By Andrew Yuen ’21 News Reporter
Standing upon the hill, in all its glory, is Main Hall. As Mercersburg Academy’s oldest dormitory, it continues to define itself as the ultimate boys dorm. Originally established in 1837, Main was the very first boys dorm. In 1927, an unfortunate fire ravaged the dorm. Main did not see life again until 1928 when it was rebuilt and restored to its original position as the desirable boys dorm on campus.
In recent years, Main has created its own unique community of lower-middle, upper-middle, and senior boys. Each resident contributes his own unique identity to one unique Main identity. So whether it is playing Super Smash Bros Ultimate in the common room, hide and seek on fourth floor, Call of Duty with the boys on third floor, or movie night at dorm faculty and math department member Cohen’s man cave, everyone finds their own place in Main.
Each boy has his favorite aspect of the dorm. Pablo Garza ’22 says, “Main hosts the PGA tour. I don’t think you can top that.” Prefect Tom Wu ’20 says, “On average, we have the biggest rooms. We have snacks every Monday night. We just have so much history.”
Main Hall houses a special sense of community and culture that fosters everyone. Dorm dean Jackie Sweeney says, “The best part about being a dorm dean is being able to work closely with the prefects and boys. There’s just something special. I don’t know how to put it into words.” Everyone finds their niche here in Main Hall. Not just a dorm, it is a family. Even the faculty work to foster this feeling.
Fourteen-year Main Hall resident Jeff Cohen says, “I make my apartment available to my advisees and others who want to visit – to watch TV and movies, get math help, or just chat. My goal is to give kids a place that feels like a home away from home.” the dorm, for many, has become a home away from home. Three-year dorm resident Daanish Raashid ’20 comments, “What kept me in Main was the culture. I have created a family in this dorm and that’s what kept me here.”
Main is built upon the idea that all residents feel comfortable being themselves – their best selves. First year Main dorm parent and English teacher Ryan Tyree says, “The culture here is so cool, it’s like sixteen different communities all built under one roof. I can feel that there have been deep friendships built.” Take a walk through the halls, and you’ll notice the diversity. Things are so different, yet it somehow all make sense together. Best of all, the boys have fun here. Former Keil Hall resident Damien Mahanama ’20 says, “Keil is all talk, Main is the best dorm on campus.”