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< Back Sacked! January 17, 2025 at 5:00:00 PM Max Friedman '25 On Monday, December 9, members of the school administration sat the football team down, gave us pizza, and told us that the 131-year-long run of football at Mercersburg Academy was over. The message that was delivered to us was loud and clear: when the going gets tough, quit. At least, this is how we as a team perceived the news, feeling a sense of betrayal from the school for its lack of transparency. Questions about the decision and how and why exactly it was reached have gone mostly unanswered. Was the program in trouble and were there any efforts at all to save it? Were there benchmarks set in terms of participation or wins and losses? Was the program short of funds and was any effort made to raise those funds? Were our distinguished alumni, including NFL owners, GMs, and former players, consulted? Did anyone fight for us, and did anyone imagine what Mercersburg Academy would be without football? It matters not, as the decision is final and I don’t expect we’ll ever know the full story. Therefore, I would like to share my personal experience with Mercersburg football—the program that Dr. William Mann Irvine founded in 1894, the sport that was his true passion—and honor my coaches, teammates, and every alumnus who’s worn the jersey over our 131-year history. I didn’t expect to play football at Mercersburg, yet when choosing a boarding school, the presence of a football team was a requirement for me. I couldn’t fathom attending a school without a football program, its absence a sign that something tangible was missing. Football is synonymous with school spirit; it is the greatest representation of the pride and grit of a community. It pains me a great deal to say this, but I can state with certainty that if I were a current high school applicant, I would not apply to Mercersburg today. I joined the team as a sophomore, full of nerves and insecurities yet wanting to be a part of the brotherhood that was obvious from the stands. What I found in our team was life-changing. Mercersburg football gave me a sense of purpose, confidence, and pride. Together, my brothers and I found routine, direction, and the value of determination. We learned to trust each other in a way that no other experience in my life has allowed, and with it, we all found a place where we truly belonged. I’ve watched many of my teammates enter with the same nerves and doubts in themselves as I had and leave changed people—humble yet strong, honest, and resilient. As a multi-sport athlete, I know that there is something profoundly special about football. Football is a metaphor for life; each and every play you’re knocked down and you have to get back up. Sometimes you get up on your own, other times a teammate lends you a hand. Often, the hand that is extended belongs to your opponent, who, just a second before, you were wrestling to the ground with every ounce of your being. Football is honor; there is simply no other sport which breeds individuals of strength, intelligence, leadership, empathy, and character like it. The memories of playing this game are irreplaceable to me; no amount of money or academic pride will ever replace the value of football in a young man’s life. We, those who have worn this proud uniform, are better students, better friends, better humans, and we will be more successful in life because of the values bestowed upon us by this game. Dr. William Mann Irvine founded this institution to rear young people suited to be admirable members and leaders of society. Without football, our community has lost a part of its history, its tradition, and its mission that cannot be replaced. Previous Next

Ben Pham ‘27 < Back Squashing competition at Flanagan Ben Pham ‘27 Dec 13, 2024 Last week, the boys and girls varsity squash teams were busy. The boys played Haverford School, ranked third nationally, on Wednesday, losing 1-6, and convincingly beat Wakefield School 7-0 the following day. The girls team faced 14th-ranked Baldwin School, losing 2-5. Head coach Dominic Benacquista cited the skill disparity locally as a challenge the team faces, “I think the team is in a difficult situation where we’re way too strong for anyone nearby. This means lower players who are making progress have to make a huge jump in skill as they don’t get much exposure to higher level play, so it takes a little longer for improvement.” Heading into the annual Flanagan Tournament, the squash teams were training diligently. Ana Botello Gaytan ’25 said, “We’ve been going to the weight room, so it's an hour training on the court and an hour in the gym.” Gilberto Aceves Moreno ’25 added, “We also trained mentally a little bit to not get nervous for the matches.” In addition to strength training and mental toughening, the team stuck to the basics inside the court. Sarah Howley ’26 stated, “In practice, we keep it routine, not switching it up as that could mess with your performance in the tournament.” To many players, the Flanagan Tournament was