Search Results

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

Corbin Kelly ‘24 < Back Full and Swankful Corbin Kelly ‘24 Swank Hall's yearly tradition of serving a Thanksgiving dinner to the entire dorm, or “Swanksgiving” as it has come to be known, was held last Sunday, November 5, in cozy North Cottage. The dorm gathered as a community as they broke bread and attempted to stay out of the cold. Swanksgiving has a long history as a tradition in Swank Hall. Despite reports that Jo Wrzesinsky started the tradition when she was dorm dean, she simply said, “No, I took it from Susan Hutchins.” Hutchins, was the girls lacrosse coach who served as dorm dean before Wrzesinsky, who served before English teacher Doonie Brewer, who served before current dorm dean and history teacher Emily Schoenberger ‘15. As in the past, the dorm faculty collaborated to provide the feast. Maria Rihn ‘24 commented, “The food was amazing—not just because of HOW it was cooked, but WHO it was cooked by. The table was made up of everyone’s contributions, which made it all the more special!” Dorm resident, Fred Horn roasted two huge turkeys to meet the hungry demands of the dorm. “He spent three days prepping the turkeys and they spent eight hours in a smoker, which made them extra tasty,” reported Schoenberger, having witnessed the hours of work. She noted that the joy of Swanksgiving goes far beyond the food; it’s also about the community. “It was a really special time, and it felt especially homey this year because we held it in North Cottage. It really felt like a real Thanksgiving!” said Scho. Of course, as with any large event there naturally comes some stress. Schoenberger reported a moment of domestic tension in the transit of the food. “The fact that Mr. Horn spilled turkey juice all over the back of my car when he was transporting the turkeys to North Cottage. But honestly, it’s not that bad, because now it smells like a Thanksgiving feast every time I get in my car.” Since Thanksgiving only serves as an American holiday, it’s something that not every student celebrates back at their home. Arpi Karapetyan ‘24 said, “My family doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, so this was a nice change to celebrate with friends.” Crystal Yuen ‘24 noted that Swanksgiving is different from celebrations with her family: “At home sometimes the food has a few more dishes that are, like, very Chinese, but it’s one of the meals where my family likes to do the classics.” Former Swank resident Bailey Weibley ‘11 has now begun introducing her own children to the tradition. “ My favorite part about Swanksgiving is everyone being together. It might sound cheesy, but Thanksgiving in itself is all about families gathering, and Swanksgiving is the same. We have former Swankstas, present Swankstas, and future Swankstas in attendance each year and it makes it so special.” Previous Next

< Back Homie roomie October 17, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM Kaden Yang ’29 Finding out who you’re rooming with may be the most nerve-wracking yet thrilling aspect of coming to a boarding school. You fill out a long survey, try to be honest, and then cross your fingers, hoping the school matches you up with someone you can get along with. It's like opening a mystery box that holds the fate of who you'll be rooming with for possibly the next four years, but certainly at least one. I won’t lie. The roommate survey is useful. The questions are detailed and diverse, ranging from "What atmosphere do you prefer in your room?" to "Do you make noise in your sleep?" These questions exist to prevent the small inconveniences that can turn into serious arguments. Knowing whether someone's a night owl or an early riser, for example, definitely makes residential life easier. However, despite the effort, the roommate pairing system is not perfect. The biggest issue is that people don't always answer truthfully. As students fill the survey out, they subconsciously fill in choices that they think make them the ideal roommate, rather than who they truly are. Perhaps you say you are tidy because you would like to be tidy, or you say you prefer to learn quietly when you actually prefer music in the background to focus. Another factor is that the surveys are not necessarily meant to glean an understanding of your personality. You may know a person's sleeping habits, but not whether they like to gossip or if they would rather keep to themselves. Two individuals can share commonalities in residential lifestyle but vary in personality and ways of communication. The survey ought to include such questions in order to more holistically gauge not only a person’s way of life but their personality as well. If there were one thing I could change about the survey, I would include a short-answer section, such as "What kind of roommate are you seeking?" or "What usually annoys you?" These open-ended questions would tell us a lot more than a mere checkbox ever could. In the end, I think Mercersburg Academy does its best to find every student their best match. I also acknowledge that it is not easy to pair up more than a hundred new students each year. Sometimes it works out perfectly, and you become best friends with your roommate. Other times, it just barely meets expectations. You and your roommate end up merely coexisting in the room but never forming a personal connection (which, in my opinion, is still okay). But even if the match is not ideal, learning to live with another person with whom you may not share much in common can teach you a lot about patience, respect, and flexibility—qualities that go beyond what you learn in the classroom. Previous Next

