Dylan Stiffler ’24
On Monday April 4, required, semi-formal, family style meals, a long-standing Mercersburg tradition, were reinstated in the Ford Dining Hall. Due to the pandemic, many students and faculty have never experienced the custom.
In accordance with tradition, family style lunches occur Monday through Friday. Up to eight students of any grade are randomly placed at a table with two faculty members. The group eats all required meals together for two weeks, before the table assignments change.
Members of the Mercersburg community seem to share a consensus: this is one of the best school traditions, as it creates the beautiful bond that Mercersburg has. Evan Howley ‘22 said, “Family style meals are great for the community, and although they do make my schedule less flexible, it is a needed component of our school life. I am excited to meet new people, and have already gotten closer with the people at my current assigned table.”
Bruce Hunter, interim college counselor, observed, “ Out of all the schools I have worked at, Mercersburg is the only one that has held onto this tradition. I admire the community effort put in. As I am on an interim assignment, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to meet new students, and I am already connecting with students that I otherwise would not have crossed paths with.” Eleanor Ballantine ‘24, points out that the family style lunches can be awkward and intimidating. “I was scared at first to be put with people I don’t know. However, once I settled in, my table was so great and I had a wonderful time making new friends.”
With the revival of family style lunches, meal cuts have also returned. With this practice, each student receives three meal cuts per term, and each allowing the student to skip a required, family style lunch. Dan Zagori ‘23, loves the concept. “Sometimes I think people just need a break, or need to finish up last minute homework. Meal cuts allow people to have a little bit more flexibility, and I will absolutely be utilizing them. Pablo Garza ‘22, shares the same feeling. “As a senior, I want to make the most out of my last year here. Meal cuts allow me to go off campus with my friends to eat lunch, and I will definitely be using them.”
Overall, the return of family style meals marks the beginning of the return to normalcy on campus, as many old traditions will likely return in the near future as well.
Carina Cole ‘22 is looking forward to the future. “With the return of family style lunches, I am excited that we are going to start doing formal Monday night dinners again, which is one of my favorite Mercersburg traditions.” In fact, campus is going to be buzzing as students contemplate their attire for that first important dinner.