a proving ground. Avallina Orfield ’25 stated, “I know I can beat these players, so it's really about pushing myself and seeing how far I can go.” Dior Mitchell ’26 echoed, “I just wanted to show I am what I am and to dominate every opponent I played.” The boys went on to win the tournament, notably sweeping The Hill School 7-0. There were many spectacular performances in the tournament. Benacquista said, “Finn Mauro [’27] played two matches and did what he was asked to do from a coaching standpoint: beating a Hill player ranked roughly around the same or higher than him.” The girls team, although they did not claim the win, had several outstanding performances. Benacquista mentioned, “Gaytan was never going to lose a game in the tournament, giving the girls a guaranteed match every time. Orfield did fantastic, Hisano Enomoto [’25] has been really good, and Sarah Howley does well in the middle of the lineup.” As the prestigious US Junior Open looms, the squash team will keep on refining their skills and improving their game. “With the US Junior Open next weekend, we have 4–5 players playing, so their training will taper this week in preparation for that,” Benacquista noted. “The points of focus are matchups against the Lawrenceville School, Episcopal Academy, and other MAPL schools. The boys team is aiming for top 16 in the nation, which demands us to really step up to the task against the top eight teams that we’ll be eventually facing.” Previous Next

Prin Sairungsri '27 < Back Simon says Prin Sairungsri '27 Oct 18, 2024 On Mercersburg Academy’s inaugural Founder’s Day, the school welcomed esteemed alumna Deborah Simon ’74. The school’s most generous benefactor, Simon gave an address to the school to kickstart the special day. Though we hear the name Simon all over our campus, whether it be the Simon Theatre or the Simon Student Center, many don’t know her true significance to the school. Head of School Quentin McDowell stated, “ Founder’s Day was designed as an opportunity to honor our history and the truly transformational people responsible for making Mercersburg Academy what it is today. Given Ms. Simon's singular impact on Mercersburg Academy as the biggest donor in school history, and one of the biggest in the history of all independent schools, it seemed only fitting that she be invited to speak at our inaugural Founder's Day.” School minister Will Whitmore added, “The goal was to bring back alumni who have remained involved and invested and done some pretty amazing things both here at the school and out in life. To show what that looks like to you all, to hear those stories and learn more about those people so I think it was a really good things that occurred in that way.” Students were drawn to the speech, with many referencing Simon’s influence on the school. Grant Kurmakov ’25 stated, “I hear the Simon name everywhere around campus, but I never really knew where exactly it came from. That’s why I thought it was cool seeing Ms. Simon speak in person as it made me appreciate not only her, but others who have helped our school in such great ways” Regarding the unique start to the speech, Ben Samuels ’25 stated, “I thought some of the things she talked about were a bit unexpected and as a result, some students got caught off guard. I think it got taken out of context, and considering the overall message of the speech, her point made sense.” Faculty also shared similar sentiments. Whitmore stated “I really appreciated her wedding in the Jewish time of the year with Rosh Hashanah, and I really appreciate her desire to touch on all these different ways things were founded, and how this idea of a founding is not something that just happens once, it happens throughout our entire lives.” McDowell said, “I always enjoy hearing Ms. Simon speak about her Mercersburg experience and her deep love for the school. She is an inspirational and impactful person who actively invests her time, talent, and treasure in the things that she cares about the most.” Whitmore added, “Her commitment both in terms of financial giving but also the amount of time and energy she’s given shows a continued commitment to this school and what it means to care about a place and want it to be a place where others can flourish.” Simon’s sentiments apply to the Mercersburg community as well as to life overall. Her address represented a very special moment not only as a speech from a very special person, but also as the start of a new school tradition. Previous Previous Next Next

