Mercersburg is an elite academy in Pennsylvania, USA, producing future leaders. Karli Richards (USA Ambassador for Spirit of Football) and Benni Grünewald, who were both introduced by Miles Maggioncalda (Mercersburg head boy and the student USA Ambassador for Spirit of Football), presented The Ball to the entire student body. The Ball’s visit was combined with the „Welcoming of the Nations“ event, celebrating the diversity of Mercersburg as an intercultural school, where students from different countries around the world are welcomed to the school in their native languages. After talking about the work that Spirit of Football is doing around the world using the power of football for good in society, Karli and Benni also challenged the student body to act against climate change. It is important that these youngsters (13 to 18 years of age) are also learning about how unsustainable we humans are treating the planet that we live on and that if we take action now, it is not too late.
Benni and Scott then ran a typical SoF fair play football training of trainers for Mercersburg students who had volunteered to join us at an event with our partner Dreams for Kids (now rebranded as SOAR) in Washington DC the following day. Next up was a meet and greet with the Women’s soccer team. Benni was even invited to join their training game.
In the evening the „One Ball, One World“ art exhibition was formally opened. Each year the Mercersburg art department has a competition for local artists to take part in. This year The Ball was the centre of attention. Students also took part in a canvas painting exercise whereby they worked collectively on art works to this topic. Rita, 10th grade student at Mercersburg had this to say: „I really like how there is an element of everyone’s art style in every painting.“
Will Willis, Director of Environmental Initiatives at Mercersburg Academy, made this pledge: „My pledge is to go vegetarian“. Will also talked about Mercersburg’s environmental impact goals and the students‘ Green Team, which aims to raise awareness of the environment with students and in the local community.