Mercersburg Academy’s boys varsity squash team has enjoyed an excellent season so far... < Back Boasting about boasting Gabe McGuire '24 Jan 27, 2023 Mercersburg Academy’s boys varsity squash team has enjoyed an excellent season so far, including two key championship victories: the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Squash Open and the Flanagan Tournament. In their current state, the team is predicted to place among the top 16 in the nation. Both coaches and players share the optimism. “This year our team is the strongest it has ever been in school history. This is outstanding of course, but we also have to be intentional about our schedule and the levels of teams that we compete with. Our list of invited teams for this year's Flanagan Invitational included some teams that are normally quite strong, like Hill School, Potomac, and St. Christopher's of Richmond, but this year our ladder has depth like never before. Nearly every player from our fifth position down is a senior, which also gives us an advantage on experience,” said coach Ryan Tyree About the MASO tournament, team captain Francis Betkowski ’23 said. “We knew going into it that the hardest team was going to be Saint Christopher's. We lost last year, but with the addition of Santiago [Medina Carrillo ’24] and Adrian [Guijarro ’25], we were bound to whip everyone. It was nice to see everyone play their best and work on a couple of shots.” Aside from strong experience on the court and phenomenal players, the team achieves such competitive ratings thanks to the expert leadership of the coaches. “Our team has tremendous talent and experience, but that doesn't automatically translate to having an effective team dynamic. The coaches are working to keep our players mindful of the importance of building trust and strengthening bonds that will carry us through when facing the highest competition,” said Danny Adusei-Poku ’23. The coaches do everything they can to facilitate the success of their players. It is common to find Tyree in the squash courts before and after the school day and on weekends, using every available hour to mentor his players. His devotion has certainly paid off. The team waits in anticipation for its next tough match against Episcopal Academy. “They will be one of our most difficult matches to date and they should be a great test of our strength,” said Adusei-Poku. The team will also face Mid-Atlantic Prep League rivals Blair Academy and the Hill School this weekend at home. Then, the team eagerly anticipates proving its mettle at the MAPL championship in early February and then the high school national championship tournament at the Arlen Specter Center in Philadelphia before spring break. Previous Next

Sophie Han ’27 < Back Leaving them in the dust Sophie Han ’27 Oct 3, 2025 Family Weekend gave Blue Storm cross country teams the chance to race on their home course, celebrate progress, and look ahead to MAPLs. For the girls, the meet carried special meaning. “I liked running on our home course because it was Family Weekend, so it was nice seeing everyone cheer me on,” said Maddie Chu ’27. Captain An Yan ’26 added, “The home meet is a chance to build connections.” Assistant coaches Christopher Bright and Mariana Manzo Puente said, “Team support is very important. This weekend, we cared less about speed and more about keeping them healthy and having fun.” The season’s earlier races built this confidence. Girls' head coach Betsy Cunningham said, “Frankfurt was our first race, and Gabby broke her own course record from last year. At Peddie, six girls broke the course record that had stood for more than a decade. Gabby ran 18:10 and Ella ran 18:51.” Teresa Nyarko ’28 also saw progress: “My time difference from last year’s first race to this year’s was four minutes. With the team’s support, it made me believe this season will go well.” Captains have helped guide that improvement. “I always get nervous before races, but with the captains’ help, the team pushes past that mental block,” said Gabby Cechini ’28. Cunningham said, “In every race, varsity is there for JV and JV is there for varsity. Even with separate races, we’re a unified team.” Fellow captain Ella Blanco ’26 added, “The previous captains did so much for me, and I hope to do the same this year,” adding, “The Peddie course was mostly flat and gave us confidence for MAPLs there.” The boys shared similar experiences. James Coors ’27, who dropped 58 seconds for a personal record, said, “We’ve been cheering a lot. On long runs, it’s nice to have someone to run with.” Captain Liam Beighley ’26, who won on Family Weekend, reflected, “It went good. Ended up with the course record and a 94-second win. Additionally, though, I rolled my ankle and had to slow down.” Earlier in the season, he also broke the Peddie course record. “When I came to Mercersburg, my two goals were to give back more to the team than when I arrived and to stay healthy.” Leadership