< Back Talent on hold October 10, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM Ally Snyder ’28 Mercersburg Academy is a demanding school in terms of academics, athletics, and the arts. Students have numerous exciting opportunities at every turn; these same opportunities, however, can make it difficult to see the areas where Mercersburg Academy holds its students back. Foreign language plays a crucial role in the life of everyone attending Mercersburg Academy. All students must study a “second” language in order to graduate. Students are, in most instances, required to study through the third year of second language instruction; even if it's not required, students are encouraged to progress and excel to the best of their ability. The school’s Spanish program is the perfect example of how Mercersburg Academy’s policies can unnecessarily limit students. Freshmen can complete their year of Spanish III Honors with an unweighted A in the class, and yet their only option for the following year is Spanish IV, not Advanced Studies: Spanish Language and Culture. Meanwhile, some sophomores and juniors who earn a lower grade in the same class have the opportunity to proceed to AS Spanish, making it clear that the only restriction for rising tenth graders is their grade level. The premise that a younger student with an A is less capable or less worthy than an older student with a B is illogical at the very best. Every eager attendee of Mercersburg Academy should be able to pursue their education to the fullest and enter classes that engage them without constraint. Varsity volleyball is a similar example, with some players on varsity having only a few minutes of playing time thus far this season. This should be nearly impossible, considering that seven players are on the court during each game and the team only has ten members—unless, as often happens, swing players are brought in instead of giving varsity bench players a chance to play. This means the varsity bench never gets to play in a volleyball game and, therefore, never gains gametime experience. Whether it's the MVP from last year or a freshman new to the sport, if a student is a part of any PGA, it should be the aspiration of the coaches to train them to the best of their ability, even if their talent does not warrant playing time. If the objective of Mercersburg Academy is to prioritize seniority of students, or highest GPAs over meaningful learning, and to win every MAPL game regardless of an athlete’s development, then these policies might make sense. Fortunately, Mercersburg Academy pursues a very different goal: to help its students grow, learn, and develop into the most capable, well-rounded, and knowledgeable young adults possible. Previous Next

< Back Lost in the flip October 3, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM Riley Choi ’28 10:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, and I’m staring at a new chapter in my textbook. I have read the same paragraph four times, but I still can’t grasp the core concept. I click on a link to a 15-minute video, hoping for some clarity, but the fast narration with colorful diagrams only deepens my confusion. Tomorrow, my teacher will expect me to apply my new knowledge, but the truth is, I haven’t been taught the concept yet; I was just given the assignment. This scenario has become all too common. In a growing number of challenging classes, the traditional model of education is being “flipped.” Students are now expected to learn new, often complex material by themselves at home, through readings and videos. Class time, once reserved for lectures and direct instruction, is now used for collaborative work and problem solving, which is essentially what we used to call “homework.” Of course, the idea behind this method is supposed to be helpful. It is meant to make us more independent and use class time for engaging projects instead of lectures. While that sounds great in theory, it often doesn’t work in real life. The entire method relies on one big, risky assumption: that every student can actually teach themselves difficult subjects all alone. For many of us, this assumption is false. The initial encounter with a new idea is the most crucial stage of learning, and it’s where the guidance of a teacher is most vital. A textbook can’t recognize the confusion on a student’s face. A pre-recorded video can’t pause to answer a specific question each student has. Real learning happens in thought-provoking exchanges between a student and a teacher. When we arrive in class confused from the night before, the “application” part of the lesson becomes an exercise in frustration instead of discovery. Furthermore, this method isn’t fair to everyone. It’s based on the assumption that once the school day ends, we all have the perfect, quiet space to teach ourselves something new. However, what about a student whose roommate needs to practice a musical instrument? Or when the dorm internet slows down right before or during study hall? We are surrounded by friends and constant activities, which makes finding the deep focus needed to learn a new concept alone incredibly difficult. Without a teacher there to guide us, many of us feel like we’re just Googling our way through an expensive education. The classroom should be the great equalizer, the place where everyone receives the same amount of education. Let’s refocus on effective learning. The classroom should be a space for discovery and guidance, where teachers use their expertise to bring subjects to life. Homework can then be used to explore those ideas further, rather than introducing them. We want to be challenged, to work independently, and to collaborate with our peers. But first, we need to understand the materials conceptually. The most valuable resource in any school is the teacher at the front of the room. Let’s not replace them with a YouTube link. Previous Next

