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“Te Oldest Preparatory School Newspaper in America” Vol. CXL, Number 16 Tursday, May 17, 2018 Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire Exeter to Hire Coordinators For Next Year By MAI HOANG and SHIVANI TRIPATHI Staf Writers

Afer encouragement from students and faculty, Exeter opened to faculty members the opportunity to fll part-time positions of LGBTQ+ Program Coordi- nator, Asian Student Program Coordina- tor and 9th Grade Program Coordinator for the 2018-19 school year. Although the ofcial job description for the LGBTQ+ Program Coordinator position will be released in a week, many community members have already ex- pressed enthusiasm for the new position’s potential. “As one of the adults involved with Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), I look forward to the possibilities that a Senior Ryan Alcorn enjoys the warmer weather. Numi Oyebode/Te Exonian focused position like this will bring for our LGBTQ+ students,” Reverend Heidi Heath said. Academy Life Task Force Drafts New Proposal She believed that although LGBTQ+ By DON ASSAMONGKOL ule is not implemented, the task force still members who choose not to serve as an students have “wonderful resources on and SARAH RYU hopes to add a slot for community time for academic adviser would then be asked to campus,” there is still room for improve- News Editors next year. take on the role of an “academic guide.” ment. “I would identify a lack of LGBTQ+ Te Academy Life Task Force (ALTF), a Upper Janeva Dimen felt that the ad- Te task force hopes to form a commit- adults of color on campus as a place for committee created last spring to improve as- dition of a designated “community time” tee to investigate the possibility of establish- improvement, for example,” she said. pects of campus life, recently sent to faculty format to the weekly schedule would af- ing Class Deans—who, as part of the Dean of Lower Justin Li shared similar senti- members an updated version of a proposal frm the school’s commitment to building Students Ofce, will advise members of each ments and hoped that the new coordina- that suggests creating a group of academy an inclusive student community. “Making specifc grade. Tis investigation is planned tor will emphasize the numerous support life coordinators, improving living spaces time for proctor meetings and dorm meet- to fnish by next fall term, with discussions options for LGBTQ+ students on campus. and holding additional training for diferent ings during the school day would increase in faculty meeting beginning in winter term. “Te support is extensive, but it isn’t well leadership groups on campus. community and incorporate day students, The work of the Academy Life Task advertised,” he said. “I don’t think that According to English Instructor Tyler who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend,” Force will continue throughout the next aca- the school pushes these support systems Caldwell, the committee is divided into three she said. demic year, according to Dean of Residential to the students. I had to try very hard to subgroups that focus on diferent elements One of the Academy Life Task Force’s Life AJ Cosgrove. “Tere are two critical fnd support systems for myself.” of academy life: residential housing, acad- additional suggestions was to restructure the areas where more time is needed to address Li added that this position would emy life programming and advising. “Each Assembly Committee to include the current questions and create proposals: advising and have a signifcant role for the commu- subgroup evaluated the efcacy of current chair, two faculty, the Dean of Students, the restructuring the Dean of Students Ofce,” nity. “It’s necessary for the school to pro- practices and investigated or brainstormed Director of Equity and Inclusion, the Di- he said. vide someone to be a liaison between the new structures or practices that would ben- rector of Student Well-Being, the Director Te committee will continue to meet school and students. Tey can mentor eft our students,” he said. of Student Activities and the Chair of the regularly, making changes with more discus- them about LGBTQ+ life and the school The committee recommended that Health Department. Tis process is cur- sion and feedback from the faculty. “Most specifcally,” he said. protected time be built “into the weekly rently underway, and Assistant Principal of our proposals aim to streamline or make Senior Katie Goyette hopes to see schedule for academy life programming Karen Lassey will oversee its completion. more efcient the great work we already do COORDINATOR, 2 in all of its diferent forms.” To accomplish Another of the committee’s suggestions in academy life. Hopefully next year we can this, the school’s Scheduling Committee has is to enhance the advising program. Te continue to build of that work and expand proposed to ft into the weekly schedule, ALTF suggests adding more faculty advisers or enhance our academy life program in cre- specifically for Wednesdays, designated to the current pool to reduce the number of ative, innovative ways that further benefts PEA Prepares “community time.” If the proposed sched- advisees for each faculty member. Faculty all of our students,” Caldwell said. for Upcoming

Elm St. Dining AccreditationBy ANNE BRANDES, EMILY KANG and SENAI ROBINSON Hall Considers Staf Writers Exeter is in the midst of undergoing review by the nation’s regional accreditation RenovationsBy JACOB FEIGENBERG, association, the New England Association of MAI HOANG and SHIVANI TRIPATHI Schools and Colleges (NEASC); a judging Staf Writers committee will visit campus next April to verify that Exeter is adhering to NEASC’s Two wooden ballot boxes were sta- standards for private institutions. tioned at the entrance of Elm Street dining Faculty members head each of the 13 hall next to a row of modern-style chairs committees that assess various facets of and blueprints of three alternative ar- life at Exeter including the school’s gover- rangements for the dining space. Exonians nance, student life and faculty and fnancial heading in and out of the dining hall casted Pictured above are the chairs students voted on for next year. Eva Cardichi/Te Exonian resources. “We determine whether we meet their ballots on the chair designs and hall aspects or indicators of each standard. We renovations from April 9 to April 20. warmer, more inviting space, without sac- most popular choice for the second chair.” identify areas of strength, as well as areas that Over the summer, as part of Dining rifcing seating,” Leonard said. She empha- Leonard also met with Student Coun- need our attention,” said Governance Com- Services’ renovation efforts, Director of sized her desire to create “more fexibility cil’s Executive Board to introduce the plans mittee co-chair and Mathematics Instructor Dining Services Melinda Leonard and and functionality in how the dining spaces and chair samples. Te Board held an all- Laura Marshall. Director of Facilities Management Mark can be managed and cleaned.” council meeting to discuss the diferent Committees were formed in winter Leighton recommended the replacement Principal MacFarlane and Chief Finan- options last month. term and met a total of nine times through- of dining hall chairs, as the current ones cial Ofcer David Hanson reviewed ARC’s Lower and Co-secretary Ayush Noori out the winter and spring terms. Residential are worn out due to old age and use. Te proposals in early April. Hanson noted that described the overall reactions to the reno- Committee Member and English Instructor two decided to bring in an architectural aside from the change in arrangement and vations as positive. Personally, he thinks Tyler Caldwell explained the importance of design frm called Architectural Resources chairs, there would also be upgrades on Elm Street dining hall needs renovation accreditation. “Tough the accreditation Cambridge (ARC) to develop possible new “behind the scenes” equipment and systems. because unlike “cozy” Wetherall Hall, it process can be time consuming, I think it is layouts for the dining hall. “We are planning to spend roughly $350,000 creates an atmosphere that’s “more factory helpful for us to study and understand areas Together, ARC, Dining Services and on all new seating and design,” he said. “Tis like.” Noori also noted that the current of the school in which we do well and areas Facilities Management developed two comes from facilities management’s operat- seating arrangement may not encourage of the school that need more attention and diferent options for Elm Street’s interior ing budget and capital budget.” students unacquainted with one another work, especially as we continue with our layouts, both involving the breaking of long Afer the meeting, Leonard set up the to sit together. Strategic Planning initiatives,” he said. tables into smaller ones, a wider variety of ballot system on April 9 to gather com- Senior Wendi Yan, who conducted Te accreditation process will last two seating types, such as lounge areas complete munity feedback about the two types of a capstone research project for her An- years and includes one year of collecting with cushioned seating, and tables of difer- chairs they liked best; she is currently in thropology class last term about seating reports and one year of writing recommen- ent heights. Leonard emphasized her desire the process of reviewing the responses. “Te arrangements in dining halls and Exonians’ dations. “Tis year has been self-study phase to preserve form and functionality. chair that had the fexible back on it [with socialization patterns, would agree. Yan one. We’ve had major programs including “Over the course of this year, Dining the red cushion], I believe it was the most and her group went about breaking up the every academic department prepare reports and Facilities have met with ARC to develop popular choice for frst chair,” Leonard said. long tables, making dining hall as difer- on what they do,” NEASC Committee Chair some options with the goal in creating a “Te tall chair with the higher back was the RENOVATIONS, A2 ACCREDITATION, A2