Tristan Paulette '27 < Back For You & Me: Coco's talent on display Tristan Paulette '27 Apr 19, 2024 “It was the most rewarding moment of my life. Seeing people enjoying my music makes me so happy… I learned about myself, and I found my music and songwriting style,” said Coco Zhai ‘24. The event that she was speaking about was her capstone performance, titled “For You & Me.” She played a variety of songs, most of them self-written and produced. Her originals carried an extra twist: they were inspired by people at Mercersburg. For example, “Conversations” was inspired by Ben Cho ‘24, and “What I Want to Say to You” was inspired by Maria Rihn ‘24, both people who have impacted her life. In addition to those songs, she performed her originals, “Until the End,” “Stay with Me,” “With You,” and “Wish List,” “Losing Happiness,” and “Falling For U.” In addition to gaining inspiration from the personal growth of her friends and classmates, she has also seen herself evolve as an artist. “This year, I did a lot of extra work in order to improve as an artist. I've been studying AP Music to enhance my music theory knowledge, I took music classes twice a week outside of school to study production and songwriting, and also I did a lot of research during my capstone class.” About the challenges of the Arts Practicum, Zhai said, “I think it was the songwriting process. It is hard to write 10 new songs within a month, I had to really squeeze ideas out of my mind and make sure it's good. I learned about myself, and I found my music and songwriting style. As well as how to really manage time effectively due to the huge amount of work I had to put in. I would recommend the arts practicum capstone for the students who want to be fully immersed in the arts. It takes a lot of time and creativity, but it surely is rewarding.” The audience hooted their approval after each piece. Pema Namdol ‘27 said, “I really enjoyed the show, and I thought that she had some really good songs. The energy of the crowd was really good.” She continued, “They were all new songs, and I thought that she did pretty good in all of them. I thought it was really fun to see someone who I know has a lot of talent and see everyday get to show it off in front of everyone.” Kristen Pixler, Fine Arts Teacher has watched Zhai develop in her years at Mercersburg. “She came to Mercersburg with such a background in music and performing,” she said. Pixler emphasized Zhai’s need for time to prepare and a specific space to write, create, and perform her works. “She wrote all of those songs!” she said, “I mean the amount she has done in such a short time… is incredible.” When asked about the performance itself, she had this to say: "She is such a strong performer… If you were there, all of her friends, everyone who was there was singing along, super engaged with what she was doing… Not surprisingly, she had a packed house and more would have come if there was space. I think it was just an absolute celebration of her and it was wonderful and it was one of the most special performances I have ever seen… It was tremendous, it was a wonderful night and I hope she feels the pride and the love from the community.” Previous Next

Cole Pirano ‘26 < Back Malo makes a difference Cole Pirano ‘26 Feb 2, 2024 The senior class has been hard at work in their Springboard senior capstone classes, preparing for the Capstone Expo in May. Kevin Malo '24 is using his Open Topic project to make a difference with the formerly incarcerated. Inspired by his East Jersey upbringing, he chose to pursue a project involving drug-related convictions. In his home country of Ecuador, crime and drug addiction are very present and that fact has fueled his interest in the US prison system. Malo began to explore the broader system of drug-related convictions, until a few weeks ago when he encountered Gatekeepers , an organization focused on the re-entry of the incarcerated to mainstream life. Based in Hagerstown, the home to the Maryland Correctional Institute, Gatekeepers helps ex-convicts by finding them work, paying their rent, and counseling them for as long as they desire. These measures helped the formerly incarcerated persuaded Malo to focus his project on the re-entry system for ex-convicts. Malo's beliefs on allowing ex-convicts to re-enter society are evident in his words: "It is crucial that we…give those who have made past mistakes and learned from them a second chance." With his community in mind, he attended two Gatekeepers "Resource Club" meetings with Kaori Graham-Myrie '24 and Department Head of Interdisciplinary Programs JD Bennett. Malo has been working with the leadership of Bill Gaertner, a founder and executive director of Gatekeepers, who even called Malo up to speak about his project and how he hopes it can help everyone at the meeting. Graham-Myrie marveled at the experience of seeing the Gatekeepers in action, and he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be welcomed into the sessions. Spending time at Gatekeepers has been nothing short of impactful; Malo stated, "I have heard incredible stories from former inmates who are turning their lives around. Every session is nothing short of inspirational." Malo observed that most people don't know about re-entry programs like Gatekeepers, even though the prison is only a short car ride away. For this reason, he wants to raise awareness about re-entry programs because people should know about the organizations helping people in their communities. His message that "we must tell those uncomfortable stories" is embodied in his work. Currently, Malo is building a website to raise awareness of re-entry programs and their fantastic work. His work will also raise money for three different organizations that help inmates reintegrate into society. Malo has no intention of letting his project end after his graduation and hopes that a younger student will continue his work after he graduates. Bennett, Director of the Springboard program, agrees: "I am hopeful that Kevin can inspire Mercersburg to invest time and resources in Gatekeepers in the same way we've lifted My Neighbor's Bounty. " Although Malo has found purpose in this work, his project is much larger than he is. It has unlimited potential to help some of the most vulnerable members of our society return to their communities and make valuable personal contributions. Previous Previous Next Next

