Last week, Mercersburg’s Communications Office issued a statement: “The school is interested in exploring whether our community would be open to creating a mascot that could accompany our "Blue Storm" terminology. Currently, our unofficial mascot is the lightning bolt. < Back New Sports Mascot Haris Yahaya '24 Sep 30, 2022 Last week, Mercersburg’s Communications Office issued a statement: “The school is interested in exploring whether our community would be open to creating a mascot that could accompany our "Blue Storm" terminology. Currently, our unofficial mascot is the lightning bolt. Do we need an official mascot? Let us know what you think, and, based on your feedback, we will take the conversation to the next level.” To understand both current and past students’ views, we interviewed students to understand their perspectives on the matter. Isonah Dlodlo 23’ is currently in her fifth year at Mercersburg and wants a cool mascot. “I think the Blue Devils would be cool; the merch would be so cool,” they said in an interview. Nina McDowell 25,’ Caroline Wilkinson 23,’ Oscar Su 25,’ Jason Jones 24,’ and Peter Rice 23,’ all shared her sentiments. “First off, I think we should go back to being the Blue Devils because that would be so much cooler [than the lightning bolt],” Jones stated. The Blue Devil was the school’s mascot before it was changed in the late 1990s. Although unspecified within Mercersburg history, the nickname was most likely adopted in 1963 as detailed in a New York Times article. During this time period, Mercersburg used the name for branding and clothing but never created a physical mascot that students were allowed to represent. This mascot was eventually changed in the late 90s to the school’s current Blue Storm but the tradition of the Blue Devils still has appeal among members of the community. To be sure, the Communications questionnaire asked students to create or think of a mascot that would accompany the lightning bolt. As the Blue Devil would replace it, students had to think about other creative options. “If we had to have a mascot, I think I would want it to be like a Greek god that holds a blue lightning bolt; kind of like Zeus,” Jones suggested. “Our mascot should be someone like Thor who can ‘summon the storm,’” Wilkinson added. Both ideas do a great job of mixing the simple lightning logo into a fun and strong school mascot. As we have now heard from a wide variety of current Mercersburg students, how did alumni feel about the mascot during their time here? Jen Smith ‘97, Mercersburg’s Dean of Academics said, “There was not a physical mascot, at least not when I was a student here. No costume, no one dressed up, etc. I think there was a cartoonish blue devil that was painted in some of the athletic areas and on some of the school clothing, but I don't really recall. I can't speak for all students, but it was my impression that the student body would have preferred to keep the Blue Devil mascot rather than change it to something else. I don't think this was due to a particular fondness for the blue devil itself, but rather because it was what we associated with Mercersburg and it connected us to alums from the past,” Smith stated. Smith’s commentary emphasized the importance of reviving traditions that unite alumni and current students. Rice suggested that the return of this mascot would revamp a school tradition in a similar way that the return of Step Songs has. Whether or not Mercersburg reinstates the Blue Devil as its mascot, there will always be a need for someone to play the role of the mascot during school and sporting events. Students offered a mixed array of responses to that idea. “Jerry Wei should be the mascot,” Su said, nominating his fellow lower-middler. Others added their suggestions. “The mascot should be Peter Rice,” McDowell and Wilkinson agreed. Jones noted that the mascot could be anyone as long as they bring energy and spirit to Mercersburg. Rice, on the other hand, took a more unusual, yet creative approach. “Get one of those big, hot mascot costumes, and make kids with guard wear it as a punishment,” he said. This consequence could be a fun replacement for guard and would surely be preferred to walking around a track on weekend mornings. Previous Next

Sophie Han '27 < Back Storm runs victory laps Sophie Han '27 Sep 27, 2024 Girls and boys cross country are off to a strong start this season. Both teams went into their respective meets this past weekend—the Ben Bloser Invitational for the girls, theGeorgetown Prep Classic for the boys—with determination and emerged having achieved great results. Girls captains Anne Sehon ’25 and Linden Wallace ’25 noted, “The team is doing amazing with the culture we’ve built, and our coaches are really supportive of our health and training. It’s inspiring for us to grow as leaders and improve individually — it sets an exemplification for the season!” “We value our runners and understand that they all carry stress as students, which is why regular check-ins within the team practices are encouraged in a setting like this,” said girls coach, Christopher Bright. Ella Blanco ’26 added, “The coaches care about us a lot, and I’m looking forward to seeing how remarkably this season with our athletes and coaches will go.” Both teams competed in the