WORD! OMA Newsletter

I’m curious about people. This has been the case for as long as I can recall. It usually happens that I encounter folks, and suddenly feel like I’m interviewing them—asking all sorts of questions which are typically triggered by the most random things. It might be something a person said that’s relatable or thought-provoking, an article of clothing, or a book on a desk. With regard to books, they have become a very reliable medium for me to satisfy my curiosity without figuring out what questions to ask that are appropriate in a particular exchange. As you might imagine, given this penchant for wanting to understand the experiences of others, I prefer to read memoirs.

I’ve learned over the years that not all questions are appropriate, and the relationship almost always determines how much, or how little, I can probe. Memoirs are safe, however. Sure, I can’t always have a conversation with the author as I read the book, but a well-written memoir provides a great deal of depth about an identity, or two, that the author has taken the time to reflect on in detail.

My appreciation for memoirs has soared during my time at PEA in large part because of Dr. Bramlett and the committee that selects the common read for preps. In the case of Dr. Bramlett, she put me on to one of my all-time favorite memoirs, "The Prince of Los Cocuyos" by Richard Blanco, and I landed on another gem "Ordinary Girls" by Jaquira Diaz through the common read committee for preps. I even had a chance to meet Richard Blanco and kick it with him when he visited campus several years ago. Another good one that I discovered here was Gloria Steinem's "My Life on the Road." That was a really good read.

During my spring term sabbaticaI, I decided to dive headlong into my appreciation for memoirs. I listened to (and read) several memoirs—one of which was written by a friend and mentor, Bill Raynor, that’s titled, “Why Black Men Nod at Each Other.” Like me, he grew up in Boston and is a black man who loves basketball. He also lived in a low-income community in the inner-city. Even though, he’s nearly 30 years older than me, our stories are eerily similar.

For instance, both of us came into our racial identity through continual, regrettable racist encounters which started at a young age. He was threatened with physical violence while I was accosted by a group of white boys who made it clear that they didn't like my black skin in the presence of teachers who didn’t intervene. I have known Bill (Raynor) for many years, and didn’t realize how much more we had in common, even though I already knew a ton about him. That’s the beauty of a good memoir. Authors dig deep to share stories of their past that are formative and transformative.

The memoirs I have listened to and read in the last year include: “Free Lunch” by Rex Ogle, “American Negra” by Natasha Alford, “Undocumented” by Dan-El Padilla Peralta, “Born Bright” by C. Nicole Mason, "Journal of a Black Queer Nurse" by Brittney Daniels, “Ghosted” by Nancy French, “Hijab Butch Blues” by Lamya H., and “Everything I learned, I learned in a Chinese Restaurant” by Curtis Chin. Interestingly, as I sit here trying to recall all the titles, I know that I’m missing some of them.

Other than “Why Black Men Nod at Each Other,” I intentionally chose to read books by authors who hold identities that are different than mine. I strongly recommend this as a regular practice. Natasha Alford is an Afro-Latina. C Nicole Mason is an African American woman who is a survivor that grew up in a poor family. Nancy French is a white woman and a survivor who is an Evangelical Christian. Rex Ogle is a Mexican-American male who was poor and experienced significant emotional and physical abuse during his upbringing. Dan-el Padilla Peralta is a Latino who was undocumented and homeless. Lamya H is an Indian woman who’s an immigrant, queer, and non-binary. Brittney Daniels is a Black woman who is also queer and non-binary, and Curtis Chin is a Chinese-American male who’s gay. The identities I noted are the ones they focused on in their stories that we don't share in common, which made their stories all the more compelling.

It’s often the case that people are curious about difference. That’s completely normal. Reading memoirs offers a very straightforward way to learn about others. As a result of this regular practice, I have noted patterns in certain lived experiences—like the fact that people of color who grow up in this country often have racist experiences by the time they reach their teens, and typically much sooner. Tragically, too many women in the stories I've read experience sexual assault and/or harassment as adolescents. Sadly, the people who identify as queer that I’ve read about ordinarily come out in their late teens, or early twenties, to friends—not family. Lastly, and certainly not least, the thread that ties all of these books together is that parents, or grandparents, are very often the antagonist in the story. I have been thinking so much more about my words and actions as a parent because of these books.