has been central to the boys’ progress. Captains Imangali Zhakan ’26 and Frederick Wu ’26 emphasized, “Last year, I was focused only on MAPLs. This year, as a captain, it’s also about team culture and making sure everyone gets what they deserve is a fulfillment of being in a team.” Joey Cechini ’28 added, “The team is smaller this year, but that made connections easier. In practice, we push each other, and the bus rides back are always fun.” Boys head coach David Grady acknowledged the challenge ahead: “The goal has always been to try and win MAPLs. But cross country is vulnerable to injuries, so we teach them to be smart about how they run. We definitely have a good shot, and racing at Peddie again will give Liam and the team another chance at fast times before the season ends.” Assistant coach Harvey Hinman took a more philosophical view: “Running is incredible because the only thing you need are a pair of shoes. Whatever this season builds to, I hope they find joy in it and carry that with them for life.” Previous Next

William Luo ‘27 < Back Clothing & communing William Luo ‘27 May 16, 2025 The Community Closet opened to all students on Thursday, April 24, during Help Block and continues to be available every Thursday in May. Originally, the space was created to support students who might not have access to the clothing they need for formal dinners or even school day dress. It has already proven to be a hit, attracting many students. At the end of each school year, Mercersburg Academy hosts the Cheap Thrills Sale, to which students, faculty, and staff donate unwanted items. These items are then sold at low prices to the community, and unsold items are moved to the Community Closet. “[The idea] came from Renata Williams, our director of DEI last year,” Emily Parsons, Director of Experiential Education. “She left in the middle of the year. So she had this idea, and then it sort of turned into this small faculty group.” Initially, the Community Closet didn’t attract much attention. “Nobody knows about it. Nobody uses it,” said Lisa Wei ’26, one of the student organizers. Recognizing student interest in free clothing, Parsons and the faculty group decided to expand access. “Over the course of this year, we've kind of realized that more students just want to have that experience and have access to free clothes,” Parsons said. “So we decided to open it up to everybody these Thursdays in May to see how it goes while also making sure that the students who need it can have access to it.” To get the project running, Parsons reached out to Community Engagement interns Wei and Reese Alter ’26. They sorted through donations with a student perspective in mind. “We unloaded a bunch of clothing donations from the bag, and then we sorted them into things that should just be donated to Goodwill,” said Alter, “and then things that we think students here would actually wear or maybe faculty. Then we put them up on the shelves in hangers.” The response has been overwhelmingly positive. “I was surprised at how many students showed up,” said Wei. “On the first Thursday that we operated, a lot of people showed up, and people even found me and Reese asking when it would open again. And then next week, there were even more people.” Students reported finding a wide variety of clothing. “It was really exciting because I found a shirt which was the same shirt that I was wearing, just in a different color, and I was very excited, and it was a very good find,” said Ally Snyder ’28. She added, “My eyes sparkled as I entered the room of paradise… So many fire pieces… I love it.” “I think this is a really good idea to just give out clothes for free… because it makes student[s], feel like they bought clothes in a shop, but, actually, we didn't spend money,” Riley Choi ’28 said. Maintaining the space is an ongoing effort. “You have to keep organizing it,” said Wei. “So Ms. Parsons, Reese, and I are thinking about trying to work on organizing and unloading clothes every Monday during PGA time.” After their initial success, the team is looking toward the future. “How do we keep interest and keep the inventory kind of interesting, keep kids wanting to go up there if there might be some new things?” said Parsons. “I think we have to figure that out and make sure that we're rotating things in and out too with the seasons.” As the Closet’s popularity grows, so does the hope that it becomes a lasting part of campus life. “I hope that in the future, people can continue what Reese and I have been working on,” said Wei. “I hope that future community engagement interns and just people who want to help out would be able to expand this project to help more people in our community.” Previous Previous Next Next

