By Carina Cole ’22 News Reporter
On the weekend of October 18, many families of students and alumni came back to school for family and alumni weekend. Recent graduates of the class of 2019 returned to Mercersburg to see their old classmates and friends still attending the school. Alumni enjoyed festivities such as Steps Songs, the all school bonfire on Tippetts beach, sports events, and the conversation with Ernest Green about his experience as one of the Little Rock Nine.
Since graduating, Patrice McGloin ‘19 has missed Mercersburg and her friends from high school; she described coming back to campus as “strange after being away from Mercersburg for a year, but extremely fun considering the infectious energy the community of Mercersburg brings to special events such as class reunions.” She realized that the commonalities in the student body weren’t superficial and that everyone continues to form a deep connection with each other as their bonds grow through the years despite the miles. As a former member of the Black Student Union while at Mercersburg, McGloin returned to campus for the Ernest Green panel and the organization’s anniversary.
Though Jill Ahlgren ‘19 may call Mercersburg home, she came to campus to enjoy the athletic events scheduled for the weekend. As a past player on the field hockey and lacrosse teams, she couldn’t wait to cheer the field hockey team in its victory against Peddie. Ahlgren said. “I returned to participate in traditions such as Steps Songs and to spend time with classmates at the bonfire.” She was also happy to spend the weekend with her sister and brothers, as well as see her mother. Ahlgren added that she had been looking forward to all the delicious food at dinner on Saturday night before Steps Songs. Bridget Ahlgren ‘22 agreed. “I am most excited to play lacrosse with my sister because we haven’t been able to do that for a while.”
Elizabeth Heidecker ‘19 was not able to return to campus due to the fact that she is in Belgium, but she says she misses everyone at school and was sad she couldn’t see her classmates and faculty members over the weekend. Reflecting on past family and alumni weekends, she remembered singing with her classmates at Steps Songs, and seeing all the alumni that have graduated in years past return to campus. She said, “Eating popcorn by the bonfire made for a perfect night.” Seeing photos from the weekend on social media made her miss all the traditions, especially because she always saw herself as an alumnus that would be able to return for the reunion each year. Heidecker said, “I miss my prefect duties as well as chatting with students and faculty in Fowle while eating chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.”
Recent alumni agreed that returning to campus and seeing teachers, friends, and family put them in a cheerful mood for the weekend. Alumni reminisced about their time at Mercersburg and enjoyed spending time as a class doing the activities they once did as students. Between the traditions, seeing family and friends, as well as enjoying food and activities, the alumni enjoyed the weekend spending time with the people they are closest to.