Fran Garcia '26 < Back Blue Review review Fran Garcia '26 Oct 13, 2023 This year marks the 50th anniversary of Blue Review, Mercersburg’s student-run publication featuring arts and literary works by students. The Blue Review staff works to take a year’s worth of student submissions and combine them into a booklet of around one hundred pages. Originally published weekly and titled “The Sunday Evening Review,” It even featured recipes in some of its earliest publications. “ The Blue Review team works in two groups: arts and literature. Both of these collaborate in developing a theme, finding pieces, critiquing pieces, and designing/developing the book,” said Andrew Leibowitz ‘24, a member of the Blue Review team. Throughout its 50 years, Blue Review has won multiple awards with its most distinguished coming from the Columbia National Press Association. “For the past two years, and hopefully three with our newest book, we have won their highest award, the gold crown,” says Leibowitz. “ [Blue Review is] the only publication of its kind on campus,” says Bob Hollis ‘24, another Blue Review staff member. Blue Review showcases a year's worth of work, acknowledging outstanding pieces created by students. Submitting to Blue Review and seeing their work published is something that many students look forward to every year. Blue Review embraces the spirit of teamwork and community at Mercersburg, as it is a student-led organization in charge of featuring those students who go above and beyond in their creative work. For the 2023-24 school year publication, the Blue Review team is in the process of designing a theme and outlining the book’s design. Because submissions will continue to come in throughout the year, it’s hard to predict exactly how the book will look. Previous Next

Revant Jear’28 < Back Soccer triumphs over Hill Revant Jear’28 Nov 7, 2025 The Mercersburg Boys’ Soccer team took on long-time MAPL rival Hill and came out victorious in a hard-fought 3–0 match. This was Mercersburg’s first defeat of Hill in ten years. Coach Skyler Clark said, “I think our overall composure on the ball worked especially well, especially in terms of going forward. Hill scouted us pretty well, playing in a low block formation, making it difficult to play over the top, but we were patient, composed, and when we found a break, made the most of it.” Captain Grant Wilkinson ’26 added, “I think just coming out strong in the first half, in some games in the past we came out a little bit slower, and less energetic, and I think keeping the momentum in the second really made the difference.” Coach Will Slater agreed, stating, “Overall, the boys came out with much more energy than throughout the season, and Hill seemed to play more defensively, and the game really opened up, and the team took their chances.” Simon Brennan ’26 commented, “Getting there, shooting shots, missing, it didn’t put our heads down, and we kept making more and more shots, and the defense stayed strong, not letting any goals in. The consistency also helped us not lose spirit.” Brennan continued, “Everyone bought into the same mindset this week—we knew what this game meant. The focus in warmups and the energy from the bench really pushed us through to the end.” A defining moment in the game came when Gustavo Lisboa Ferreira Santana ’26 scored from 30 yards out. Wilkinson said, “This being our first goal, especially in the fashion it happened, really shifted the momentum in our favor.” “Players like Chris Carbone and Gaven McGuire had great contributions coming off the bench,” Slater said. Clark added, “Ewan McDowell, Felipe Pepe all had outstanding performances which contributed to the victory.” Dylan Brenes ’26, one of those new players, said, “The culture of the team has really made a difference, almost like one big family. It’s incredible how the team brought their heads up after a couple of hard losses and bounced back so well.” Trace Russell ’28 added, “Everyone has improved skill-wise, and also trusting each other during the games.” For the seniors, this was a fitting farewell to their MAPL home games, especially with such a dramatic victory. Brennan ’26 said, “With the Brazilians coming my junior year, and all of the seniors kind of just being together, it’s been a really fun time together.” Jaekwan Kim ’26 added, “Being in the scene for the past four years, and seeing all of the changes going on, it’s really great to come out with a win.” Wilkinson ’26 added, “Final game on Steiger, and that too winning means a lot to the seniors, I’ve played on Steiger every home game since my freshman year, and it’s the most fitting way to end it.” Previous Next

