Lisa Wei '26 < Back Roommates 4ever Lisa Wei '26 Nov 3, 2023 As many students at Mercersburg Academy know, it is rare to maintain a harmonious relationship with your roommate… especially for four years. This year, there are three pairs of four-year roommates in the Class of 2024: Crystal Yuen and Catherine Kidd; Erika Sowah and Olivia Wetzel; and Haris Yahaya and Dave Nguyen. Many of the four-year roommate pairs suggested how communication helped with their relationship. “I think it's really important that [roommates] try to work through their differences early, and not let the small issues become problems,” said Yuen. There are other factors, such as compatibility, which help strengthen relationships between the four-year roommates. “Our personalities matched, and we both know and respect each other’s schedules,” said Nguyen. “We’re really similar and we understand each other really well,” said Wetzel. However, it is also possible to be very different and keep a harmonious relationship throughout the years.“We work together really well despite having different personalities. Like, we both like the room cold and we respect each other,” Kidd said. Spending so much time together, the roommate pairs have created many memories in the dorms over the years. “My favorite memory was probably Just Dance from last year. We played Just Dance in our room and kept bumping into each other which was really fun,” said Wetzel. Many favorite memories were made during freshman year. “During quarantine in freshman year, Crystal and I stayed up until 3 AM to write letters to our dorm. We played a lot of music and had a lot of fun. That was probably my favorite memory,” Kidd said. “I remember watching the NBA playoffs freshman year. That was fun,” said Yahaya. “My favorite first memory was probably us binge-watching the Harry Potter series in freshman year because I hadn’t watched it yet so she forced me to watch it. We probably watched like three movies that night,” said Sowah. Of course, in all roommate relationships, there is always one friend who does better on room checks than the other. “Olivia does better on room checks than me,” said Sowah, laughing as she spoke. “I definitely do better on room checks. We almost failed because of Dave last night,” Yahaya said. Previous Previous Next Next

Johanna Lee '25 < Back Edgin' the way to victory Johanna Lee '25 Apr 14, 2023 Blue Storm baseball has gotten off to a promising start to the season, posting a 5-3 record after a four-game winning streak. The team played in the Reisner-Gift Invitational Tournament this past weekend and protected the house with two wins. Throughout the games, head coach Josh Edgin ‘06 emphasized the importance of players’ attitudes off the field and in-between innings to convey that baseball is more than a win or a loss. The team is looking to build on its early success and continue to grow and improve throughout the season. “The first few games have been great. We learned some things about our team and will use what we learned to continue to grow and get better,” said Edgin. While the team is facing some challenges with an uncharacteristically small roster and an upperclass-heavy team, they remain optimistic and eager to compete. “The only thing that has changed has been the number of students that want to play baseball. We had a JV team when I was here. Now we only have one team," noted Edgin. “But I'm excited to see how the year plays out. The first year is always a fun year, especially getting to see how we match up in the MAPL.” The team relies on its experienced, older players, who are expected to lead the team both on and off the field. "Our key players are our seniors. They will carry our team wherever we go," said Edgin. The team has also seen strong performances from its pitchers, including Matt Archibald ‘23 and Arjun Patel ‘23, both of whom have helped the team win multiple games. Ryan Maclnnis, ‘23 said, "So far this season, Archibald is pitching insanely well as is Patel. Our catchers have put in a lot of work this offseason and it is very noticeable. At this point, we as a team have a few adjustments to make to keep winning, and once those are made, we are definitely going to be a dangerous team.” Despite the individual nature of baseball, the team prides itself on playing as a cohesive unit and putting forth the extra effort. "Being coached by a former big leaguer is very different and you are always learning. Coach Edgin's knowledge of the game is almost overwhelming at times but his advice always works. I think the difference is in the details of hustling on and off the field, how we warm up and prepare for a game. Baseball is commonly thought of as a very individual game but Mercersburg plays as a team," added Maclnnis. The Blue Storm baseball team has proven successful so far this season with new spirit and energy brought by Edgin. The team seems poised to make a deep run in the MAPL, and their early success and dedication to teamwork is well-improving their chances of achieving their goals. Previous Next