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A4. www.facebook.com/theexonian A2 THE EXONIAN NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 PEA Strives to Improve in Preparation for Accreditation Continued from ACCREDITATION, A1 complicated things because now we will have they interview certain adults on campus to noticed recurring areas the school could to be mentioning in some areas, particularly assess whether or not we meet a particular improve upon, many of which faculty mem- and Physics Instructor Scott Saltman said. on administration and governance, that this indicator,” he said. bers were already aware of. “Diversity, equity “Next year will be phase two of the self study is the 2018 snapshot and that [it] might not Marshall noted that the change afects and inclusion [are] popping up in various where we’re looking at what the standards be the case in a year when the visiting Com- the Governance Committee’s role. “One places as [areas] where we’ve taken certain committees have come up with. We will mittee is here.” of our indicators [questions provided by steps, but...we’re not where we want to be as synthesize probably fve major recommenda- Though the accreditation process is NEASC] asks if the governance of the school a community,” Saltman said. “Tere will be tions from those reports.” formal, many faculty members emphasized has a process in place that provides for stabil- likely some recommendations coming out According to Saltman, as a larger school that it was geared towards developing and ity and an efective transition of leadership,” that are related to that.” and one that “digs deep,” Exeter has formed improving the Academy, rather than check- Marshall said. “Te recent announcement of Soucy also cited “supporting a more a more detailed process than most schools. ing that the school meets standards. “It is the change in leadership has not made our diverse student body,” as an improvement “For example, I know of a reasonably large very unusual for schools to lose accredita- job more difcult, but it has meant that it has that Exeter hopes to achieve. school that underwent the process and their tion, so for most schools it is an opportunity been more time consuming.” Faculty also noticed high workload standards committees met twice as a group to improve,” Marshall said. Co-chair of the Health and Safety Com- levels was a recurring theme. “We’re getting and then the committee chair sort of took Tese recommendations lay out mul- mittee Michelle Soucy shared similar senti- some more focused suggestions coming care of the rest of it, whereas we had people tiple paths Exeter can take to improve as a ments on the administrative changes’ efect from these committees that are able to look meet nine times as a group. It’s a bigger school. Te most recent NEASC review, from on the accreditation process. “It is somewhat at these problems with different lenses,” process,” he said. 2007, showed that Exeter’s evaluation process arduous to fgure out what areas of strategic Saltman said. Recent changes in Exeter’s administra- for continuously appointed faculty members planning line up with areas of accreditation Whether by evaluating or improving, tion, specifcally Principal Lisa MacFarlane’s needed to be improved. Te school has since and what our priorities are with a changing the purpose of accreditation is to “show the departure at the end of the 2017-18 school begun changing related programs including head,” Soucy said. outside world that we uphold the highest year, have complicated to the accredita- the Continuing Professional Development However, the committees have largely standard of care and education,” Soucy said. tion process. “When we got the email that (CPD) Program. discovered that Exeter’s performance adheres Saltman concluded that the accredita- Principal MacFarlane would be leaving, I Each of the committees conducts its to NEASC standards. Soucy found that Ex- tion process’ intent is to support a better immediately called the commission and said work diferently. Caldwell said that the Resi- eter is “in many ways above standards” but environment for students. He said, “[It] all ‘where are we on this?’ ” Saltman said. “And dential Committee is divided into subgroups, that “there is always room for improvement.” comes down to the student experience, how the commission said just continue forward and each focuses on two topics. He further She said, “We found that PEA does a fairly we can improve all aspects of our school in [even though] you’re going to make a leader- detailed the subgroups’ methods to study the consistent and good job when it comes to the order to ensure that students are thriving ship transition.” school. “[Te subgroups] read through and health and safety of our students.” and getting the best education and experi- He continued, “The resignation has examine diferent documents or surveys, and Throughout the process, Saltman ence possible.” New Positions to Support LGBTQ+ and Asians on Campus Continued from COORDINATOR, A1 experiences of Asian students.” creation of this role will allow someone to ing to be more racially inclusive, Sorn- She added that the person selected focus more on serving the needs of Asian wanee expressed disappointment at how more administrative support for LGBTQ+ for this position would “assist the Dean of students specifcally, to interface more “the resources for creating that inclusive groups. “[I] don’t feel like the support we Multicultural Afairs to ensure that [the] closely with OMA and to dedicate more community seem to be limited to certain get is ofcial. Ms. Lembo and other GSA entire spectrum of Asian-identifying stu- time and resources to programming,” ethnicities.” advisers don’t get compensated for the dents are supported equitably by the Of- Woo said. Lower Mia Kuromaru also voiced additional work they do to support us,” fce of Multicultural Afairs and institu- She also hopes that the coordinator that an Asian student adviser is a crucial they said. Considering the fact that not tionally by Phillips Exeter Academy.” will bring to campus the Asian Ameri- position on campus. She described her all parents are supportive of their child’s Te ASC will achieve this endeavor can Footsteps Conference, a gathering for own difculty with facing the stereotypi- non-binary gender expression, Goyette by serving as a faculty adviser to Asian Asian American students who attend New cal Asian image on campus. “Te com- also thinks that having an adviser to act as heritage clubs on campus, along with or- England independent schools. mon misconception is that Asian or Asian “a liaison to parents” is important. ganizing Asian celebrations and coordi- Mathematics Instructor Brandon American students are excelling in aca- English Instructor Mercy Carbonell nating with the Associate Dean of Multi- Hew hopes that this new coordinator will demics and therefore doing fne in school. noted that although Exeter has made cultural Afairs Hadley Camilus and the serve as an advocate and “push the conver- An Asian student coordinator would un- strides towards inclusion, “it is still a International Student Coordinator Jenni- sation in new ways,” by introducing new derstand our experiences and take them dominantly heteronormative institution.” fer Smith. programming. “To bring it all under the into account when advising us,” she said. She added, “As one of only a very few According to Camilus, “I don’t know same coordinator will, I think, help give a President of the 51st ALES Board and Out adults, I can speak to how much our who prompted this development...I know new focus and attention to this,” he said. upper Rose Martin acknowledged the ex- LGBTQ+ students want and need support. that Asian students have advocated for this Sharing a similar perspective, lower istence of “stigmas against Asian students I have heard some say that this position position, especially those who are part of Jasmine Liao is grateful that there will and the debate about, whether they’re shows that we still have so far to go in our the afnity group Asian Voices (AV), and be someone to coordinate more activi- people of color or not,” which may have acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth and people we talked about it in OMA. AV helped me ties that pertain to the Asian community, discouraged Asian Exonians from utiliz- in our community.” understand what issues Asian students are or incorporate Asian voices into existing ing support from OMA. Lower Sam Park noted how having facing so I could bring them to the table at events like MLK Day. “I think it is really Some community members, however, contact with the administration through OMA,” he explained. benefcial to have one just so we can have a feel that the new ASC position would be a coordinator would strengthen ongoing In considering these new positions, voice to be heard and have more of a pres- hypocritical given the proposed position eforts. “My eforts to improve gender- the Principal’s Leadership Team frst dis- ence on campus,” she said. of Director of Equity and Inclusion (DEI). neutral spaces in athletic and academic cussed the logistics. Ten, Dean of Multi- Araya Sornwanee, a postgraduate “I wish [the Asian student coordinator] buildings would be bolstered strongly cultural Afairs Sami Atif gathered faculty from Tailand, brought up the idea of position didn’t have to exist,” upper Daniel by someone in the administration who input for the specifc job description. “I implementing ALES’s model for an Asian Kang said. “Te need for that separate po- would be able to present information and hope this person will be able to help our society under the new coordinator’s guid- sition indicates a deep, underlying discon- requests at a level that I as a student sim- administrative team understand issues ance. “Te adviser should also be able to nect between what the position of the DEI ply don’t have the access to,” she said. “We Asian students go through,” Camilus said. lead discussions similarly to the ALES,” is supposed to do and what they will do.” as students need to work with this great English Instructor and Asian Adviso- she said. “I hope the adviser would be able Camilus emphasized that hiring an opportunity given to us to truly generate ry Board Instructor Wei-Ling Woo sees a to connect with students, especially ‘new Asian student coordinator does not mean sustainable systemic change within cam- lack of afrmation when it comes to Asian internationals.’ ” that other OMA members are “passing pus life.” students’ experiences, which “manifests Sornwanee elaborated on what she the buck.” “It’s about satisfying needs as An Asian Student Program Coordi- itself in all sorts of ways, big and small— felt was a lack of support for students from quickly as possible,” he said. “Students nator (ASC) will accompany the incoming from not seeing their experiences refect- predominantly Asian communities to appreciate seeing a face in OMA who un- LGBTQ+ Coordinator. In an email sent ed in our curriculum to recognizing that transition to Exeter. “I believe that I need derstands. Tis new person will open the out to all faculty members, Dean of Stu- Asian students, diverse as this population more support from the school to feel more doors to Asian students so they feel wel- dents Melissa Mischke said the ASC will may be, have specifc needs.” included in this community...I sometimes comed to use [OMA] as a resource,” he “promote understanding and awareness Woo also recognized a problem in feel that the CCO and the health center said. through co-curricular programming, en- how current programming for Asian Stu- view Asian kids as academically talented At this time, details on the ninth gagement opportunities, leadership devel- dents is managed by faculty, who are jug- but socially awkward,” she said. grade coordinator were not available, but opment and competency training for the gling many other responsibilities. “Te Although the Academy has been try- are expected to be released soon. Dining Services Proposes Possible Renovations for Elm Continued from RENOVATIONS, A1 the higher chairs, similar to those in Grill, up in replacing good wooden chairs with would work well for Elm Street, a high- would be more appropriate for students who self-consciously ‘modern’ looking compos- volume lunch and dinner space, voicing want to do work or eat less food, was wor- ite chairs, which are less comfortable.” concerns about the smaller tables. ent as possible. “Tere were students who ried that they would cause inconveniences. Te “modern” look of the new chairs “I used to live in Cilley Hall, and the were more comfortable with being in the “Can the side with higher seating accommo- also worries students and adults who want boys there had a table to themselves. Some smaller groups; it was easier for them to fnd date faculty children? Will this make it more to preserve the architectural integrity of dorms still do now,” Wolfson said. “It’s a small tables and have their own instead of difcult to clean the dining hall?” she asked. Elm Street. “Changing [the chair] is like trade-of, because they won’t be able to do awkwardly sitting at the edge of the longer Some Exonians found the taller chairs renovating the architecture, something a that anymore with the small tables. Or they ones,” she said. impractical. Senior Joy Zhang, for instance, third party has no business doing,” senior might just move the tables, unless Facilities Yan stressed the importance of diversity shared that she would like to be able to touch Harry Saunders said. bolts them to the foor.” in seating arrangement at dining halls. “We the ground with her feet while eating. “I Faculty emeritus Jim Samiljan, who On a more positive note, upper Bryce have way too many long dorm tables, it’s don’t feel the need to swing my feet around. has been at the Academy since 1967 and Morales shared that he did like the idea of hostile to more introverted people,” she said. Te seats are also less deep—I can’t really ft still regularly uses Elm Street Dining Hall, making Elm Street more colorful with the “We found that students choose to not go myself snugly in it,” she said. also commented,“Tere aren’t any problems addition of the new chairs. “Some of the cur- to [the] dining hall because they feel it’s too Meanwhile, upper Jordan Davidson with the current [chairs’] design; we should rent ones have broken legs, or the bars con- much of an intimidating place. You’re seen recognized that the cushioned chairs and stay loyal to the architecture of the building, necting them are not quite right,” Morales by everyone else if you sit alone by yourself.” the lounge area would be “ruined easily” which has been here since 1973.” said. “I think the new designs, especially Student reactions were not entirely with students spilling food and drinks. Up- On the other hand, while he does not the black one with the high back, are more positive, however. “One big concern was per Niko Amber shared a similar sentiment, see where the impetus for change comes comfortable.” that at high traffic times, if mixing the adding that the high chairs would become from, Mathematics Instructor Joseph Wolf- Noori shared this sentiment. “I think seating would afect the seating capacity of less serviceable over time as they become son appreciates the concept of a creating a that breaking it up and having diferent Elm,” Noori said. more prone to wobbling. more welcoming dining space. “I really like seating options would make Elm more like Other concerns revolved around the Upper Luca Cantone, in a similar vein, Grill and its seating arrangement because it’s home,” he said. “Tat’s what boarding school practicality of the new chair designs. Senior criticized the chairs for their “subpar rigidity more casual,” Wolfson said. He did question, it supposed to be, right? It’s our home for Claire Melvin, while acknowledging that and comfort,” adding, “I don’t see the level- however, whether this more casual style eight months.”