< Back The Cause for Oz October 28, 2022 at 6:00:00 PM Talia Curtler '23 and Catherine Orders '23 It seems odd to write an article about a candidate you do not necessarily support. However, NEWS is NEWS, and all sides of the spectrum must be diligently reported, especially as it relates to the interesting Senate race happening in Pennsylvania. John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz are going head to head in the Pennsylvanian general election for Senate, and while questions have arisen about Oz’s qualifications for the job, our research has yielded even more interesting answers. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the National Report Card, was recently released, revealing that almost all facets of educational quality dropped drastically in 49 out of 50 states (Pennsylvania included). Language, reading comprehension, science, and especially math have all suffered as a result of the COVID pandemic. However, Oz comes equipped with real-world solutions. Oz’s campaign stresses the importance of teaching financial literacy in public schools. His devised curriculum, as well as the fact that he is a professor emeritus at Columbia University, educated at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrates Oz’s commitment to education. Oz obviously has no shortage of education himself. He is a distinguished heart surgeon who has invented life-saving devices in order to repair heart valves. While his skills as a doctor do not directly translate into lawmaking, his care and dedication to his patients reflect a care for people and attention to detail that is essential in government. The race has raised many questions and concerns about Oz’s residency (he only recently moved to Pennsylvania from New Jersey); the doctor has already done a lot to help the local community. HealthCorps is Oz’s nonprofit that provides health education and healthcare to underprivileged communities in Pennsylvania. Fetterman also has his flaws. He is known to be a “light worker,” with many of his workdays during his time as Lt. Governor consisting of just a couple of hours of work. While Oz may not be the most conventional choice for Senator, his diverse perspective is not limited by small-town Pennsylvania. How he advanced so far in the race is a mystery to most, surpassing other more traditional Republican candidates like Dave McCormick and Kathy Barnette. In short, we are in for an interesting election. Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the authors. If you are eligible, please vote on November 8. Previous Next

< Back The only option February 16, 2024 at 12:00:00 PM Max Friedman '25 On January 27, a British oil tanker was struck by missiles coming from Yemen. The tanker survived, yet the event has already impacted the decreasing number of cargo traveling through the Red Sea. An Iranian-backed terrorist group in Yemen, the Houthis, coordinated the attack. In response to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, the Houthis, siding with the Palestinians, have vowed to attack all ships from nations supporting Israel. However, they have “mistakenly” hit vessels of other nations going to and from the Suez Canal via the Red Sea. UNCTAD estimates that since the commencement of the attacks, traffic through the Red Sea has decreased by 42%, and cargo traffic is expected to decrease even further. The United States has decided to respond by striking key Houthi targets. Each missile barrage has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars, and Lt. Gen. Douglass Sims estimates that the strikes have only reduced the Houthis’ offensive capabilities by 20-30 percent. President Biden himself said that the strikes have failed to stop the Houthis from disrupting global trade. These airstrikes have fallen under public criticism, as many see the strikes as a waste of time and money, and as having the potential to widen the regional conflict. I disagree with the sentiment. The strikes have not been significantly effective; there is no denying that. However, when looking at the alternatives available to President Biden, it is clear why America has chosen and will continue to execute missile strikes on Yemen. First of all, the United States cannot simply do nothing. The Houthi attacks have disrupted global trade to the point where the threat must be addressed. The delays as a result of redirected shipments have affected the prices of goods, and businesses that rely on a steady supply chain are at risk of shutting down. Several car factories throughout Europe have been forced to shut down for brief periods simply because they could not manufacture. Global food security