Revant Jear ’28 < Back In pink and fired up Revant Jear ’28 Oct 17, 2025 Last week, the Blue Storm girls volleyball team hosted Frederick Force for an anticipated Pink Out match in honor of Cancer Awareness Month. The match was a close battle, with Frederick Force taking the first game 25–16 before a hard-fighting Storm came back to win the second 25–13 and tie the match. The final two games were fought intensely, but the Storm ultimately fell 25–11 and 25–17, for a final score of 3–1. In the days leading up to the match, the team focused on sharpening fundamentals and court coordination. Sofia Monroy Santiago ’28 said, “At practice, we just focus on the basics because you can’t really do much without them. We also work on covering and scrimmaging to keep strengthening our fluidity on the court.” Kesiana Mononia ’28 added, “The team has been working hard on improving our serve and receive skills. We’ve also been focusing on covering each other.” Several players highlighted communication as one of the team’s greatest strengths. Clare Mohr ’29 said, “One of our biggest strengths is being able to distribute the sets and run offenses from all spots on the court.” Monroy agreed, saying, “I think our biggest strength is communication. Whether on or off the court, everyone has each other’s backs, and we always know what’s happening so we can get more consistent plays and rallies.” Iyla Kwon ’27 echoed this sentiment: “Everyone knows what they’re doing, and they’re really trying to talk with each other.” Kwon also noted the team’s youth. “Our team doesn’t have a senior, meaning juniors are the captains,” she said. Despite this, the team’s leadership remains strong. Head Coach Will Hill commented, “Leadership is coming along much better than day one. Off the court, it’s super.” Younger players have also stepped up. “I’ve become a better leader by looking up to the captains and upperclassmen and following by example,” said Mohr. She reflected on a recent highlight: “One match that stood out was our game against James Buchanan. We weren’t the most confident going in because of their record compared to ours, but winning that game made us much more confident going into tough matches.” Lena Wilke ’27 added, “Having been a starter on varsity since my freshman year, I can say without a doubt that our game two weeks ago against JB was the best the team has ever played. We carried a lot of momentum against a team we didn’t think we were going to beat.” Coach Hill continues to emphasize growth and resilience. “My goal is to get better each day—play hard every game, and the outcome will take care of itself,” he said. Mononia shared how his coaching has personally helped her: “Coach Will and I have been working a lot on blocking and what to do when I’m not blocking. These efforts help the team work better together.” Hill also noted the importance of reviewing and learning from mistakes. “We look at film, analyze our mistakes, and build from there,” he said. As the season progresses, the team remains determined to learn from the past and looks ahead to even stronger performances. Previous Next

Cole Pirano '26 < Back The buzz on campus Cole Pirano '26 Dec 8, 2023 You may have noticed the red, white, and blue barber's pole on the east side of Tippets Hall. It marks the entrance to the new campus barbershop. Commonly known as "The Shop," it debuted in the spring of last year and has been a success ever since. It has been a dream of students, parents, and alums for years to make student hair care more accessible. After settling on a space for the barbershop, DEI directors Dr. Renata Williams and Jamar Galbreath turned that dream into a reality. The facilities team poured countless hours into creating the barbershop. Galbreath claims, "I have never seen a space transformed so quickly." Open at least twice a term, the barbershop is staffed by licensed stylists and barbers from salons and barbershops in Harrisburg and Chambersburg. Galbreath says that the barbershop is so crucial because of the role that he hopes it will play in the Mercersburg community. He explained the historical significance of barbershops in the United States. "Barbershops, hair salons, and other places that provide hair care have served as cultural hubs for communities for time immemorial," said Galbreath. Barbershops have almost always been a place for people to come together and share ideas and opinions, which is an underlying goal of The Shop. The Shop has the opportunity to become a hub for the Mercersburg community as Williams and Galbreath have envisioned it to be. Kene Olusanya ‘24 said, “the barbers were professional and gave a great haircut at an affordable price.” Customer Yule Kwon ’25 described his experience with the Shop, calling the barbers "talkative and quick." He explained how easily they understood what he wanted and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the service. Kwon also mentioned how "organized" and "ready for customers" The Shop seemed and said that it was "definitely better than any of the barber shops that students go to over the break." As for additional plans for the barbershop, the school is also looking for cosmetologists. They would work in the same space but on skin and facial care. Given the goals of the barbershop and its great reviews, the Tippetts Barbershop is worth a visit. And it’s a convenient way to get a good haircut quickly. To quote Galbreath, "Come and get a cut, or just come and kick it. The Shop is open!" Previous Previous Next Next