UpdateBy JOHN BECKERLE on InterimThe ExonianPrincipal previously reported thatSearch and her leadership as team,”Trustees Downer said. and Visit foundational Campus committee work that and SHIVANI TRIPATHI the trustees hoped to select one of three The trustees will also meet with Robert concentrates on the student experience, Staf Writers candidates—Director of Student Well-Be- Greene, the school’s outside consultant including faculty and staff workload, the ing Christina Palmer, Head of the Doane on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and school’s infrastructure and finances. As the 2017-18 academic year comes Stuart School Pamela Clarke and former will celebrate the giving of the Founders’ Although their on-campus work to a close, the role of the Interim Princi- Academy trustee and alumnus William Day Award as well as attend the memorial does not seem to include deliberations pal remains undesignated. The trustees, Rawson ’71—by the end of the month. service for recently-passed fellow-trustee on the Interim Principal, Downer said headed by President of the Trustees Tony The trustees’ arrival on campus marks Kerry Landreth Reed. he anticipates that “the selection and the Downer ’75, will return to campus this the beginning of “considerable time meet- Additionally, the trustees will attend announcement...will be in the very near weekend. ing with Principal [Lisa] MacFarlane sessions devoted to strategic planning future.” THE EXONIAN OPINIONS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 A3 Te Importance of Coco Connors An Exonian's Student Union, which is eventually the world views her because of her Andrea So '20 explained as we learn more about dark skin, as it is something that Mindset for Change Columnist Coco’s past and why she is reluctant she has encountered over and over to be as vocal as Sam. again throughout the course of her From a flashback episode in life. It has affected her in such pro- Mai Hoang '20 n May 4, the widely an- the first season, we know that Coco found ways that she is tired of en- Columnist ticipated second season of grew up on the South Side of Chi- gaging with it; instead, she chooses Dear White People was re- cago, and that from a young age, she to act as if she is above it. leased.O Dear White People is a Net- learned to associate blackness to ug- Yes, we should be able to cri- ince brevity is more challenging than flix show centered around a group liness (i.e. when she and her friends tique her lack of participation in is- verbosity I will task myself with writing an of black students navigating life at chose different dolls to play with at sues of social justice, but to call her op-ed under 700 words. You can count and a predominantly white college, not preschool.) In order to attend an Ivy “unwoke” is to disregard the com- Ssee. unlike Exeter. While the first season League university, she had to seek plexities that make up her character Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how focused on introducing the charac- help from a wealthy white mentor. and her background. Coco knows human minds work, which is to say, my mind is ters and exposing injustices at their On the other hand, Sam grew how to cement herself in a position thinking about my mind. (And the moment you school–such as the problem of ma- up in a financially stable household. of power that no one can bring her start going meta, you realize that if you think jor donors trying to force integra- Her character is clearly meant to be down from, whether it’s chatting about how your mind is thinking about your mind tion of a historically black dorm– pretty in a bohemian no-makeup up wealthy white alumni or mak- then it’s your mind thinking about your mind the second season is addressing the sense, contrasting with Coco’s full ing herself head of student group thinking about your mind, so on and so forth.) relevant issues of alt-right nonsense face of perfectly applied makeup, CORE, she does it regardless of the A week ago, being both dumb and vain, I went on social media websites and the weave, and formal everyday outfits. cost. While that is sad to see, her for a light jog in the woods without any baseline people hiding behind the anonym- Sam has light skin and light eyes, sheer determination is incredibly knowledge of the trails. Someone running in the ity of the internet age. while Coco doesn’t. Sam’s real name commendable. opposite direction told me to make two right turns Ever since the first season, the is Samantha, while Coco’s is Colan- Dear White People is doing a and a left turn. But before I knew it, I lost track character Coco Connors has been drea. of the minuscule crimson arrows pasted on the one of most ingenious and authentic In one particularly poignant tree trunks. One moment, I was on the red trail; scene, Coco says to Sam: “You can Dear White People is do- the next, I was wading through water and mud, The second season is ad- get away with murder because you ing a great job of bring- wondering how I had arrived there. The more I dressing the relevant is- look more like them than I do. ing a diverse cast of ran, the deeper I went. sues of alt-right nonsense That’s your light skin privilege. Un- characters into the main- Panic descended upon me and I could sense it on social media websites til you acknowledge that, shut the stream consciousness, too, the way my brows started furrowing, the way and the people hiding [expletive] up about who’s woke or and through Coco Con- I started to curse the trees, the wet ground and my behind the anonymity of not.” nors, it is also showing own stupidity. I shouted amongst the dense leaves, the internet age. While Sam is the one making us the different ways in hoping someone would hear. her voice heard on racial injustice which racism can affect This is what it means to be lost - the split interval parts about Dear White People. She across campus, we cannot ignore people of the same race. between following arrows on the trail and losing serves as a juxtaposition to Sam, the the fact that she benefits from the track of which path is which, losing track of where show’s protagonist who is biracial privilege that her light skin and bi- you came from, running and extremely passionate about her racial background affords her. great job of bringing a diverse cast with your eyes closed. beliefs pertaining to social justice. In order to counter this, Coco of characters into the mainstream Exonians don’t I have been lost many In the Netflix series, Sam hosts her chooses to assimilate into the white consciousness, and through Coco have enough free a time, both physically own radio show, Dear White People, groups that hold power and in- Connors, it is also showing us the time, most com- and metaphorically. and chastises Coco for wanting to fluence on campus. She is acutely different ways in which racism can mittee members There is not much join a sorority instead of the Black aware of the particular way in which affect people of the same race. conceded, classes difference between the go on for too two. The last thing I want long, and extra- to do is universalize my curricular com- experience, but I believe Palestine and Israel: Te Taboo Topic mitments clog that many Exonians are administration held a ceremony in ians endure almost every day. This up the remaining also prone to getting lost. Safa Firas '19 Jerusalem to mark the official open- is their life and it shouldn't be. But hours of the day. So, I will dedicate Haya Firas '21 ing of the embassy. Ivanka Trump, it is and unfortunately, we’ve all ac- this op-ed, the last Guest Contributors alongside Israeli Prime Minister cepted that. one of the school year, Benjamin Netanyahu, revealed an The victims of May 14 are now to the unorthodox task of reminiscing how half inauguration plaque and proudly just part of Palestine and Israel’s of my Exeter career has gone by in the blink of ver the past few days, applauded the strong alliance be- long and painful history, a history an eye; I am now filled with trepidation, looking Exeter has been buzz- tween the U.S. and Israel. so atrocious that the massacre this at the upper year ahead, not sure when and Bianca Beck ‘19 ing with conversations However, at the very same past Monday has left the Exeter how I arrived at this point where so much of my Columnist aroundO schedule reform, release of time, Israeli drones were drop- community virtually unfazed. happiness depends on the things I do on campus. the 2018 yearbook and the hottest ping tear gas on seas of protesters As Jordanians, coming to Ex- “Live in the moment” is quintessential good teas from last weekend. Whether near the Gaza border. The ground eter instilled a sense of helpless- advice, but it’s easier said than done. I am aware it’s around the Harkness table or was scorched and flames lit up the ness within us. We are very far away that most of the time, I try to follow arrows rather sitting with some friends at lunch, landscape. Clouds of black smoke from home, and we’re the only cur- than enjoy the beauty of my surroundings. But I we always seem to be talking. This blocked out the sky as some Pal- rent students from the Middle East. cannot run without arrows. campus is filled with young intel- estinians stayed to fight with rock This makes it very hard for us to Prompted by concerns about student health lectuals and bright students who slings in hand, and others chose to find people to talk to about the is- and well-being, Exeter’s Curriculum Committee are always willing to engage in dis- run for their lives. Although tar- sues in Palestine. It’s heartbreaking tasked itself with reworking the daily schedule cussions, and as a community, we nished and dirty, Palestinian flags to hear all the tragic news from our for the past year. Exonians don’t have enough are definitely capable of addressing were raised high. Men and women family back home but hear nothing free time, most committee members conceded, important subjects. But although of all ages were rushing back and from the Exeter Community. classes go on for too long, and extracurricular it is within our capability, numer- forth, carrying the injured away on During our collective time at commitments clog up the remaining hours of the ous examples from the past have stretchers. According to the Pales- Exeter, we have seen the commu- day. The Committee thus proposed to shorten shown that we often fail to address tinian Health Ministry, at least 59 nity address many important issues, class periods and designate certain extracurricular the most controversial topics; top- people died, and more than 2,700 but rarely have we spoken about activities as “sports” that could be incorporated ics that are not agreed upon by the Palestinians suffered injuries that Palestine and Israel. It might be due into the schedule, all in the hope of alleviating majority. required immediate medical atten- to a lack of knowledge or it might student stress. As we make our way from class tion. Among the deceased was an be because of a lack of mindfulness. I don’t think that having fewer mandatory to class, students are protected in- 8-month-old infant, Laila Anwar Perhaps we are so scared of offend- hours will better my mental health. With more side our Exeter bubble. But outside Ghandour. She died from gas inha- ing people with viewpoints differ- “free” time in the week, I will only feel added of our campus, young Palestinians lation, raising the death toll from ent from ours that we never address pressure to take on extra commitments, either flee from the uproar of gunshots 58 to 59 in mere seconds. bigger issues. inside or outside school, so that each hour winds while protesting the recent reloca- Palestinians are constantly dy- No matter our beliefs, it’s time by in as productive a way as possible. tion of the U.S. Embassy from Tel ing at the hands of Israeli soldiers, we opened discussion even if it’s just Mental health has recently become a topic of Aviv to Jerusalem. making the incident on Monday far an acknowledgment of the facts. It’s much interest for students and faculty alike, but On May 14, 2018, the Trump from unique. This is what Palestin- time we talk about Palestine. can a few “upper meditations” and less time in class really change the way students think, when the culture around them still values the same things? It all boils down to a certain Exonian-esque Letter to the Editor mental-fixedness, which no remedy I know of can ear Editor, from the investigations (Holland eter community who may have cure. We are lost in a tangled mesh of neuroticism In the recent issue of The Knight, Nixon Peabody, NH State been harmed in the past, perhaps measuring ourselves up to the people who “have it Exonian, Head of the Troopers, Choate Hall, etc). They involving alumni in the process.” together,” worrying about the endpoint, worrying DTrustees, Tony Downer, stated that will need to be aware of what has Please clarify your use of the words about what happens next. “HYMPSSSSS!” a the purpose of the interim prin- been, and what is now, so they can “could” and “perhaps” here. stressed-out upper once messaged me on Facebook cipal role is “bringing closure to make a determination about their Also, your sentence, “All school at 20 minutes past midnight. They failed to the journey we have been on over suitability for the work. Heads today wait for the phone enunciate a clear reason why this matters so much, the past few years, addressing our Secondly, we respectfully ask call that a student in the distant or but I could guess. past shortcomings and flaws in the that the candidates respond to the recent past has been sexually mis- It has to do with enforced elitism, with how we realm of sexual misconduct and en- following questions. treated at our school.” If you are ap- feel that there must be some greater reason why we deavoring to provide support and Sincerely, pointed interim, you will not have are at this school. The responsibility of not wasting bring comfort to those who have PATH to wait for this phone call. Aside away our good fortune, the burden that comes with from your mention of Ms. Scioc- privilege. Phillips Exeter Alumni for Truth chetti and your support of your After all, I truly don’t believe Exonians deserve Given that this is the and Healing front line friend, how do you intend to be carefree. Do we even deserve to be happy? stated purpose of inter- to handle the many “urgent,” and im, PATH (a group com- QUESTIONS FOR THE “call back” messages from harmed prised of both alumni CANDIDATES: alumni? harmed on campus and Mr. Rawson, ***** non-harmed alumni) You don't give dates in your Ms. Palmer, believe that the selection statement, but it seems you might Some in our group have ex- Want to have your voice heard? should reflect, at least in have been a trustee during the first perienced your efforts to change part, our input and con- Schubart internal disclosures. If the culture on campus first hand. Submit a piece to the Opinions cerns. that is true, what was your position, Our question is somewhat unfair, or vote even, on disclosure to the because it penalizes you for doing section of The Exonian! experienced harm.” Given that this community? good work, but it is a valid concern. Contact [email protected] is the stated purpose of interim, What experiences can you share How does it benefit the "greater PATH (a group comprised of both that suggest that you are ready to good" to move you away from your Send Letters to the Editor to the alumni harmed on campus and lead the current Exeter, and not the important current work to the in- non-harmed alumni) believe that Exeter of the past? terim position, which would ne- same address. the selection should reflect, at least ***** cessitate action (if done well), that in part, our input and concerns. Ms. Clarke, might make your stay at the Acade- We would like to request that In The Exonian you state, “We my, beyond the interim 2 year term, the finalist be given access to Rock- could work to heal relationships impossible? ingham Files as well as information with members of the greater Ex- ***** A4 THE EXONIAN OPINIONS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 From Genius to Moron: Kanye West's Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Alan Wu '19 Life Section Editor

ntil just over a week ago, I was still excited for new Kanye West music. Even afer all the stupid Uremarks, the tiresome celebrity nonsense and his endorsements of Donald Trump. I still wanted a new Ye album in my iTunes library. Kanye’s been playing this game of celebrity-contrarian for a long time now, and while this facet of his character has primarily attracted derision, it has also inspired equal amounts of pleasure and excitement for music fans and cultural spectators alike, myself included. I mean, he’s a genius. At the end of the day, afer all the tabloid fervor dies down, what emerges from the rubble is a mas- terpiece and its creator, who only grows more and more sure of his own brilliance. I bought into all of this worship as much as Kanye did. I was fne with the public outbreaks as long as it meant I could listen to “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” I was fne with his ignorance and narcissism because they inspired “Yeezus.” I was fne with “BILL COSBY INNOCENT is trying to spend time with his family. For of Steve Jobs circa 1997, triumphantly re- the geniuses that he loves and compares !!!!!!!!!!” because “Te Life of Pablo” was better or for worse, Kanye is still acclimat- turning to Apple afer a decade-long exile, himself to. on its way. All of these incidents became ing to this new social climate and fguring ready to give the world translucent iMacs No wonder why he thinks that slav- prologues and footnotes to the Kanye West out how he fts in context. and iPods. And if geniuses are always on ery—specifcally, four hundred years of story because the greatness of his music As a result, Kanye has given himself the verge of some hidden brilliance, then institutional and mental slavery—is a shone brighter. But, as we saw last week, over to, as Te New Yorker’s Doreen St. they can never be wrong, just presently “choice.” He views black America’s heritage genius is a fragile concept. As much as Félix describes, “some Faustian contract misunderstood. of sufering as something that needs to be Kanye is a genius, he is also a blithering with fame.” It’s easy to comprehend Kanye’s de- overcome. What Kanye doesn’t realize is moron. “Trump is one of rap’s favorite people,” sires for the “genius” status as an exercise that he cannot escape his roots, especially What I see in Kanye’s embrace of Kanye said recently in his now infamous of ego and severe delusion. But I think as an artist who is supposed to refect the Trump, as well as his deeply problematic interview rant with TMZ. I mean, yeah, there’s something deeper. As a black pop world as it is. In the process, he has hurt comments on slavery, is the inevitable he was, before his actions determined culture fgure in America, Kanye is more his community and his ancestors the most collapse of the “genius myth.” Kanye has the well-being of the wealthiest and most than aware of the history that his racial because they are tied to his words and his placed himself in the same lineage as Walt powerful country in the world. What identity carries. actions as much as he is. Disney, Steve Jobs, Howard Hughes and Kanye sees in Trump is not his policies or Te gif of the music that he produces, I have no hopes of wrapping any of Pablo Picasso. Tese comparisons used to political ramifcations (he has yet to name every beat that he samples and every these points in neat conclusions. Maybe absolve him of any serious consequences. a single concrete Trump policy). Rather, rhyme that he writes is entirely inseparable Kanye does like Trump for his policies. He made us believe that he could firt with he still views Trump in the context of a from the killings, the beatings and the suf- Maybe “genius” is a myth we need to kill fre and get away with it. But as America’s celebrity. fering that brought his ancestors to this entirely. I do honestly doubt that any new societal friction burns stronger, Kanye has He still views Trump as the host of country. Te gif of black art in America music from Kanye, even if it’s the next unknowingly immolated himself and the “Te Apprentice,” as a symbol of wealth comes from this collective, binding lin- “Sgt. Pepper’s” or “Dark Side of the Moon” people he represents. and unabashed egotism. For Kanye, Trump eage. Its magic comes from the fact that it or “OK Computer,” can validate the com- As a “proud non-reader of books,” is exactly the vulgar-celebrity president he does not belong to singular talent and that ments he has made. it is extremely apparent that Kanye’s wants to be. Tis perspective reveals two it refects, in a manner that is gracious and Kanye is not mentally insane or a understanding of the world and his ways primary points of consideration: Kanye’s, inspiringly truthful, the blood shed under political messiah. He is a human being of approaching it are not determined by and by extension our, understanding of America’s creation. worthy of more nuanced analysis than principle, discipline or knowledge, much “genius” and how that idea exists for a Ta-Nehisi Coates’s phenomenal article the boxes of ideology provide. His reasons like Trump himself. black pop culture fgure in America. “I’m Not Black, I’m Kanye” defnes the for rejecting the we, for liking Trump, for He has no coherent political dogma. Genius is really just societally-cele- unifying force of black art as an instruc- embracing the dangerous idealizations He has no consistent moral principle. He brated madness. It’s an idea that elevates tive we. He compares Kanye’s rebellious of geniuses and for wanting freedoms has no dependable value system. Kanye, individuals to saviors and subjugates the attitude to Michael Jackson’s changing ap- historically reserved for white men are by both fate and his own doing, is a fugi- rest. Given enough money, space and per- pearance, fnding the desire for liberation deeply misguided but understandable. tive. To give him the beneft of the doubt, I mission, genius becomes something that in both geniuses. At the heart of this issue is person who don’t think Kanye ever recovered from his is unmanageable and relentless. Liberation from what? Liberation is clearly lost and disconnected from his mother’s death and it is likely that he still Even if Kanye has sailed far past the from that we, from the all-encompassing community, colleagues, fans and the ideas blames himself. I don’t think he’s recovered fnal Rubicon, far beyond the realms of burdens that come with being black in he wants to engage in. We can only hope from the fact that his wife was at the gun discussion he wants to have, he won’t America. Te kind of freedom that Kanye that Kanye fnds his way home, back to point of armed robbers. We need to realize stop. Geniuses never stop. Tey are, by touts is a white man’s freedom, a freedom Chicago and the ancestors that inhabit that he just got of a rehabilitation stint and defnition, forever onto something. Tink without limit or criticism, reserved for his art.

