Alex Eissenstat ‘25 < Back An affinity for belonging Alex Eissenstat ‘25 Feb 3, 2023 Mercersburg Academy is home to over 400 students from different backgrounds, all with unique life experiences. This diversity is a wonderful strength of the Academy, but it can also make students with less represented identities feel isolated and unable to connect with others who hold the same identity. To alleviate this, the Academy has established affinity spaces for several identities represented across campus: Black, LatinX, Body Image, Deafness and Hearing Loss, Neurodivergence, LGBTQ+, International Student, and First Generation/Low Income. Each group is run by an adult leader who either shares the group identity themself or is picked based on their familiarity with the issues associated with that group identity. Director of Library Services and Affinity Space Coordinator, Alexandra Patterson, explains, “[affinity spaces] provide a space to talk about one's identity with others who hold the same identity.” With affinity spaces available, students can find ways to connect with others who share the same identity in a space that feels more comfortable with those who have more understanding of the issues a student may be facing. Jamar Galbreath, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), said, “There are shared experiences among identities, particularly among non-dominant identities that can make us feel isolated. Affinity spaces are a great way to connect over those shared identities.” Affinity spaces meet periodically throughout the year, and the identity of the members remains completely confidential. This results in the spaces being more comfortable for students to join and partake in. Patterson, affinity space leaders, and the DEI office hope to continue to meet the evolving needs of the student body, and to always have spaces to meet the needs of all student identities. Mercersburg Academy is home to over 400 students from different backgrounds, all with unique life experiences. This diversity is a wonderful strength of the Academy, but it can also make students with less represented identities feel isolated and unable to connect with others who hold the same identity. To alleviate this, the Academy has established affinity spaces for several identities represented across campus Director of Library Services and Affinity Space Coordinator, Alexandra Patterson, explains, “[affinity spaces] provide a space to talk about one's identity with others who hold the same identity.” Each group is run by an adult leader who either shares the group identity themself or is picked based on their familiarity with the issues associated with that group identity. Affinity spaces meet periodically throughout the year, and the identity of the members remains completely confidential. Please consider signing up! Previous Previous Next Next

Michael Zhang ‘26  < Back A big red L Michael Zhang ‘26 Jan 26, 2024 This past weekend, the Blue Storm basketball teams played home games against The Lawrenceville School. Girls and boys teams defeated the Big Red, 58-41 and 65-61 respectively. A convincing victory on the girls side elevated the team’s season record to 9-5. Lily Crounse ’25 said: “The team is showing up and giving it our all. We've had some tough losses, but overall I think we're doing pretty well this season.” The girls team this year has quite a different feel. Allister Caretti ‘’26 commented, “The team is a lot more healthy. I think everyone’s more excited to be in practices and matches.” The team welcomed the addition of Adilynn Rinker ’27 and Nia Henley ’24. Madison Goodhart ’24 said, “Adi is super athletic and has improved a lot over the season! Nia is very talented and a great addition to our team, and we can’t wait to see her back on the floor after her concussion.” Recently, the team has been working on their ability to organize quickly under pressure. “We’re working on our rebounds and reducing our turnovers, as that has been what’s lost us games in the past,” said Caretti. Specifically for their game against the Big Red, the girls team “watched a lot of films, and analyzed the systems they used,” said head coach Paul Sipes. The biggest challenge for the team has been “sickness and injuries. It feels like we can't catch a break sometimes,” Crounse shared. Despite these difficulties, the rest of the season looks promising. Sipes said, “There’s a chance that we could win out the rest of the season.” The team hopes to place high in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League and state tournaments. The boys victory over the Big Red brought the team’s season record to 12-5. Assistant coach Richard Mahoney said, “The team’s doing really well. Although we’ve had a few hiccups, we work through it.” The team is much improved from last year. There are better reserve playersHead coach Sean Crocker said, “We are also better at defense this year.” The team welcomed new talented players that are receiving lots of playing time. Mahoney said, “Erik Oliver-Bush [‘24] is a great defender and goes out and plays really hard, he pushes [his] teammates to work hard. And both Thaddeus Lee [’25] and Dominic Schmidt [’24] are phenomenal players [who] bring a lot of energy to the team.” Unfortunately, Joe Segal ’26, another new member of the team, won’t be able to play for the remainder of the year due to recent injury.” During practices, the team has focused on defense while incorporating strong offensive tactics. In preparation for the game against the Big Red, Lee said, “We spent the whole week preparing for it. We watched their films and talked about how to play against them.” The coaches are trying to take advantage of the team's height advantage. Adrian Rios ’25 said, “We are preparing ourselves by making sure we are all on the same page and focusing on ourselves.” However, the season hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Several injuries have hindered the team from reaching its full potential. Lee added, “We’ve also struggled with bouncing back from hard losses this year. We’re working on putting it behind us and focusing on the next game.” Despite occasional setbacks, the team is trying to “play as a unit, playing the best basketball together as a team,” said Crocker. Simon Brennan ’26 said the team is hungry to “win MAPL. We feel like we have a really good chance this year.” Previous Next