Dhsnuks Navaratne ‘25  < Back Yo, mama’s pizza Dhsnuks Navaratne ‘25 Oct 13, 2023 Mamma's Pizza has been a staple in the Mercersburg community for over a decade. It’s a popular favorite for academy students looking for lunch. Longtime owner Ryan Pearson takes commendable pride in the establishment he has worked to maintain since he took over. He is content with his success and values his pivotal role within the modestly-sized Mercersburg community. Pearson resides in the borough with his family. His son, Brayden Pearson ‘27, attends the academy as a day student. From scrubbing tables and concocting pizza sauces as a high school busboy to taking on the ownership of the locally renowned Mamma’s Pizza Shop, Ryan Pearson shows his community how putting faith in locale business can be a viable path to success. The quaint town of Mercersburg is often dismissed regarding job prospects. Pearson, a native of Waynesboro, Pa, began his career at a pizza shop in McConnellsburg as a teenager, looking to earn some supportive cash. He started rinsing dishes, prepping sauces, and bussing tables under the employment of a Sicilian owner, Roy, whose brother-in-law established the joint around 40 years ago. Eventually, Roy, the owner, pioneered a new shop in Mercersburg, and Pearson assumed official ownership of Mamma’s Pizza Shop in October of 2013. The establishment earns a handsome local income because of the shop’s monopoly on pizza. “On a good day, around 10-20% of our revenue comes from Mercersburg Academy, especially on weekends and rainy days,” Pearson explains. Though unequivocally the shop’s best-selling products are cheese pizzas, Pearsons’ favorite on the menu is either a ham turkey sub or a cheesesteak, both of which are also quite popular among locals. Some other favorite dishes include pepperoni, barbecue, and buffalo-style pizzas. Mamma’s ten employees work tirelessly throughout the week to meet the town’s demand for pizza and sandwiches. During the destructive coronavirus shutdown, the business suffered a loss in sales of around 50%. However, this only lasted a few weeks, and Mamma’s was able to quickly revive its pre-pandemic glory by the end of the global ordeal. Pearson said, “It goes to show you that sometimes hard work pays off. I started washing dishes and making sauces, but now I get to have my own shop.” Mamma’s Pizza is an integral part of Mercersburg’s culinary offerings and will continue to be an important part of the town. The success that Pearson has experienced throughout his humble career is a true testament to the hardworking resilience of Mercersburg’s vibrant community. Previous Previous Next Next

Adrienne Howard < Back Squash Tournament Adrienne Howard Dec 9, 2025 Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy hosted the Thomas Flanagan Invitational at the Davenport Squash Center. Both the girls and boys squash teams faced high-ranking programs from across the country. Head coach Dom Benequista noted the high stakes of the tournament, saying, “We obviously wanted to defend our title in this tournament.” The boys team delivered, not losing a single game on their way to a repeat championship. The girls battled hard and finished fourth out of six teams. Each team has grown and changed over the last year. Riley Choi ‘28, a captain on the girls' team, said: “Last year's team was better than this year's because many of the best players graduated. This year, the team will be almost developmental.” Sarah Howley ‘26 added, “We are not as strong as last year, but we can still win some for sure. We know we have to step up, and I think that challenge is bringing us closer as a team.” The boys' team, on the other hand, has only gotten stronger. Dior Mitchell ’26, a captain of the boys team, said, “We lost a few pieces, but I think we got deeper from our new recruits.” Sid Shah ’26, the other boys captain, continued, “The team is looking better than last year; we’ve got a lot more depth.” The chemistry on the squash courts is unparalleled. Benequista explained: “A lot of the players worked all fall together, and within our practice, the girls and guys mix in, so it's not really two separate teams. They really support each other.” Audrey Hua ‘26 agreed, saying, “It doesn’t feel like there's a hierarchy, it just feels like a very supportive environment to be in.” The players all around seem to agree that the program is supportive. Rayyan Khan ‘27 added, “Everyone has good connections, and we all carry each other through hard times.” To prepare for the invitational, the teams worked hard together every practice. Choi said, “The boys' varsity team has been helping us, feeding us balls.” Mitchell continued, “We’ve been staying consistent, doing tempos, trying to bond as a team.” The squash players entered the tournament with enthusiasm and anticipation. Khan explained, “My goal for the team [was] just to work hard, give our best, and stay connected.” The idea of prioritizing effort and improvement over results is common amongst the players. Hua added, “For me, even if I don’t win my matches, I want to learn from my opponents.” Benequista summarized the goal of the program as a whole: “I hope that all of them just enjoy it. That everyone wants to come back the year after. If they look forward to it, year after year, that's what we're looking for.” Previous Next