Selena Feng ‘24 < Back A killer production Selena Feng ‘24 Feb 14, 2023 Heathers is a dark-humor musical about Westerburg (OH) High students in 1989 and covers heavy topics including suicide, bodyshaming, murder, bullying, school violence, and sexual assault. Before stepping into the Burgin Center, I had the 1988 movie and the 2014 cast recording in mind. Stony Batter’s Heathers was not identical, but nonetheless, it was amazing and hilarious. There were a few changes to make the show more appropriate for the audience. Most changes were necessary, as the humor was suited for the ‘80s, and would’ve joked about inappropriate topics. The language in iconic songs like “Candy Store” were PG’ed, which is understandable, but it was sad not being able to hear some of the most famous lines. My favorite part was how the actors superbly represented the characters. Tyerra Rooffener ’23 sang Veronica’s lines beautifully. Grace Chi ’25’s voice conveyed the crazed passion of JD. Keri-Ann Dennis ’25’s Heather McNamara perfectly characterized Heather’s personality and confidence throughout the first act with just her strut and her sass. All the Heathers heathered fashionably in heels, a very impressive feat. Kali Tembo ’23 and Margaux D’Arabian ’25 embodied Kurt and Ram’s toxically masculine energy splendidly through their saunters and chortles. The entire ensemble came together so well for “My Dead Gay Son,” and the matching suit pieces were spectacular. It was surprising by how clearly the audience enjoyed Heathers . All around me, I heard the sadness after William Tutt ’25’s betrayal during “Big Fun”; I heard the support for Rooffener’s rapping; I heard the cheers when the summer in ’83 was revealed; I heard the “oohs” when a character was dissed. The fight scenes, the lighting, the live music, the set, the cues, the singing, the choreography, and the acting all took so much practice and planning from Stony Batter, and it deserved its standing ovation. Previous Next

Carrie Yang ‘27 < Back SDL(See) the diversity Carrie Yang ‘27 Dec 13, 2024 On December 4, a group of students and faculty from Mercersburg Academy attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) and People of Color Conference (POCC) in Denver, Colorado. Jamar Galbreath ‘05 of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion organized and led the trip, accompanied by Yonatan Weldeberuk, first-year teaching fellow in the history department, and Katie Shank, manager of donor relations at Mercersburg Academy. The workshops and activities provided Mercersburg’s participants with a transformative experience focused on diversity, identity, and belonging. Galbreath outlined the conference’s main purpose: “SDLC brings students from independent schools from all over the country, all over the world to come together to talk about issues like identity, social justice, belonging, and inclusion. The goal is to take an awesome group of students out to do some great learning and have a good experience.” Weldeberuk agreed, stating, “This conference is to give the students the best experience possible, to make sure it’s safe, and that they are connecting with people who have the same stories as them, people that might see things differently; where they can learn from each other.” A diverse group of students represented Mercersburg at the conference, including Talaina Jarrett ‘25, Ava Jones ‘25, Jessica Dang ‘26, Ellie Yang ‘27, Jazlyn Garnett ‘27, and Shubhlean Kaur ‘27. Jarrett, who attended the conference for the second time, said, “Last year, I was just absorbing the experience. This year, I wanted to dive deeper and find a greater appreciation for the activities we were learning about.” One of the highlights for Jarrett was an activity that involved designing an ideal school. “We talked about issues of justice and fairness. It made me realize that some issues at Mercersburg are not being handled in the best way, and I want to return and help address them.” The conference’s Black Affinity Space was a standout experience for several Mercersburg attendees. Jones, a leader of the Black Student Union (BSU), said, “Being in such a diverse environment and surrounded by people who have similar experiences to me was really powerful. The Black Affinity Space allowed me to feel truly at home. We shared our experiences of being African American in America, danced, and just connected with each other in a way I can’t do at school.” Jarrett shared the sentiment, saying, “I feel like the BSU community at Mercersburg is inclusive but not the same as being at SDLC. Being a part of a minority sometimes means we have to uphold a certain image, but here there's no judgment. There’s freedom to act the way we want, talk, dance, and sing the way we want.” Similarly, Dang and Kaur were equally moved by the conference and reflected on their connections to identity and inclusion. “I’m a part of the Gender and Sexuality Union (GSU), and the Asian Student Union (ASU) at school, and I wanted to learn more about diversity and how I can bring that knowledge back to Mercersburg,” Dang said. “One of the most meaningful activities was the silent movement, which taught me the power of silence in understanding and reflecting on others’ experiences.” Kaur added, “Mercersburg doesn’t have many South Asian students, so being around that community at SDLC was a really overwhelming but positive experience. I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned back to school and make our community even more inclusive.” Ellie Yang ‘27 emphasized her exploration of the word “sonder” - the realization that everyone has unique depths in their lives. “I