Smokeless, but Far from Harmless about filtered cigarettes? Research now hidden under the term “flavorings” in once used regularly, ensures a legion of Aida Cerundolo, M.D. shows that not only are they unhealthy, the ingredient list for ENDS lies a host loyal paying customers who cannot quit. Interim Medical Director but they are also actually linked to a dif- of carcinogenic substances. Researchers Nicotine adversely affects the developing ferent form of cancer called adenocarci- tested the urine and saliva of teenagers brain and is also toxic to fetuses. Due to noma, which grows in the periphery of who used ENDS and found significantly its concentrated nature, less than half a he popularity of electronic nico- the lung and as a result, is harder to treat. higher levels of dangerous chemicals such teaspoon of an ENDS solution can be fa- tine delivery systems (ENDS) Fast forward to 2018, electronic nico- as acrylonitrile, acrolein, propylene oxide, tal if swallowed by a 20 month old child. reflects a predictable trend in the tine delivery systems (ENDS)–otherwise acrylamide and crotonaldehyde compared Overdoses of nicotine cause vomiting, historyT of tobacco in the US. known as e-cigarettes, electronic hookah, to those who did not use ENDS. Higher sweating, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures In the 1950s, as public knowledge e-hookah, personal vaporizers, vape pens levels of acrylonitrile, a poison used and respiratory failure. of the association between smoking and or juuls–are the latest “healthier” smoke. in the plastics industry, were found in History usually repeats itself, so the cancer grew, cigarettes sales slumped. In These devices are marketed as a whole- adolescents who smoked fruit-flavored surge in popularity of “healthier” ENDS response, the tobacco industry developed some alternative to cigarettes since they products. Far from healthy, ENDS also is no surprise. As long as there are ways to filtered cigarettes as a “healthier” option. do not produce smoke that results from a contain many of the same toxic chemicals manipulate normal chemical interactions This move reversed a decline in cigarette tobacco cigarette. Instead, the device has found in regular cigarettes. in the brain through use of exogenous sales and the industry prospered once a battery operated generator that detects Other studies have found that ENDS chemicals, there will always be new sub- more. a change in pressure as the user draws a aerosol contains heavy metals and car- stances emerging and innovative ways to Since then, mounting scientific evi- breath, which then heats a nicotine solu- bonyls linked to cancer, like acetaldehyde market them. dence about the harmful effects of smok- tion and creates an aerosol. and formaldehyde. Even the simple act of Utilizing the brain’s most powerful ing, lawsuits, and tighter government The fact that ENDS does not produce inhaling foreign, fine air particles while resource, the ability to think and reason, regulations have plagued the tobacco in- smoke as found in tobacco cigarette im- “smoking” an ENDS triggers an immune rather than believing the hype of a so dustry. Greater public awareness of smok- plies a positive shift. But the perceived response, inflaming the lung. called “healthier” product like ENDS, ing risks has resulted in a steep drop in jump to “healthier” is a stretch to say Most importantly, the key ingredi- is the best way to truly make healthier cigarette use over the past 50 years down the least. ent in ENDS, just as in cigarettes, is choices. to only 15% of adults in 2015. And what According to a new study from UCSF, nicotine–a highly addictive chemical that,

News Editors Sports Editors Art Editor Subscriptions Te Web Board staf Don Assamongkol Emily Cloonan Ariane Avandi Sam Michaels members are listed on Te ROSE HOROWITCH Paul James Ashley Lin Exonian’s website: www.the- exonian.com. Editor-in-Chief Sarah Ryu Makinrola Orafdiya Senior Columnist Communications To subscribe to or adver- Jared Zhang Jordan Davidson Bella Hillman tise on Te Exonian, contact MADISON KANG Opinions Editors [email protected] or Director of Writing Bianca Beck Humor Editors Faculty Advisers Circulation call 603-777-4308. A sub- Sebastian Bango Ava Harrington Ellee Dean Weldon Chan scription to the paper costs JOHN BECKERLE $75 of campus and $125 Managing Editor Shaan Bhandarkar Lizzie Madamidola Erica Lazure overseas. Mark Blekherman Abby Zhang Alex Myers Outreach Te Exonian welcomes JUSTIN PSARIS Troy Marrero Letters to the Editor sent to Business Board Co-Head Life Editors Director of Head Copy Editor the care of exonianletters@ Grace Carroll Photography Tommy Kim Business Adviser gmail.com. Te Exonian reserves the AMELIA LEE Jacky Cho Reina Matsumoto Allison Battles right to print Letters to the Business Board Co-Head Hillary Davis Advertising Editor in a timely fashion Alan Wu Photography Editor Camilla Pelliccia and to edit them for content JENNY YANG Numi Oyebode and clarity. Chief Digital Editor THE EXONIAN THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 A5 ExonianHumor Tings to do as MeditationsBy AVA HARRINGTON on Fishing Likes fshing, hates boats. An Opting Prep There comes a time in every man’s bait of “Important Updates” from waiting for a quarter pound sun- By AVA HARRINGTON Take Time for Yourself life where he, being of a wealthier “The University” above our heads fish or apparently Exonians is not standing and possessing a reluc- like some sort of sick Spongebob just a hobby. Fishing is a way of Stuco has suggested a new policy in which tance for physical exertion, takes up crossover episode (“How could they life. When we understand this, we preps and lowers have the opportunity to opt. a new hobby. This proud son, much be dangerous? They’re covered with can divert these fishers back to Here’s what Te Exonian suggests you spend that like his bucket-hat-wearing forefa- free cheese!”) Can we ever escape their smaller (though equally in- time doing. thers, discovers the secrets of life these E. B. White-loving, “Once telligent) prey. We must remind and meaning in himself by luring More to the Lake” reading, endlessly ourselves that this cannot become 1. Something illicit probably. in creatures to admire. He will nev- catch and releasing fishes in pursuit “The Most Dangerous Game.” This 2. Your health homework. er possess such creatures, but will of a childhood thrill they’ll never must remain, if anything, “The Most 3. Strategizing your next social event. touch and should I say fondle these experience again? Will we ever free Mildly Irritating Game.” We cannot 4. Awkwardly ask your friend to set you up slimesters until they squirm away. ourselves from this ceaselessly “Im- get baited hook line and sinker by with someone for EP. Our hero is, of course, a fisherman. portant Task?” frat boys in high-end flip flops. We 5. Do preps do anything besides gossip? Not Fishers have found a new tar- We must educate ourselves on must stop fishing at the Academy, or sure. get recently: Exonians. Donning a the dangers of the least physi- else risk becoming a group of floppy 6. Obsess over room picks when there’s no pair of waders and four extra socks, cally demanding sport. We must craniates. rooms for you to pick from. these “apex predators” dangle their keep in mind that standing around 7. Shopping for lanyards. 8. Complain about how terribly your teachers are and how much homework thay give.

Overenrolled!By MAEGAN PAUL Let’s Kick Some Preps Out Blessings and thanks to the good tions, but Lamont is nearby and stretch by having a whole 63 peo- Lord for allowing Exeter’s yield some of the Lamonsters seem to ple, so why should the number of to surpass Andover’s this year. be perfectly okay with it. students increase? It’s understand- NewAVA Schedule HARRINGTON We love Exie! But now we have a Alternatively, we could have the ably hard to assign rooms for the Wants to be Done by Noon problem because we really don’t preps live in giant halls like in the numerous new students, but please have enough space for all of those military movies. Everyone can get don’t flood Dunbar with any more 01/17/2019 people. In fact, almost all of the their own bed with the incredibly people. Today was a great day! I woke up for my 8 am current preps will have roommates fashionable E&R sheets. Also, who The Dean of Residential Life is class, which was math. We got through three whole next year, which is TeRriFiC.* Al- doesn’t want to wear drab military going to have a lot of work to do in problems! Then, I went to my 8:25 class, which was though this can prove to be a great uniforms that separate them from order to fit all of these people, but English. We didn’t get a chance to get into the text excuse for disliking the incoming others at Exie? Not only will the hopefully my feasible ideas will be preps, I have some ideas to make preps look the part, but they can implemented to solve the issues. or anything, but at least we caught up with each everything great again. wake up at 5am to work out just other. After that, we had a ten minute break for We can destroy Fisher Theater like the real ‘army’! So much fun! *Editor’s Note: I’VE HAD A faculty meeting. I hear they’re discussing the V’s and build a massive dorm in its DON’T PUT 70 PEOPLE IN ROOMMATE FOR THE PAST policy. I hope they get a lot accomplished! I was all place. Not only will some people DUNBAR. First of all, no. Sec- TWO YEARS AND I’M GOING done with classes for the day. have rooms, but if there are a ton ond, NO. Just because we are the TO HAVE A ROOMMATE MY During FG it was time for club puck. With the of doubles, half of the entire prep biggest dorm on campus doesn’t SENIOR YEAR AS WELL. YOU class should be covered! Sure, mean that we need to become even HAVE NO RIGHT. That is all. new sports schedule all of our sports meet during Fisher is not in the best of loca- bigger! This year was already a - Ava that time, so we have to share the rink with the four real teams. We got to skate with boys Varsity to- day, which was fun until a PG checked me into the boards. I don’t really remember much of what hap- pened after that, but I did get to touch a PG, which Yearly Refection, As Told by “Exeter was hot. With all this free time, I’ve had the extra time to Memes forBy AVA NonHARRINGTON Sibi Teens” reach Nirvana. I also read the Bible (Spoiler Alert: A Sibi Teen The main character dies, but he pulls a bit of a Ken- This is the last edition of Te black coffee and spawned a bunch ping!” into the new year. It was ny McCormick if you know what I mean). This is so Exonian and, more importantly, of terrible memes that the Humor certainly a “New Year Numi” for a much better than the old schedule! the last edition of the humor sec- Section capitalized on. In October, lot of people, especially the many tion for the year. We editors (royal the “boonk game” swept through that discovered the Academic Dis- xoxox “we”) at the humor section decid- to take mail room covers. I re- honesty Statement is “copied and Ava ed to present you with an anthol- ally don’t know what satisfaction pasted.” Perhaps this was what ogy of the 2017-18 school year, as a mailbox cover can bring, but if frightened PMac away from Ex- told by the Facebook group Exeter that makes you happy, have fun eter, which made Sarah Rae won- Memes for Non Sibi Teens, a plat- with those cameras. By the end der “Wot in Principal MacFarlane form for posting memes related to of the month, the centerpiece and resignation?” And on photo day, TFW Te Grad the trials and tribulations of life at crown jewel of our Facebook time- George and Thomas Matheos Phillips Exeter. lines was discovered and picked up bamboozled us by outperform- What a year we’ve had! The by Te Exonian. Nevertheless, PEA ing everyone else’s images. In the Edition is Due summer brought us the great Jef- Memes persisted, reminding us of spring, Paul Gravel couldn’t round frey Drummond, who commented our habit for enjoying assembly up to 99 percent, and we were and You Don’t on the lack of alumni involvement livestreams from the comfort of mad. Finally, the phishers slid in memes and gave us all hope our bedrooms instead of the dis- into our DM’s, subjecting us to an for our own future. In Septem- comfort of those padded benches, eternal distrust for all emails en- Want to be Mean ber, a new wave of preps brought and Dean Coole’s habit for stop- titled “Important Updates.” What in the EJP (Exeter Juuling Pan- ping us with punishments. Speak- memes will Exonians bring us in but You Have to demic) and subjected us to con- ing of assembly, we had Schwarzy the coming months? Only time versations about “preserving our and Chisholm throw it down and will tell, but I really hope it has health.” Tyehimba Jess brought us lay it out for us in a Battle Royale something to do with the interim Do It Anyway a mobius strip, and PMac taught of “friendly discussion.” principal. Don’t fail us, Exonians. By THE HUMOR EDITORS us about her affinity for strong, In winter, “everyone was slip- I’m Not Trying to be Mean

