Mercersburg
Claire


Nashville, Tennessee

DEFINITION
Claire (adjective): capricious, unpredictable.

QUESTIONS
What kind of boarding school did you want to go to?
I definitely wanted co-ed. I also wanted a location that was really pretty—somewhere I could walk outside and enjoy myself. Also I liked the diversity of Mercersburg. It wasn't too preppy. It wasn't a stereotypical school at all.

What were you most looking forward to?
I was definitely looking for to high school in general, but boarding school in particular. I like having responsibility; I like having to do my own laundry.

Who is your favorite teacher?
I absolutely loved Mr. Kearney, my English teacher in junior and senior years. He treated us like adults from the minute we walked in. He didn't give us stupid quizzes that took up time just to find out if we'd read the books. He respected us so much that he knew we would read them. In fact, you wanted to read for him. He set such high standards; you would feel embarrassed if you came to class unprepared. When I got a 5 on my AP English test I was so excited to tell him. He wanted us to do well. He believed in us and I really appreciated that.

What have been your favorite classes?
My three favorite classes have been AP English junior year, AP Government and Comparative Politics, and AP American History. All three of these classes were difficult but fun, with teachers that really encouraged independent learning.

What was the class you're glad you took but never want to take again?
This would clearly be Physics with Mr. Malone junior year. Science is my weakest subject, so physics and I didn't really get along, but Mr. Malone taught me a lot about my learning style and study skills that I can take with me to any class.

What are your favorite places on campus?
My favorite places on campus would be my dorm room, the hill right above the women's soccer field, and the reading room in the library. I always tried to make my dorm room as homey as possible, filling it with posters, wall hangings, and knickknacks so I never felt homesick. During the spring I would go on runs through campus and would stop on top of the hill above the women's soccer field to watch the sun go down. It's an absolutely breath taking view of Mercersburg and the mountains; an image I will always remember. And my third place would be the reading room because it brought me sanity during long study sessions. I don't work well at desks so the comfortable chairs occupied me for hours during exam weeks.

What's it like being a dorm prefect?
I wanted to be a prefect because I definitely saw myself as a leader. I'm an easy person to talk to and I felt that would be good for a prefect. Of course, there are the benefits too, things like first choice of rooms and a refrigerator. You also get to go to prefect meetings so you can voice your opinions. It's a way to feel you have an impact on the dorm, and that the administration isn't making all the choices.

What's the most fun you've had a Mercersburg?
There were so many different ways to have fun. For example, I managed the baseball team. I loved traveling with the team and handling the stats. It's a good thing to do if you're stressed out about school. Of course, I would never trade the Irving-Marshall weeks for anything. Or even just going down to get pizza with friends.

Where to now?
I'm off to the University of Southern California to major in broadcast journalism. I've wanted to be a sports anchor for a long time. To start with, I'm a huge sports fan and I spend a lot of time watching ESPN. Also, I loved being the sports editor of the newspaper.

So USC seemed like a good choice. It's got a great journalism program in a city of professional sports, not to mention the top broadcast stations in the country. I think there'll be great opportunities for internships and to learn the industry.

Also, it's big and the place is exotic and beautiful.

What do you think you'll miss the most?
Just the nights in the dorms, it might be a school night or a Friday night when you'd be bored and you'd go find somebody. You'd dress up, take photos, or play games. It's the simple things that just happen and it's those moments when you realize, "Wow I love boarding school and living with friends."

You know, when you live with people from ages 14-18, you see them transform. You become family.

If you could offer one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would it be?
Try everything. You'll regret it if you don't.

LISTS
What were the last five songs to play on your mp3 player?
“Better Than” by John Butler Trio
“Down Home Girl” by Old Crow Medicine Show
“All My Friends Say” by Luke Bryan
“Big Things Poppin'” by T.I.
“Grey in L.A.” by Loudon Wainwright

What are your favorite books that you've read at Mercersburg?
House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Activities: