A junior at Merion Mercy Academy, Jessica Glancey is a member of National Honors Society, Rho Kappa (social studies honor society), Mu Alpha Theta (math honors society) and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish honors society). She also is a member of the school’s Environmental Club, Mercy Mission Corps, Blue Key Society (student ambassadors), Swole Sisters (a morning lifting club) and the varsity crew and basketball teams. She will be a captain of the Merion Mercy varsity basketball team next year.
Main Line Media News: Tell us a little about the Environmental Club’s trip to Saunders Woods Preserve, describing the club’s activities that day regarding upkeep of the land.
Jessica Glancey: When we visited Saunders Woods Preserve, we started by gathering to talk about how they first inherited the land and what they’ve done with it since to promote their goal of environmental conservation. We walked the trail, stopping along the way to hear about many of the native trees and the invasive plant species that grow and take away from the plants that they do want to flourish. Once we learned some quick facts about the grounds, we got our hands on to help get rid of the weeds and plants growing where they weren’t wanted.
Main Line Media News: What was the most interesting thing you learned that day?
Jessica Glancey: The most interesting thing that I learned that day was about something called controlled burns or a “prescribed burning.” Our guide talked about how some people are certified to be brought into large owned areas of land and intentionally set small, controlled fires. The purpose of these planned fires can be to maintain a forest’s diversity by burning a certain plant or tree species in order to allow endangered species to thrive.
Main Line Media News: What has been your most interesting service activity as a member of the Mercy Mission Corps – what was the most interesting thing you learned during that service activity?
Jessica Glancey: One of the service activities that we complete pretty regularly, but will always be a favorite of mine, is when we pack “snack bags” for the organization at Face to Face Germantown. We decorate the bags together, and I’ve learned that by taking the time to add a little color or a nice message to the bags, we can provide a small joy or help to brighten someone’s day, along with the packed meal. MMC does a lot of activities like bake sales, casserole making, helping with dinner services, and more, but no matter how simple the activity is to complete, I’ve learned that it’s always appreciated and worth doing.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite part of the school tours you give as a student ambassador?
Jessica Glancey: My favorite part of the school tours as an ambassador is when I get to a classroom where my favorite teachers are presenting, or I get asked about something that I’m involved in. I love this because I get to talk about something about Merion that I’m passionate about or that makes me want to show up here every day. I just hope that some of my excitement inspires those that I’m leading on a tour and that they recognize the resources and opportunities Merion has given us to be successful.
Main Line Media News: What is the most interesting question you’ve been asked as a Student Ambassador?
Jessica Glancey: My favorite question that I’ve been asked on a tour was when I was talking about activities that I’m a part of, specifically rowing. I told them that I joined rowing my sophomore year, not my freshman year with everyone else, and I was asked why I was willing to join something I had never done before, and also willing to start when I would be behind my friends. My answer was simply that my friends loved doing it, so I figured I would as well. Once I learned more about rowing through doing it, I loved more than just the people, although my teammates are still what get me through everything.
Main Line Media News: What has been the most interesting activity you have participated in as a member of one of the honors societies?
Jessica Glancey: During Spanish Language Week at Merion both the Spanish Honors Society and Spanish Club created an amazing celebration of all things associated with Spanish and the cultures that speak it. Other members led in playing music in Spanish over the loudspeaker, saying our usual prayers in Spanish, and I got to participate in fun Kahoots about the language with my friends and eat classic desserts from Spanish speaking countries that were made for the week. Overall, it was an amazing way to incorporate the fun and significance of the Spanish language into our weekly lives.
Main Line Media News: What is your favorite book, and why?
Jessica Glancey: My favorite book has always been I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch, and Martin Ganda. It’s a story about two middle school kids writing letters and creating friendships that span continents. I love the message at the heart of the story: that true connection finds a way to bridge oceans, cultural differences and economic challenges. I also love hearing the ending of the story in which Caitlin and Martin’s correspondence brings Martin all the way from Zimbabwe to Villanova University, which is so close to my home and incredible to think about.
Main Line Media News: Who is your favorite author and why?
Jessica Glancey: My favorite author would have to be James Patterson. When I would go to the library when I was younger, it was Patterson’s Middle School Series, I Funny Series, Jacky Ha-Ha, and many more of his books that made me want to read, and keep reading. I was always a big fan of fiction stories with funny characters, and a lot of James Patterson’s young adult literature has those figures.
(To be selected as Main Line Student of the Week, a student must first be nominated by his or her school.)
To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Students of the Week, click here