Quotes of the Week

“Planned Parenthood sees me coming and they lock the doors.” - Anonymous

“That pouty selfie face should be forever banned from human history.” - Mr. Hartnett

“I have a major problem.” “Is this the type of problem that can be solved with antibiotics? Or maybe a cream?” - Ava and Seb

“I fall asleep to Death Grips all the time. The screaming soothes me; I love it.” - Alan

“Why can’t we put f*** in the article?” “This is a Christian server, we don’t swear here.” - Paul and Alan

From all of us at the Humor Page, have an amaz- “Oil is the black tar heroin of investors.” - Jaime ing summer! Keep in touch, keep making jokes, and please keep (start) submitting to the humor section. STRKS (Snap Us) @aharry01 @abbyz_hang P.S. Ava wants me to add that she would like to @lizzy127345 make more friends for the summer and to add her

on snap at @aharry01. A6 THE EXONIAN THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 ExeterLife

Te Lamont Gallery opened a new exhibition, BIG TIME: ART 500, showcasing student work. Avery Napier/Te Exonian

Lamontthe lower andY prepounger level,” English Instructor and and understandingPoets each other’s hurt feelings—Readingrhyming poem. I was really intrigued by it be- By RACHEL WON and Chair of the Lamont Poetry Committee Todd and I thought about how people struggle to cause I had never rhymed before,” he said. “I ANGELE YANG Staf Writers Hearon said. reach each other but, because language can be thought of a recent experience I had going back Hearon, who helped organize this year’s a barrier, just can’t.” to the Beijing countryside over vacation. I wrote event, further detailed that the Lamont Poetry For Little, reading poetry is a family tradi- a poem about that experience because I’m a city Rockefeller Hall fell silent on Wednesday Prize was “tailor-made to the younger students,” tion. “Our family sometimes reads [poetry] to person, and I tried to show the juxtaposition of evening, the audience captivated as prep Anne as the Sibley Poetry Prize, the Academy’s other each other and shares poems when we’re to- identity and the people around me.” Brandes prepared to read her poem. “Pine,” poetry prize, typically honors upperclassmen. gether or by email when we’re at school,” she Student poets were further inspired by she began. “Feathered needles spread by damp, “Every year, I’m impressed by the quality and said. During the reading, Little was joined by McDonough’s reading. “Jill was just so great,” salty breeze.” With these opening lines, Brandes variety of the submissions,” he said. “Te event her grandparents, parents and sister. Brandes said. “She talked about what she be- kicked of the Lamont Younger Poets Reading. just nails home that poetry is alive and well in Brandes, who served as the editor-in-chief lieved in, she wrote about what she felt. I think Tis year’s Lamont Younger Poets Prize the prep and lower levels.” of her previous school’s writing magazine, wrote that was really refreshing. She was very pas- was awarded to Brandes along with lowers Brandes began with her poem titled a poem dedicated to her mother. “I related her sionate, and she really gave all of herself to the Mai Hoang, Virginia Little and Blane Zhu, rec- “Mother Nature,” followed by Hoang’s “Ghazal: to diferent aspects of nature—a pine [and] a people who were listening.” ognizing the best poetry written by preps and A Confession,” Little’s “Villanelle: ‘Body Lan- Japanese maple. I described our experience Hoang admired McDonough’s pursuits lowers at the Academy. Te winners’ reading guage,’” and Zhu’s “Man, Foreign.” Hearon with those plants and how I interacted with her,” outside of writing poetry. “I really respect what was followed by a reading from Lamont poet found this year’s event to be particularly memo- Brandes said. she does with prisoners in Boston; she started Jill McDonough, the author of multiple poetry rable, as it featured Hoang, a two-time winner, Hoang was fascinated with the ghazal that whole program to teach them English, and collections and chapbooks, including “Habeas and Little, whose sister, senior Alice Little, also format, an Arabic poetry form consisting of it gives me so much hope that you can do that Corpus,” “Where You Live,” “Reaper” and “Oh, won the award two years prior. a rhyming format and a repeating word or sort of thing,” Hoang said. “She’s such a funny James!” At the time, Virginia Little, who had just phrase. “Te frst ghazal I read was Meg Day’s; and optimistic person—who wouldn’t love Jill?” Te Lamont Younger Poets Prize was been accepted to Exeter, expressed excitement she wrote an amazing one that really inspired Zhu lef the event with a crucial piece of founded in 2004 in memory of Rex McGuinn, about Exeter’s arts program afer learning about me. Tere are so many diferent ways that you advice. “Tere was one thing that she said [in a member and later committee head of the her sister’s award. “[Alice] is a great writer and can think about one word and it has diferent one of her poems] that was really striking. It Lamont Poetry Committee during his time at thinks deeply about the subjects of her poems meanings,” Hoang said. said we’re poets, you can be anything if you’re the Academy. As a poet and teacher, McGuinn and narratives,” she said. “It is special for us to She applied this concept to her word: dra- a poet, you can have that power. I really liked believed that poetry could give rise to a new way share such a distinction, and we are both hum- ma. “I just Googled diferent forms of drama. I the connection between poet and freedom and of seeing the world. bled to have been chosen out of so many great didn’t really have a unique story that I wanted to liberation. I really liked the idea that the voice He was particularly encouraging towards writers and poets here at Exeter.” tell; I didn’t even know what I was going to write liberates your thoughts,” Zhu said. underclassmen in the prep and lower grades. Students drew from a variety of experi- about, just the concept of drama,” Hoang said. McDonough was similarly impressed by Following in McGuinn’s spirit, the Lamont Po- ences for inspiration. Inspired by this year’s She wanted her poem to be one that could be the Lamont Younger Poets. “[Te student po- etry Program recognizes up to four promising Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Little wrote a better understood through research. ems] were ambitious, accomplished, and mov- younger poets every year. “Afer the death of poem about “the difculty of spoken language Zhu entered a poem that he wrote during ing. [My advice would be to] keep having fun McGuinn, a very infuential teacher of poetry to convey what we mean and to connect.” She an English class. “My poem was an English as- with writing—let poetry be a place where you here, we wanted to do something that would added, “[On MLK Day], there were people who signment. We were reading Gregory Pardlo at are experimenting and trying new things,” Mc- honor his infuence for students, particularly in weren’t connecting—not listening to each other the time, and one of the poems he had was a Donough said.

Art 500 Showcase We All By VERONICA CHOULGA, RAMYANEE MUKHERJEE and CANDY TANTICHIRASAKUL Staff Writers Bleed Red By CHARLOTTE LISA and On the opening night of “Big Time: Art told to ft into a certain mold,” she said. Inspired LOUIS MUKAMA 500+,” the Lamont Gallery was bustling with by these emotions, Maguire created a series of Staff Writers Exonians celebrating and admiring the work of photographs exploring the way that certain val- their friends, children and students. Te gallery, ues are imposed onto people. which is usually taken up by guest artists, is now For Maguire, art has always been a way of Tis past Friday night, members of to a person and overall help bring the full of artwork created by Exonians. Students expressing deeper concepts. “I can’t really do art the Exeter community gathered in Agora community together.” enrolled in Exeter’s most advanced art courses without having some sort of deeper meaning for the opening night of We All Bleed Lower Eman Noraga, another orga- have the opportunity to showcase their work in behind it. I can’t just create something that’s aes- Red, a student-run multimedia arts proj- nizer for the event, shared Kraus’s feelings the gallery. thetically pleasing for me,” she said. ect centered around the theme of identity. about delving deep into others’ identi- Te exhibition runs from May 11 until Luke felt similar, saying, “I think that it of- Students and faculty performed musical ties. “It was interesting to see and hear June 3. In these advanced art courses, either fers an avenue of self-expression that is entirely pieces, spoken word and poetry to express these diferent stories from people, [and] Art 500 or Art 999, students are given the free- unique.” their own interpretation of “We All Bleed if it hadn’t been for We All Bleed Red, we dom to experiment with and build upon skills Senior Ivy Tran created a collection of Red” in the dimly lit Agora, whose walls probably wouldn’t have heard them,” she that they’ve already mastered to develop their clothing as her independent project for the Art were covered with more pieces of artwork said. own original pieces of art. Tasked to create an 999 course. Her primary aim was to instill and and poetry. Prep Audrey Yin, who performed a individual portfolio based around a specifc communicate a specifc message through her Senior Pedro Repsold De Sanson, song during the event, felt that the night’s thematic question, students independently de- work. an organizer of the event, said, “Opening theme contributed to a feeling of com- veloped their own projects and curriculums in “My collection ‘Prenom’ has a simple aim: night was so rewarding and embodied fort in the room. “At frst, I was hesitant the studio, while also receiving occasional guid- to empower and celebrate women. Te design the community,” he said. “Te topic [of] on whether I should have explained why ance and weekly feedback from art instructors. of each individual piece embraces the diferent identity can be very vague and also very I chose this song or not, but then to look “Big Time: Art 500+” aims to share and aspects and struggles of being a woman. My unique and personal.” down and see so many diferent people celebrate these creative eforts from over 20 stu- collection shows that even in fashion, we can Tis year’s We All Bleed Red show- just being there to support the cause, it dent artists with the rest of the Exeter commu- work to support women, to be loud for those cased a new screen test, which included felt like a really warm and happy environ- nity. Beyond the artworks themselves, visitors of who do not have a voice,” said Tran. interviews from seniors. He also refected ment,” she said. the exhibit are able to see the entire artistic pro- For Art Department Chair Tara Lewis, art on the committee’s eforts to include a di- Event organizer and upper Jeremy Xu cess, from a work’s initial sketches to its imple- is like food and air—sustaining and necessary verse range of voices in the video. said, “Te main goal of this project in my mentation within the studio. for growth. In addition to student work, fac- Repsold De Sanson found the diver- eyes is the fact that there needs to be more Te Art 500 course allows for explora- ulty work is also displayed in the showcase. “I sity of voices featured in the screen test solidarity amongst Exonians on campus a tion across artistic mediums, so the exhibition chose portrait painting because that’s defnitely stunning. “By diverse I mean, in addi- lot of the time.” Repsold De Sanson agreed, features a variety of art forms. Senior Chris my thing,” Lewis said. “Some kids were soccer tion to the upfront diversity, diversity of saying, “We All Bleed Red addresses this Luke worked with animation, something he stars or varsity athletes, and I considered art my thought, diversity of background and all idea of frst trying to recognize who some- considers relatively foreign to Exeter’s typical ‘sport’ I practiced,” said Lewis. of those diferent underlying aspects of one is and the story behind them, before art curriculum. “I was inspired by a lot of the Senior Teodore Jafrey, whose artwork someone’s life,” he said. having preconceived notions.” animation I saw on television and the internet. entitled “Te Human Emoji” presented a col- Te visual artwork and poems added Afer the evening concluded, Vivi- I taught myself by imitating and studying those lection of raw photographs of human emo- additional uniqueness to one’s experience enne Kraus said, “I think it’s a good theme, works,” he said. tions, had similar hopes for his project and for of the event. Senior Vivienne Kraus appre- especially because some people can be Senior Lauren Maguire created a pho- the gallery. “I think it would be cool for people ciated the art. “We all have our own identi- more open and accepting towards certain tography project for the course. “At the time I to generally recognize that we all have diferent ties and trying to understand that through identities in this day and age. It’s nice to be was feeling like I didn’t have much choice, that ways of expressing ourselves and our emotions, art is really interesting,” she said. Senior able to celebrate that as a group, the fact I wasn’t allowed to control my future and have and as a community we need to recognize that,” Margaret Kraus also believed that “the art that we are all diferent and that it is part control over my feelings. I felt like I was being he said. people can create can show you new sides of what makes us Exeter.” THE EXONIAN LIFE THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 A7