Maddie Weiss '25 < Back Brewing up a storm Maddie Weiss '25 Dec 8, 2023 Amid the flurry of essays, projects, and homework, many students try to find an escape from the stressful atmosphere of work and grades. Romanticizing study through playlists, food, and friends is common. One North offers all of this. Located a few blocks off campus, One North is a cozy cafe with drinks and pastries, where students can briefly escape their busy lives with a sweet getaway. One North promotes a healthy work-life balance, encouraging students to be productive while enjoying the company of friends. The menu at the cafe offers a wide range of food and drinks, with fresh pastries on display every week. Many students visit the cafe frequently. Leah Willis, '24, a barista at the cafe, says, "About half of our orders are from Academy kids during the school year," adding, "Saying hello to people I know when they come in is my favorite part!" Students' connection to the cafe further connects Mercersburg Academy to the local community and encourages them to make new friends in a fun change of pace from campus life. Many students have favorite orders, the most popular being lattes, hot chocolates (especially during winter), and sandwiches like turkey, bacon, avocado, and Caprese. Avery Liu, '25, says her favorite order is the mango chiller and the turkey-and-swiss panini pressed, a good mix of sweet and savory. While some students think One North is better for catching up with friends and socializing, others are committed to their academics. Celia Kerf, '25, says, "It's easy to focus on your work in One North because other people around you are also focused, and it motivates you. Sometimes it's also nice to go there for lunch with friends when you want a break from the dining hall food." Though newer students may have yet to learn this, One North used to be located across the street in the building on the square currently under construction. Some faculty and day students may remember their earlier times at the old One North. Renovations are currently being made to the building and will be completed by the end of this school year; plans are for the cafe to move back in. One North contributes to its community by sourcing local products and goods. There are many things to look at, from books to mugs to packaged pastries! Whether you're a coffee lover or not, One North is worth a try. Previous Previous Next Next