think my goal now is to know people at those depths,” she said. SDLC also offered other benefits. Jones said, “I wanted to meet people from all over and I wanted to network because I am a senior and it’s always good to know people in different states and places.” Yang added, “I connected with people from boarding schools all over the country, and now we all feel like family.” Faculty members also found the conference to be valuable. “The POCC experience was eye-opening for me,” Shank said. “It highlighted how students can support each other and how faculty can better mentor them. One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of encouraging students to be their authentic selves, even if that feels uncomfortable at times.” Weldeberuk concluded, “Making changes in the independent school industry is a long road, but there are great people who are working every day to make that change happen. From DEI directors to faculty, heads of schools, students, and financial officers. Everyone is trying to make a change but it takes time. Every little step matters, the little things help amplify bigger steps.” Previous Previous Next Next

Gigi Devlin '24 < Back HOS Purchase Need Title Gigi Devlin '24 Sep 30, 2022 When Quentin McDowell assumed his role as Interim Head of School last year, one of his duties included purchasing a piece from the senior art show for the Head of School Collection. He chose two: “TEENAGE 10+8” by Shin Miyamichi ‘22 and a piece by Joyce Cui ‘22. It is tradition that the Head of School will purchase only one, but in his own words, he “couldn’t help himself.” When deciding which pieces to select, McDowell said he wanted to choose not only pieces that were aesthetically appealing but also pieces whose artists had made significant contributions to the arts department at Mercersburg. “Art is different for anyone who looks at it, so the artist is an important consideration,” said McDowell who interviewed Cui and had been following her art and her career during her years at Mercersburg. Miyamichi’s piece earned a gold medal and American vision’s medal in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards. In particular, Miyamichi’s piece spoke to McDowell because he believes it reflects where we are as a society, and the style reminded him of his brother’s art. For Cui’s piece, he was really drawn by the composition of the piece and how it was made. McDowell noted the purpose of having a Head of School purchase prize. “We ask our students to put a lot of themselves in what they create. It only seems fitting that we would want to retain some of that for the school for future generations to see and be inspired. It’s wonderful to have art by famous artists, but as a school, our art collections should really be student-focused.” When McDowell worked in admission, his office showcased an art piece by a student who attended the school before McDowell even arrived. He said can’t even count how many families have asked about the piece. This is one of his favorite aspects of holding the collection – being able to walk around the buildings on campus and see the various pieces. In his tenure, he hopes that he can curate a collection that is a reflection of how he views himself and the school, making sure the two stay aligned. “I hope that we could look at Shin’s painting and be able to see that it is so reflective of where we are in this moment in time with COVID and mental health and be able to look at the life of a teenager as something poetic.” “Art reflects where we are as a community, [and] that needs to be preserved,” said McDowell. When people look back over time, they will see art that not only represents the artist but the school, the times, and the thin blue line. Previous Next

Kate Sui ’29 < Back Catya Bookhammer Kate Sui ’29 Oct 3, 2025 Catya Bookhammer has joined the counseling department. Bookhammer brings experience working in community health centers with both children and adults. After initiating a public school mental health clinic, she “fell in love working with children and students.” Bookhammer has previously worked in government programs. Bookhammer has found the school community especially welcoming: “I really appreciate the friendliness and warmth from both students and faculty, which makes the community feel so pleasant and welcoming.” Looking ahead, she is eager to collaborate with fellow counselors and strengthen relationships with students. “I want students to feel comfortable and willing to come for help.” Outside of counseling, Bookhammer enjoys spending time outdoors: “I love hiking, gardening, and spending time in nature.” Having lived in the Mercersburg area for many years, she already feels a strong sense of home: ”I’m happy to be part of a school that cares about both academics and well-being. I look forward to bringing warmth and dedication to my role.” Previous Previous Next Next

