Susannah Birch ’21
The housekeeping staff members are the unsung heroes of Mercersburg Academy. Because of the pandemic, cleaning has become a top priority for ensuring a safe return to school. Indeed, the work of the housekeepers is a major reason why we’re able to stay at school now.
Every morning, the housekeeping staff cleans, washes, and sanitizes the dorms. Each dorm has its own weekday team. Pam Chamberlain and Sis Gordon are in Fowle, Barbara Jarrett is in Swank, Cathy Greenlaw and Lena Miller are in Tippetts, Pam Wegner is in South, Tina Farrow is in Main, and Amy Piper and Jeff Rion are in Keil. Chris Hartman, Jamie Stoner, and Michelle Zeger also help to clean the dorms on the weekend. Their hard work feeds our campus culture. High schoolers aren’t always the most hygenic, and the privilege of being able to come back to a clean, beautiful dorm after a long day shouldn’t be taken for granted.
In addition to the housekeeping staff’s work itself, it’s important to appreciate their positive attitudes. Harper Bumgardner ‘22 says, “I love the housekeeping staff in South! They are always smiling and they make me smile too, even in the mornings.” Eric Liu ‘22 agrees, saying, “They are always so positive and getting to see them in the morning brightens my day.”
However, students should do more to show their appreciation for these unsung heroes. Bob Hollis ‘24 says, “I think they (housekeeping staff) need more recognition than they get right now.” Maddy Stang ‘22 suggests doing “small things, like saying hello and asking how their day is.” Having a genuine conversation with your dorm’s housekeeper might just make the day for both of you.
With all of the COVID rules and restrictions on top of normal, busy Mercersburg life, students often hunker down in their own worlds and forget to be grateful for those who make that life so special. This is exactly why it’s important to acknowledge the work that the housekeeping staff does for students and faculty. So go out and thank the housekeeping staff!