After listening to each book, I followed the authors who had a page on Instagram and reached out with questions. Several of them responded. Curtis Chin, Bill Raynor, and Brittney Daniels were even gracious enough to talk about their book on my podcast (www.identity-n-me.com). They were great conversations that allowed me to ask questions that came up for me as I listened to their stories. If you choose to check out those conversations on my podcast, they're titled “Black Writer-n-Me,” “Chinese Author-n-Me,” and “Black Queer Nurse-n-Me,” respectively.

Even though I’m several months removed from my sabbatical, I’m still reading and listening to books. I’ve incorporated some other types of non-fiction books into my personal library because I recognized along the way that I needed to do that because continually reading about the harm that people have experienced is heavy, particularly when their experiences are familiar. This past week, for instance, I finished “Hidden Potential” by Adam Grant. I read that book, and others like it, because I’m not merely interested in learning more about people; I also want to understand how to identify and unlock the best in them when the opportunity presents itself.

I'm curious about people, and I've embraced that over the years. Through memoirs and podcasting, I've learned so much about the human experience. The story of others has either affirmed aspects of my own journey, or broadened my perspective. With each book, and podcast episode I record, I feel like I become a more thoughtful person. I hope you'll join me in listening to, or reading, memoirs as a regular practice.

I’ve been reflecting a lot lately about the process of setting and meeting goals. I set the lofty goal to again read 52 books this year on my “Goodreads” app. I say ‘lofty’ as it’s a lot for me to personally accomplish, given the demands of working and having a family with young kids. I grab as many free moments (even if it’s just 10 minutes) as possible to read and am rarely without a book. To date, I have read 41 books and I’m not sure that I will make my goal. Normally, even something as trite as a reading challenge would send me into a tizzy to hit my goal. But this year has challenged me in so many ways I didn’t expect. However, what I am learning from it all (because isn’t that the whole point?) is to offer myself grace.

It’s not always an easy thing to do. In fact, I’m now seeing how tough I am on myself. You might be thinking: “So what?! This is about reading books.” Especially in a community like Exeter, I feel acutely aware of accomplishing what I set out to do. But the lesson here is much more poignant: Giving oneself grace is a muscle that must be built and exercised; I am working on it every single day.

As we approach the end of the year, and I continue to push towards this goal, I've landed on a gem that's titled,“Far From the Tree” by Robin Benway. This book won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the PEN America Award, and was named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, NPR, PBS, Entertainment Weekly, and the Boston Globe (www.goodreads.com) A Young Adult (YA) novel, it has been banned or challenged from some school libraries around the country. Benway’s book packs a big punch with topics of race, identity, family, LGBTQ+ relationships, adoption, and so much more. Reading this extensive list makes me wonder how she was able to write such a masterful book that is rich in content without it being forced.

The novel focuses on Grace, a teenager who becomes pregnant while in high school, and makes the decision to place her baby for adoption. In this process, she learns that she is a middle child and has two biological siblings who live nearby. She goes on the quest to find and get to know them as she thinks about her own biological mother’s choices, and her experience as an adoptee. Building relationships with her biological siblings changes the notion of what it means to be family. As an adoptive mom, I appreciated this novel from a biological mom’s lens, and I valued the careful nuance Benway intertwined in the text- something not easily done. I couldn’t put this book down.

Angie Thomas, author of “The Hate You Give,” (and a one-time campus visitor) stated on epicreads.com, “I’m going to keep writing ‘banned’ books. Because the kids I write about deserve to see themselves whether their stories make YOU comfortable or not.” I hope you will get uncomfortable and read more books by authors who have had their voices censored. I also hope that as the New Year approaches, you will set goals for yourself and offer grace in so doing. Happy reading, Exeter!

