February 24, 2007 10:24 AM
I'm Smelling a Carolina BBQ...That's right, ya'll, roasted PIG!
Go Marshall!
Mercersburg is full of tradition; you can see it in the stained glass windows of the Edward's Room or on the lawn of the graduation platform. The list goes on, but when I put tradition and Mercersburg together, hands down, the first thing I think of is the week of Irving-Marshall competitions.
This ritual is older than the school itself. Back in the day, the Washington Irving Literary Society and the John Marshall Literary Society duked it out annually with a team debate. Whoever won got bragging rights for a year and since then the tradition has been in full practice. But the debate wasn't enough, and in the 60's Irving vs. Marshall sports competitions were introduced into the rivalry. Irving's mascot is the red and white Pig, and the Marshall mascot is the blue and yellow Outlaw. The debate evolved into a speaking contest, Declamation, and five declamers from each society present their pieces at the end of the week. Whoever has the most points from the sporting events and declamation wins, pretty simple.
Team spirit combined with eager excitement of the upcoming spring break crank up the energy of all the students. This week is a godsend to us. Half day classes, yeeeeeeha! Intense competition and cheering. And finally a big dance at the end of the week! In my opinion it's a genius way to end the winter term. In the afternoon after the morning classes, almost everyone migrates to the gym to be a part of or cheer for there society during the sporting events. Most of the winter sports are played (along with some other games), and only by people who didn't play them the past term can compete. For example, a basketball player wouldn't be allowed to play basketball for their society, but could have a go at anything else. My personal favorite sport to watch is the girls wrestling, ha...aka, all out catfights (with a ref, of course). Technic doesn't exist at all, just girls brawling all out fueled by will power and spirit. Irving-Marshall unites the community very well, even if it technically divides us down the middle. By the end of the week, everyone comes together with a better feeling of family.
I'm getting pretty excited just describing it. Gotta go to swim practice...yep, I'm swimming for Marshall. I'll keep ya posted how the competitions unravel. GO MARSHALL!
Posted by Mark at February 24, 2007 10:24 AM