Frankfort High School Invitational the previous week. “Going into the Frankfort meeting last week, I was really nervous,” Gabriella Cechini ’28 said. “But the support from the team helped me gain a less-stressful mindset this weekend, which is a special improvement personally because my goal this season is to have a positive mindset in races.” The Ben Bloser Invitational meet ended on a high note. In a race of over 200 girls, Gabriella Cechini finished first, and Sehon came in sixth. The team also celebrated it’s third place out of 28 teams, twelve personal records, and nine season records. Betsy Cunningham, head coach of the girls’ team, said, “Today, in a huge field, it was great fun and astonishment to watch some of our girls lead in the front, and witness their willingness to do hard work. What was also fun was to watch their teammates screaming and cheering for them — This is a team that is close and supportive, and I couldn’t be prouder.” On the boys’ side, the team has also been putting in the work. “We try to prepare our runners by simulating race conditions, like grass and hills, so they’re ready to push themselves on race day,” said boys coach Rich Heffron. “We finished behind the top two teams last weekend, but placing above the [rest of the teams] is a great indication of a successful start.” Imangali Zhakan ’26, who competed in his first meet last week, agreed: “The team is doing surprisingly well. I’m hoping to improve by working consistently with the team, and everyone is aiming to be in the top five.” Captain Winston Watkins ’25 commented, “Whether new to the school or the sport, we’re helping everyone adapt and get in shape. I’m excited to see what we can do this weekend.” Ryan Du Plessis ’25 added, “Some runners, including myself, are recovering from injuries, but we’re all very prepared for the Georgetown meet.” Before the meet, Joseph Cechini ’28 shared his goal of breaking his personal record. “I’m just six seconds off from 18 minutes, but with support from coaches and teammates, I’m confident I can reach that this weekend.” The Georgetown Prep meet saw the boys securing second place out of eleven teams, with five athletes placing in the top 25. Cechini broke his personal record as well. Head coach David Grady highlighted key performances: “It was great to see Ryan Du Plessis and Joseph Cechini confidently position themselves early and hold strong through the hills in the third mile. It was a solid race for our top two runners.” Will Wallace ’27 commented after the race, “Overall a great day for the team, coaches were proud but we were sad to have lost our fastest runner due to an unexpected illness; nevertheless, this meet was fantastic. We look forward to being on our home course next weekend!” Previous Next

Eric Wang ’27 < Back Storm swings to victory Eric Wang ’27 Oct 10, 2025 On Wednesday, October 1, the varsity girls tennis team traveled to Virginia to compete against Highland School, securing their first victory of the season with a strong 7–2 score. With the graduation of last year’s top three players, the Blue Team has had to adjust to a new lineup and dynamic. Despite the challenges of rebuilding and finding consistency, the victory serves as strong motivation for the matches ahead. Head Coac h Ken Craig noted, “Our team performed very well, and had a really great ethos. While Highland was not the strongest opponent, we were able to play at our own standards and finish the games thoroughly.” Ava Marathe ’26 added, “We were able to effectively communicate throughout our games and apply the strategies we’ve practiced in play.” With a new team dynamic, the players have had to step up. Aneska Pospisilova ’26 said, “There is definitely a significant adjustment with the new team, but our spirits were not low.” Amy Wang ’27 added, “Everyone has a good mindset as a team. We were all willing to come to every practice, and there is a community both inside and outside of the court.” This season young players have had the chance to hone their skills in varsity training. Coach Craig said, “There are many fundamental issues that we need to target this season. We need to make the other team earn the point instead of making unforced errors.” Maddie Gray ’26 said, “ I think we need to focus on our serves since half the match starts with it. A good serve can give us a crucial advantage in half the games.” Beyond technical skills, the team is also focusing on the mental game. Maddie Stonebraker ’27 reflected, “ Something we should work on is our mindset during the games. We should not dwell on the mistakes we made and instead focus on the points we are playing.” Her doubles teammate Karin Sugiyama ’27 said, “ Our team should work on our willingness to win.” Players have also discussed staying calm under pressure and trusting their training when matches get close. Coach Craig plans on addressing the issue development through specific drills and practices. “ We will be continuing to work on our keep-away drills to practice our thinking and placement of balls during games.” Gray added, “ We need to hit the ball deeper so it’s harder to return, attack more aggressively, and focus on placing our shots at sharper angles.” Wang said, “We tend to die out in the second set, pointing to the team’s ongoing focus on improving fitness and endurance. Coach Craig has also emphasized the importance of footwork, ensuring players move efficiently and stay balanced during long rallies. As the season continues, the Blue Storm hopes to build on its momentum, improve its skillset, and strengthen its mindset in preparation for MAPLs. The win against Highland shows progress in adaptin g to a new lineup and building communication on court. Previous Next

