During the opening Convocation of the 134th academic year, Mercersburg students were challenged to envision themselves as heroes embarking on a journey. Faculty member and invited speaker Michele Poacelli P ’24, ’26 led the charge in the Irvine Memorial Chapel Monday, Sept. 7.
In her address, “Your Mercersburg Odyssey,” Poacelli reminded the student body that no hero journeys alone.
“Your act of becoming the best manifestation of yourself is not a contest that requires perfection. It’s way more complicated than that. It’s a process that requires ongoing self-reflection, tenacity, and vulnerability. Ask for the help you need. Invite mentors in,” encouraged Poacelli, English department head and director of the Penn Fellows program. “At the end of your quest, you will emerge transformed and ready to share your newfound wisdom with the world — ultimately to make it a better place.
“Along the way, I wish you the recognition of your own brimming vitality, the good help of mentors, and wind in your sails as you navigate all of your wine-dark seas.”
Watch a replay of Poacelli’s speech.
Other participants at Convocation included Head of School Quentin McDowell P ’25, ’27; Student Council President Finn Mauro ’27 (Pittsburgh, PA); new School Organist and Chorale Director Matthew Williamson; Carillonneur James Brinson, who accompanied the Chorale; Rayyan Khan ’27 (Peshawar, Pakistan), who provided the introduction of countries; School Chaplain Jacob Cherry, who offered the prayer at the end of the service; and Gus Person, bagpiper.
In keeping with tradition, each of Mercersburg’s four grades was represented at Convocation by a class flagbearer. Participating students were 12th-Grade Class President Jude Gray ’27 (New Orleans, LA), 11th-Grade Class President Revant Jear ’28 (Piscataway, NJ), 10th-Grade Class President Charlie Higgins ’29 (Stockholm, NJ), and Lizzie Frey ’30 (Mercersburg, PA), a member of the incoming 9th-grade class.
During the service, McDowell presented Shubhlean Kaur ’27 of Carteret, NJ, with the Robert Michelet (1930) Prize, which recognizes distinguished scholarship, character, and school spirit during the previous 11th-grade year. Higgins received the John Culbertson (1924) Prize, which acknowledges the exceptional promise and outstanding accomplishment of a student entering the 10th grade.
Mercersburg’s 2026-27 student body is composed of 441 students, including residents of 28 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 42 countries. The school welcomed 12 new faculty members this fall, representing various academic departments, including English, history, and science.
The past week featured the arrival of the student body in several waves, training for dormitory prefects and other student leaders, Inbound (orientation) activities for students, and performance group activities that included sports, theatre, dance, and other pursuits. The first full day of classes was Tuesday, Sept. 8.