Tiana Lee '25 < Back Bob the builder Tiana Lee '25 Sep 22, 2023 Between its flourishing, green landscape and beautiful buildings, Mercersburg is known for having a fantastic campus. This week, architects from the firm Voith and Mactavish visited the school. The primary purpose of the visit was to decide where and how the new STEM building will be placed. Also, with the evolving curriculum in mind, they sought to identify other aspects of campus that could be improved. Daniela Voith, a founding partner and the Director of Design of VMA said, “Generally, our outlook is to try and reinforce an existing architectural context. So, it’d be a beautiful building in itself but the whole would also be better.” During their visit, the architects met with various departments. Nikki Walker, the head of the science department, hoping for what the new STEM building would provide, said, “Areas to help students outside of class, group study areas, secure and useful prep spaces for labs, up-to-date hookups for water, gas, and electricity.” She added, “Some of these things aren’t glamorous, but they are what we need behind the scenes to allow for seamless delivery of information and hands-on activities for students.” Amy Kelley, the head of the math department, shared some of her wishes. “I hope it provides multiple spaces where the department and students can continue to work collaboratively and individually. Flexible spaces, lots of writable surfaces, that’s what I’m hoping for.” Of course, it will take a while for the change to occur. This is a huge project that not only consists of a new building but also remodeling other buildings, including Irvine Hall. “This is just a step,” said Julie Maurer, the Associate Head of School for School Life, “There will be more opportunities to intersect with the architects for other community members.” One of Mercerburg's values that the architects will especially focus on is the school’s welcoming community. Robert Douglass, a senior associate at VMA, said, “One of the things that we’ve been told a few times about is how Mercersburg is a welcoming environment and the importance of it being an inclusive place, so I think one of the goals of these projects will be to think about how the visions of these buildings can improve the inclusivity of the space.” Previous Previous Next Next

Shanuka Navaratne '25 < Back I Voted Shanuka Navaratne '25 Nov 1, 2024 On Tuesday, November 5, many students and teachers alike will head out to the polls to cast their ballots in the presidential election. Even though much of the student body is not yet eligible to vote, the school has taken many measures in ensuring education about and participation in the election. For many in the senior class, however, it is their very first time voting. Head of School Quentin McDowell stated, “Mercersburg has actively encouraged students who are eligible to register to vote, even providing opportunities to do so during events such as the presidential debate watch party. As an institution, we want all of our students and employees to understand and appreciate the civic duty we all have to participate in local, state, and national elections.” Allison Stephens, Co-Leader of the Civic Engagement Task Force, said, “it’s not just about voting. It’s really about expression. It's about responsibility in a community. Knowing when to step back. Knowing when to move forward.” English department chair Michelle Poacelli said, “The school has made an intentional decision to widen the context by ensuring that the dialogue remains grounded in civics rather than simply a fight between Harris and Trump.” Gianna Anthony ’25, a day student from Mercersburg, dropped off her ballot at an early voting center this week. She said, “Being a first time voter, the process and the research I have done into each running candidate has been helpful. It is a critical, civic duty to vote during this election.” Her sentiments echo how students are thinking independently, rather than simply parroting the political views of their peers and families. Similarly, Gavin Williams ’25, another day student from Mercersburg who plans to vote next week, said, “Both parties have become quite vicious towards each other, creating a very uncomfortable environment to vote in.” Students from other states have the option to vote either in Pennsylvania, where they have resided for the past 30 days, or in th eir respective home states. AS Comparative Government teacher Emily Schoenberger said, “I hope students will be strategic about it, because their vote might have more of an impact here than it does in their home state.” According to her, being in a swing state makes students more aware of the election overall, partly due the sheer amount of selective campaigning being done in Pennsylvania from both sides. Axel Fleury ’25, a senior who hails from Georgia, said, “I voted with a mail-in ballot to Georgia, and I felt proud voting there because it is also a swing state.” Oscar Su ’25, a day student from Maryland, who will also be casting his ballot, said, “My vote in Maryland is more of a symbolic gesture, but I do have a stake in who I want to be the governor of Maryland.” Su also hopes that anyone who can vote in Pennsylvania will, as it is “a civic duty.” Considering the importance of the election here in Pennsylvania, students of Mercersburg play a vital role. McDowell stated, “ It is indeed especially important for residents of swing states to cast a ballot given that the margin of difference between candidates can be so narrow. Every vote truly counts.” With the election only days away, both students and faculty at Mercersburg Academy eagerly anticipate the results of this ever-so-tight race. Previous Previous Next Next