Ally Synder & Riley Choi ’28 < Back Light it up! Ally Synder & Riley Choi ’28 Oct 31, 2025 When Mercersburg Academy students returned from summer vacation this year, they found a landmark addition to campus—lights on Regents Field. For the first time in school history, student-athletes can compete at night, bringing the community together and heightening school spirit. The lighted turf field finally became a reality last summer, but the project had been in motion for over a year. “The level of participation in the Annual Fund from our parents and alumni over the last couple of years certainly provided the resources for this project,” said Chief Advancement Officer John Richardson. “It was the collective generosity of those who support Mercersburg through the Annual Fund and the idea of creating a better student experience that helped make this project come to fruition.” Starting construction in the summer created challenges. Athletic Director Lauren Jacobs explained: “We have a really big summer program here, and because they use our facilities and spaces, that created the biggest conflict.” Each summer, Mercersburg Academy hosts a variety of camps, including several athletic programs. “Honestly, trying to rearrange for any of the teams was hard. If there were a soccer camp or a lacrosse camp here, they would [usually] use the turf,” Jacobs continued. As a result, many teams practiced on the grass fields while construction on the lights moved forward. The impact has been immediate for Blue Storm athletes. “Under-the-lights matches have been one of the best experiences I've had so far,” said boys varsity soccer player Trace Russell ’28. “It's a very surreal feeling, and I love the extra bit of pressure and intensity it adds to the games. It gives me the urgency of needing to perform as if I'm under a constant spotlight.” This updated facility has already created a collection of “best memories” for players and spectators. For boys varsity soccer goalie Will Choi ’26, it occurred against Spring Mills High School. “My save within the last ten seconds of the first half was my best moment of this season,” he recalled. “Every time I did something, I could hear the fans' support. The cheer and the positive vibe was getting to me.” Simon Brennan ‘26 agreed, “ During our under-the-lights game against Spring Mills, when we scored, you could hear the crowd cheering for you – it was special.” Lilly Killinger, captain of the girls varsity soccer team, reflected on her team’s white-out game. “It was really cool to see how many people showed up, especially since people don’t usually show up to girls soccer,” she said. Teammate Skye Neme-O'Connell ’29 actually identified her favorite memory as a fan: “When the girls varsity soccer team watched the boys varsity game. Everyone showed so much school spirit, and many spectators had come to watch.” The most significant impact, expressed by athletes and fans alike, is the increased sense of community. “One of the things I think Mercersburg has had room to improve on was supporting each other's athletic events, because so many games and meets have overlapped, hence harming the attendance,” said Choi. “Turf games under the lights are when I can feel the whole community rally behind our team, and it absolutely brings the community together strongly.” Quentin McDowell, Head of School, agreed, stating, “Athletic competitions can provide a rallying point for a school community, but we often schedule competitions for our teams at the same time. Having lights gives us the ability to play after dark, which can invite larger crowds.” The turf lights have illuminated many spectacular moments for students, but there are a few drawbacks. Michaela Singer, head coach of the field hockey team, explained, “A field hockey ball can be difficult to track in the light when lifted into the air. Additionally, night games later in the season are often cold, making it painful to complete a drive on the ball.” These difficulties make games more challenging, but students and coaches still view the lights as a great addition. Skyler Clark, head coach of boys varsity soccer, joked, “I mean, I wouldn’t want a faculty house right next to the turf flights. But no, I think, all in all, it adds a lot to the community.” Beyond just organized sports, the lights are reshaping student life, too. With the turf now open for recreational use on weekend nights, students have a new space to gather, play, and socialize. “Having access to the turf has been very fun,” said Russell. “My friends and I will sometimes go and play football and do other activities on the field, which have made some great times.” Neme-O'Connell mentioned that she has “used the extended boundaries a couple of times, and they provide a little more freedom, which is really nice.” This new freedom offers a simpler, unstructured way for students to decompress and connect outside of dorms or academic buildings. For a school always looking to boost school spirit, the lights are a powerful and visible step. Seren Gibbs ’28, a member of the field hockey team, noted, “I love going up there and watching people play soccer, or playing with my friends.” As Michelle Zhang ’28 agreed. “It gives students an opportunity to have a really good experience, whether you're playing or watching, and it's just cool overall to be able to hang out with friends." Previous Next