FacultySpotlight Elizabeth Stevens By EMILY KANG and CHRIS SUHR and steer the campus towards carbon net Staf Writers zero. “Initiatives on campus are important in terms of keeping the campus itself sus- Mice chitter in the snake cage. Te pro- tainable and moving toward carbon net jector glows blue before displaying a hawk zero,” Stevens said. swooping across the sky. Students’ eyes Along with environmental advocacy, widen for the weekly Fun Film Friday in Stevens’s other passion is being able to Biology Instructor Elizabeth Stevens’s class. interact with Exeter’s students everyday. Stevens first found her passion for “I love the curiosity and how bright and teaching while working on marine biology hard-working the students are. It makes research. Afer college, Stevens found that my day everyday to be working with the she didn’t enjoy focusing on one specifc kids,” Stevens said. topic in the way her research approached Senior James Fortin, who had Stevens science. “I found that I am more of a gen- for his winter and spring terms of prep eralist, and I really just like to know a lot biology, and later, Human Anatomy and about biology in all areas,” Stevens said. Physiology, appreciated her dedication Stevens gave some thought about how to making sure that students understand to apply her preference to a career and real- the topics. “She has a good sense of when ized that teaching biology was perfect for students need her to step into our discus- her. She took an internship at Northfeld sion, and her explanations are thorough,” Mount Hermon School and stuck with Fortin said. Paula Perez-Glassner/Te Exonian teaching ever since. “When I tried teaching He also recalled Stevens’s humor on at Northfeld Mount Hermon, I loved it and physiology because I thought about going Stevens was the original initiator of the his frst day of class when she said that she never looked back. I knew that I wanted to to med school,” Stevens said. Climate Action Day and still works on wished to be a bioluminescent dinofagel- do it for the rest of my career,” said Stevens. As for the Human Population and Re- the committee. Fellow Biology Instructor late if she were to be reincarnated as an Following her internship at Northfeld source Consumption elective, Stevens said Sydney Goddard described Stevens as “the animal. “She really is a unique teacher, and Mount Hermon, Stevens has taught at the that the class was created from her passion force behind our frst Climate Action Day; I am glad I had the chance to meet her,” all girls Winsor School in Boston and a for environmental science. In the class, she she gathered the troops and led the charge.” said Fortin. public middle school in California before teaches about topics such as demography, Stevens believes that the frst step to Goddard praised Stevens for her cre- arriving at Exeter in 2000. the study of populations, over consump- addressing environmental issues like global ative teaching and promotion of a lively Stevens decided to teach at Exeter be- tion, agriculture and urban design. “Te warming is through reaching out and edu- learning environment, such as implement- cause she wanted to be in an environment premise of the class is that populations of cating, which was one of the reasons behind ing Fun Film Friday and online interactive that valued its faculty and had exceptional people are growing, so what are we going creating Climate Action Day. “I really think quiz game Kahoot. “She[is] super organized students. “Some smaller boarding schools to do in terms of feeding them and housing that every student needs to have more and knows her subject; she puts a lot of time sometimes overwork their faculty, whether them in the future?” Stevens said. environmental education. People who are into fnding material she thinks will grab they’re coaching sports [or] doing dorm Her friend and colleague, Biology In- interested in environmental science take her students,” Goddard said. duty. I knew that teaching is the most im- structor Anne Rankin admires the class for the environmental classes, but the students Biology Instructor Richard Aaronian portant thing here,” Stevens said. the service project each class tackles during that we really need to reach aren’t taking recounted the liveliness of Stevens’ class- Tis term, Stevens is teaching two gen- the course of the term. “Te service project them,” said Stevens. room. He said, “I teach in the classroom eral biology classes, Human Population and done each year by students in this class was With the progress that Climate Action next to her and there is often laughter Resource Consumption, as well as Human her idea and is a critical part of the curricu- Day has already brought to the student pop- coming from her students.” Anatomy and Physiology. Stevens chose to lum,” said Rankin. For example, one year, ulation, she intends to make environmental Prep Noah Lee also noted her enjoy- teach the Human Anatomy and Physiology the students in the class approached plastic science a larger part of students’ required able style of teaching. “She is thorough elective because of her background with water bottles on campus, leading Exeter to education. She is currently working with a when it comes to class. She makes sure we the subject during college. “When I was in become a water bottle free campus. group of faculty and staf that plans to cre- play diferent activities to engage us, and graduate school, I took a lot of anatomy and In addition to the service projects, ate an environmental science requirement she is passionate,” Lee said.

SeniorSpotlight Chiara Perotti Correa By YUNSEO CHOI and gram orientation where he was the director NIKITA THUMMALA of the program in Cuenca, Ecuador. To this Staf Writers day, he still remembers how Correa came to him to introduce herself and stayed longer to introduce Ecuador to the students. As Exonians cheer at events and games, “What better than a native Ecuadorian they can spot senior Chiara Perotti Correa to inform our prospective candidates about capturing photos on the sidelines. Her smile her country, the school and what to expect spreads to every person in the area, and her from the host families? She was incredibly hard work is evident in every project she does. warm, open and generous with her time. I'm Whether she is hanging out with her friends or convinced it was because of the excitement bringing awareness to mental health, Correa is that she generated that we ended up with 30 an active member on campus and leaves a last- applications,” he said. ing impression on everyone she connects with. Many students also associate Correa with Born and raised in a small town in Ecua- photography, for good reason. As the previous dor, Correa was sure from an early age that she Director of Photography for both Te Exonian wanted to attend college in the U.S. However, and PEAN, she always attended games and she was unsure whether she would be able to events, capturing memories with her camera. adjust to an American college afer spending “For me, photography was always some- high school in Ecuador where educational thing I could use to connect to people because opportunities were lacking. Paula Perez-Glassner/Te Exonian in order to take a picture of someone, you need As an international student, Correa is a to have an upfront conversation frst,” Correa member of the International Student Alliance visited America. herself,” he said. said. “Tat’s what I always loved about it. I got (ISA) Board. “It’s a great experience because Tat being said, coming to Exeter has Having been roommates with Correa, se- to meet people that I wouldn’t interact with on I don’t think a lot of people realize that there made her more proud of where she comes nior Milena Deguere feels that she will always a daily basis.” are a lot of international students here,” she from. “Since there are not a lot of native Lati- be able to count on her. “She is just someone In addition to photography, Correa is said. She felt that the alliance greatly helped nos here, I have always made it my mission to that I can knock on her door for anything, and also a co-head for Active Minds, an ESSO her transition to a foreign place and is happy make sure that we have representation or make we catch up every day,” she said. club dedicated to raising awareness for and to help other students in similar situations with people aware of the diferent cultures,” Correa Deguere also praised Correa for her destigmatizing mental health. “I think one of their own move. said. She hoped to spread some knowledge linguistic abilities, saying, “I have classes with the big things we try to combat is the stigma Correa’s favorite part of Exeter is the of diferent countries and varying customs her in English, and I have also seen her take around mental health,” Correa said. friendships that she will take with her, even around the world. French, and as someone who speaks only one Spanish Instructor Ellen Glassner, Cor- afer she graduates. “I understand that Exeter Many know Correa as a reliable and sup- language, it’s impressive that she can even rea’s adviser of two years, appreciates Correa’s can be a stressful place where people like to portive friend. Senior Teddy Scott described write something in another language, and it’s open-mindedness. “She is really comfortable bury themselves in their work, but I’ve never her as a “110 percent” friend. According to actually good.” with sharing stuf, and as an advisor, this is a really been that kind of person. I’m been more Scott, Correa makes people happy just because Modern Languages Instructor Hershel key to having an open relationship because of ‘Let’s go out and about!’ or ‘Let’s go hang she can. “She works hard in the things she Reichlin, who had Correa in his Italian 999 you really have to know the advisees,” she said. together!’” she said. loves, and she has a lot of time, energy and course, agreed. Correa, who is a native Span- In her senior spring, Correa hopes to Te relationships she has built here have efort to give,” he said. ish speaker, studied French at Exeter and has fll the last weeks at Exeter with quality time made Exeter a “home away from home” for Senior Alexander Renaud, who frst met Italian-speaking family members, entered the with the people around her. Her friends and her. However, Correa did face a few obstacles Correa through International Student Orien- course with a strong background in Romance mentors have no doubt that she will excel in when she initially arrived as a new lower. As tation, recalled her warm and friendly nature languages. “She has a great feel for the music of whatever she puts her mind to afer all of the a native Spanish speaker, she struggled to and how easy it was to connect with her the Italian and can switch between languages using obstacles she has overcome. transition to speaking English all the time. frst time they met. Renaud particularly ap- idiomatic expressions with ease,” Reichlin said. Correa is truly thankful for the oppor- She worked hard to perfect her American ac- preciates Correa’s giving nature. “She can put However, Reichlin knew Correa long tunities Exeter has given her. “I’m excited to cent, as she saw how people would judge her down getting an A on a paper because she cares before their 999 course. In December 2016, see what’s next in my life, yet I don’t regret family for the way they spoke whenever they more about helping other people than helping Reichlin met Correa at a term abroad pro- one single thing about coming here,” she said. A8 THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 ExonianSports VOLLEYBALL WINS CHAMPIONSHIP Claims Fourth Consecutive New England Title By MILO WALSHE Staf Writer