is also at risk, as grain exported from Europe will now need to travel a significantly further distance to reach Asia and the east coast of Africa. If the war in Gaza continues throughout the year, the damage done to the economy will be significant. How else can America respond to the attacks besides missile strikes? Any other intervention besides an airstrike would likely result in an invasion of Yemen. I personally do not believe that a long war in Yemen would be supported by the American public, succeed in eliminating the Houthis, or even result in a better Yemen. Should America opt for a quick invasion purely with the goal of eliminating the Houthis, they would likely have a much harder time than anticipated. As the Israelis have shown, it is very difficult to accomplish such a goal. While Israel is attempting to eliminate Hamas in the 365 square kilometer Gaza Strip, the United States would have to remove the Houthis from the 530,000 square kilometer nation of Yemen., and likely result in more problems. Experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown the US that removing one group from power will just lead to a power vacuum, a vacuum that will be filled as soon as American troops withdraw. Finally, the death toll would be unbearable to the American public. An invasion of Yemen has no cause behind it, no reason to lose thousands of American lives or hundreds of thousands of Yemeni lives. An invasion of Yemen would be an expensive, ineffective endeavor with a high death toll, and it would not be worth it for the United States to undertake such a dangerous attack. Recently, the United States conducted a strike in Iraq as well. This was in direct response to an attack from Kata’ib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist group. This has raised fears of an escalation of tensions with Iran, who are also major supporters of the Houthis. What the United States is currently doing will not lead to war with Iran. In fact, it perfectly balances the tension at a level beneficial to America. Yielding to the Houthis would send a sign to the Iranian government that the United States will back down when faced with pressure, and they would likely become more aggressive with their tactics. Further encroachment, however, might force Iran’s hand, leading to a war. Iran is suspected to have nuclear weapons, and war between the U.S. and Iran could very well result in World War III. If America yields, it shows Iran that it is weak, and they will become more aggressive. If America becomes more aggressive, Iran will understandably retaliate, which could have dire consequences for both nations and the globe. By remaining in this state of tension, America is keeping its delicate relationship with Iran and Yemen in check and ensuring global trade security while keeping unnecessary casualties to a minimum. Previous Next

< Back Walz-ing off the stage October 11, 2024 at 12:00:00 PM Taimur Rehman '25 On Tuesday, October 1, the Vice Presidential debate took place in New York. Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance, a Yale Law Graduate, former Marine, author of Hillbilly Elegy, silicon-valley-groomed venture-capitalist, and current U.S. senator from the state of Ohio faced Tim Walz, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee. Walz is a former National Guardsman, schoolteacher, U.S. representative, and currently serves as the governor of Minnesota. Vice Presidential debates are rarely a highlight of the presidential race, but this year, they represent something new. Donald Trump is seventy-eight years old, and within the next decade, the Republican Party will face a political landscape in which Donald Trump ceases to be the “face” of the Party, and voters understand this. This debate was important because it offered an opportunity to see one of the future faces of the Republican Party and for those less inclined towards Kamala Harris, to see what her running mate has to offer in comparison. I watched the debate in nearly its entirety and it is clear to me that Vance succeeded at making Tim Walz appear nervous and lackluster, all the while polishing his own image. JD Vance entered that stage on a mission, which was to convince the world that what he and Donald Trump had to offer was not that unreasonable and that American lives would be better under a Trump-Vance administration. Tim Walz, on the other hand, lacked any mission. He did get a few hits on Vance regarding abortion and election interference. Still, during the debate, Vance appeared to be one step ahead. The calm and effective Yale-educated lawyer, throughout the evening, may have convinced undecided voters that a Trump presidency was not all that they feared it to be. In contrast, Walz failed to land many attacks on Vance or Trump and had several of his own slip-ups, including looking frightened, mistakenly saying that he “was friends with school shooters,” calling himself a “knucklehead,” and poor, repeated, attempts to circle back to a handful of prepared ideas. When given the opportunity to land a punch, Walz failed to connect. Throughout the debate, Vance spoke in a manner that reversed many of his past statements on abortion, immigrants, and the election. But it did not matter, because Tim Walz, excepting a select moment in which he called Vance’s answer to “Did President Trump win the 2020 election?” a “damning non-answer,” failed to make points on Vance’s previous comments. Instead, he ceded several arguments to “common ground," rambled on about points, and referenced Taylor Swift to close out the debate. Tim Walz, regardless of how the media may frame it, left the debate appearing to be a state governor out of place on the national stage. JD Vance left as a man no longer seen as weird and unknown but as a calm, educated, and civil politician with a rags-to-riches background and care for Americans. Now, as her lead in several key states ahead of November tightens, the question remains: Is Kamala Harris regretting her pick for Vice President? Previous Next