Last Saturday, the Mercersburg Academy boys varsity squash team took the long ride out to Lawrenceville School to compete in the annual Mid-Atlantic Prep League tournament... < Back Lawrenceville takes the L Ryan Tyree, Mercersburg Squash Varsity Girl Coach Feb 14, 2023 Last Saturday, the Mercersburg Academy boys varsity squash team took the long ride out to Lawrenceville School to compete in the annual Mid-Atlantic Prep League tournament. The last Mercersburg-Lawrenceville meeting was actually the first match day of the season, when, after a grueling two-hour 3-4 loss to a Division I Gilman School squad, the team mustered their mettle to emerge with a 4-3 result, the first win over Lawrenceville in living memory. So after ten weeks of training and match play, the boys were keen to rise to a new occasion and win again, hopefully in an even more decisive fashion. As the number one seed, the boys began the day against 4-seed Blair Academy, where they convincingly settled things with a 7-0 scoreline and every player winning in straight sets. Being the favorite on paper is nice, but the team spent a lot of time thinking and talking about how to approach a rematch with no home court advantage, and the desire for revenge likely to inspire the opposing squad. As the first flight of matches got underway, the 8 (exhibition) 6, 4, and 2 positions were up. Just like at Nationals, the format at the MAPL tournament is seven points. In the exhibition bout Dawson Hastings ’23 lost a closely fought 1-3 match, but all three other Blue Storm players won their opening sets: Francis Betkowski '23 at position 6, Fawad Jan '24 at 4, and Santiago Medina '24 at number 2. Santiago would go on to secure the first win for Mercersburg by winning three-love, but the other two opponents were not giving up so quickly. Francis' opponent battled back to win both the second and third sets, reversing the momentum and getting within one set of a Lawrenceville win to tie the match. Meanwhile, Fawad staked himself to a two-love lead before dropping the third set, giving his opponent a glimmer of hope. Fawad went on to take back control of his match and collect the second win for the day for the Blue Storm! Even though the scoreline read 2-0 in our favor, it was still very much anyone's match, especially since Francis was down 1-2 against a higher rated opponent. Then, it happened. Drawing on his experiences from his freshman year playing at Nationals, when the match was tied at 3-3 and the whole match depended on him, Francis began his comeback. Clawing his way to a nail-biting 11-8 win in the fourth, he pushed his opponent to the pinnacle of the game of squash - the fifth set. Francis started out slow and his opponent stayed in the lead until the score read 6-8 to Lawrenceville. But Francis had put in the work, and forced his opponent to put in more work. The game leveled at 8-8, then 9-9. And then Francis won the match. With three wins, the Storm only needed one more. Danny Adusei-Poku '23 lost a hard fought first game, as Huzaifa Ibrahim '24 began his match in the number one position and Adrian Guijjaro '25 opened up a commanding first set against his opponent. Both Adrian and Huzaifa went up 2-0 as Azian Subhani '23 began his match in the five position. Azian lost the first set, but battled back to take the second and even things up. Azian was extremely hungry to keep the momentum going, but his opponent found an extra gear and went on to take the match, notching the first win of the day for Lawrenceville. Meanwhile Danny's opponent kept one step ahead of him until a very close third set and ultimately took another win for Lawrenceville. The match stood at 3-2 for Mercersburg, so the energy within the team was palpable, looking for ways to secure that final match. Adrian's opponent fought back in the third set, leaving Adrian still in the lead at 2-1. On the next court over, Huzaifa built upon a blistering opening 11-2 win in the first set, and never gave his opponent a moment to breathe. Some amazing points were exchanged, but on this day there would be no speculation for the crowd as to which player was in command. Taking the win and securing the team match for Mercersburg, Huzaifa closed down every avenue: 3-0. And just to complete the team goal of a better result than the last meeting, Adrian went on to defeat his opponent in the fourth with a dominating performance. The Mercersburg boys varsity squash team found themselves hoisting the MAPL trophy for the first time in school history, ending a Lawrenceville winning streak that began with the formation of the MAPL over 20 years ago. Previous Next

Christine Jiang '26 < Back All aboard! Christine Jiang '26 Apr 25, 2025 Mercersburg Academy has hosted a number of fundraising events to provide aid to Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. The most recent event occurred in the Lloyd Aquatic Center on Sunday, April 20. Ukrainian students Bella Levina ‘25 and Nadiia Honcharenko ‘25 put their heads together to organize and host a cardboard boat race in the swimming pool, with the funds raised going to United24, a Ukrainian governmental platform, to purchase Type C ambulances. They consulted Emily Parsons, Director of Experiential Education, for help. “We’ve done a fundraiser for Ukraine for the past three years,” stated Parsons. “Bella, when she was a freshman, was involved with the fundraiser where we sold donuts for Ukraine, and then we did the same thing last year.” Levina added, “I think it’s just become a tradition to help my home country and raise awareness about what’s going on, and I think that is the main reason why we keep doing it.” The idea of hosting a cardboard boat race came from DJ Weymuth, maker-space and robotics instructor. Levina said, “I started talking to him about doing a fundraiser. He suggested doing a boat race, and I was like, ‘That’s actually not a bad idea.’ I think we just stuck with it because it’s fun and engaging, and that’s what we were striving for.” Planning began in November. “It was a long process. We had to first start with the bureaucracy and fill out a bunch of forms, and then we had a bunch of meetings with Ms. Parsons, Mr. Weymuth,” stated Honcharenko. “It was very good teamwork. Faculty helped us a lot.” A major concern was safety, but participants did not need to take a swim test as lifeguards were on duty during the race. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a cardboard boat race at Mercersburg, so sometimes it’s hard for people to understand what it is. We tried lunch announcements, emails, videos,” Levina said. Their efforts resulted in considerable sign-ups across grades. “I honestly just really wanted people to have fun because if I wasn’t the organizer for this fundraiser, I would have entered this race so fast. I would have found a team and signed up because that’s something I’ve been dreaming of doing since I was really small. I think, for now, the goal is just to make it a fun event so that people can enjoy their time. Maybe next year they’ll know what it is better, and more teams will sign up.” Participants embraced the spirit of the event wholeheartedly. Designs varied, ranging from pontoons to duct-tape paddles. Teams were eager to lend their support to Ukraine. William Tutt ‘25 said, “I love Ukraine, and I feel like it’s something that often gets forgotten with a lot of the other problems going on right now. I just wanted to come out and support.” Avallina Orfield ‘25 echoed his sentiment, saying, “I think this is a really good cause.” First, all teams raced against each other. Those in the top four then competed in the semifinals; after racing, everyone had fun in the water. “The competitors were phenomenal,” said Weymouth. “Super pleased with the enthusiasm. Wish the crowd was a little better and bigger, but overall, for the first year, I love it.” Previous Previous Next Next

Judy Ma '27 with Lisa Wei '26 and Tahir Hasanov '25 < Back S(ee)YA later! Judy Ma '27 with Lisa Wei '26 and Tahir Hasanov '25 Apr 12, 2024 The School Year Abroad program allows a select group of students to spend a full academic year studying in another country. Depending on their respective language studies, students can go to a variety of countries in Europe. Ben McNeil, Language Department Head, stated, “Our students from Mercersburg Academy have studied in Rennes, France; Zaragoza, Spain; Viterbo, Italy.” Students from boarding schools across the United States join those from Mercersburg at their respective sites. While spending time learning in another country, students live with host families or in dormitories to gain direct language experience through study, travel, and daily life. McNeil commented, “It is incredibly transformative. Oddly when you put yourself in such a vulnerable and safely uncomfortable situation, you gain incredible confidence. You gain friends and family in another country. You come back home with robust communication skills in a second language. You prove that you are capable of taking on challenging situations.” Each year, several students apply to do a school year abroad. Malaika Mankey-Akogbeto ‘26 is traveling to France next year. Akogbeto stated, “The environment and the community seemed very welcoming. Although I haven’t been there yet, the emails are all really nice and I have these Zoom calls with my class, and so it seems nice so far.” This current year, students are studying in France, Spain, and Italy. Among them is Reagan Houpt ‘25 in Viterbo, Italy. “I will say the most memorable part is the trips I’ve taken with my friends; however, even the mundane is memorable. Every evening I spend doing homework next to my host mother on the couch while we chat is memorable. Every walk to school in the medieval city I live in is memorable. It feels like I’ve lived here for years, because my experience has been filled with the richest of memories,” he said. He reported further, “My experience at School Year Abroad has been life-changing, amazing, and insightful. Every day I am grateful for the opportunity to be where I am and to do the things I am doing. I