Maria Akaras ‘24 and Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 < Back "It's only three points if I skip." --- Everyone Maria Akaras ‘24 and Erika Tso Sowah ‘24 Dec 9, 2022 In order to enforce expectations set in the Blue Book, the student handbook, Mercersburg Academy utilizes a behavior point feedback system. When a student violates one of the expectations, they are alerted by the faculty member who witnessed the violation and then later by Veracross with a notification of the points they received and why. Associate Dean of Students, Coleman Weibley, said, “Prior to the behavior point feedback system, there would be more immediate consequences for behavior issues. We felt that the system felt more punitive than we wanted it to be, so instead we decided on a point-value system so students would face consequences once they reached a certain threshold.” This change resulted from the Office of Student Life’s regular review of the feedback system and its effectiveness. “I believe that the student life team has given a lot of thought to the behavior point system and has revised it this year in response to feedback from last year. The behaviors are clearly defined and it is up to the faculty to trust in the system and log behaviors when they see them. My concern about the system is that I feel that immediate feedback is most valuable when trying to change behavior, so a log that might not get formally addressed for a day or two loses some of its meaning. However, I do understand the underlying rationale of supporting students' agency and choice and giving space to make mistakes and to then learn from them,” Jackie Sweeney, Main Hall Dorm Dean, said. The intention behind the behavior point system is crucial to understand in discussions about system’s design. Ideally, the system is a way to encourage students to adhere to the school's policies, by recognizing the patterns of a student struggling to meet the Academy’s expectations. Weibley said, “A lot of the time the Office of Student Life is seen as being more disciplinary, but we genuinely want to help students feel like they are being treated fairly.” Regarding fairness of the system, Fowle Hall dorm dean, Haley Tyree, explained, “There are multiple checks and balances to try and make the behavior point system as fair as possible. First, students are notified about the behavior point by the faculty member giving it and via email through Veracross. In that email it states that the student has 24 hours to address this point if they think it was given incorrectly. In the dorm specifically, we meet as a dorm faculty to try and set norms and expectations. I ask all of my faculty to add in a note when entering behaviors so that I can review why different things were logged and make sure we have clear documentation. At the beginning of the year, we go over rules and expectations with dorm residents and give many reminders throughout the year in dorm meetings, wing meetings and emails. Dorm faculty communicate with advisers and address students individually when we see that someone is struggling. Finally, all of the dorm deans meet regularly and have consistency checks to try and ensure that we are enforcing rules and expectations in a similar manner.” Weibley added that the consistency check is designed “to address the narrative that certain dorms are more relaxed than others to make sure that every faculty member is held to the same expectations.” The perception that some dorms are more relaxed than others is one that many students hold. Weibley said, “I know that this narrative is not the case, but being aware of the student perspective helps us address that and ensure that we are trying our best to be as consistent as possible.” Sheri Mahoney, Keil Hall Dorm Dean, adds, “What we should always be doing is working towards fairness, and I know that the residential life team is doing that. We look at the data and we talk with our faculty and show them the data. We touch base with our residents and use all of that information to make policy changes when necessary.” “If students are feeling like they are being treated unfairly in any situation for any reason, they are willing to have a conversation with the Office of Student Life or the DEI office to help find a solution. We don’t want any students to feel like they are being treated differently; we want everyone to be treated fairly. We are really big on having that egalitarian spirit and finding solutions to these perceptions,” Weibley concluded. Previous Previous Next Next