Sheily Ramirez < Back MAPL Track & Field Sheily Ramirez Feb 10, 2026 At last Saturday’s Mid-Atlantic Prep League track championships at The Lawrenceville School, both the boys and girls indoor track teams earned fourth-place finishes, closing out a season defined by adaptation, resilience, and steady improvement despite unusual training conditions. This winter, the team did not have access to its indoor track as the dining hall was relocated to the Hale Field House while Ford Hall was under renovation, forcing athletes to train outside or find alternative spaces. That lack of a consistent facility shaped much of the season’s preparation. Head coach Betsy Cunningham said, “We did about as well as possible given the circumstances, without having a facility for indoor training and with such a cold and snowy winter.” Bauhinia Chen ’26 added, “The training that we did this season was honestly not ideal because we didn’t have our regular track, and it’s also been the coldest year I’ve experienced here. So, I think given the subpar training we had, I’m glad I’m still able to sustain a good level of performance that I’m happy with.” Several athletes delivered standout performances despite the challenges. The boys 4x400 relay of Eric Cittadie ’26, Arnav Rao ’26, Gustavo Santana ’26, and Imangali Zhakan ’26 broke the school record with a time of 3:33.18, and Zhakan won the 800 meters in a close finish. About the MAPL meet, Cunningham said, “The goal was to score as many points as possible. This often means having a different strategy than you might if you were trying to run a fast time. The field events usually perform as usual, which means jumping or throwing as far as possible to make finals…. [M[any athletes post[ed] personal records across several events.” Zhakan said, “Admittedly, the goal was to win, and I did, but I was unhappy with how the race played out. But overall, I built a lot of grit and resilience this year by training without an indoor facility.” Emily Wallace ’29, who placed fourth in the 55-meter hurdles, set a personal record. “I wasn’t completely satisfied with my MAPLs performance, but I still placed well, so there was improvement,” Wallace said. She added that a memorable moment came late in the meet. “During the last few races, the team was lined up along the banked curve, and everyone was cheering and supporting one another.” Teressa Nyarko ’26 added, “I feel as though my performance at MAPLs was a direct reflection of all my hard work throughout the season,” she said. “Seeing everyone finishing hard and ending with a smile reminded me of the beauty of track.” Looking ahead, Cunningham said the team will shift its focus at the PAISSA meet toward personal records rather than points. After a season shaped by compromise and adjustment, the teams will look to finish strong with a renewed focus on individual progress. Previous Next

Amara Okoye < Back Ai Amara Okoye Sep 29, 2026 This year, Mercersburg Academy has introduced a new senior capstone class, AI Innovation Lab, giving seniors a chance to explore artificial intelligence across the year. Jessica Dobrin, the facilitating faculty member for the class, said, “We are working with an outside company that runs this type of course at schools all over the country. In future years, we hope to bring it within Mercersburg.” The class runs on Zoom with an instructor from Inspirit AI, located in Washington D.C., teaching the class. The class doesn’t require students to have any fundamental knowledge of computer science. “It’s definitely something that’s open to everybody.” Dobrin said, “People who have a background in coding will have a bit of an advantage, but the course is designed so that people with an interest can come in regardless of their experience.” Dobrin noted that the course was initially proposed by former Associate Head of School for School Life Julia Maurer when she realized AI’s growing prevalence in everyday life. Dobrin said that AI has the capacity to create and replace jobs; therefore, arming Mercersburg students with a basic understanding of the rising technological advancements will prepare them for the new future. Several students taking the course noted AI’s increasing role in all aspects of human existence. “AI is definitely the future. You can see how much it’s developing, so it’s important to get an education on it,” said Finn Mauro ’27. The class uses AI with other tools like Python to code. Students work with various AI models like ChatGPT and Google Gemini as well as Google Colab, a platform used for writing code. Preston Zhang ’27 said, “We developed a game with AI. It's so versatile. All the coding I’ve done before is hard coding, but just telling the AI to make something and telling it to build a game or telling it to build a website is so much easier