Lisa Wei ‘26 and Sophia Mielke ‘25 < Back Elevating the legacy of Dr. King Lisa Wei ‘26 and Sophia Mielke ‘25 Jan 19, 2024 On Monday, January 15, the Mercersburg community gathered together to celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., activist and prominent civil rights leader. The ceremony consisted of opening remarks by Dr. Renata Williams, the school’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, followed by the keynote address from civil right lawyer Abdul Dosunmu. "Mr. Abdul Dosunmu is a civil rights lawyer and movement-builder. Among all the many great things he's done, he's founded and directed the Young Black Lawyers' Organizing Coalition," said Jamar Galbreath ’03, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Young Black Lawyers' Organizing Coalition (YBLOC) is a network of young black lawyers and law students dedicated to protecting voting rights. About Dosunmu, Williams said, "He's also worked to impact racial justice and served as an appointee of President Barack Obama. Both Dr. King and Abdul Dosunmu are instrumental leaders and faces of the civil rights movement. With Mr. Dosunmu, as a civil rights lawyer, it's exciting to see that work continued and how he impacts lives everyday." Galbraith echoed Williams’ remarks: "Looking at connections between Mr. Dosunmu's work and Dr. King's work, the civil rights movement continues to exist today, and so our work around social justice is just revolutions of that movement. As a lawyer like Mr. Dosunmu, to be able to engage in that legal system and create other positive changes in both local and national communities is also similar to Dr. King's work." Emphasizing that paying tribute to Dr. King's dream is more valuable than just taking a day off, the day’s activities were designed to immerse students in African-American culture and history. Students chose from a variety of activities to participate in as a way to honor Dr. King and his legacy. "All of these sessions were selected to create a variety of programming that elevates the life and legacy of Dr. King," said Williams. Activity leaders submitted proposed workshop options to the DEI team. Williams said, "I truly enjoyed all of the session proposals. I read through all of the ideas that folks submitted and worked through how we could relate each discussion to the work of Dr. King." Kevin Malo '24 participated in the “MLK, Malcolm X, Songs of the Civil Rights Movement” session sponsored by science and math teacher Jim Malone. "Mr. Malone did an incredible job using different speeches and songs to teach us about the legacy of Dr. King." Other students chose to perform community service. Community Engagement Director Emily Parsons said, "Some students wrote letters of gratitude to veterans and the elderly. Some walked dogs and others got off campus to help at partner sites like Conococheague Institute, Peckin' Thyme, and My Neighbor's Bounty. Two groups also traveled to Chambersburg to participate in MLK Day programming planned by the town’s Racial Reconciliation organization. Students at Peckin' Thyme, an animal rescue farm, cleaned stalls and fed the animals.” Maggie Coors '25 said, "It was fun and rewarding. I liked it better than last year." Said Kene Olusanya, '24, “At My Neighbor's Bounty, we learned about food insecurity by shopping on a SNAP budget, and then we worked at the food pantry. I had to learn how to shop for an entire family with only $16; it was a lot harder than I thought." As part of the closing activities, the internationally recognized performance group SoulSteps introduced students to the African-American dance tradition known as “stepping.” “I’ve been in contact with SoulSteps since last year, so we have been thinking about how we could infuse that art of stepping into our day. SoulSteps will talk more about the meaning behind stepping and what it means in today’s society,” said Williams. She went on to introduce the dancers, saying, “We’ll be seeing and hearing how the rhythmic movement of using your body and using your feet can help make sound and joyful music. How will it look? Well, it is better seen than elaborated.” Galbreath further explained, “Stepping is an art form where we utilize our bodies and motions as instruments. We used stepping as a form of expression, of ideas and emotions. Stepping is really important in African-American culture because it was a big part of ‘The Divine Nine,’ a group of nine fraternities and sororities.” Martin Luther King Jr. was a member of one of the historically black fraternities, Alpha Phi Alpha. Cyn Carter ’26 was called up to stage to lead the audience in a step series, concluding the day with exuberant performance by all. The programming of the day left the community to reflect on our responsibility to act for change in our world. Head of School Quentin McDowell encouraged the school to take this message to heart every day, not just one day per year. Previous Previous Next Next

Paris Zhang '27 < Back A spooktacular parade Paris Zhang '27 Nov 1, 2024 On Monday, October 28, the town of Mercersburg hosted its annual Halloween Parade, drawing residents and visitors alike to enjoy the show and some warm food. Despite the chilly weather, crowds filled the bleachers along both sides of Main Street, clearing a path for the decorated cars and floats. “The parade was very lively, and the atmosphere was vibrant,” said William Luo ‘27. Local businesses bustled with people gathering for sweet treats. Liza Hoa ‘27, said, “The food at One North was great. We got some funnel cake on the side, and it was really good. The lady in front of me was so nice and explained all the different toppings I could order. I demolished it in like three seconds.” Shine Jo ‘25 agreed, saying, “The funnel cake was so good. Thank god I brought cash.” One North also offered festive drinks to celebrate the fall. “I got the October special drink. It was a pumpkin spice chai latte, and it was amazing,” said Cocona Yamamoto ‘25. The parade lasted for roughly one and a half hours and featured different sports teams, cars, marching bands, and more. Eve Gunkelman ‘28 said, “It was so fun! My favorite part was the volleyball team’s performance in the parade.” Hoa’s favorite part, on the other hand, was the display of sports cars in the parade. “They were really nice. The vintage one was making a lot of noise, which is good for a car,” she said. Cody Parks, Mercersburg Academy’s Social Media Manager agreed: “My favorite part was seeing the huge jeep with the spider on it.” Many townspeople also enjoyed the car show at the parade. “The cars were my favorite,” said Mark, an older townsperson, “I loved it. Great parade. My granddaughter is in it. We were at the far end, but this year, it seems like the parade was bigger and there were more participants and floats in it.” Most Mercersburg students came out to the parade with their friends and BFFs. “I went with Shine Jo because we wanted a break from our college applications,” said Yamamoto. “I went with Tahir, Taimur, Cole, and Iman,” said Lucas Chen ‘27. Parks, who lives in the town, said, “My wife (Evelyn Bonito) wanted to come see it and we could not get out of our house, because the parade lines up in front of our house. So we were like, ‘Oh, we might as well go.’” Some people attended the Halloween parade for the first time, while others return to it year after year. “I’ve actually never come to the Halloween parade before today, even though I’ve been around here for three years,” said Parks. “It’s really nice to come out here every year. But this year, there were a lot more floats compared to last year so it was a little bit longer,” said Crone. The annual Mercersburg Halloween Parade ended with a transition to a new holiday season. “The Santa float,” said Crone, “was the best part because it just rounds up the parade and welcomes in Christmas.” Overall, the event was well-received, and attendees enjoyed the seasonal experience. Previous Previous Next Next

