spirit Shubhlean Kaur ’27 Sep 26, 2025 On Wednesday, September 17, the girls varsity field hockey team played Newport Junior Senior High School on Regents Field. Coming out of the game in a 9-0 tough defeat, the Storm hopes to bounce back with resilience, effort, communication, and teamwork being points of emphasis. "I thought it was a really cool game. It was a really fun time under the lights, and it was really nice to see everyone there out supporting us," said senior captain Stevie Keck ‘26. The team kept their spirits high, with the student body cheering from the bleachers. "Our team’s energy was also pretty good. We were all loud and happy to be there," Keck added. Senior Lexi Chepren commented, "There was a lot of good communication, a lot of hustle, and this was our first home opener. It was under the lights, so that was really cool." Cierra Polomaras ‘27 said, “Kamden [Jenkins ‘26] carried the ball up the field very well, and I was really impressed with her performance. Our team always praises each other, and that makes everyone feel appreciated.” Although Newport’s offense was challenging, the team's goalie, Piper Matthias ‘26, a newcomer to the position, made several key saves throughout the match. "Piper has been a standout player for us almost this whole season. She's made big improvements and big saves for us," coach Michaela Singer commented. Matthias added, “Seeing how far we have come from the beginning, how I have developed my skills personally as a player, reminds me how much potential I have to grow.” Moving forward loss, the team is focused on growth and improvement. "I’m probably most excited to see how we’re going to grow as a team," said Keck, referencing the challenges of adjusting to a smaller roster this season. Each team must field 11 players, including the goalkeeper. The field hockey team’s roster consists of only 15 players. "We did lose five seniors, but we also have some new people on the team," Keck said. For the Blue Storm, playing with a smaller roster also means being adaptable. Chepren observed, “Even though our roster is small, we’ve grown really close, and it shows when we play. Some of us are new and some have played for years, but we all support each other and push each other to get better.” Coach Singer reflected on the game: "We really need to be able to show consistent effort throughout the entire game. Once we can do that, we’ll really show up and be powerful.” With new players in the mix, the team must focus on improving positioning and communication. "Once we get the positions down, we’ll be able to support each other better," Singer concluded. “No matter what the score, no matter what's happening, we're gonna show up. We're gonna still put all of our effort in and do the best we can.” Previous Next

Cate Dougherty ‘25 < Back Series: How green is Mercersburg Academy? Cate Dougherty ‘25 Nov 13, 2023 As a continuation of the Mercersburg News’s sustainability series, this week we spoke with Mercersburg’s new Chief Financial Officer, Rochelle Hargraves, who gave her thoughts on environmental efforts at Mercersburg from a financial perspective. Hargraves is very passionate about environmental stewardship and has significant responsibility for Mercersburg’s economic stewardship. Fortunately, she sees areas where these goals align. Hargraves began our conversation by outlining her ideas for some environmental initiatives that may require up-front costs but will be more environmentally friendly AND cost-saving for Mercersburg over the long run. The two most significant opportunities are building Mercersburg’s solar energy capability and upgrading outdated oil heating systems. Given the availability of wide-open spaces at Mercersburg, solar collection is a natural fit. The school is currently in discussions with energy providers over two options for the future of solar energy on campus. The first involves financing or renting solar panels. This requires lower initial costs, but interest rates can make financing more expensive, overall. The second option is to pay for the solar panels upfront. Because this plan involves high costs initially, it draws some hesitation on the part of the school. Ideally, under either option, the solar panels would pay for themselves over time and also result in long-term energy savings and environmental benefits. Hargraves sees a second opportunity to improve environmental stewardship by upgrading old oil heating systems, those still used in some faculty houses and Traylor Hall. Upgraded heating systems will lessen the school’s carbon footprint and be more cost-efficient. Hargraves described it as “a project that is geared towards green but also saves money.” In addition, Hargraves recognizes minor ways to impact sustainability in the planning of upcoming building projects, such as the Math and Science Building. Hargraves says that the environmental sustainability of new projects is “not a heavy emphasis in the work we are doing right now.” Nevertheless, planners understand that there will be choices ahead, for example, roofing materials and heating and cooling systems. “We will be able to make some conscious decisions, not necessarily be certified for being a green building, but bringing it into the picture,” says Hargraves. Beyond these measures, conversations are underway between the Board of Regents and school leadership about expanding sustainability measures. What are the next steps? Before making any major decisions, the carbon footprint of the school needs to be measured. Understanding the baseline of carbon emissions will make it easier to recognize where the school is right now and plan for improvement. To further Mercersburg’s environmental stewardship, Hargraves believes it would help to build an institutional framework for making decisions about sustainability. In other words, there has to be complete buy-in from the very top. Hargraves, along with Director of Facilities Brian Nordyke and Director of Sustainability Will Willis, have been developing a charter or a charge that will enable a committee to evaluate and review opportunities and provide direction in environmental stewardship. “Having a committee that is dedicated to it is the first step, and then measuring the carbon footprint,” says Hargraves. Hargraves’ passion for environmental stewardship has already inspired action and conversation in the school community. In the two short months since she has been at Mercersburg, there has already been movement toward a more sustainable future. There are positive signs that Mercersburg is ready to proceed with significant sustainability measures that align with long-term financial goals. Still, more groundwork needs to be laid to identify and pursue the ample opportunities to improve environmental stewardship. Previous Previous Next Next

Already the pride of Blue Storm athletics, Mercersburg Academy’s swim team is ready for another year of winning meets and setting school records... < Back It's going swimmingly Amanda Xi '25 Oct 7, 2022 Already the pride of Blue Storm athletics, Mercersburg Academy’s swim team is ready for another year of winning meets and setting school records. To maintain such a high level of competitiveness, coaches provide rigorous training in the fall, winter, and spring seasons. The fall season consists of intrasquad meets and club competition and rather than invitational meets. Swimmers, of course, express their fatigue. “Sometimes everyday practice is tiring, but swimming every day is what it is,” said Sierra Guo ’25, the fatigue, doesn’t diminish swimmers’ determination and ambition. “Since day one, the team has meshed together very well, and we are one of the closest groups of people that you'll find on campus. Coach Glenn [Neufeld] has done an exceptional job of bringing in new talent this year as well as simultaneously working with athletes that he has been with and continuously developing them into better swimmers and people,” said Teddy Blake ’23. This fall season is the first in a few years that swimmers are not restricted by COVID-19 regulations, and the strong first half to the season marks the beginning of a hopeful year. While swim is a year-round sport here, winter is the season when the team travels to large meets like the Eastern Interscholastic SwimmingChampionship (familiarly known as “Easterns”), where they compete with teams from around the nation. In addition, there is also a midseason meet at Franklin and Marshall College that swimmers will train for. This and other such meets is where the real competition begins. “To me, [my goal] every year is to win Easterns. Some years we do, but if not, the goal is to be high up in rankings,” said Neufeld. With the boys winning the championship and the girls being runners-up last winter, the swimmers have already set the bar high, but this year many swimmers hope to win a “triple crown” victory, which consists of claiming the boys title, girls title, and the combined title. Of course, this is never easy. “Rising to the challenge and facing those in the way is what champions are made out of. We will show them how great we are. Greatness in our hearts as well as in our bodies,” concluded Blake. Previous Next