have no regrets. I have learned so incredibly much this year — about Italian culture, the Italian language, and other interests I have dived into, but also about myself. I have learned what I’m passionate about, the types of people I want to surround myself with, how to handle stressful and confusing situations, to not take myself so seriously, and countless other lessons that I intend to carry with me for the rest of my life.” After students finish the year or semester, eleventh-grade students return to Mercersburg to continue their usual studies, while seniors go straight on to college. Houpt hopes that other Mercersburg students will take advantage of the incredible opportunity. “My best advice as you have a few months in advance to leaving: if you have a question or curiosity, follow it. Research what intrigues you about your upcoming journey. Also, reach out to others! With social media, it is so easy to find and contact the others that you will share this experience with. It may help ease some nerves to talk with people before you leave and plant the seeds of a great friendship.” Students can attest that these SYA programs offer a variety of benefits and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Previous Previous Next Next

Maddie Stonebraker ‘27 < Back No room for hate Maddie Stonebraker ‘27 Dec 13, 2024 On Friday, December 6, Dr. Lauren Bairnsfarther, CEO of the Anne Frank Center USA and a prominent figure in Holocaust education, addressed the students of Mercersburg Academy in a lecture on the problem of antisemitism. As part of the Academy’s Friday school meeting series, Bairnsfarther discussed the rise of worldwide hate, focusing on antisemitism, its historical roots, and its persistent presence today. Bairnsfarther called the attention of the audience to the rising tide of anti-semitism across the globe and notably in the United States. As an expert in Middle Eastern Studies and with years of experience working in institutions like the National Holocaust Museum and the Pittsburgh Holocaust Center, she brought a deep understanding of the topic to her discussion. “When we talk about antisemitism only as a historical event tied to the Holocaust, we miss the fact that it is a living issue,” she explained. “Antisemitism is still very much a present issue, and it’s something we need to actively address.” The lecture was a call to action. Bairnsfarther argued that combating antisemitism requires engagement and education. Bairnsfarther also touched on the complexities of the Jewish identity, including the nuance between being Jewish and being pro-Israel, just one distinction she believes is crucial to understanding the full scope of the issue. “There’s a challenge in understanding how these elements intersect,” she noted, encouraging students to understand that Jewish identity and perspective are not monolithic. Before the lecture, School Minister Will Whitmore, event organizer, previewed Bairnsfarther’s talk. “Our theme this year is ‘Listen, Understand, Empower,’” Whitmore said. “We talk a lot about racism, sexism, and issues around gender identity, but we often don’t address religious bigotry in the same way. Antisemitism is something that affects many people, and we must listen to experts like Bairnsfarther to gain a deeper understanding.” Whitmore also noted the reluctance of many to wade into a topic of such complexity and emotion. “I think this talk is going to challenge the students to think differently about how they view antisemitism,” he added. “Sometimes, you hear something that makes you positively reconsider your beliefs, and that’s what I’m hoping will happen here.” Interested students joined Bairnsfarther at a brown bag lunch, allowing for continued discussion on the issues raised during the lecture and the opportunity to ask questions. Overall, Bairnsfarther’s visit served as a reminder to the Mercersburg community that understanding history is crucial to acknowledging the struggles of the past and to shaping a more empathetic and inclusive future. As Bairnsfarther said, “You have a lot of power. Act at your level. Don’t discount your ability to make a difference.” She left students with the challenge to think critically about their role in combating hate and fostering understanding, empowering them to impact their communities positively. Previous Previous Next Next