Liza Hoa '27 < Back Syd Watts: finding your breakout moment Liza Hoa '27 Nov 15, 2024 In the vast sphere of high school theater, it's usually the performers that tend to shine in the limelight. However, behind every show is a dedicated crew working relentlessly to bring each scene to life. Amongst these individuals, an important figure is definitely Syd Watts '25. Watts did not start their high school career intending to join the Mercersburg Tech Crew. Watts, said, "Despite having done a little bit of tech crew in middle school, I didn't think I was going to pursue it in high school. In fact, I actually started out my Mercersburg experience doing field hockey my very first term, but then in the winter I decided to do it and I haven't looked back since." Since then, they have become an indispensable member of Mercersburg Academy's Tech Crew, refining their talents, and, most importantly, growing from a shy and quiet freshman to a confident and experienced senior. Watts believes being promoted to stage manager was their breakout moment: "It was a really big role that i had to fill. The previous stage manager was Ellie Miller '23, who stage-managed for three out of four years here, so I kind of took over for her when she left. But, it was a huge honor to be able to fulfill that role and be trusted to do a good job with it." As stage manager, Watts works very closely with the actors of Stony Batter directing taking blocking and line notes, and sending reminders for lights and sound cues. Nearing important rehearsal days that can last up to a rigorous twelve hours (such as the long weekend before Puffs ), the challenge of the job is to bring everyone together - a labor of love that pays off in the end. Besides their impressive technical skills, Watts' general leadership and work ethic have defined the culture of the Stony Batter Tech Crew. "I love Syd. Honestly, Syd has been just a blessing to the department and to Stony Batter. I hope that they would impart upon other kids who want to be stage managers-everything that they know-so we can have more like Syd. They're one of my favorite people, and I will miss them crazily when they go, especially because they're such a big part of my Mercersburg experience," said Jessica Doubell, Center Director of Operations. Watts credits most of their personal growth to Doubell, who has acted as a supportive mentor or them throughout the years. "Mrs. Doubell's been a huge light in my life. She's one of the happiest people on campus and makes me smile whenever I see her. And also, she's taught me basically everything I know," stated Watts. The aptitude that Watts' has for Tech Crew goes beyond a high school hobby; it shapes their career path. They said, "I'm for sure pursuing stage management in college. My portfolio is currently underway. And, I actually just came from touring a college, so hopefully, I get into a place with an amazing theater program and alumni network like Penn State." Previous Next

Fran Garcia ‘26 < Back Lunching with my Compadres Fran Garcia ‘26 Oct 6, 2023 If you walk straight from Main Hall and take a quick right down Church Street, you’ll find Compadres. The small, homey business has quickly become a staple in Mercersburg Academy students’ diet and one of their favorite places for students to eat off campus. Compadres is a Mexican restaurant owned by a Mexican family, the Ortegas, who moved to Pennsylvania around 20 years ago, opened El Sombrero in Greencastle six years ago, and then Compadres as a sister restaurant in 2022. Maria Ordoñez, Compadres staff member, stated that she loves to welcome students as they were both very educated and respectful to her and all the people working at the restaurant. She was saddened to see no students during summer and pleased when classes started several weeks ago. Among the most popular dishes for students are the Beef fajitas, tacos, and the Burrito Rancho Nuevo according to Ordoñez. But these are only some of the many items you can find on the menu. The Latino community is very small in Mercersburg. Still, Compadres founder and owner Mireño Ortega hopes to shine a light on the Latino community and the culture by sharing his family’s traditional Mexican recipes. When entering the restaurant, you immediately hear traditional Mexican Rancheras. Rancheras are songs typically sung by small groups of mariachis. This music—and the smell of Mexican cuisine— brings a small chunk of Mexican culture to Farmland, Pennsylvania in a way that no one has done before. Besides students from Mercersburg Academy who patronize the restaurant, you will also see families, firefighters, construction workers, and other people from the town. Students and teachers describe Compadres as a lively place where the staff members will never fail to make you feel at home. Previous Previous Next Next