By Maggie Betkowski ’21 News Reporter
While relatively unknown and led by fearless leaders Kristin Magalhães and Denise Dalton, Culbertson House is undoubtedly the most unique dorm on the Mercersburg Academy campus. In fact, it’s so unique that Victoria Zhivova ’21, one out of eleven of Mags’ Minions, says, “You can’t really call it a dorm.”
This is true, indeed, despite the technicality. In its purest form, Culbertson is a home. As cheesy as it may sound, there’s no denying it. Just ask any of the current or previous residents, including Josue Lopez ‘20 who lived there as the youngest of ten back when it was a boys’ dorm. In fact, he said, “It should still be boys.”
Whether you believe dear Culbertson should still be home to boys or girls, only the few, lucky elite each year get to experience unconventional Mercersburg Academy dorm life in the small woodland oasis. While some are unwilling to make the extensive journey to and from Culbertson every day, residents have little choice but to make biking a part of their daily routine. They soon begin to recognize how being far from main campus can be refreshing and one of the best parts of living there. “There’s no pressure, and you can be yourself with your friends. It feels like home,” comments Zhivova.
There is no better feeling than arriving home from a long day, dropping your bike on the lawn, walking inside, and seeing everyone running in and out of rooms asking for clothes to borrow for Monday night dinner. In Culbertson, my closet is your closet.
The small number of people, Jesse Broyles ’20 attests, was her favorite part of living there last year. Michele Poacelli, the dorm dean several years ago when it was consistently a boys’ dorm, says, “It can be less structured, and you can dive much deeper into relationships.” Tess Browne ’20 states, “It’s a big family. Knowing everyone was my favorite part.”
Although only girls live within, it is nonetheless extremely loud. Even though she says she can’t hear any of us individually, our beloved Ms. Mags confesses that there is one thing she can hear over all the commotion: the laugh of Madi Norris ’21. Norris says, “My favorite part of Culbertson is knowing when everyone is awake because I can hear them.” Singing and shower parties are no doubt everyone’s favorite activity this year. Although it may be chaotic at times, “It’s fun, it’s energy, it keeps me on my toes. It’s fun, that’s the bottom line,” Ms. Mags says.
Goodbye, Sage Dining; hello, Culbertson! With delicacies like no other, Alex Coenjaerts ’20 says that the food, especially hot chocolate and ice cream for Christmas, were her favorites. One person’s birthday can feed everyone in the dorm for a week, and Culbertson never goes without good food. Thanks to the beloved dorm faculty, there are always cookies or some type of treat awaiting us at check in. S’mores are just one of the many gastronomic indulgences common to study breaks.
Tradition runs strong at Culbertson, from mud Mondays to hot chocolate, from tea to decorating everything with lights. Broyles recalls decorating for Halloween. “We all were up so late,” she shared. “We ate so much candy.” Cookouts at the fire pit are another institution of the dorm. Ms. Mags, her two adorable dogs, and her two sweet boys are added bonuses of Culbertson life; Beyblades with Pedro and Kai, and dog kisses from Bella and Mookie are all Culbertson specials.