This season has been dominant once again for the boys’ varsity volleyball team. Going into the Final Four Tournament, the Big Red players ranked number one amongst opponents Northfeld Mount Hermon, Choate, and Andover. Having only lost one set leading up to the tournament, they were confdent they could pull away with their fourth consecutive championship win. Te team has been undefeated the entire season, sweeping every team in straight sets— except for the team’s Andover game where Big Red ultimately triumphed with a dominant set score of 3-1. Tis lifed the expectations of the team and allowed them to go into their games know- ing that they held the ability to prevail. Lower Members of the team celebrate in a huddle. Paula Perez-Glassner/Te Exonian Kerick Walker said, “Going into the Final Four, and 25-12. One of the reasons for this strong Michaels. pionships is no small feat. Tis year, the team we were defnitely very confdent, especially victory has been credited to postgraduate Michaels also credited their comeback has many players that will graduate. However, coming of of an undefeated season. I think Zach Senglein’s exceptional performance. “A to the calm presence from the veterans on the this will not deter the returning members of we were even a little overconfdent,” he said. highlight from the Choate game was Zach team, he stated, “It was pretty hard for some of the team from their ambitions in the future Upper Sam Michaels spoke to the team’s Stenglein’s hitting out of the middle and right the new guys dropping a set as they’ve gotten season. “I think we have a great chance at storied history. “Te volleyball team has always side,” Walker said. accustomed to always winning, so our veterans getting another victory. We have promising been extremely dominant since our creation Te win against Choate gave them the had to pull the team together and make sure we lowerclassmen who show lots of potential fve years ago and we had no doubt that we momentum going into the championship game didn’t lose another. It was a blessing in disguise who will grow into great athletes with time,” would make the fnal four.” against Andover. However, Andover was able because it made us work even harder and prove Michaels said. Apart from their dominance this season, to win the frst set, 25-17. Tis came as a shock that we deserved the win.” Walker agreed and added, “I think as they also had important starters returning to to the team, who were not familiar with falling Walker also emphasized the infuence the long as our returning players can continue to the court from recent injuries. “We were up behind. “Being down in the frst set against veterans had on the team. When asked who improve and stay ahead of the competition, against Choate, who we’ve yet to lose a set to, so Andover was defnitely a little scary,” Walker stood out during the game, Walker applauded you can expect ten championships in a row.” with Kerick and Toni coming of recent injuries said. “We realized that they weren’t just going Michaels, the team’s primary setter. “His set- Michaels also credits the team’s domi- we were confdent we could get a comfort vic- to roll over and accept [the loss], so everyone ting was amazing, and he is a true winner. nance to their head coach, Bruce Shang. “I tory,” Michaels said. had to step up their game and we really had to Although I would also like to mention [senior] wouldn’t be surprised if we won 20 years in a On game day, Choate Rosemary Hall, come together as a team.” Toni Rocak who played a big role getting kills row. And this is because of Coach Shang. He’s a ranked fourth, proved to be no challenge for Nonetheless, Big Red remained resilient for us, and James Keeling, who really stepped great coach and he really understands the game the formidable Exeter team. Exeter would and came back to win “three sets in a row up as a prep playing in his frst championship.” as a former player and is amazing at develop- go on to win in straight sets, 25-14, 25-12, to reclaim our championship,” according to Winning four straight fnal four cham- ing players and improving our fundamentals.” ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: ABBY ABEL ATIE EE By JACOB FEIGENBERGG G & K large L part to their hard work on the court, but & LOUIS MUKAMA much of it comes as a product of their hard Staf Writers work in the ftness center. Over the years, ftness instructor Shaun Fishel has seen a Girls’ varsity tennis is one of the closest- big progression from both Lee and Gabel. “I knit teams on campus. Senior co-captains feel that they have been able to become great Gabby Gabel and Katie Lee, captains of the leaders during their time at Exeter,” he said. varsity A and B teams respectively, have led “I noticed a big diference between this year each of their teams to a winning season this and last year.” spring. Te junior varsity and varsity B teams Afer her matches, Lee is ofen cheering are both undefeated and the varsity A team on her colleagues and, leading by example, is has won fve of seven matches against New almost always the frst one on the court dur- England prep school competition. ing practice. Lower Anjali Gupta said, “Her Gabel came to Exeter as a new lower sweet demeanor and infectious smile make from Fairfeld, Connecticut. She grew up her a great captain.” Te varsity B team is 5-0 playing tennis in high-level competitions and so far under her leadership. prestigious United States Tennis Association Bruce Shang, the girls’ varsity squash (USTA) sanctioned tournaments. Tennis head coach, remarked on Lee’s captainship contributed to her decision to come to Exeter of the team in the winter, “She was very well as well. “Tere was a guy on the [Exeter] ten- organized and helped us get ready for every- nis team who I knew very well,” she said. “I thing from Nationals to Interschols…. She used to play with him when I was younger, was a very hard worker and lead by example.” and he loved it here.” Varsity B head coach Gayatri Ramesh As the top tennis player at Exeter, Gabel added, “Katie will leave big shoes for us to played as the number one seed for the past Reina Matsumoto/Te Exonian fll next year. We are privileged to have her two seasons. “Gabby has played our top my mind of of other stressors,” Lee said. when I was a prep, I was shy and lonely and as our captain.” position for the past few years with integrity Like Gabel, Lee has played in USTA didn’t have many friends and I’m glad to have Shang also praised Gabel for her role and grace while representing the team as a tournaments outside of Exeter. In her prep landed there.” as a squash player, adding, “Gabby is a hard co-captain,” varsity A head coach Jean Far- winter, Lee also joined the squash team and Her doubles partner, prep Catherine worker and she’s always a team player. She’s num said before elaborating on what makes found in it an amazing group of friends, and Fortin, expressed her appreciation for Lee doing a great job with squash. She had to Gabel the dominant player she is. “Playing a was one of its best players. In addition to being welcoming and patient with her. “She deal with injuries and came back and gave well rounded game, Gabby can execute not being a co-captain of varsity tennis, Lee was has taught me to always give each other a her best.” only a number of fast well-paced returns but also one of the captains of varsity squash this high fve between points whether we win or Ramesh also applauded Gabel’s eforts can also mix a variety of shots throughout her past year. lose. Whenever I see her in between classes, as a captain and player. “Gabby is a ferce singles and doubles matches. Confdent with On a team where players are ranked and she never hesitates to wave and ask how my competitor and a caring leader,” she said. “Te her volley skills, Gabby is able to set up pat- play ofen-heated challenge matches, unity day is going.” entire team looks up to Gabby because of the terns of play to outplay her opponent—a true and solidarity are surprisingly strong. Tere “Katie Lee is such a kind and funny girl way she handles herself on and of the court.” asset for any successful tennis competitor.” are six players on each team, which creates a who never gives up,” prep Anna Jacobowitz, Her teammate Elizabeth Yang similarly Lee, on the other hand, came to Exeter tight community. “You would think that chal- one of her teammates, said. “In her last match appreciated Gabel’s work ethic. “Gabby al- as a prep from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania lenge matches make the team too cutthroat against Andover she had a tough opponent; ways motivates the team to work harder and after attending Exeter Summer the year and hurt the team dynamic, but they really however, she worked hard and fnished with push ourselves even during our toughest before. She has been playing tennis ever don’t,” Gabel said. “I think that everyone is a win. I have never seen Katie without a smile practices or matches.” since elementary school and appreciated the just happy to play.” and it’s amazing to watch her kill it on the Gabel spoke to her love of tennis. “I love impact tennis has had on her life. “Sports Te three teams (varsity A, varsity B and court.” Lee was undefeated last season and competing. I like winning. I don’t like losing. I [are] a great way to meet new people. I started junior varsity) hold joint practices and travel she continues to hold that record for both love the feeling when you’re down in a match playing tennis in elementary school for a club together to away games. “I like the team,” said singles and doubles this season. and then you come back and win; that’s the team. It was very relaxing and helped me get Lee. “I love how we always play singles and, Te teams’ combined success is due in best feeling in the world,” she said.

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“Te Oldest Preparatory School Newspaper in America” B1 Tursday, May 17, 2018 NEWS THEE SMITH ’69 ASKS: ARE WE WOKE YET?

Diana Davidson/Te Exonian Looking Back on Fifty Years of ALES History ALES History and Mission

By SENAI ROBINSON continued. and SHIVANI TRIPATHI Tee Smith ’69, a founder of AES, further Staf Writers attributed the creation of ALES to an external climate of resistance. “In the frst year I was Te Afro-Latinx Exonian Society there was kind of a silence. But the second (ALES), once the Afro-Exonian Society year we began to show that we could maybe (AES), recently celebrated its 50th anniver- push back on some of this or object to some sary on May 4. Students, faculty and alumni of this,” Smith said. gathered to discuss the history and mission According to Smith, a national activist of ALES along with the continuing eforts to climate of the Civil Rights Movement with achieve racial equality, equity and inclusion. Martin Luther King Jr., the Black Panthers According to Dean of Multicultural Af- and so on contributed to an activist climate at fairs Sami Atif, the mission of ALES can be the Academy, provoking more student resis- described through the acronym “ALES.” Te tance against microaggression, overt racism A represents advocating for marginalized ra- and discrimination. cial groups, the L stands for linking black and Gerrard described AES as “an area of Latinx communities, the E represents edu- refuge” from racism at Exeter. “We had black cating the community about the values and faculty, and I was sitting at the black tables. I Alumnus Tee Smith ’69 delivers an introspective speech. Paula Perez-Glassner/Te Exonian needs of Afro Latinx students and the S stands needed that to survive,” he said. for securing change to ensure prosperous lives During the late ’80s, AES’s activities fo- for Afro-Latinx students on campus. cused on education and sharing the black ex- Lower and ALES member Tatum Schutt perience at Exeter. A beloved activity was the Afro-Latinx Students Share further elaborated on the mission statement. soul food dinner. “Te soul food dinner was “ALES serves a dual purpose; to be a safe ha - very important not just because we like to eat ven and refuge to students of color,” she said. good food, but it was a community coming Experience on PEA Campus “More recently, ALES has been an agent of together, preparing food, sharing food with meaning, dehumanizing, destabiliz- change pushing the administration to make the larger community,” Sebastian Marquez By CHARLOTTE LISA ing and don’t allow students to feel at changes so our campus can be more inclusive ’88 said. According to Marquez, such ac- and SAM WEIL peace. I hear about incidents of stu- and equitable.” tivities “really showed [AES’] presence in the Staf Writers dents walking to Walgreens and people Bob Gerrard ’70 described the impor- community.” From constant microaggressions screaming obscenities out the windows tance of having a club that is attuned to the For Marquez, who was normally a shy delivered by peers to the blatant rac- of their cars. So, ‘Am I safe in this com- needs of black and Latinx students. “In Amer- person, being part of AES helped him branch ism that they experience in the town of munity?’ is a question that a lot of Black ica, people of color in general have to endure out. “When I walked in my frst meeting and Exeter, Exonians of color testified that, and Latinx students ask,” she added. an existence of struggle that is baked into the saw faces that looked like me, black, Hispanic on a daily basis, they still face racially- According to The Exonian’s 2018 system and into public policy,” he said. Ger- students that were already there, I knew right charged situations. A significant num- State of the Academy survey, 45.69 per- rard viewed ALES as critical to understanding away I was going to be a part of this group in ber of Exonians of color reported that cent of students have witnessed some the world outside of institutions such as Phil- some form or fashion,” Marquez said. they do not feel institutional support. form of racism on campus. 22.61 per- lips Exeter. Russell Washington ’89 was hesitant at This year, as the Afro-Latinx Exonian cent of students have experienced this According to Gerrard, ALES was found- frst to become involved with ALES. “I got a Society (ALES) celebrates its 50th An- racism directed at themselves. ed in 1968. “[Te creation of ALES was] letter [about the Afro Exonian Society] from niversary, many current students won- Carbonell noticed that a common a natural progression as there were a lot of [a member of AES] when I was accepted but der when the changes in institutional question that Black and Latinx students things going on socially and politically in hadn’t stepped foot on campus yet,” he said. culture and support that their prede- asked themselves was one of their own the country,” he said. “We fnally had a criti- “It was a practice they were doing at the time cessors in ALES have fought for will be worth. “[I would imagine] when you cal mass of Afro and Latinx students who to welcome fellow students in from demo- achieved. are a student of color you have to prove coalesced around organizational principles graphics.” “All the time, when I look around yourself triple. I think all Exonians ex- relating to the time.” As someone from Chicago, Washington Exeter and I look at its history, it seems perience the need to prove themselves, “Feelings of isolationism brought us to- didn’t ft in with many of the New York stu- like this place wasn’t built for me,” but white students [perhaps] don’t feel gether and resulted in an organization of the dents. “PEA was importing its black students lower Kaleb Washington said. “That’s that nearly as acutely. [I think] the ex- framework where ALES was born,” Gerrard MISSION, B2 something I get through this entire pectation is that white students belong, process of being here—that I was not have historically belonged and that they meant to succeed in this place. But I will fare well here,” Carbonell said. have to go through it because I’m try- Black and Latinx students on cam- ing to get an education.” pus have also found themselves in in- J. Smith Tackles ALES Needs The burden of being African Amer- creasingly threatening situations. By SUAN LEE asserting that “the Academy has taken ican or Latinx at Exeter manifests itself Lower Matthew Wabunoha con- and SAM WEIL insufficient steps to create an inclusive in many forms. Lower Eman Noraga templated his negative experiences Staf Writers environment and provide the support immediately felt this burden when she with the townspeople of Exeter, add- and resources needed to promote the arrived on campus. “In my prep year, ing that he could count off at least “I asked Principal MacFarlane a academic success and well-being of all people said a lot of problematic stuff four such incidents. “The first time very simple question,” alumnus Mar- Exonians.” since they had been raised their whole was prep year,” Wabunoha said. He re- vin Bennett ’17 recalled. “I asked, ‘Do The proposal consisted of statistics life that way,” Noraga said. counted that he and a group of friends, you care about the students of color at demonstrating ways in which students She highlighted her experience consisting of both white and Black stu- this school?’ I was hoping for a simple of color are disadvantaged at Exeter in a residential setting. “I had a lot of dents, were walking back from Lexie’s answer, an ‘of course’ or a ‘yes.’ What and requests that the administration struggles with people in the dorm, not Test Kitchen. Wabunoha described that really hurt me was that she paused, like prioritize diversity, equity and inclu- because they were intentionally rac- they noticed a police car while they she was thinking. The first word out of sion initiatives on campus. Specific ist but they had grown up with these were on their way back to campus. “It her mouth was ‘well.’” clauses included the hiring and reten- prejudices and had become so accus- followed us to the playground until we Tensions ran high at the end of the tion of more black and Latinx faculty, tomed to them. It was a burden to me left.” He noted that the entire group felt last school year when, on June 1, 2017, required cultural competency training as a prep to teach them that this was uncomfortable. almost 60 Exonians, many from the for employees, a more culturally inclu- not the right way,” she said. “And then the second time was this Afro-Latinx Exonian Society (ALES), sive curriculum and greater support English Instructor Mercy Car- year. I was alone,” Wabunoha said. Ac- flooded into Principal Lisa MacFar- for the Office of Multicultural Affairs bonell observed this same challenge cording to Wabunoha, he was walking lane’s office in response to an assembly (OMA). that Noraga described in several of her to Lexie’s on his own when he saw a po- held earlier that day. The students be- After completing the proposal the students’ narratives. “Students write lice car. This car followed him to the lieved that the assembly had failed to following year, the 49th ALES Board about the burden of explaining who same playground he had visited in the sufficiently address issues of diversity, met with MacFarlane and other mem- they are, the burden of explaining their previous year’s incident. He said that equity and inclusion that the group had bers of the administration on two sepa- ethnicity, identity and race. [I think] once he walked past the playground been urging the administration to rec- rate occasions in February of 2017. white people are rarely expected to talk and out of the sightline of the police ognize. Bennett recounted that it had about who they are—that rarely hap- car, the car drove out of sight. ALES began calling for greater ad- taken considerable effort to obtain an pens,” Carbonell said. He encountered this police car ministrative action to combat racial audience with the administration. He “[I read about] microaggressions once again on this same walk. “I was on injustice on campus in 2015, when the said, “It was very difficult to get to that or attacks on personhood that are de- STUDENT, B2 club’s 49th Board drafted a proposal ADMINISTRATION, B2 THE EXONIAN NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 B2 Fify Years In, ALES Takes Retrospective Glance