< Back Just the vegan-ning September 25, 2026 at 12:00:00 PM Amy Li ’28 When I asked my friend, Mary Maurer ’28 about lunch, she said, “It’s really hard to find options that are just vegetarian. I have to put normal cheese on the vegan option because I don’t like the vegan cheese.” Yes, she’s a vegetarian, not vegan, but in our dining hall, you can barely tell the difference. I didn’t know the difference either, until she explained it to me: a vegetarian doesn’t eat meat, poultry, or fish, but may eat dairy, eggs, and other animal products. A vegan avoids all animal products: no cheese, no milk, no eggs. These are two different diets with two different requirements, but our dining hall offers only vegan options and treats them as if they work for everyone. They don’t. Mary became vegetarian because she wants to protect animals. She’s not vegan; she still eats dairy and eggs. So when the dining hall gives her vegan cheese, she replaces it with milk-based cheese; when they give her mushy tofu topped with nothing but sauce, she doesn’t want it. Most days, her lunch is just a salad, or vegan food she doesn’t enjoy. That’s the first problem: vegetarian and vegan are not the same, and the dining hall needs to offer both. And Mary isn’t alone. Our school has a diverse community. We have students from different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. Some are vegetarian for religious reasons, including some Hindu and Buddhist students. Some are vegetarian by choice, like Mary. Some just don’t like meat. And some are vegan. If our school celebrates diversity in its students, it should also celebrate diversity in their diets. The second problem is that the dining hall doesn’t cook plant-based food well. The tofu is bland, and the vegetables are overcooked. The school should hire a chef who really knows how to cook vegan and vegetarian meals well. Or, the school could ask students like Mary to share their own cuisine and learn from them. I understand that many students also complain about the food in general, but at least we have choices: pizza, burgers, sandwiches, chicken, etc. Though some might argue that, since most students eat meat, why hire a chef for a minority? They may be overlooking an important fact: the school doesn’t serve only the majority–it serves everyone. Vegetarians and vegans deserve the same consideration. Plus, adding good vegetarian options gives everyone more choices, not fewer. The solution is simple. First, offer both vegan and vegetarian options and recognize the differences between them. Keep the vegan cheese for vegan students but also offer regular cheese, eggs, and other dairy products for vegetarian students. Second, provide dining hall staff with additional training in plant-based cooking, or ask students like Mary to share their recipes and suggestions. Adding more vegetarian options isn’t radical. It’s practical. It’s inclusive. And it’s long overdue. Let’s make our school a place where everyone can find a meal they enjoy, not just the same sad salad every day. Previous Next

< Back Opening weak? September 15, 2023 at 12:00:00 PM Elise Gao '26 The weekend after the first week of school, my head hit my pillow but I didn’t get back up. My plans were as follows: sleep, chill, and oh, did I mention sleep? In fact, when I asked others about their weekend plans, many people mentioned sleep as the first thing they wanted to do. After an arduous first week of school, hardly anyone had the energy to do much except rest up. All around campus were complaints about this year’s first week of school schedule, which was described as “too demanding” or “lacking free time.” The beginning of the school year has always been busy. For new students, there are many introductions to be made and information to take in: peer groups, mentor groups, and relationships that could last for the duration of their high school career (or maybe just for the weekend). For returning students, it represents an adjustment period to re-acclimate to boarding school life and catch up with friends. This year, there were also ‘trial classes,’ 25-minute introductory classes where we could get an idea of what our classes would be like. All in all, our calendars were jam-packed equally with school-related and personal plans. Kk, However, what really tipped the scales this year were the PGA-related activities: team breakfast, team dinner, and both morning and afternoon sessions. Students arose from their beds as early as six in the morning to get ready for a long day of pre-planned