By Caroline Simpson ‘22 News Reporter
This Fall, Mercersburg will look vastly different than those past due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Normal Fall Term events and activities have been canceled or modified. Although SAC has offered alternatives, returning students miss the traditions, dances, and sports games of the past. This Fall, students are embracing a new normal while recognizing a sense of loss.
Typically, the first school-wide event of the year would be the Inbound dance. Maddy Gillner ‘22 misses “the beginning of school year energy and how excited everyone is to be back.” New student Dami Akingbade ‘22 says, “ I have heard about the dances and think that it would be really fun.” Though the Inbound dance won’t happen this year, the school year has started off extremely well, all things considered.
A big part of daily life at Mercersburg, especially during the Fall term, is athletic competition. However, due to the “bubble” around campus, games and matches are not able to take place. Jake Traverse ‘22 explains, “In past years, my PGA gave me the opportunity to film sports competitions for Mercersburg. Now, there are no more matches and I miss it a lot.” Akingbade recalls that she was “really excited about the football games.”
Normally, preseason is also a significant marker of the return to school; it occurs in the week before classes start. During this time PGAs practice to prepare for the Fall season. “I will miss team breakfast before practice because it was so fun to be with the team after not seeing each other all summer and it was a great way to get to know the new players,” said Kate Prentiss ‘21.
Many beloved traditions will not take place this term, one such being the senior “paint-the-numbers” tradition, where the senior class make their mark at the entrance of Mercersburg’s campus. Ryan Bland ‘21 says “I have been looking forward to it for so long because this tradition is one of Mercersburg’s most well-known traditions, and I wish my class would be able to enjoy it this Fall.” Bland is hopeful that seniors will get to participate in this tradition in another term. Another notable Fall event is Family and Alumni Weekend, including traditions such as Steps Songs and the bonfire, all of which students, faculty, alumni, and families will miss.
Fall term 2020 is not like any other but community members are still glad to be back on campus, inching toward a future in which school as usual is possible.
This Fall, Mercersburg will look vastly different than those past due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Normal Fall Term events and activities have been canceled or modified. Although SAC has offered alternatives, returning students miss the traditions, dances, and sports games of the past. This Fall, students are embracing a new normal while recognizing a sense of loss.
Typically, the first school-wide event of the year would be the Inbound dance. Maddy Gillner ‘22 misses “the beginning of school year energy and how excited everyone is to be back.” New student Dami Akingbade ‘22 says, “ I have heard about the dances and think that it would be really fun.” Though the Inbound dance won’t happen this year, the school year has started off extremely well, all things considered.
A big part of daily life at Mercersburg, especially during the Fall term, is athletic competition. However, due to the “bubble” around campus, games and matches are not able to take place. Jake Traverse ‘22 explains, “In past years, my PGA gave me the opportunity to film sports competitions for Mercersburg. Now, there are no more matches and I miss it a lot.” Akingbade recalls that she was “really excited about the football games.”
Normally, preseason is also a significant marker of the return to school; it occurs in the week before classes start. During this time PGAs practice to prepare for the Fall season. “I will miss team breakfast before practice because it was so fun to be with the team after not seeing each other all summer and it was a great way to get to know the new players,” said Kate Prentiss ‘21.
Many beloved traditions will not take place this term, one such being the senior “paint-the-numbers” tradition, where the senior class make their mark at the entrance of Mercersburg’s campus. Ryan Bland ‘21 says “I have been looking forward to it for so long because this tradition is one of Mercersburg’s most well-known traditions, and I wish my class would be able to enjoy it this Fall.” Bland is hopeful that seniors will get to participate in this tradition in another term. Another notable Fall event is Family and Alumni Weekend, including traditions such as Steps Songs and the bonfire, all of which students, faculty, alumni, and families will miss.
Fall term 2020 is not like any other but community members are still glad to be back on campus, inching toward a future in which school as usual is possible.