Carrie Yang < Back Deleon Nail Business Carrie Yang Dec 9, 2025 When students at Mercersburg need a fresh manicure, they turn to Leah De Leon '27. For De Leon, her mani-journey began during COVID when she unexpectedly discovered an artistic pursuit, “I’ve always been interested in press-on nails,” De Leon says. “A lot of people like to get their nails done but don’t have the resources or opportunity here.” Art has always been central to who she is: “Nails were the second form of art after dance that I got really into.” Through hours of watching YouTube and TikTok tutorials along with the encouragement of her first client, a childhood best friend, De Leon’s interest grew into a steady campus clientele. De Leon describes the challenge of running the business. “Doing someone’s nails can take anywhere from two to six hours,” she explains. “That’s the hardest part, timing. People ask for day-of appointments, and I always say yes.” But her clients say the time investment is part of what makes the experience special. “Back home, I used to get my nails done pretty frequently,” says Kennedy Stevens '29. “Being here, you can’t get them done that often, so I wanted a refresh.” She ended up with a solid purple gel overlay and appreciation for De Leon’s method. “She’s very specific. It took longer than a regular shop, but I actually liked that. It meant she took her time and effort.” For others, De Leon’s business offers a comfort that traditional salons often lack. “I love that getting my nails done means I get to spend time with a friend,” says Alishya Thurmond '26, who opted for a simple nude almond shape. “Instead of sitting in silence while someone destroys my fingers,” she jokes, “I get to talk to someone reliable, who puts in effort, and won’t charge seventy dollars for a plain design.” Sofia Monroy Santiago '28 echoes the sentiment, saying, “ What stood out most was the ease of communication. In a nail salon, you don’t always feel confident saying you don’t like something. With Leah, because we’re friends, there’s that freedom.” Santiago’s first set was a Christmas-themed gel overlay that won her over immediately. De Leon does not plan on expanding her business further, but she remains grounded. “I think I’d start a club to teach people how to do nails,” she says. “A lot of people want to learn nowadays.” Santiago concludes, “I think that a business like this definitely impacts our community in a positive way, because not only does it provide girls opportunities to get their nails done, but also bonds us together.” Previous Previous Next Next

Bauhinia Chen ’26 < Back Not so cooked after all Bauhinia Chen ’26 Oct 17, 2025 On Wednesday, October 8, the Class of 2026 experienced “PJs and Pancakes” —a Mercersburg tradition in which seniors spend half a day in their pajamas eating pancakes in the dining hall while working on college applications instead of attending academic classes. In the heat of the college application season, the event re-serves time for seniors to break free from the school routine to focus and meet with college counselors. This year, Mercersburg Academy’s two new counselors, Erin McHugh and David Stephenson, experienced PJs and Pancakes for the first time along with the class of 2026. McHugh said, “I was excited about it because I did something similar at my previous school. I really loved Mercersburg’s twist on it by making it a fun event.” Stephenson described the day as “a nonstop process of providing feedback to students.” He added, “This process is a very different environment than typically sitting here in my office.” Across the board, the event was productive for students. “I can see the difference between the day before PJs and Pancakes and the day after because they just get so much work done that day,” said McHugh. “Finishing a section or getting a solid draft of an essay done helps them feel like they’re getting closer to the end.” Stephenson agreed, “It was great, because for students who are over scheduled and don’t have a lot of time, it carved out space in the day where they can have sustained focus and meet with their counselors...The gift of time is always the best thing we can give students during the college application season.” Many students were grateful to have the time designated for college applications. “It was nice having a little break in the middle of the week from classes and to really sit down and lock in all day,” said Anouk Wandeler ’26. “A lot of the time, having homework that’s due for the next day can interrupt your thought process when it comes to college apps, so having that set time was very helpful,” said Joe Segal ’26. The casual environment had a marked effect on both students and counselors. “I think the casual setting made it easier for students to come talk with me,” said McHugh. Class president Cole Piraino ’26 agreed, “It removed the stressful aspect of college apps. Dr. McHugh was really helpful.” “Being able to go in your pajamas was really nice. It just made it a lot more relaxed,” Marli Elshazly ’26 added. Wandeler said, “It was definitely more relaxed than being in a one-on-one meeting with your college counselor. It was a setting where you could just sit with your friends and have a whole breakfast table going on.” Students benefited from being surrounded by their peers as they worked. “It felt a lot more human, seeing other people work on their college apps. I liked reading what other people wrote,” said Sean Flaherty ‘26. McHugh stated, “I’ve heard from one student that reading another student’s essay really gave him some really good ideas and helped him realize the direction he wanted to go in.” Segal said, “I liked being able to speak to the people around me. It helped me get my own ideas flowing and bounce off what other people are doing.” Stephenson added, “I think for those students that haven’t really been as much on the ball with regard to their college applications, their peers have hopefully inspired them to devote more care.” As deadlines approach, this time of the year marks a pivotal period for the graduating class to build and polish their applications. Leaving PJs and Pancakes feeling satisfied and rewarded, the seniors will continue working closely with counselors as they navigate the next chapters of the college process. Previous Previous Next Next