Maggie Coors '25 < Back Art in the Big Apple Maggie Coors '25 Jan 24, 2025 Last weekend, AS: Studio Art embarked on the annual trip to New York City to engage in various media of art. The students on the trip included Xiomara Del Rosario, Renee Jin, Lilly Killinger, Yule Kwon, Katie Lee, Gaven McGuire, and Amon Yamamoto, all members of the Class of ’26. The trip was led, as always, by Director of Galleries and AS: Studio Art teacher Sydney Caretti joined by Assistant Director of Information Rainelle Dixon. On the trip, students viewed artwork and participated in educational experiences to learn about different artistic professions and pursuits. Caretti said, “The objective of visiting and experiencing New York City, as I once did, is to inspire and open up the dream paths and possibilities that a career in the arts can be.” The class took advantage of their short time in the city. Caretti said, “We hit the ground running in NYC, my favorite city in the world! We take in the Whitney Museum, galleries, Broadway, a working artist studio in the Bowery, performance art, musical art, live figure drawing, a flea market, views from the High Line and even higher on rooftops. We savor the sights, sounds and sometimes the smells of the city. And on this adventure, we connected with alums Ruby [Shang ’24], Ivy [Chan ’24] and Sihyeon [Bae ’24]!” It is incredibly important in an education in the arts to have hands-on experiences and to view as much diverse artwork as possible. Caretti said, “I hope the students take in all they can to help inform their creative process and output. Living the experience is more imprinting than hearing or imagining. One can more easily render what they actually see than what they, in a limited amount of experience and knowledge, can imagine. This experience informs them to better build creative avenues of expression that are original and personal to their experiences.” Similarly, Kwon said, “ The world is full of hope and that empathy is the most important part of making shareable artwork.” The group had an eventful return to Mercersburg when they got stuck in Harrisburg due to the recent snow storm. They were able to get back to campus the next day. Overall, the trip was a valuable learning and bonding experience for the seven students and their chaperones. Caretti stated, “This group became more cohesive as an organic unit. They learned to better communicate ideas and critique with comfort and shared experience. Artists who produce with limited exposure to other artists often stagnate or gas out of that bright light of inspiration.” Kwon summed the trip up perfectly: “ I found a new family in my fellow six artists in New York.” Previous Next

Greta Lawler '23 and Alex Cho '23 < Back Remembering Nate Jacklin Greta Lawler '23 and Alex Cho '23 Mercersburg Academy and the world lost an incredible community member, coach, colleague, mentor, teacher, and friend on November 15, 2022 with the passing of former Academy history teacher and wrestling coach, Nate Jacklin. His influence left a deep impact on everyone who knew him, and the respect and loyalty his colleagues, students, and athletes hold for him speak to the integrity of his character and the powerful legacy he leaves behind. Jacklin came to Mercersburg as a postgraduate student in 1996. As a student, he played soccer, served as the wrestling team’s captain, and was a member of the Irving Society. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and working for a time at a New York City brokerage and in Virginia public schools, Jacklin returned to Mercersburg to teach and coach in 2008. Leadership Gift Officer Jenn Bradley ‘99, a colleague, said, “Mr. Jacklin and I were in the same faculty class; we both started in 2008, and I had an immediate introduction to his slow, dry wit. He made a joke, at my expense, during faculty orientation, and that was the beginning of our friendship. I knew he was someone who was both serious and would also make the job fun, which is so important when you work with young people. He was a master at this!” The three biggest pillars of Jacklin’s life were his family, teaching, and coaching. Jacklin was loving husband to his wife, Lindsay, who arrived with him in 2008. In subsequent years they had three children: Hailey, Ella, and Matthew. Nothing made him happier than his family. In the classroom, Jacklin had high expectations for his students as well as for himself. He was constantly innovating to make his classes more engaging. Working alongside fellow colleague and English teacher Todd McGuire, Jacklin helped design Entrepreneurship as part of the capstone program, a course which has since drawn a large portion of the senior class each year. Head of School Quentin McDowell, also a colleague, said, “What I witnessed over the 10+ years of working with Mr. Jacklin was that he was an incredibly dedicated educator and coach who challenged and loved the students he worked with. He was smart, honest, and dedicated, holding himself and everyone around him to the highest standards.” A student in Jacklin’s Ancient Mediterranean history class, Manuel Ponce ‘23, said, “Mr. Jacklin was an influential teacher not only by helping me improve my writing skills but also teaching me to believe in myself and what I am capable of.” Jacklin’s work ethic encouraged everyone around him to reach their highest potential. As a coach, Jacklin embodied the values of Mercersburg: Hard Work, Fair Play, Clean Life. Wrestler Ryan Macinnis ‘23 said, “He always pushed me and set high goals, and he made sure I would achieve them. There is no doubt in my mind I wouldn’t be in the same place I am now without him so I will forever be grateful for all he did for me.” Science Department Head and head track coach Nikki Walker said, “Nate was a competitor. He wanted to win. Winning had many meanings to Nate. Starting something meant finishing. Starting something meant giving everything one had at every attempt. Starting something meant being the best teammate to everyone around him. Starting something meant having a feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment at the end of the day. Teammates were family. Family meant everything.” History department member Dan Walker said, “ He ‘encouraged’ me to participate in a grueling ‘Tough Mudder’ 13 mile obstacle course in 2012 and 2013; something that I clearly did not feel physically able to accomplish. When we finished, I was immensely proud and grateful that he didn't ‘let me off the hook.’ It was experiences like this that set Mr. Jacklin aside from others - he knew that pursuing something that felt unachievable provided so many life lessons whether you truly had success or not. He was just special.” Jacklin had a talent for connecting with students, especially in difficult situations. Dorm Dean Laura Patterson said, “ When I worked with Nate in the dorm, he would log the boys for every incident, going to the bathroom or getting a drink after lights out. I learned from him that holding students accountable was important and many times he used it as a tool to have a conversation and get to know them better. He had a soft heart under his tough exterior. Nate went out of his way to connect with students, especially the ones who were struggling to follow the rules and the quiet students who hadn't found their friend groups. He offered to advise and mentor students who were on the verge of being required to withdraw from school. We had many conversations about students who were struggling and brainstorming ways to help them.” Wrestler and former Jacklin advisee Alex Forrester said, “He created a culture where everyone supported everyone like a family.” Jacklin will live on in the hearts and minds of those he leaves behind and the tributes will continue. Bradley reflected, “Nate was one of the strongest people I have ever known. I will remember his fighting spirit and his determination. He loved fiercely, and I was lucky to be in his sphere. Nate will forever be a model for me on how to live with purpose. Nikki Walker said, “ Nate made everyone around him better. At the end of a match - win, lose or draw - every kid was a winner because they learned a lesson to improve upon. That's life. Nate was about life lessons and he taught all of us a lot. I'm blessed to have called him a friend. I will miss him a lot.” Previous Next

Derrick Park ‘25 < Back Swimmer? I hardly know ‘er! Derrick Park ‘25 Jan 26, 2024 This past weekend, Blue Storm’s boys and girls swimming teams traveled to Malvern Prep to compete in a dual meet. Girls swimming defeated Notre Dame 112-73 and boys swimming defeated Malvern Prep 100-86. To prepare for the meet, the teams didn’t do anything special or unusual. They were confident with their usual practice routines and continued to implement them. Rhiannon Myhre ’25 said, “Training styles have remained consistent, focusing on hard, varied practices tailored to each swimmer’s specialty. We are all individually putting in an insane amount of effort so that we can get the best results both individually and collectively as a team. So, we don’t really do anything [different] to specifically focus on dual meets except for working on my relay starts and turns.” Compared to last year, the teams are younger with fewer upperclassmen and PGs. Myhre said, “There is definitely a different vibe than last year but I feel like that is to be expected. Last year we had a lot more seniors and post-graduates than this year. So that alone sort of shifts our dynamic a bit. However, our seniors and post-graduates are doing an amazing job with leading our team and empowering us to be the best that we can.” Head coach Glenn Neufeld elaborated, “Last year, we had a large senior class. But this year, we have a smaller senior class with more new players. There is definitely a shift in the team’s dynamic.” This meant that the teams welcomed many talented young swimmers who feature prominently in the teams’ future. Yule Kwon ’26 said, “We have a lot of potential among freshmen this year. Not only do they help the team feel lively again like it did last year, but sometimes they awe us in how fast they can go.” However, swimmers’ dedication to reaching a higher level through rigorous practices has a downside. Many swimmers are physically and mentally exhausted due to the high demands. Sisi Guo ’25 said, “A lot of swimmers are mentally tired because of hard training every day. Some swimmers go to morning sessions to train, which can be overwhelming. This time of the season is especially tiring for us because of the cold weather.” Despite physical and mental fatigue, the swimmers are committed to achieving their season’s ultimate goal—winning the Eastern Interscholastic Swimmin and Divign Championships. This ambition had been a driving force from the first day of practice and will continue to be until the last day of the