than actually doing all the code.” Instead of simply learning how AI tools like ChatGPT work, Dobrin said, “It’s less about learning responsible use and more learning about how those machines work from the back end so that they have a better grasp of the things that they can do with them and learn to kind of extend it beyond basic tasks.” Though the students in the class haven’t yet worked on many projects, they have learned how AI is being used in different fields. Eric Cabezas ’27 reported experimenting with Spotify data sets and using AI to make graphs based on energy versus tempo to determine if songs deemed as happy are actually happy songs. Mauro said, “We haven’t worked on a lot of projects, but one thing we did was vibe coding. I created a minesweeper adaptation with power-ups, and it operated really well.” AI Innovation Lab has challenged students in different ways; for Mauro, learning to code was the hardest part, while Zhang found it challenging to figure out his position within the up-and-coming field. AI Innovation Lab has also provided a challenge for Dobrin. “AI is such a rapidly evolving technology that I’m having to learn a lot of this alongside them or maybe even a day or two ahead of them,” she said. By the end of the course, the students hope to be able to do a variety of different things with AI. For some, AI will be a useful tool. Cabezas said, “I hope to just have it help me code in general.” Zhang hopes to deepen his understanding of AI: “I want to be able to understand AI as well as test and play with its parameters. Others, like Mauro, simply hope to be better prepared for the future: "I want to be more familiar with it and better equipped to handle it in the real world.” Previous Previous Next Next

Carrie Yang '27 < Back FLIK of a switch Carrie Yang '27 Jan 17, 2025 With the community return from winter break, the Mercersburg Academy dining experience has been elevated by the introduction of a new dining service: FLIK Independent School Dining (FISD). This collaboration brings a fresh approach to Mercersburg dining, focusing on nourishing the whole person, fostering community, and promoting sustainability. As student body president, Taimur Rehman ‘25 was part of a student-faculty group that chose the company. “We did a very comprehensive analysis of each dining provider,” Rehman stated. “They were given a rating. FLIK had the highest rating, and that’s why we chose it.” Ryan Sonson, the Regional Chef for FLIK, commented on his initial experience at Mercersburg: “It’s a beautiful campus, and it has a beautiful view of the mountains from inside the dining hall. I love the environment.” Sonson also identified one of his favorite featured recipes: “The stir-fried beef bulgogi had amazing flavor, and that was an amazing dish.” The revamped dining hall presentation has sparked excitement within the community. Liza Hoa ‘27 said, “I personally enjoy breakfast the most because of the chocolate chip pancakes. There is so much more variety. The new additions, like the charcuterie boards, are cool, but I feel like they take up a little space.” Pema Namdol ‘27 agreed, “There are more options for everyone. I love the hot sauce bar, expanded salad bar, and new condiments.” Dining staff are encouraged to focus on their commitment to ensuring inclusivity and quality. Meghan Lukman, the District Manager, explained, “When writing the menu, we tried to take a holistic approach to consider every dietary need, and preferably something very similar across the board. So, we try to keep things as consistent as possible so that everyone feels like they are eating the same thing.” Bryan Scheieger, FLIK’s Regional Support Manager, added, “We have designated stations for the gluten-free and allergy boards and signs so people can see what’s available and in the food. ” There are key innovations to the dining hall’s approach under FLIK. “Now there is a greater sense of variety, like the ice cream station and the rice bar offering sushi rice and brown rice. And we don’t make dressings from a packet but from scratch,” said Sonson. With the updates brought by FLIK, the dining hall has become a welcoming space for the Mercersburg Community. “If you ask the staff for something, they are always there to assist you,” said Namdol ‘27. Rehman continued, “I think they’ve been doing a great job, you know. Like they say, though, there’s a honeymoon period, so I wanna see how they do when the difference starts to get more subtle in a month, two months, and at the end of the year.” Anderson Wang ‘26 stated, “I’ve definitely seen a noticeable improvement. I didn’t go to breakfast once in the fall term and went 1-2 times before winter break. Ever since they changed the dining hall provider, I have been committed to going to breakfast every day to try the different and higher quality options.” It seems like many Mercersburg students and faculty agree that the dining hall service has improved, and they look forward to working with FLIK. Previous Previous Next Next