activities. Those with athletic PGAs collapsed on the nearest available surfaces between practices, and the walk back to the dorms became a race to get coveted spots in one of the showers. The problem with the numerous appearances PGAs made on our calendars was that it prevented us from adjusting smoothly. People on athletic teams were especially sore and tired from over four hours of practice a day. Since students had just returned from summer break, it was a drastic change in pace for many. Long hours also resulted in many injuries, and the line forming in the trainers’ was as long as the line in the dining hall during buffet lunch. While I understand that the school does its best to ease some 400 teens back into school life, we do not need to be thrown into the deep end on the first week, especially since the opening schedule is actually busier than the normal schedule during the year. Having enough free time to adjust and build friendships is as important as learning the ropes of courses and PGAs. Previous Next

< Back To anyone with an opinion April 19, 2024 at 12:00:00 PM Anne Sehon '25 Dear Prospective Opinion Writers, The Mercersburg NEWS needs opinions. Your opinions. Strong, well-founded, opinions written by people who are passionate about their respective causes. We need you. In an election year, with about a fourth of our current student body being eligible to vote by November, it is important that we not live in a political echo chamber. It would be ignorant to say that we live in an openly politically diverse community; most people who are politically active on campus hold liberal values, and conservatives have the choice to either be silent or be shunned for their political views. That should not be the case, especially going into what promises to be an extremely polarized election cycle. As someone who will be eighteen in September and, therefore, eligible to vote, I find myself confused about many different topics, as well as how to have conversations with others about them, specifically if they hold beliefs different from my own. Through many conversations with my peers, I've found that lots of other students in our community feel the same. If we had more and more open political conversations, as well as opinion pieces in the NEWS, there could be more ground for having more discussion and subsequently for forming new views, one begetting the next, forming a cycle that could lead to more diverse thought and change at Mercersburg Academy - a cycle that breaks cycles. In my past three years working with NEWS, I've heard students voice their worries about the repercussions of writing an opinion piece that is not well-received by some group or another on campus, whether it be peers, faculty, or both - there have been previous pieces that have landed students in uncomfortable conversations with faculty members. I understand these fears, but I assure you that if your piece is grounded, polished, and not provocative for the sake of being provocative, as well as written by someone who truly believes in what they're preaching, no sort of "trouble" is coming for you. Simultaneously, though, we as a community need to open our minds more to constructive criticism and accept the possibility of disagreement, your opinions lacks weight if they entirety of the community around you sees it as fact; you're preaching to a choir all singing the same monotonous tune, when Mercersburg should be a community of diverse voices singing in harmony. I recently went to the Braver Angels depolarization training hosted by the Civic Engagement Task-Force and the idea that disagreement is salutary to good relationships was continuously emphasized and re-emphasized throughout. The Mercersburg community needs to learn how to have healthy disagreements. That's how we get things done. In all, though, it's a question of free speech and how our campus defines it. No student should feel unsafe because of an opinion they hold, and no student should feel unsafe because of an opinion someone else holds. The Mercersburg NEWS holds weight on this campus and has the ability to cultivate an environment in which both of those aforementioned things are true. So, I am asking you to help create the cycle-breaking cycle and contribute to a nascent choir of diverse voices on the campus of Mercersburg Academy. We want your opinion in the NEWS. We want to create change. And we want your help. Sincerely, Anne Sehon Previous Next

< Back Not so fast February 16, 2024 at 12:00:00 PM Amanda Xi '25 Recently, I read A Tale of Two Planets for my English class, and it contained a story about a girl who shopped so much that she threw away boxes and boxes without even opening them. Sounds familiar? Yes, I admit I still have piles of fast fashion left over from middle school, but here is the lesson I learned. Fast fashion, or "inexpensive, poorly made clothing that mass-market retailers quickly produce in response to current trends," has not always been around despite its pervading presence in malls today. Retailers introduced this model in the 1990s, but in as fast as thirty years, malls have filled up with fast fashion and so have our landfills - where 85% of all textiles end up. I was on a streak of buying secondhand until last month when I went to a mall with my friends and immediately bought a Free People sweater. I caved in, surrounded by glorious holographic fabrics, vibrant colors, and a disappointing lack of choice for consumers in American malls. Urban Outfitters, H&M, Zara, UNIQLO, it seems as if every store features a different version of fast fashion. Even I, an avid thrifter, can’t stay away from malls forever. Expecting the average American to always buy sustainably is not sustainable itself in a world of mass production. So, how do I shop without contributing to natural disasters and human exploitation? The answer is to shop responsibly rather than sustainably. Shopping responsibly means making educated purchases and avoiding overconsumption. Shopping responsibly doesn't mean rushing to replace your fast fashion shirt with a sustainable swap to be more "eco-friendly." The trashed shirt still ends up in landfills, causing equal damage. The most sustainable choice is always buying less and keeping what you have- even if it is fast fashion. Contrary to some, I believe there is nothing inherently wrong with a shirt from Forever 21. Rather, it is the belief that fashion is disposable because it is cheap that is doing the damage. Fast fashion is a blessing for many: its low price point and convenience make it the only option for millions of families and teens. However, it is the people who take advantage of low prices and buy too much for too little - like the girl in the book - who contribute to the problem. I buy less by asking myself if buying into the trend for two weeks is worth the deeper satisfaction of saving up for something I will genuinely love for years. It's hard, but it’s rewarding. I care about fashion because it touches every human on Earth, and it continues beyond me. If I were to dismiss fast fashion as "out of sight, out of mind," I would be ignoring the environmental and humanitarian issues at what cost? A shirt should not be five dollars due to the exploitation of an underpaid worker. So, care for your fast fashion like it's worth every dollar. Since my middle school Urban Outfitters obsession, I have been working on reducing the piles in my closet by reselling and donating. Feel free to do the same. Previous Next

< Back National Guard...for what? November 14, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM Belle Cleveland ’28 Why is the National Guard in Washington, DC? In this article, I will not be answering the question posed by the title, because there is no reason for the National Guard to be in DC. There are cities with higher crime rates than DC that should be focused on instead. If President Trump actually wanted to help the city, he would try to lessen the poverty divide between the west and east of the Anacostia River. Some of you may be thinking, “What even is the National Guard?” This is a fair question. The National Guard is part of the U.S. military and typically answers to state governors, but because DC is not a state, it reports to the President. Their job is to help during state-level emergencies, such as natural disasters or public health crises. DC has around 2,400 members in its National Guard. The National Guard differs from other components of the U.S. military because it can serve as a domestic law enforcement force. As mentioned, the DC National Guard has around 2,400 members. This would be enough people to station around the city, but President Trump insisted that more were needed. At least eight states sent members of their National Guard forces to “keep DC safe.” These states are West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. At least 5 out of these 7 states have cities with higher crime rates than DC. These cities are Memphis, Tennessee; Shreveport, Louisiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and Charleston, West Virginia. In the year 2024, DC’s violent crime rate, which includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, per 100,000 residents, was 913.6. All of the aforementioned cities had violent crime rates higher than DC in that year, with Memphis having the highest at 2,500 violent crimes per 100,000, to Shreveport having the lowest with 1,200 violent crimes per 100,000. Why would the National Guard come from states with cities that have higher crime rates than DC? I f President Trump wanted to help the city, he would take action to lessen the poverty divide between East and West of the Anacostia River. DC is split up into 8 Wards. The Wards that are considered West of the Anacostia are Wards 1 through 6. The ones east of the Anacostia River are Wards 7 and 8. From 2018 to 2022, the average household income in Wards 1-6 is $171,058, with the highest in Ward 3, at $223,149. All average incomes for Wards 1-6 are in the six-digit numbers. In Wards 7 and 8, the average household income is $83,405, with Ward 8 having the lowest at $77,639. Although this household income is nothing to scoff at, you have to remember that DC is one of the most expensive cities in the nation. You need to be making around $78,980 to afford the necessities such as food, water, and shelter. Also, this average household income does not account for the people experiencing homelessness in these cities, which is around 73 people per 10,000. By comparison, New York has about 52 homeless people per 10,000 people. From these numbers, you can see a clear divide between the two parts of the city. President Trump could help bridge this divide by creating affordable housing, improving public schools in Wards 7 and 8, and investing in further development in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia. Previous Next