Anouk Wandeler ’26 < Back Mercersburg plays for Lauren Grady Anouk Wandeler ’26 May 16, 2025 Every spring, the Mercersburg Academy community comes together for one of its most beloved and meaningful traditions – the Lauren Grady Basketball Tournament. This year, 18 teams signed up to play, uniting students, faculty, and families for a night of fun competition and a shared cause: raising awareness and funds for American Childhood Cancer Organization in memory of Lauren Grady, daughter of math teacher David Grady. “It’s often been referred to as a Mercersburg ‘rallying point,’ something the community looks forward to while raising funds for a great cause,” said English teacher Matt Maurer, who co-founded the tournament two decades ago. “Although I appreciate watching good, competitive basketball, I love to see a spirited group of friends or advisees and their adviser form a team, knowing full well they are not going to make the finals. They still give it their all.” The event honors Lauren Grady, the second of five children in the Grady family, who passed away from brain cancer shortly after her second birthday. “The tournament exists to celebrate her beautiful life, raise money for the American Childhood Cancer Foundation, and bring awareness to the cause,” Hope Grady, Lauren’s mom, shared. “I sign up every year,” said Adrian Rios ‘25. “One of the main reasons is the Grady family and giving to them. I’ve had Mr. Grady as a teacher and I love the Grady family very much.” Others echo this connection. “I always play with Mary Grady [Lauren’s sister] and Mr. Canida,” said Kamden Jenkins ’26. “This is the third year I’ve done it.” Beyond just the competition, the tournament’s meaning runs deep. “The Lauren Grady Tournament symbolizes a lot of love,” said Rios. “Not because of the game but because of the Grady family and the people who are willing to go out there and play basketball and have fun.” Alishya Thurmond ’26 added, “It means getting together with friends and having fun as well as coming together as a community to support a good cause and bring awareness.” That sense of purpose fuels the energy on the courts. “It’s the best. It’s one of the most fun events, and it is very competitive every year,” said Rios. Even the chaos of the games brings joy. “Right-hook, bloodthirsty, cut throat,” joked Grant Wilkinson ’26. What students hope others take away from the tournament is simple. “A lot of love for the community,” said Rios. “I hope people take away that you can have fun and still support something,” added Wilkinson. For Mrs. Grady, the highlight is clear: “I always look forward to the sea of colors of Lauren basketball shirts. It’s a true gift to our daughter and our family to see so many students participate.” Although all the teams fought very hard and the level of play was incredibly high, only one could be crowned champion. This year, the honor went to Big DOA, a team made up of Albert Park ’25, Marco Delpiano ’25, William Donovan ’25, and Josiah Wright ‘25. Their teamwork, determination, and competitive drive carried them to victory in a tournament that values not just skills on the court but also unity and compassion. In the end, every shot, cheer, and team effort served a greater purpose – honoring Lauren Grady’s memory and continuing the mission to support families affected by childhood cancer. Previous Next