Paxton Diana '26 < Back First and second at MAPL tri-meet Paxton Diana '26 Jan 17, 2025 Last week Mercersburg Academy’s vaunted swim team traveled to Peddie School to compete in a MAPL meet with Lawrenceville School also participating. The boys took home first place, while the girls placed second. Preparing for the meet, the team made an impressive effort to get back into their routine after coming off a two-week winter break. Sophie Koroma ’26 said, “We were just working on getting our speed back up and working on becoming a good team, but I think the most important thing was just having each other's backs when you fall, when you don’t feel well, or when you don’t swim well; [we] use each other to get back up.” Head coach Matt Hurst explained, “Coming off of winter break, this is the first time the team has been together in almost a month. We did give them workouts to do when they were home. We had spent all of last week getting back together as a collective but also prepping them with some game-day speed practices so once they got to Peddie, they could be ready as they could be.” The swim team has had a great start to the season and continues to enjoy success. “I feel like the season—even though we are only a couple weeks in the winter season itself—has been very positive with good results,” explained Raphael Sibuet ’25, “A lot of fast racing from not only our mid-seasons but also our dual-meet performances.” Coach Hurst added, “The team is doing very well so far. The fall is more individualized, but the winter is when we start to get into our MAPL season. It's nice to see that they are putting in details that we worked on since our individual time.” Of course, this trend carried over to the meet this past weekend. Caiden Bowers ’25 noted, “I think, for the most part, the races were well executed; all we focused on was racing. I would like to highlight the whole medley relay: Jayden Kwon [’27], Raphael Sibuet [’25], Nick Green [’25], and I broke their pool record in 132.5.”. With a few weeks left in the season, the swim team has established many goals to accomplish. Tuana Özdemir ’26 said, “Our team goals are probably the top ones. We want to win the Eastern Championships or score in the top three.” Harry Cameron ’26 stated, “We want to be the best team on the pool deck and not just having the fastest [swimmers].” Heading into next week, Mercersburg will host meets against LaSalle College High School of Philadelphia for the boys and Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy for the girls. After that, the team will shift their focus to the MAPL Championship meet and Easterns. Previous Next

Micheal Zhang < Back Super Smash Bros Micheal Zhang Jan 27, 2026 The Gaming Club hosted the Super Smash Bros. tournament last weekend, allowing Mercersburg students to compete and connect through their shared love of gaming. Ethan Nguyen ’28 claimed first place, followed by Matthew Orders ’28, and Edwin Cameron ’27. Building on last year’s success, club leaders felt bringing the event back was a natural choice. Club member Preston Zhang ’27 stated, “We hosted one tournament last year under the guidance of gaming club president William Tutt ’25. So we decided to run it again because it had a good reception last time.” Organizing the tournament required balancing logistics, equipment setup, and scheduling. Faculty adviser Matt Maurer noted that the students had to navigate various challenges to ensure a fair experience. “They have to think about the rules—different people have different house rules,” Maurer said. Securing a spot on the school calendar was another hurdle. “It’s hard to get an event on the Simon Student Center sometimes because so many groups want that space,” said James Coors ’27. “We had to plan pretty far out.” Beyond the competition, the event aimed to foster community. Coors emphasized that the tournament provides a rare opportunity for students who may not own consoles to play together in a social environment. Zhang agreed, adding, “I hope [participants] find time to have fun—to stop being locked away in their rooms and interact with the community.” The atmosphere during the brackets was high-energy. “It made me feel more connected with everyone,” said Edwin Cameron ’27. “There were people cheering my name at the start; it was hype. Just being there with people cheering you on is a great feeling.” For others, the tournament was a starting point for new friendships. “My roommate came to cheer for me, and I met Preston,” said Shaun Jalalzai ’29. “Even though it was only the second time playing with him, we became good friends there.” Looking ahead, the Gaming Club hopes to maintain its momentum in the SSC. Potential future events include a movie night or a different competitive title. “We were thinking about a Mario Kart tournament in the spring,” said Orders. “We could also do a trip like we did last year to see a movie, but… who knows?” Ultimately, the tournament succeeded in its mission to bring students out of their dorms and into a shared, exciting environment. With continued efforts, the club hopes to expand its reach and provide even more opportunities for the campus gaming community to grow. Previous Previous Next Next