Anne Sehon '25 < Back Elevating Elevate Anne Sehon '25 Oct 20, 2023 With many high level athletes training for just one sport at Mercersburg Academy–be it swimming, squash, baseball, or any of several other sports–the athletics department has run several programs in the last few years that have been geared towards training athletes throughout their off-seasons. Starting this fall term, athletes now have the choice to participate in a new, revamped version of these past programs: Strength and Conditioning. “It was designed a few years ago,” said Athletics Director Lauren Jacobs. “It was called Elevate, and as a separate program, we had Lifestyle Fitness. But we’re piloting strength and conditioning this fall, which we think is going well so far.” Elevate was geared toward training mostly upperclass students who were preparing to play their sport in college, and Lifestyle Fitness was a general fitness program for those who did not participate in a competitive athletic PGA during the given season but who wanted the benefit of training. Jacobs continued, “It’s essentially for athletes, any grade ninth through twelfth, who want to pursue something at the next level, where they’re mainly focused in the weightroom on getting stronger, bigger, faster. The only thing is, you have to play two sports or be the lead in the play or something the two other seasons.” Brian Canida, the Director of Strength and Conditioning, said, “It’s been pretty good. It’s our first term doing it. They’ve all done pretty well and it’s gone smoothly.” The PGA has three different components: group work, self-paced work, and time designated to work with coaches for each athlete’s specific sport. “[Currently,] we have basketball, diving, wrestling, lacrosse, and baseball,” said Canida. “We warmup with some active stretching,” said Alex Van Ess ’24, who is training for diving. “Then, we’ll do some speed work and sprints, and then we’ll move onto the main lifts.” The PGA is relatively flexible and gives the athletes the time necessary to put work into their individual sports. Lacrosse player Chloe Allis ’25 said, “Some days we’ll have lifts in the morning and some days we’ll have lifts in the afternoon.” Van Ess added, “You can kind of go at your own pace.” Allis elaborated, “You go in on your own and you have a set warmup, which always includes some work to get your blood flowing, some rolling out and recovery, and then some speed work, then you’ll do your typical lift, which has a ton of different components to it, but then when you’re done, you leave.” Given the athletes’ high work rate, some days they get some time off. “Sometimes we’ll have Wednesdays for stretching,” said basketball player Jay Colon ’25. “It’s been coordinated. Canida has different folders for us, for different workouts, so that keeps us a lot more coordinated and organized,” Colon continued. “It’s always good to get into a routine going into the season instead of laying back and doing nothing for a semester.” Allis added, “It’s a good use of my time and it’s not overwhelming. I feel like it’s working out well for me because I have time to lift and to practice my sport.” With an array of athletes from many different sports going into their seasons with the strength training necessary to compete well, the athletes feel more confident in themselves, which may lead to better performance “It’s nice knowing that you’re getting better at your sport,” said Van Ess. Colon shared Van Ess’s sentiment and added, “Basketball season is the term right after this, so I feel like this will really help not only me, but the team, be better, stronger, and more athletic.” Previous Next

Maddie Chu '27 < Back Challenge accepted Maddie Chu '27 Nov 15, 2024 Mercersburg Academy strives to provide its students with opportunities to participate in national competitions such as the American Mathematics Competition, National History Day, and Scholastics. Michele Poacelli, English Department Head, has helped many students develop their Scholastics writing pieces. “When many students are preparing publications for external places, the bar feels a little higher, which is really great motivation to put your best foot forward,” she said. Past winning works are displayed on the Scholastics website. Poacelli urges students to submit as one day their work could be featured on the website inspiring other people. She added, “Students are also curious about how their writing stacks up to not just their peers in-house but their peers all across the country.” “I had a couple of works written that document my personal growth, and I had no intention to submit for scholastics. However, when I learned about this opportunity, I decided to give it a shot,” said Kelsey Li ‘26, a Scholastics Gold Key recipient in the Personal Memoir category. Not only is the Scholastics competition a great way for students to showcase their writing, but it is also great practice for writing for college. “The recognition is a wonderful thing to put on your application,” said Poacelli. Grace Chi ‘25, a leader in Mercersburg’s Math Club, said, “It has been a really great place to do fun problems and take math a little less seriously and have more fun with it with everyone working together and helping each other learn.” The Math Club also sponsors the American Mathematics Competition, or AMC, opportunities for students. Chi stated, “The AMC has been a fun way to test your logic skills and practice thinking outside the box more.” “I took the AMC 12 because the program requires a different approach, which is interesting to think about. It was fun to gain