On October 17th, La Alianza Latina (LAL) hosted an engaging dance instruction event to celebrate Latin culture through music, dance, and food. The event was led by Mr. Jorgge, the Associate Director of Admissions and Director of Multicultural Outreach on campus, who not only hosted, but took on the role of expert dance instructor. His expertise and enthusiasm created a fun, lively atmosphere that brought everyone together.

As he demonstrated each step, students couldn’t help but smile and laugh while attempting to follow his moves, as most participants didn’t have any dancing experience. Mr. Jorgge’s encouragement and guidance helped even the most hesitant dancers among us feel more at ease. Soon, everyone in the room was trying to follow along and the fun-rythmic energy of the music carried into our dancing.

The empanadas added greatly to the experience, bringing a delicious snack that we could enjoy before our dance session. It also offered a taste of home for many students. Overall, the blend of dance and food created a space for community members to bond, learn, and celebrate Latin culture. While not everyone was an expert dancer by the end of the night, everyone left the event with new moves, great memories, and, of course, full stomachs.

There’s nothing better to bring in the season of Autumn than some pumpkin carving. Slimy hands. Scary designs. The stench of pumpkin guts. Crafting a masterfully designed pumpkin encompasses all of this, and more. On October 24th, the Black Students of Excellence (BSE) affinity group hosted a pumpkin carving competition that focused on community building and creativity. Members gathered in Elting Room and paired up with a friend, or someone they didn’t know, to take on the fun task of designing and carving a pumpkin. The room was filled with laughter, anxiety (to finish in time), and music that got everyone singing as they painstakingly carved their pumpkin.

The winning pumpkin, designed by Trinity Donkor ’28 and Summer Mansfield ‘27, had the letters “BSE” carved with the “B” and “E” used as the eyes for the pumpkin. The event also had a special recent alumni guest attend, Riches Afolabi ’23. The beauty of being a part of the planning process for the event was seeing the effects of a small idea manifest into a highly enjoyable event for the club. The event was made possible because we gave ourselves plenty of time to plan, and we communicated with Student Activities and OMA early in the process to get what we needed. We are grateful that we had the resources to allow our vision to come to life. The hope is that the event can become an annual occasion. It’s a straightforward and fun way to build community, despite the competitive element that’s incorporated into the event.

“This ain't Texas (woo), ain't no hold 'em (hey), So lay your cards down, down, down, down.” - Beyonce Knowles

Texas Hold ‘em by Beyoncé was the opening to the 2024 Drag Queen Bingo event. I have been fortunate to attend many OMA events, and every year I get excited to attend Drag Queen Bingo. While the song opened, the agora lights dimmed, and our performing Drag Queen emerged. Their attire was like a spotlight with glitter and rhinestones that reflected off the overhead bulbs casting a glow-effect. As the drag queen came dancing in the middle of the ring of students, all the attendees started clapping and cheering them on. With continuous choruses of laughter, friends soon began pushing and encouraging one another into the dance circle.

The confidence of the drag queen ricocheted off the walls and spread to the students. Within minutes, multiple students began doing their own dances to other songs. When the drag queen made their final pose, the bingo game had officially started. The crowd of students were all huddled around tables that formed the earlier dance circle, watching the blower get spun in amazement, as their hands clenched their markers. “G-67…N-19…I-28...”

Participants eagerly paid attention, hoping for number and letter combinations from their individual cards to be read aloud. Shouts of “Just one more” became a familiar refrain as students anticipated a Bingo. After each round, exuberant screams of “BINGOO! were exclaimed to the playful dismay of others who were so close to winning a round. After two or three rounds, winners would run to the middle of the circle to take a photo, holding their chosen prize.

Drag Queen BINGO is as much affirming, as it is a fun event. Drag performances are considered one of the most notable expressions of queer art. These displays have allowed for millions to further explore their relationship with the LBGTQ+ community, while at the same time increasing visibility and awareness for the community as a whole. I encourage everyone who reads this article to learn about the history regarding Drag performances that dates over various centuries here at: https://www.lgbtqandall.com/what-is-a-drag-queen/

The Día de Los Muertos Latiné Festival 2024 was held on November 1st and was a tremendous success. La Alianza Latina (LAL), Afro-Latinx Exonian society (ALES), Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCAA), Student Council (STUCO) JEDI Committee and OMA Proctors all collaborated with tons of detailed planning and initiative.