season. Xiomara Del Rosario ’26 said, “As swimmers, we strive to prepare well for our biggest swim meet, Easterns, which includes things like good hydration, diet, and sleep which can be hard for a lot of us. We know that if we keep motivating each other in and outside of the water, we will become a well-fortified team.” Neufeld added, “The team’s goal is to rank high in the Easterns—hopefully coming out in the top three. This goal has always resonated with the swimmers since the beginning of the season.” As the teams taper their training for upcoming meets, the sense of unity and purpose is stronger than ever. The teams, with its blend of strong leadership and youthful energy, are looking forward to making this season a successful one—as it always is. Previous Next

Caroline Hobbs '26 < Back Let it Glo! Caroline Hobbs '26 After numerous weeks of fundraising and close competition, Mercersburg’s PGA’s made their way to the starting line of the 3rd annual Special Olympics Glo Run (or SO Glo for short) on Friday, November 4. This year, the school raised a total of thirteen and a half thousand dollars, a truly significant amount of money that will surely impact the lives of many who benefit from the Special Olympics Maryland Organization. For the members of community engagement, they knew that contributing to Special Olympics was the right choice from the start. “ Mercersburg Academy has been working with Special Olympics Maryland for many years (Fun Fact: Special Olympics began in the state of Maryland!),” said Brenden Daly, Community Engagement adviser, “In late October, we helped Special Olympics Maryland run the Fall Fest cycling event down at Fort Ritchie (in Cascade, MD). It gave us all the opportunity to see how the money raised at events like SO Glow can have such a positive impact on athletes with intellectual disabilities -- it was a truly amazing opportunity!” Planning one of Mercersburg’s biggest events is no easy task. “We spent weeks preparing,” said community engagement member Kaori Graham-Myrie ‘24. “Lots of it was deciding how we were going to structure the event differently this year compared to the past. Even though it was a lot of work, we always split it up within our PGA.” Director of Community Engagement Emily Parsons emphasized the reciprocal relationship that Mercersburg maintains with Special Olympics in regard to planning, “A lot goes into the run because we coordinate with Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD). They helped us design the t-shirt (arriving soon!!), come up with the course design, and create the donation webpage. They also visit with us several times throughout the fall to talk about the Special Olympics.” Daly suggested that the planning was in some ways like a sport, “ SO Glow is fall CE's culminating event (we joked it was our playoff game!), so not a week went by when we weren't planning something!” Some ideas suggested during the planning process created conversation between students, most notably the initial decision to run with student’s respective grades, rather than with PGA’s as had been the custom in previous years. Graham-Myrie commented on the decision, “ Our initial intentions with running by grade was to try something new. We had ran with PGA every year for the past two years, and we thought that this would be a good change.” Students, however, demonstrated their love for the run by asking it to be changed back to PGA affiliation. “After our announcement, we got a LOT of feedback about wanting to run with PGAs. The students decided to go back to running with them since the funds were being raised by PGAs.” With hundreds of glow sticks and light up glasses in hand, students ran (or walked) through the intricately planned path across the Mercersburg campus, created by the course planning committee. The run certainly created numerous memories for all, “My favorite part of SO Glo were the cool light up glasses,” said Dorothy Skuba Grey ‘23. “They were so bright that they obscured my vision! But that’s okay since I had such a good time. I honestly didn’t really notice!” “I really loved getting dressed up in neon costumes with the girls cross country team,” said Anne Sehon ‘25. “We also listened to Christmas music while we ran. It was one of the best moments I have had as part of the team.” “My favorite part was just seeing it all come together and go smoothly,” said community engagement member Axel Flurry. “The money we raised really changed people's lives for the better, and for me that’s all that matters.” At the finish, teams and groups were greeted with a dance party, drinks and donuts. By the end of the night when all the festivities were complete, the dance PGA had raised the most money, a total of three thousand, four hundred forty five dollars. As a result of the school’s contributions, Head of School Quentin McDowell rewarded students with a dress down day and buffet lunch in order to celebrate. With the continued success of the event year after year, the Mercersburg community is sure to keep this “glowing” tradition alive. Previous Next