Mercer University’s Fencing Club held a fundraiser involving some of its members who fenced in maid outfits. The fundraiser featured a maid cafe with treats for sale in order to purchase equipment and boost recognition of the team on campus.
The Mercer Fencing Club has been around for nearly a decade, Mahalie Brown ‘27, a member of the club, said, but the team is not an official sport recognized by the University. Instead, it is a club sport that competes with other universities across the state multiple times throughout the year.
Despite not being classified as an official sport on campus, Brown said she is hopeful that one day it may be.
“Imagine 10 years from now, we’re an officially sanctioned team with sponsorships, training facilities and modern equipment,” Brown said.
Some members of the Mercer Fencing Club like Mary Emma Ridley ‘27, Deva Hinton-Lawson ‘27 and Sammie Hinkle ‘28 manned the cafe, which was replete with brownies, donuts and boba tea.
A few other members, like Kevin White '25 Kendall Walker ‘29 and Faith Uhuns ‘29 sparred in regular fencing uniforms and others in the maid outfits. Visitors to the event could pay $5 for the opportunity to fence with a maid.
The participants were a mix of experienced and inexperienced fencers.
Both President Luis Hernandez '26 and White, though experienced, said that they still learn new things from practicing and watching. Hernandez, a mechanical engineering major, has been a member of the fencing club since his freshman year.
"There's so many light bulbs, 'Oh, let me tweak this, oh, let me tweak that,'" Hernandez said. "I'm still getting taught something by so many people."
White, who works for the school's marketing department, said the tips he is given when practicing with the team and its coach have given him something to think about in future bouts.
"I'll be like damn it, my life is immediately easier, and I'm better," said White.
Jacob Hossler '28 is an English and Law and Public Policy double major at Mercer University. While not serving as the Sports Editor at The Cluster, he enjoys running, writing and photography.