The event had a traditional Mexican Ofrenda, an altar created to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away, decorated with their favorite items, photos, candles, and marigolds. While Dia de Los Muertos is a Mexican-Indigenous holiday, it also featured country booths from all over Latin America, including Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. Each country booth had food that is traditionally eaten, such as Alfajores, an Argentine cookie sandwich with a dulce de leche filling, sometimes featuring a chocolate or powdered sugar glaze. The main meal served were the pupusas, flautas, mexican hot chocolate, and conchas, which were all delicious. To complement all the food, there was also a band playing live music, Grupo Gozarsa, an Afro-latin band, which helped set such a lovely atmosphere, and lit the dance floor on fire.

Our featured guest were the Admissions Fly-In Participants who joined our event and got to experience it during their short visit. Student Activities, Catering, Facilities and the OMA Team all collaborated to help put on another engaging experience for our community, a time for students to have fun, relax, and learn.

In early November, the Indigenous Reconciliation Club (IRC) had the pleasure of collaborating with Maciah Stasis, a Herring Pond Wampanoag Wampum worker, Traditional poke tattooist, Regalia maker, storyteller, traditional singer/ dancer, and more. When the day for the two workshops rolled around, IRC could barely wait any longer. My senses were immediately delighted by the soft smell of sweetgrass and a delicious three sisters soup and cornbread provided by the dining hall when I walked into the room. Projected onto the TV were images of Maciah tattooing a woman’s face, and gorgeous works of white and purple quahog shell jewelry.

Maciah sat at the head of the Harkness table, and was engaged in deep discussion with members of the just finished workshop, while the new attendees filled in the other seats. As a co-head of IRC, it filled me with so much joy to see faculty and students pack the table to learn from Maciah. After everyone was seated, Maciah began by telling us a bit about herself. I learned that she is a citizen of the Herring Pond Wampanoag nation, and was born in the land of her ancestors, Plymouth, Massachusetts, where she also graduated from Plymouth North High School. Since the age of 15, she has been educating people at various events about her people, delivering keynote addresses at a number of museums and other Indigenous events throughout the Northeast Region.

Ms. Maciah has recently begun to take her travels further, traveling to other communities in other parts of the US, and even Canada, connecting people across Turtle Island through her Wampum jewelry and her Poke Tattoos. Interestingly, she had just gotten back from a traditional tattooing conference in Canada where she learned from Inuit tattooists, whose tattooing traditions have remained more intact than Northeastern nations in the US. She then began to talk about her work as a wampum jeweler.

The quahog clam used to make wampum is endemic to the waters around the Wamapanoag’s land, and are believed to be a gift to the Wampanoag as it existed nowhere else. Wampum was greatly valued by Northeastern tribes, and the Wampanoag traded it with surrounding tribes such as the Haudenasaunee, who used it to create treaty belts out of it, among other things. In addition to a form of currency, wampum was and is made into jewelry. Ms. Maciah says this is laborious work, but it is worth it. Her works include rings, necklaces, bracelets, and carvings of wildlife. She also shared that it is dangerous work, as the dust shed by quahog shells is toxic, and has been known to kill ill-prepared artisans.

Ms. Maciah then spoke on quillwork, a rare and complicated form of art that uses the quills of porcupines. Quillwork predates beadwork, and is used to ornament regalia in much the same way. Quillwork is painstaking work, and one mistake means you have to restart the entire piece, even if you are multiple hours, or days, in. Lastly, she spoke about her story and process as a Indigenous poke tattooist. She said that tattooing is a practice around the world, and the most common and ancient form is stick-n-poke. This refers to using a sharp needle, or thorn, to insert pigment such as soot into the skin. This was how it was across Turtle Island including in the Wampanoag nation. Although it varies from nation to nation, they were generally used to mark events like childbirth, age, deaths, or accomplishments. Sadly, this practice has been suppressed and vilified throughout the history of our country, and as a result not many Indigenous cultures continue to practice traditional tattooing, especially in the Northeast.

From the event, I learned that Ms. Maciah is truly a trailblazer in revitalizing this important cultural custom. She has tattooed herself and other people for a variety of reasons, and says it is an extremely intimate process. She highlighted the importance of the environment, energy, and tattooer in the tattooing process, as she describes it as a very vulnerable and energy exhausting event. By the end, all of us around the table were brimming with questions, which she answered, and stayed after to continue discussing with myself and some faculty. She gave each of the attendees a small satchel that contained a part of a quahog shell, cedar, deer sinew, and sweet grass to take with us, as each of these provides their own protections and properties. I left OMA that day with a wealth of knowledge and a deep sense of gratitude. In all, it was a truly transformative and mind expanding event unlike any other I’ve attended in my time at Exeter, and I am extremely grateful for the knowledge shared by Ms. Maciah, and the space she created in OMA that day.

Each month, OMA’s Leadership Summits bring together all OMA student leaders for a session hosted by Dean Camilus and Ms. Lembo. These summits provide an opportunity for student leaders to learn from one another, stay updated on current club news and events, discuss important leadership logistics, and celebrate the successes of OMA clubs.

In September, new and returning student leaders focused on building community within their leadership teams and club groups. They were prompted to reflect on questions such as: What superpower are you bringing to your co-head group? How can this superpower be best utilized? What do you need from your co-heads to be at your best? It quickly became evident that by leveraging their individual strengths—whether in organization, sociability, communication, listening, or other areas—and by supporting each other and relying on their advisors when needed, student leaders could maximize efficiency and create a stronger club community. As a goal for the month, summit attendees were encouraged to think about how they can promote their clubs and collaborate with other groups to engage more students.

In October, the discussion continued as student leaders learned from those involved in planning the annual Día de los Muertos festival. Leaders from the Día de los Muertos committee, ALES, LAL, OMA, and the Student Council JEDI committee shared how they collaborated effectively, evenly distributing the workload to host the event. Additionally, Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCAA) leaders also shared strategies for communicating with their advisors and creatively promoting their club on social media to boost member engagement. By presenting on their experiences, student leaders help to guide and inspire their peers.

Looking ahead, the next Leadership Summits will take place during the winter term, where Summit participant will continue to learn, grow, and collaborate.

The shivering chill of the night eerily ran down my spine as a sign that something spooky and perhaps horrifying was near. Whispering in the wind, a cold, ghostly presence beckoned me to the inside of Phillips Hall to hear the untold ghost stories filled with terror. As I walked in the foyer, the double doors to the Elting Room creaked open to reveal the obscure and dark space that lay ahead. Students sat in wooden chairs gathered in a circle and recited ghost stories and even shared frightening stories from their own experiences. I grabbed an apple cider donut on the way to my chair, yet, upon taking my seat, I unexpectedly felt a warm draft brush past me. The feeling of security and comfort settled in my body as I sat amongst my community.

Spooky stories is an event that occurs annually as a collaboration of cultural and affinity spaces on campus and it always guarantees a good time. This time, the organizers intended to celebrate Native American Heritage Month through Indigenous stories. However, due to extenuating circumstances, the storyteller was unable to join us. Instead, students and faculty came together to tell stories that celebrated the communities they represented.

It was a night filled with fright along with a contrasting sense of comfort as we shared stories that were inspired by personal experiences and fictional narratives passed through our families (or perhaps Google). This spooky story event always creates memorable moments and meaningful cross-cultural connections as we sit back, listen, and enjoy the thrill.

