By Andrew Chang ’26

The declaimers who will represent Mercersburg Academy’s two literary societies—the Irving Society and the Marshall Society—have been selected and announced ahead of this year’s Irving-Marshall Week, which is set to take place the first week in March.

Declamation, formally known as the Annual Prize Speaking Contest, serves as the culminating event of a week of competition between the two societies and will once again bring the entire student body together for an evening of performance, tradition, and school spirit.

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The Irving Society’s declaimers this year are Caroline Hobbs ’26, Audrey Hua ’26, Lily Hubbard ’26, Sophie Koroma ’26, and Jacob Bershatsky ’28. Audrey Stambaugh ’27 has been named Irving’s declaimer-in-training, a role designated in case one of the selected declaimers is unable to compete.

The Marshall Society will be represented by Claire Chow ’26, Sean Flaherty ’26, Renee Jin ’26, Lilly Killinger ’26, and Michael Kremers ’26. Angela Tang ’28 has been selected as Marshall’s declaimer-in-training.

For many students, Declamation is both an honor and a challenge. Chow reflected on what the opportunity means to her, saying, “I am very honored (but nervous!) to be selected as a declaimer this year. I am most excited to hopefully get to share a piece that will resonate with me as a person and my fellow schoolmates.” She also emphasized the broader spirit of the event, noting that Declamation allows her to contribute to Marshall apart from the athletic competitions. “No matter which side you’re on, everyone cheers for all the declaimers, and it’s an awesome way to celebrate the performing arts here at Mercersburg.”

Hua echoed that sense of excitement and gratitude. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and definitely want to shout out the amazing Irving officers,” she said. “When they came rushing into Fowle [Hall to announce the declaimers], and Bauhinia started banging down my door, I felt so excited and thrilled.” 

Hua added, “Declamation stands out as one of Mercersburg’s most memorable traditions. It’s a tradition that is super fun to watch every year, and I still remember the declaimers my freshman year. I think the best part is just that it brings the community together. We all support each other, and we all have a good time.”

Declamation features five student representatives selected by each society’s officers, with each declaimer preparing and performing a solo monologue. On the night of the competition, they perform before the entire student body and a panel of distinguished, previously unrevealed judges. The head of school announces the results later that evening at the Irving-Marshall dance.

Faculty and Declamation adviser Matt Maurer P ’18, ’20, ’22, ’23, ’28 emphasized the accessibility and meaning of the process. “Any student can audition to become a declaimer. No prior experience is necessary,” Maurer said. “All that is needed is an unwavering desire to represent your society as best as you possibly can. The most difficult part of being a declaimer is finding the right piece for you.” 

For Maurer, the impact of the event extends well beyond the performances themselves. “It brings me great joy every year to see how, no matter the society, everyone in the audience gets on their feet to show their support for each declaimer once they finish their monologue. It’s one of the clearest expressions of the sense of community we talk about and take pride in so much.”

Irving-Marshall Week is one of Mercersburg’s most distinctive traditions. Every student belongs to either Irving or Marshall, often following family ties. Throughout the week, students show their allegiance by wearing society colors—red and white for Irving, blue and gold for Marshall—and by competing in a variety of athletic and non-athletic events. Points accumulate over the week, with Declamation contributing significantly to the total, making the final performances especially meaningful.

This year’s society presidents are Simon Brennan ’26 (Irving) and Cole Piraino ’26 (Marshall), who worked alongside faculty advisers De-Enda Rotz P ’25 (Irving), Bethany Galey ’02 (Marshall), and Maurer (Declamation) to oversee the selection process.

The Declamation competition has been held every year of Mercersburg Academy’s existence as a college-preparatory institution, except in 1936, when it was canceled due to that year’s flu epidemic.

Read more about Mercersburg’s traditions.