Carrie Yang < Back ASU Celebration Carrie Yang Feb 10, 2026 On Sunday, January 25, Mercersburg Academy’s Asian Student Union (ASU) hosted its annual Lunar New Year celebration in the Simon Student Center, drawing a large number of students, faculty, and families. The event featured traditional foods from many Asian countries, cultural performances, and decorations representing the range of Lunar New Year celebrations in each country. ASU’s Social Media Manager Karin Sugiyama ’27 said this year’s event was designed to expand beyond a single cultural lens. “This year, we tried to incorporate a more diverse range of Asian cultures,” Sugiyama said. “Rather than only Chinese events, we wanted to feature the celebration through different geographical lenses.” She went on to say, “Our main goal was focusing on how we can envelop all these traditions in one whole celebration.” Community engagement played a central role throughout the evening. Co-President Carrie Yang ’27 commented on her highlight of the event: “Definitely the community,” she said. “It is great to see people try new things such as origami, tasting tea, or writing calligraphy.” Planning the event required coordination among students, parents, and faculty. “I was quite scared at first since it is my first time organizing the Lunar New Year event,” Yang said. “But we were blessed by all of the parents and volunteers who helped along the way.” Faculty adviser Grace Abel credited parent leadership. “The main reason that the event was so grand and the coordination was so well done is because of their efforts,” Abel said. The mother of Communications Director Renee Jin ’26 served four years as an organizer, connecting parents with the school for the event. “I am responsible for my community and connecting with the school,” she said. “We brought Chinese culture to a U.S. boarding school and harmoniously combined it,” she said. She also explained that parents organized a fundraiser and divided responsibilities for food, drinks, and activities to ensure smooth execution. Other parents supported logistics and preparation. The mother of Jolie Zhu ’26 said her role focused on transportation and fruit preparation, “I wish that through this, the students at Mercersburg can feel the warmth they received back home.” The mother of Thomas Zhu ’26 is the head of decorations and behind-the-scenes coordination. “We purchased a lot of posters, banners, and representations of the Year of the Horse,” she said, adding that planning began weeks in advance through weekly parent meetings and thorough note-taking. Abel noted that despite scheduling conflicts from away games or events, attendance exceeded expectations. “We had over half of the community joining us for this celebration,” she said. Students who attended highlighted both the atmosphere and cultural exposure. Sid Shah ’26 said he appreciated the sense of community. “I really loved the food and the community it formed,” he said. Riley Choi ’28 said the food and activities stood out. “Being served sushi and sashimi in such large portions is an amazing experience,” she said. Robert Crisson ’27 emphasized the broader impact, “These events are what make us a great, diverse community.” Previous Previous Next Next

Lucas Chen ‘27 < Back New family (part 1) Lucas Chen ‘27 Sep 20, 2024 This year, the Mercersburg community embraced new students and incoming 9th graders and welcomed a storm of new faculty. Each one of them will have a significant impact on our campus, both inside and outside the classroom. Among them is Matt Hurst, the new head coach of Boys and Girls Swimming and Assistant Director of College Counseling. Hurst has over twenty years of experience working with National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) institutions. Hurst said, “I am really excited to be back on an academic campus after spending two years in a corporate environment away from schools and people who are here for an education. So I am excited to be back in an environment that encourages the growth and development both educationally, physically, and emotionally of young people.” As Glenn Nuefield, Director of Aquatics and Assistant Director of College Counseling, prepares to leave Mercersburg at the end of the year, Hurst will replace him both as a swim coach and college counselor. Michael Galindo, the new director of financial aid and associate director of admission, has come from the Bay School of San Francisco where he had worked for seven years as the Director of Admissions and Operations. There he also served as the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for two years. Galindo stated, “One of my biggest roles is helping and providing access to students who can’t necessarily afford an education like this. So what I do is oversee all that application process, and I also help them navigate their financial journey while they are actually a student here.” Yonatan Weldeberuk, or simply Mr. W, is a fellow in the history department. “My primary goal to meet everybody. I think being able to work at a boarding school is a very rare opportunity, and I really want to be able to experience every part of it for as long as I am here. I think the students here are very great. They come from all over the U.S., all around the world, and they all come with their own experiences,” he said. Outside the classroom, Welderberuk will play an active part in athletics, coaching thirds’ soccer and track and field. Harvey Hinman is another new teacher joining Mercersburg’s history