Ian Kim '27 < Back Club-bing Ian Kim '27 Oct 11, 2024 With the start of the new year, Mercersburg Academy is taking a new approach to the age-old club system. With the complete overhaul of structures, meeting times, and events, the school is attempting to breathe new life into the club system. There are many requirements a club must now meet, including submitting rosters, organizing a club SAC event, and meeting at least three times a term, the allocated time permits students to plan more effectively. Andrea Dumont, the Director of Student Activities and Spanish teacher, said, “ We wanted to simply make clubs better for our students. That’s why we…also have funds for clubs if they are in good standing and met all the requirements for things like equipment.” Andy Brown, the Dean of Students for Community Life, stated, “ Since there is a time during the day now for students to interact with clubs, the goal was to make a dedicated opportunity for kids to connect in these spaces. We hope it will add additional layers of connections with the Office of Student Life. We’re thinking one or two clubs with be the optimal number of clubs for all students to be able to partake in and actually utilize what clubs have to offer.” Many students enjoy the dedicated club meeting times on Tuesdays. Cecilia Wang ‘25, president of the Asian Student Union club, said, “I think the changes are actually really useful. For us, the club hours are mainly for the leaders to discuss future events. There are around a hundred people in our club, so holding a club event in that club meeting time may not be realistic.” “I think the club times are better than last year because we have a designated time we can meet, which is better than Sundays when many people are really busy,” Justin Oh ’25, President of the Debate club observed. “It’s the best spot they could have done because students are busy and don’t have much time. For our club, we get to meet up and teach students the basics of debate and how to improve their public speaking skills.” However, some students also note the potential disadvantages of club times taking place of help sessions. “The new system doesn’t really benefit our club much because our events take place on weekends,” Cole Pirano ‘26, co-president of the Soccer Club, said. “As someone who runs a club, I like the idea of having designated time for it. But as someone who has a lot of homework, I would rather have a help block.” Wang added, “Honestly speaking, even if a club invites me to attend a meeting on Tuesday morning, I am not positive if I will attend, as the time can be used to prepare for an upcoming test. I'd rather have a sleep-in or extra time in the morning to work.” Clearly, students are ambivalent about the changes. Regardless, these measures show a shift in the school’s thinking regarding the club system. As the year progresses, we will see whether the adjustments lead to exciting events and give students space to explore their interests. Previous Previous Next Next

Ivy Chan '24 < Back Oculus: Escape Reality (and learn, too) Ivy Chan '24 Oct 14, 2022 Beginning this fall term, Lenfest Library will open a virtual reality (VR) lab available to all community members. Students will have access to educational apps and immersive travel experiences at an elevated level. Behind the opening of the VR lab is Nicole Brown, library assistant and Tech Integration Specialist at Mercersburg Academy. Brown explains the impulses that led to the establishment of the space. “I attended the International Society of Tech Educators conference last year and learned a lot about how schools, libraries, and businesses are incorporating virtual reality into their institutions. I've been reading a lot about how virtual reality is being used in all sorts of creative ways- doctors are using it to treat depression and chronic pain, artists are using it to create sculptures which they then 3D print, the military is using it to train pilots- there are so many innovative ways that the technology can be used.” Brown took on the project as a natural fit within the parameters of her job description. The library has been doing a "soft" rollout of the facility. “We introduced it to students for the first time on Community Reading Day. Next week we will announce the appointments of VR lab student proctors who will support other students during evening hours. The goal is to have the technology available to students without disrupting the normal studying routine,” Brown says. For the fall term, the VR lab will be open twice a week during the day, allowing students who have a free period to stop by and use the technology. Teachers will also have access to the lab for their classes. “There are powerful and immersive videos that cover content ranging from 9/11 to Exploring the Oceans. We have an app called ‘Mondly’ that allows students to practice speaking a language within the context of a practical life situation, such as saying hello to a friend or ordering a meal in a restaurant. There are so many possibilities to incorporate this into content areas. The goal is to continually expand the services that we provide as we move forward,” Brown says. Brown continues, “The Oculus Quest 2 headsets have incredible graphics. The headsets also have a built-in mic and audio, and the sound quality is excellent. We have headsets so that users who need to block out the ambient sound are able to do so,” she says. Director of Library Services Alexandra Patterson adds, “I’m so excited to invite the community into the new VR lab! It will be a great resource for teachers and students.” Olivia Wetzel ‘24, says, “It’s so cool that Mercersburg is expanding beyond what a typical library is. I have tried VR before, and it was so fun, so I can’t wait to try it out in the library!” Haris Yahaya ‘24 says, “I’m excited about the VR lab because it is a new opportunity to see things in a different way, and I’m hoping to use it sometime in my school projects such as a science experiment.” Talia Cutler ‘23, a library intern, has experimented with different equipment and a variety of VR applications. Cutler recommends some cool applications in the VR lab, such as “the World Traveler program, which lets you travel anywhere in the world virtually.” She says, “I would encourage anyone to test it out even if they are not sure if they like VR.” Previous Previous Next Next

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

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