Equitable Resource: First Generation/Low-Income Guide

By Erin Chen ‘25, OMA Proctor

When I entered the Academy as a 14-year-old, I was acutely aware of my socio-economic status and unsure about how to navigate financial aid. After my first year, I applied to be a Co-Head of the Association of Low-Income Exonians (ALIE) to help ease this burden for younger students. Over the past three years, I answered many questions, but I noticed that between bi-weekly meetings, students lacked a reliable resource for guidance. This led to my creation of the First-Generation Low-Income Guide, a resource that students who identify as such can access anytime.

The guide is split into two sections: financial resources and community resources. In the financial section, I centralized campus resources that were previously scattered and hard to find. The community section was more challenging, as there was little written precedent. I focused on offering advice specific to low-income students, such as navigating the summer internship application process, which may be less accessible to them compared to wealthier peers, and encouraging them to seek academic support and tutoring. This section was heavily influenced by my read of "The Privileged Poor" by Anthony Abraham Jack, which taught me that helping low-income students succeed in a private institution involves not only providing tangible resources, but also fostering soft skills.

I also discovered that this wasn’t the first attempt to centralize financial aid information. Years ago, the Student Council (StuCo) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee created a similar resource. However, it was short, outdated, and difficult to locate. Using their guide as a helpful precedent, I elaborated on the initial content and long-term applicability. The Financial Aid Office, namely Ms. (Liz) Karam, has been a huge help in helping to edit this updated guide and clarify resources. Hopefully the guide will be incorporated into the Academy’s evolving financial aid systems over the long term.

Politics of Possibilities

By Erin Chen '26, OMA Proctor

Octavia Butler wrote Parables of the Sower in 1993–more than 30 years ago–yet her exaggerated predictions of 2024’s America with increased social inequity and climate change is strikingly similar to our current reality. We follow the young and growing protagonist, Lauren Olamina, from her gated community to her exploration outside of its walls as she encounters the poverty and suffering of outer society. As Lauren finds her role in changing the world, Butler proposes the question of whose burden it is to initiate social change.

Butler’s story has been on my mind as I apply to college and look to my future after the Academy. At Assembly, speakers often laud us as “the leaders of the future,” which can garner mixed feelings among students because of the immense pressure we already feel through family, college, and academics. In the past year, we’ve had two Exeter alumni, Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang, who have also run for President of the United States return to speak at Assembly. Yang had a powerful message, sharing how even after multiple failed start-up attempts, he got up and kept trying. Yet, while many students at Exeter may have the resources to attempt multiple start-ups, this type of opportunity isn’t available to everyone in society. Butler’s narrative illustrates this in a different way, where the protagonist Lauren lives through an election of a president who promises hopes of a future she cannot imagine for herself and marginalized individuals being included in.

Here, inside the confines of the Academy, I believe we are closer to perpetuating Butler’s vision of the future than we hold ourselves accountable for when the well-intended work from alums like Mark Zuckerberg can inspire new genres of dystopian technological science fiction. Even if many students do not plan to be a “leader of the future,” I believe that it's important for our community to be conscious of how the privilege of attending Exeter can possibly lead to opportunities that affect society negatively. For this reason, Politics of Possibilities has been one of my favorite classes at the Academy because of how we are prompted to approach realities and imaginations for individuals outside of the Academy walls. I believe that the Academy’s education empowers its students through events like Assembly, and we should consider our responsibility to empower others who have not had the same opportunity. We cannot only be held accountable for our own imaginations, but how our imaginations may limit or empower others.

Ode to Alumni

By Eliana Hall '25, OMA Proctor

This year, I stepped into my first leadership position in an OMA club by way of the Afro Latinx Exonian Society (ALES). My experience as a co-secretary has taught me a lot about how to run and facilitate spaces focused on identities and find ways to celebrate and acknowledge various cultures and backgrounds. However, my leadership qualities in this cultural club space would not have been as strong if the previous leadership team hadn’t poured wisdom and encouragement into the current executive board.