department. “I’ve been teaching history in Seattle for the past few years, but before that I had quite a meandering career path from journalism in Ukraine to launching grocery distribution centers for Amazon.” Hinman teaches American Studies and World History II. “I am excited to spend all day in the library and to be part of such a kind and welcoming community!” Mercersburg also welcomes a new member to the science department. Brooks Binau teaches 9th grade biology, and AS Environment Science classes. “Before coming to Mercersburg Academy, I was teaching science at The St. Paul’s School for Boys outside Baltimore Maryland. I taught a 9th grade Earth & Space Science / Biology course and IB Biology.” Binau will also serve as an instructor for Outdoor Education, helping follow his passion for nature and the environment. “ I am most excited about the people, the environmental initiatives, and being close to my family. The people of Mercersburg, the faculty, staff, and the students have all been amazing individuals. I have been impressed by how welcoming all the people at Mercersburg have been.” Previous Previous Next Next

With the approaching end of fall season sports, many teams are cherishing the final games, practices, and moments spent with their teammates before winter season begins... < Back On Wednesdays, they wear pink Reagan Houpt '25 Nov 4, 2022 With the approaching end of fall season sports, many teams are cherishing the final games, practices, and moments spent with their teammates before winter season begins. To wrap up the last week of the regular season and encourage light-hearted playfulness, the girls soccer team held a spirit week; each day featured a different theme. Monday was black-out day. The girls dressed as twins on Tuesday. On Wednesday players wore pink. Thursday was a game. Friday got weird with funky Friday. Team captains were responsible for determining the theme each day. In addition to dressing up, the team practiced their favorite drills and games. Kristen Pixler, head coach of the girls soccer team, explained, “It helps create a little bit of closure so we can move on to our winter PGA's with positive memories and connections from our fall PGA family. It’s a simple tradition but one that we all look forward to.” Spirit week allowed for the girls to enjoy themselves and get creative. According to Annie Mohr ’26, Funky Friday featured inside-out shirts, bikinis over clothes, and boy cosplay. Besides entertainment, spirit week posed positive benefits for the team atmosphere. Dressing up together served as a fantastic opportunity for team-bonding. Hannah King ’23 admitted that her favorite aspect of the week was how much the team laughed with one another. Pixler stated, “ Playing team sports is as much about the connections you make and the joy of playing a game you love with people you love.” In the midst of a jam-packed, competitive schedule, it can be difficult to slow down and appreciate your teammates. Soccer spirit week built even stronger connections and boosted morale among the players. The soccer team has definitely experienced a rough season with regard to illness and injury, Pixler said; however they continue to play with their full effort and passion. Although there haven’t been many wins this season, there is certainly no shortage of determination and drive. “We have great chemistry. T he wins didn't alwa ys come but overall the season was good,” said Nora Smith ’24. Additionally, individual players have matured and improved significantly. The PAISAA championship takes place this weekend, and the girls will compete in the first round on Friday, November 4th. Smith is looking forward to playing the other teams, but most importantly “getting some dubs.” The team’s energy level is high, and they are attacking the games with confidence; perhaps as a result of the spirit week. Previous Next

Bauhinia Chen ‘26 < Back Grrrl power! Bauhinia Chen ‘26 Feb 2, 2024 Blue Storm wrestling has seen a rise in popularity among female athletes. With each passing year, more female wrestlers are joining the team. Compared to last season, the team as a whole has formed close relationships with each other, creating a supportive and friendly environment, especially for the arriving females. Head coach Matt Shirk said, “I’ve seen a lot of growth in team culture. Everyone is buying into the team dynamic. This year, the team is becoming a lot more close-knit. The wrestlers often hang out with each other outside of practice. We spend so many hours here together. For them to continue this is huge, as it makes the dynamic better across the board, and it makes it more fun for us as coaches.” In this encouraging atmosphere, girl wrestlers have showcased their notable progress across the season. “Although it’s not been going as well as I planned to, it's getting better. We’re making progress… As a whole, we’re developing. Overall, I’m very proud of them,” said Shirk. The girls