< Back While we wait to eat October 10, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM Riley Choi ’28 It is very exciting to see all the construction and renovation happening on campus, especially in the new dining hall. We all know that a brand new dining experience is coming, and we appreciate that the school is investing in a better future for all of us. We also understand that big improvements mean we have to deal with some temporary changes. However, the current dining setup in the field house is more than just an inconvenience. It significantly affects our daily lives. The problem isn't just that the way to the dining hall from the classroom or even from the dorm is too far. The real issue is the quality and choice of the food we've lost since the move. The yogurt section, which many students relied on for a healthy and quick meal, is completely gone from lunches and dinners. Vanilla ice cream, a simple comfort food that everyone enjoys, has disappeared. Even the different sauces that made a boring bowl of rice taste better are mostly missing. They were the basics that made our mealtime something we could count on. Some might say that this situation is only temporary. But for us, this “temporary” period will last for many months, which is a huge part of our school year. It feels like all the planning went into the new building, but little thought went into how students would actually eat and live during this time. For the students who live on campus, we can't just go home for dinner. The dining hall is pretty much our only option, and when the options are so limited, it affects our health, our happiness, and our ability to focus. We know the field house isn't a real kitchen, but we believe there are some simple solutions. Is it truly impossible to bring in another food section for yogurt? Can vanilla flavor just be added in for an ice cream machine? Surely, providing a few more bottles of sauce is an easy fix. We are asking the school to get creative and show that they care about our experience now, not just in the future. The opening of the new dining hall is something we are all thrilled about. But we need the school to remember that we are living and learning here today. Please don't let our well-being get lost in the construction. Let's make sure that while a new building is going up, our school spirit doesn't go down. Previous Next

< Back Randos No More September 23, 2022 at 12:00:00 PM Avallina Orfield '25 Last year saw the rocky launch of the return to normal Mercersburg Academy traditions. Semiformal dinners and family-style lunches were unregulated and intermittent due to COVID. I had gotten so used to my friend group that the thought of being forced to sit with random people from around the school exasperated me. Lunch and dinners were time to relax, and I didn’t want to spend that time staring into the vast dining hall, unsure of what to say to these people I had never met. When the traditions started to come back in full force, that’s what I found myself doing: sitting in silence with people who also ate quietly. My time to hang out with my friends was being stripped away, and my protest was closing myself off. I’ve come to realize that this was a horrible outlook to have, and family-style lunches and dinners are admittedly smart. Family-style meals rid Mercersburg of the ignorant cliques that typical high schools have, and are, in my belief, the driving force of the community on campus. They’re a chance to meet people, a chance to interact with the different faculty who work all sorts of jobs on campus, an opportunity to be with other students from every grade. I’m sure if you get an interesting table, the two-week rotation will upset you more than the fact you’re not eating with your immediate friend group. You’re bound to get a group of people where the table is really awkward, and you have to do those silly introductions: name, PGA, and favorite something. I agree, those are very awkward and I dread the introductory stage of every seating arrangement; but when that’s all under your belt, the fun starts. Maybe it’s not your biggest wish in the world to dress up every Monday night, and the “Never Wear the Same Dress Twice” Rule is wearing you down and you’re running out of options. Maybe you’ve never learned how to tie a tie and you don’t know who to ask, or the ties choke you and you wouldn’t want to be caught dead wearing one. This just means you haven’t hit the stage of enlightenment where you and your friends throw a pre-dinner party in someone's room and get dressed blasting music or have never had to run to the chapel to be the first group to take nice pictures. Take advantage of these moments, whether it is to borrow that one tie or dress your friend has, start a conversation, or ask some people about their lives and where they come from. Realize that there is so much more to these conventions than some lofty, restricting tradition. Previous Next