experience to solve these hard problems,” said Fredrick Wu ‘26. A new competition that Mercersburg will support is National History Day, or NHD. Susanna Huang ‘27, a participant in this year’s competition and NHD club member, said, “I have a great passion for history and therefore I want to learn new things while displaying my knowledge and getting feedback from judges.” Every year, there is a theme that students research for the NHD competition; this year's theme is “Rise and Responsibility.” Huang said, “It’s a very interesting topic choice, especially with this year’s election.” The NHD club has also been helping students brainstorm and will provide transportation for competitors. “Because we are at a boarding school, many students who want to participate in competitions find it difficult to secure transportation to competition locations. Lisa and I participated last year and wanted to help provide students the opportunity to not only research more about history, but also use NHD to apply their research through different ways of expression, such as through the showcase of an exhibit, documentary, or performance,” said Jolie Zhu ‘26, cofounder of the NHD club. Allison Stephens, History Department Head and faculty adviser to the NHD club, said, “The NHD competition is a chance for students to get excited about history.” She is appreciative of the Mercersburg students’ initiative, saying, “I love it when kids love history, and I encourage students considering the NHD to jump right in and simply partner with somebody that you like spending time with and makes you think.” Previous Previous Next Next

Revant Jear’28 < Back Soccer triumphs over Hill Revant Jear’28 Nov 7, 2025 The Mercersburg Boys’ Soccer team took on long-time MAPL rival Hill and came out victorious in a hard-fought 3–0 match. This was Mercersburg’s first defeat of Hill in ten years. Coach Skyler Clark said, “I think our overall composure on the ball worked especially well, especially in terms of going forward. Hill scouted us pretty well, playing in a low block formation, making it difficult to play over the top, but we were patient, composed, and when we found a break, made the most of it.” Captain Grant Wilkinson ’26 added, “I think just coming out strong in the first half, in some games in the past we came out a little bit slower, and less energetic, and I think keeping the momentum in the second really made the difference.” Coach Will Slater agreed, stating, “Overall, the boys came out with much more energy than throughout the season, and Hill seemed to play more defensively, and the game really opened up, and the team took their chances.” Simon Brennan ’26 commented, “Getting there, shooting shots, missing, it didn’t put our heads down, and we kept making more and more shots, and the defense stayed strong, not letting any goals in. The consistency also helped us not lose spirit.” Brennan continued, “Everyone bought into the same mindset this week—we knew what this game meant. The focus in warmups and the energy from the bench really pushed us through to the end.” A defining moment in the game came when Gustavo Lisboa Ferreira Santana ’26 scored from 30 yards out. Wilkinson said, “This being our first goal, especially in the fashion it happened, really shifted the momentum in our favor.” “Players like Chris Carbone and Gaven McGuire had great contributions coming off the bench,” Slater said. Clark added, “Ewan McDowell, Felipe Pepe all had outstanding performances which contributed to the victory.” Dylan Brenes ’26, one of those new players, said, “The culture of the team has really made a difference, almost like one big family. It’s incredible how the team brought their heads up after a couple of hard losses and bounced back so well.” Trace Russell ’28 added, “Everyone has improved skill-wise, and also trusting each other during the games.” For the seniors, this was a fitting farewell to their MAPL home games, especially with such a dramatic victory. Brennan ’26 said, “With the Brazilians coming my junior year, and all of the seniors kind of just being together, it’s been a really fun time together.” Jaekwan Kim ’26 added, “Being in the scene for the past four years, and seeing all of the changes going on, it’s really great to come out with a win.” Wilkinson ’26 added, “Final game on Steiger, and that too winning means a lot to the seniors, I’ve played on Steiger every home game since my freshman year, and it’s the most fitting way to end it.” Previous Next

Michelle Zhang ‘28 < Back Ron(knee)-slappers! Michelle Zhang ‘28 May 16, 2025 On May 3, Mercersburg Academy celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a special Q&A event featuring renowned comedian and actor Ronny Chieng. Best known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show, his Netflix stand-up specials, and acting roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Chieng has become a prominent voice in comedy and media. Organized and coordinated by Reverend Dr. William Whitmore and Mercersburg Academy’s Asian Student Union (ASU), the event highlighted the importance of AAPI representation and identity. “After talking with the ASU, we wanted to bring someone relevant to AAPI who works in entertainment,” said Whitmore. President Cecilia Wang ‘25 stated, “The event’s most