have focused more on growth than match results because the experienced players have set a good example of engagement. Marlo Williams ‘25 said, “I think from where we started to where we've got now, there’s been a lot of progress. We’ve been working really hard.” Claire Chow ‘26 added, “The girls have improved a lot. Elise [Gao ‘26] and I are the newest to wrestling. Marlo, Cocona [Yamamoto ‘25], and Lilah [Weisberg ‘25] have wrestled before, and they’re really helping us out. Personally, I’m learning a lot from them.” In practice, wrestlers have been working to hone their skills. Weisberg said, “We’ve been doing a lot of drills and conditioning in our practices.” Williams added, “We’re focusing on really locking down our technique. We all know what moves we need to do, but Coach is reminding us of all the little things to give us that slight advantage against our opponents.” Although the team has been making consistent development, there have been many injuries and illnesses along the way. Shirk said, “The biggest challenge we’re facing right now is injuries. We’re deep in the season for a combat spot, which is 100% physical. Our greatest task right now is just to stay healthy.” Gao said, “We are really having a hard time right now because a lot of our wrestlers are out due to COVID or ringworm.” Additionally, many wrestlers have begun to succumb to fatigue due to the demanding nature of the sport. Shirk said, “The wrestlers work hard every day, brutally. Physical contact alone is taxing.” Gao added, “Wrestling is difficult because of how intense it is. You have to be physically and mentally fit. You have to show up every day, and it’s starting to take a toll.” Chow agreed, “The team is slowly burning out.” Despite these setbacks, the wrestlers are always striving to be the best versions of themselves on the mats. The team’s goal for the rest of the season is to strengthen the girls’ commitment to the team and, most importantly, to have fun. Chow said, “For newcomers, Coach wants us to develop a love for wrestling and enjoy it.” Previous Next

Kaden Yang < Back Food Lockers Kaden Yang Oct 6, 2026 Last Saturday, food deliveries returned to campus with the introduction of a newly installed locker system. Located behind Keil Hall, the lockers provide students with a convenient and organized way to receive food deliveries while addressing campus safety concerns. The school introduced the food lockers to address the problems associated with the previous food delivery system. Dean of Students for Community Life Andy Brown stated, “Our goal was to allow students to still have the food delivery option, but in a way that was safe for all those on campus. We had issues with cars driving all over campus, and issues with delivery drivers trying to get into buildings they shouldn’t get into.” Jenny Wang ’27 said, “I think the delivery locker does help with previous problems such as stolen food. Last year when I ordered Chinese food one of the bags was ripped open by a squirrel and then the squirrel ate my food, so I think the delivery locker really does help with such problems.” Students have eagerly awaited the food delivery restart, since they have been unable to order since the beginning of the academic year. Jerry Kwok ’27 said, “I was ecstatic that food delivery was back on campus. I can’t live without food delivery.” Wang echoed the sentiment, “When I first heard that food delivery was allowed back on campus, I was super excited because, after school started, I’ve been wanting to order food with my friends during the weekend.” While students appreciate the new system, it still has several flaws that can be improved. Ray Huang ’29 explained, “This [system] is a very nice and creative idea, but I would say it is not very convenient, since it’s hidden behind Rutledge.” Amara Okoye ’29 added, “I walked there, and then had to walk around instead of just going to the front of Rutledge. Then I had to open my email and then go find the email. There are so many steps.” Other students have already experienced issues with the system. “[The locker] is not convenient at all,” stated Kwok. “A lot of the delivery drivers struggle to understand the instructions on the food delivery lockers. My delivery driver put Kerry on the name list instead of Jerry. I had to wait a whole hour before campus safety came over and saved the day with the master code.” The newly installed system has presented initial challenges that the Mercersburg community will need time to adapt to. Andy Brown stated, “I think when you do anything for the first time there’s always going to be things you need to learn and adjust.” For now, the new system seeks a balance between convenience and safety. As Andy Brown concluded, “I think [the food delivery lockers] right now is going to be the best option we have to try [to] navigate food deliveries and campus safety. So we are hoping it checks both those boxes.” Previous Previous Next Next