As a senior, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from upperclassmen that preceded me and have inspired my leadership skills and organization. Before stepping into the co-secretary role of ALES, the 23-24 executive board shared with us their vision for the club during their year, and discussed how they executed it well and the mistakes they made along the way. This conversation was enlightening to me because I not only learned from their successful leadership by actively watching the way they effectively ran a club space, but I had the opportunity to learn from hearing about their mistakes. This vulnerability enabled the current leadership team to become more proactive in organizing club meetings and events to ensure that we can continue building off the vision and legacy of our predecessors.

The co-heads meet once per week to discuss a variety of events and the plans for our weekly club meetings. We also develop tangible strategies to execute our plans thoroughly and successfully. A few weeks ago, we invited the recent alumni of ALES to a Zoom call in which they shared words of wisdom to new members and gave advice to seniors going through the college process. The call had many positive reviews from our underclassmen and it showed me that alumni play an integral role in this cultural space. They continue to inspire change for current leaders and uplift members adjusting to new environments and seasons. As this is my final year at Exeter, alumni have encouraged me to reflect on the impact that I can have on the next set of leaders who follow me. I have a sincere sense of gratitude for all that we have learned from past leaders and look forward to continuing to nurture relationships with them beyond my time at the Academy.

Newbie on the Block

By Collin Moore '26, OMA Proctor

Upper year, the year everyone has told me would be pivotal, has finally come.

“Your workload becomes heavier, your leadership responsibilities accumulate, and you’re an upperclassman,” they told me. And were they wrong? No, but the way upper year has been described to me has always been in a negative manner, and this year has been far from negative thus far. This is partly due to the opportunity I have to be co-head of two OMA sponsored clubs: Black Students of Excellence (BSE) and Afro-Latinx Exonian Society (ALES).

Being a cohead for the first time has encompassed everything I’ve wanted in this experience so far: personal growth, success, connecting with new people, and best of all, fun. While reflecting, I think back how to I used to dream for this moment. I remember my excitement of attending ALES and BSE meetings when I was a Prep and Lower, respectively. I was drawn to the infectious and warm personalities of the past coheads. Those coheads always made me feel welcome, and I used to aspire to be exactly like them when it was my turn to be a co-head.

During the summer, I had anxiety about my co-head responsibility because of pressure I placed on myself to be perfect, to not allow the club to die, and to be the cohead that my previous mentors were. I put pressure on myself to be and do everything, because I thought I had to. However, I have learned that I have a team to rely on. The leaders of BSE and ALES are the people who have shown me what it means to be on a team. They have helped me become a better leader by showing me that we all contribute to the club in equal and unique ways.

I am excited for what’s to come and appreciative of my peers after my first term of leading a club. I look forward to the lessons I will continue to learn, and the fun that I will have while leading these groups at PEA in the future.

Complex Truths

By Sophie Goldman '26, OMA Proctor

I came to Exeter because I was drawn to academic excellence, Harkness, and the strong emphasis on service or non-sibi. I had never experienced anything like Exeter before. However, I was eager to hear and learn from different viewpoints. At times I was intrigued when people with similar experiences and backgrounds saw things differently because I recognized that despite the cultural similarities, something like a person's faith can lead them to have very different opinions on some social issues. These multiple perspectives fascinated me.

Early on here, I appreciated being able to collaborate with others inside and outside the classroom. I enjoy grappling with complex truths with my peers as we laugh together and seek wisdom together. I have gradually learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, as I engage with issues that do not conform to my world view. This growth resulted from my decision to embrace taking risks and viewing uncertainty and discomfort as opportunities for growth. I have become a better listener, with empathy and humility, and this has made me more comfortable dealing with issues that challenge my thinking.

Having recognized the importance of building connections, I work hard to develop thoughtful communication and collaboration with others. Principal Rawson's words - "We should expect a diversity of viewpoints on almost every subject worth exploring" have helped me gain a deeper understanding that complex truths are necessary to understand the turbulence in the world - where guarantees to basic human rights, justice and dignity are threatened.

My retrospective view of my time here affirms that Exeter has ingrained goodness and knowledge within me. They values guide me through the madness in the world. I am able to understand and appreciate that authentic joy comes from, acknowledging and sharing our lived experiences with honesty, and speaking the truth about the world.