Tiana Lee '25 < Back Getting into the swing of things Tiana Lee '25 Sep 29, 2023 On September 23, Mercersburg Academy’s boys golf team competed in the annual Centennial Cup against The Kiski School. Despite the heavy rain, the team fought with tenacity to defeat the Cougars in a final score of 303-333. “It was very cold and very rainy,” said Ryan Kothari ’25. The team has made a decent start to the season with notable ups and downs. The team is seating a larger roster than last year’s with the arrival of five new players. Head coach Doug Smith is pleased to have a larger team. “We got lucky with some of our recruits this year,” he said. Because so many golfers practiced consistently during preseason, the team is well-prepared to show off their talents in upcoming matches. “Overall, our team improved a lot from last year, and it’s all because we put so much work in over the summer,” said Jason Jones ’24. To prepare for the competition, the golfers have focused on “developing strategy, getting into cohesive units together, and practicing with an indoor simulator,” said Smith. The diligence and grit of the athletes paid off with a victory over the Cougars. The team nearly broke the 18-hole school record. The players who finished in the top three, Argyle Downes ’24, Isaiah Marseille ’24, and Jason Jones ’24, have performed impressively so far this season. “We started off well and dominated in our first match with promising scores from most of the team. Our top players on the team are unmatched by other schools either that we play or even in the country,” said Marseille, a postgraduate player. According to Jones, “Argyle only gets better and better by the year. Kothari has been a key role player to our squad with his consistent scores.” But the team is not reliant only on the top players. The whole team is making progress as it is stacked with players who have the potential to shine. Marseille noted, “Tommy is starting to stand out. He always has great technique. Brodie Collins [‘24] has a lot of power. Once he manages to have consistency, he’ll be doing great things for us.” Jones elaborated, “You can expect Miles New [‘27] to be a key player in the next spring season.” Looking ahead optimistically, the golfers expect this season’s team to be one of the best that the school has had. “They [the team] all are extremely close to each other and I’m sure that they have a great time playing golf no matter where or when,” said Get Poolvoraluk ’25. The team entered the season determined to dominate their matches. Downes noted the team’s objectives: “Our goals are to win the state and MAPL titles.” Marseille added, “It fits perfectly for us because you play your top four players and only the best three scores count. We’re keeping our eyes on that.” Previous Next

Maia Somma '24 < Back Get ready to glow up! Maia Somma '24 Oct 28, 2022 On Friday November 4, Community Engagement will host Mercersburg’s annual fall fundraiser for Special Olympics Maryland: the SO GLOW Run. Special Olympics is a global organization designed to address the inactivity and stigma that people with intellectual disabilities face by developing programming in sports, health, education, and community building. On the night of the run, the school will gather at the chapel, “glow up” equipped with glow sticks, and walk/run a course to raise money for Special Olympics. Mercersburg's relationship with Special Olympics has a history. The school has dedicated countless hours of support and resources to Special Olympics athletes. According to Emily Parsons, Director of Community Engagement, “[We] inherited the relationship from former faculty member Katherine Dyson when she led Community Engagement. Back when they were starting it, they wanted to do something COVID-friendly and involving the whole school. We’ve had our partnership with Special Olympics for around 7 years, and it’s a great way to raise money for a good cause.” After much consideration and student feedback, the Community Engagement Team decided to organize the run by PGA in accordance with previous years. However, a new addition is the teams’ decision to arrange a school dance with food and drinks in the student center fishbowl afterward as a celebration. A lot of effort has gone into the planning of the SO-GLOW Run. This has included “planning a date, working with Special Olympics to come up with a format for the race, and getting everyone signed up and excited about it,” Parsons said. Students have also played a large role in facilitating the event in the way of marketing, designing shirts, getting volunteers, and coordinating with Trini and the dining hall. “ I’m writing an article for the Parent Newsletter and helping with the overall planning and communication with volunteers,” Selena Feng ‘24 said. “The run isn’t just a fundraiser but an event that connects the community and embraces the spirit of competition,” she added. For the dance, Axel Fleury ‘25, is taking song submissions and recruiting chaperones in coordination with Trini. Last year, the Mercersburg community raised an impressive $14,400 in two weeks during November, with the dance and football PGAs in a tight competition to raise the highest amount. This year’s fundraising goal is set at $15,000. “ Our contribution goes right to the athletes so they can participate in the events and feel more confident and feel pride in who they are and what they can do,” said Parsons. Previous Previous Next Next