challenging part is contacting Ronny's agents and inviting Ronny to host a talk.” The Q&A with Ronny Chieng was held through a Zoom call. Talaina Jarrett ‘25 said, “When I first heard he was coming, I was really excited, and I was disappointed when they revealed it was going to be via Zoom. But, I was still really excited because I think it’s pretty rare we get to see an actor like this come to our school.” Chieng shared stories from his personal journey–from growing up in Malaysia and Australia to building a career in comedy in the United States, speaking openly about navigating cultural expectations and challenges as an Asian American comedian. “Inviting Ronny Chieng over demonstrates the potential things Asians can do.” Jaidee Promphan ‘25 stated after the Q&A. Ellie Yang ‘27 echoed her words, saying, “I liked how openly he talked about his journey through encountering challenges of breaking into mainstream media as an Asian person; it really speaks to me, and I think a lot of international students would agree.” Bruce Zhang ‘28 expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I simply love the things that Ronny does, and I was much influenced by his strong morals and how he demonstrates modesty towards young adults like us.” “I think being a comedian is already hard for the average person, but then to be a minority is even harder, because sometimes you don’t want to make a joke that offends the wrong group of people. As a black person, sometimes we make jokes that we don’t mean in a serious or bad way, but some people may still take offense to it, and to try and understand those nuances is hard,” said Jarrett ‘25. Stewart Allan ‘27 said, “Hearing Ronny’s perspective made me realize how much work there is still to do, both in media and in our own school, to make sure everyone feels seen and heard.” Yang ‘27 shared her insights: “The most memorable thing Ronny said was to ‘focus on one thing rather than many’ and ‘if you fail in one thing, try and try again.’ I really try to attribute his sayings to my daily life, and it’s proved to be really helpful.” Previous Previous Next Next

Emma Diianni ‘25  < Back (Not) making a splash Emma Diianni ‘25 Feb 16, 2024 The Blue Storm diving team has been making waves this season. During the first home meet of the season, they defeated the Peddie School. Following their victory against a MAPL rival, they also defeated Malvern Preparatory School (boys) and Notre Dame Academy (girls) and LaSalle College High School (boys) and Mount Saint Joseph’s School (girls). Heading into the season, the team welcomed promising new athletes and gritty veterans. Coach Frank Betkowski said, “I expected that Alex [Van Ess ’24] and Luntu [Radebe ’25] would be the divers that they are, which is to say, excellent. Betkowski continued, “Solie [Stenger ’25] came in with experience, and some of my new divers or newer divers have made some really good progress. Avery Liu [’25], Ali Young [’26] and Bruce Joyner [’25] didn't have any experience. And Anouk Wandeler didn’t compete at all last year. They'll all go to Easterns which I think is a great accomplishment.” Compared to last year, the diving team has grown in number, especially on the girls side. “There are a lot more people,” said Van Ess. Betkowksi added, “I actually have a hard time making a lineup because I have too many girls for most meets.” The challenges that the team faced were numerous breaks and unexpected injuries throughout the season. Betowski said, “Between holidays and long weekends and injuries and illnesses, I really haven't had to make that very difficult decision.” Despite these setbacks, the divers are staying positive and supportive of each other as they push forward toward the last weeks of the season. Liu said, “ I feel like the team is really good at supporting each other, especially when we go away to meets.” This team dynamic is helping out the team a lot, particularly in away contests. Van Ess said, “It's a lot more fun and interesting, because there's a lot more people to talk with and people to hype you up and you get really excited about diving.” The team’s goal for the tournament is, as it has always been, to win collectively. Betkowski said, “I would love for my divers to place well [at the MAPL meet]. I don't want to jinx us, but we have a chance at winning both the boys and girls events.” The diving team achieved their goal at the MAPL Championship which was held at the Lawrenceville School. Girls diving placed first as Radebe, Stenger, and Liu finished second, third, and fourth, respectively. Boys diving also placed first as Van Ess repeated as the individual champion; Joyner placed third. To prepare for championship meets, each diver practiced to achieve eleven dives as it is a requirement to compete. Avery Liu ‘25 said, “We also have been focusing on form and our takeoffs, which is when we exit the board…. we try our best so it works.” Looking ahead, the team has ambitious goals for the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships. Betkowski said, “Our focus is always Easterns. Everything we do is in preparation for Easterns.” Van Ess added, “My main goal is to place in the top five in Easterns. I want to finish the meet and be satisfied. Like that, I put in my best effort and did my best diving.” Previous Next