Continued from MISSION, A1 Stephanie Bramlett will be joining the Acad- emy in the coming school year as the frst Di- said. “People think of blacks as a monoculture, rector of Equity and Inclusion. Principal Lisa but all our regional variances matter a lot. If MacFarlane said that the school is also leading you weren’t NYC, then you didn’t quite mesh. other initiatives and it “will hire coordinators My prep year I was not really afliated with to support LGBTQ students and Asian stu- the group.” dents.” In the 1990s, the Afro Exonian Society According to MacFarlane, the principal’s became the Afro Latino Exonian society. For leadership team has attended workshops con- ALES, the intersectionality was important cerning race, equity, and leadership. “Record in seeing the shared issues of both Afro and numbers of faculty, staf, and administrators Latin communities. have attended the NAIS (National Associa- For Claudia Cruz ’96, joining ALES was tion of Independent Schools) People of Color a natural transition. “It just became a place Conference, the White Privilege Conference, where you gravitated to. Some of my friends the White Privilege Symposium, AISNE (As- at Exeter were also from New York and Prep sociation of Independent Schools in New 9, so naturally, when you get here, you join England) Diversity conferences, the NAIS the same clubs that they do. ALES was always Diversity Forum, and other workshops and one of them,” Cruz said. “But it also became conferences throughout the year,” she said. the closest thing you have to home and my History Instructor William Jordan, neighborhood in New York City.” She fondly who has been at the Academy for 21 years, recounted how members introduced music described the faculty body’s involvement in genres such as hip hop, salsa, and merengue race education. “I think the school as a whole to other students. wants to do a better job of dealing with issues Cruz recounted how she dealt with the of diversity, equity and inclusion,” he said. Students in ALES, 2005. Courtesy of ALES lack of cultural awareness during her time “Student organizations do have a role to play at Exeter. “You would always have to explain and they can have infuence because they can tinues its eforts to change the climate.” In order to recruit more faculty of color, where the Dominican Republic is, where New inform us about things we’re not aware of,” However, Atif felt change should happen MacFarlane has reached out to administrators York is, why you have an accent, and how do on its own, without the prompting of students. at the University of Maryland, which pro- you do hair,” Cruz said. Another divisive fac- “Student organizations “If I do things well enough in my administra- duces one of the largest number of black PhD tor was economic background. From her ex- do have a role to play and tive role, I hope that the club and their identi- holders in the nation, to discuss a potential perience at Exeter, Cruz learned as a student, they can have influence ties will be celebrated, as opposed to challeng- partnership. “class and race coupled together could aggra- because they can inform ing status quo,” he said. “I would hate to see However, some are still dissatisfed with vate the situation and you could feel isolated.” us about things we’re not ALES submit another proposal. I would hate how the administration has received ALES’ While ALES was focused on community aware of.” to see ALES looking to have another sit-in.” requests. “I want our curriculum to acknowl- bonding in the past, according to President “It’s hard to say what the next few years edge historical inaccuracies that omit authors, of the 51st ALES board Rose Martin ’19, the “[Te faculty] want to think that we’re will look like, but I certainly hope it’s less of scientists, inventors of color who made signif- mission of the club has developed to involve serving all diferent kinds of students, espe- what has been,” Atif continued. “I believe ac- icant contributions to a particular feld, but so activism. “When the alums came, they told cially those who are, in some ways, marginal- tivism is an important educational compo- far, there hasn’t been a major institutional ef- stories about how they would hold parties or ized,” Jordan continued. “We don’t want them nent, but I don’t know if we need to be actively fort to do that,” Stenor said. As for the admin- just talk about what happened in their lives or to think we’re ignoring their needs.” engaging with the school the way it has been. istration’s lack of response, she said, “To me, on campus,” she said. “However, I also think Religion Instructor Peter Vorkink, who Activism in many ways comes from being si- that ALES has provided a space for students has been at the Academy for 46 years, recalled lenced.” “I don’t know if we need the growth of ALES throughout his time at Another issue the Academy still faces is to be actively engaging “[ALES] also became the Exeter. “I have seen the evolution from AES to the retainment faculty of color. According to with the school the way closest thing you have to ALES, from no special dean to a Dean of Mul- Atif, fulflling ALES’ mission statement is dif- it has been. Activism in home and my neighbor- ticultural Afairs to an entire OMSA ofce,” fcult without teachers who represent minor- many ways comes from hood in New York City.” he said. “I have seen the school take more and ity students. “I certainly understand that so being silenced.” more responsibility for understanding what much of supporting black and Latinx students to be more aware. Even though in our mission ‘youth from every quarter’ really means in is about representation,” he said. “So it’s hard it speaks of [ the administration’s] priorities. statement we have ‘link with each other,’ ‘mak- practice.” to provide that support without adults who If something’s a priority for you, you respond ing sure we have strong bonds’ and ‘making Although there has been progress, there share those identities.” immediately.” sure we are family,’ we also have to advocate is still work to be done regarding racial equal- Washington wanted to see a greater “in- Cruz hopes that alumni of color will play for ourselves and educate ourselves and the ity. “If you look at policies, it seems like the tegration of diversity into the central identity” an active role in racial afairs at Exeter in the community about what is happening.” school is making eforts to enhance the level of the school. “Te word diversity should be future. “We hope that [this weekend] is a cata- At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, of diversity, equity and inclusion,” English In- embedded in the institution that the diversity lyst to get more alumnus participating, ideally ALES produced a flm directed by senior Ori structor William Perdomo said. “But if you is there and there’s no Exeter without diver- with ALES, but in general with the Academy,” Evans detailing incidents of racism submitted look at the climate: one could say there are sity,” he said. “If you could take that and scale she said. In fact, Cruz hopes to start an alumni anonymously by students of color. Te ad- some things that have not changed… So we it all the way up to an institutional level in pol- of color organization with other Exeter gradu- ministration’s response to the video was con- get to the question, how to reconcile the two?” icy, protocol, mindset, mission, belief, that’s ates. troversial. As a result, ALES hosted a sit-in in According to Perdomo, the only way what you want 50 years from now.” Although the needs of students develop Jeremiah Smith Hall. When students returned campus climate can change is with the work In order to achieve this long term goal, over time, Marquez ofered timeless words of in the fall, the entire school gathered in the as- of the Exeter community. “It’s really up to the the 49th ALES board spoke to Principal Mac- advice to students of color at Exeter. “Know sembly hall during Academy Life Day to view community, especially ALES, to not forget Farlane about the institutional agenda. “[Mac- what your voice is and make sure it’s where the flm. the end roads that the prior board had made Farlane] said the major reason why there are it needs to be on campus,” he said. “Wheth- Te administrative has since enacted when it came to asking for certain things,” he so few faculty of color is because of how re- er that’s with faculty or administration, let initiatives to address campus concerns of di- said. “I hope that the club continues to grow cruiting works,” former ALES president Athe- [alumni] know how can we help support you, versity, equity and inclusion. For example, and be a prominent voice on campus and con- na Stenor said. and of any issues we should be aware of.”

ContinuedCurrent from STUDENT, B1 ALES Members Discuss Incidents of Racism got back to campus.” he was so determined to use the word accounts of students feeling targeted “I didn’t think I was going to get in front of me. That was an experience by racial insensitivity are “endless.” on the road near the Exeter Inn lead- hurt or anything, but you always read that I really wasn’t happy with. I left Due to students speaking to Atif ing back to campus. And then I saw the on national news that there are these and went back to my room. They apol- confidentially about these incidents, same police car driving slowly. It was cases; and when you read the details of ogized eventually when someone told he could not reveal specific details. nighttime so I was a little scared, so I them, the kid was just walking…You them to apologize.” However, he disclosed that the larger tried to walk slowly,” he said. Wabuno- never think it’s going to happen to you He followed up with another sto- theme of their accounts is as follows: ha described his relief at arriving back but it actually might. You never know. ry about walking across Front Street. “Students experiencing any number of onto campus and realized that he had So there’s always that fear of what “There was another experience with situations where they are disempow- been sweating on the walk back. could happen,” Wabunoha said. some guys [who] were in a car. I was ered. They can be disempowered be- “It was scary. I tried not to walk Alumnus Marvin Bennett ‘17 walking across the street, and they ac- cause they feel privileged to be here, fast, but it was weird, because I also named two troubling experiences celerated when I was halfway across. and they think that they better not didn’t want to walk too slow,” Wabuno- he had during his time at Exeter and And they yelled something outside rock the boat. They can be disempow- ha said, alluding to the contentious re- “others that I don’t really want to talk the car, I don’t remember what it was,” ered because there are clear power dy- lationship between the police force and about.” The first incident he spoke Bennett said, voicing how uncomfort- namics that tell them, ‘you should just Black Americans and his overwhelm- about was highlighted in an ALES- able he felt after these instances. be glad to be here.’ ” ing fear of doing the wrong thing. created video describing Afro-Latinx Such events restrict the liberty that Students spoke of other cultural “I kept thinking, ‘Matt, just walk!’ experiences at Exeter. Black and Latinx students have to pur- insensitivities that sustained those but I realized, you can’t just think that. Bennett was in the bathroom sue their passions at Exeter; moreover, power dynamics. When asked how she You forget how to act normal. You when “someone used the N-word. I this fear pervades their experiences at felt race impacted her time at Exeter, think, ‘Okay, what else do I have to do tried to say, ‘Hey, that’s not cool,’ and the school. Dean of Multicultural Af- prep Bea West immediately brought up to get out of this situation?’ You don’t once I said that, he responded, ‘I can fairs Sami Atif said that “there have others’ reactions when she changed her want to look around or else that’d be say whatever the fuck I want.’ ” Ben- been a number of events that have been hairstyle. “I guess people here weren’t too suspicious. I just had to wait it out, nett attempted to respond calmly once racially charged within my first year as that used to it,” she said, after experi- and I walked kind of robotically until I again; however, “It escalated, because Dean of Multicultural Affairs,” and the encing many students asking her why she had changed her hair. The issue of hair styling is one that echoes throughout the Afro-Latinx community. “There are certain things that you can’t do that everybody else

Courtesy of ALES of Courtesy can do, in terms of grooming. It’s hard to get a haircut first of all,” Washington said. He also spoke to the mediocrity of the barber that does come to Exeter to cut his hair. “Having a good haircut is a very essential part of Black culture, so the fact that we don’t have anybody to come in and do it for us…just shows that it’s harder for us in general here,” he said. Upper and President of ALES’s 51st Board Rose Martin spoke to the general feeling of disparity when it came to topics such as hair and other aspects of her identity. “We can’t find our food or accessories. We can only find our culture within our own af- finity groups and ALES,” she said. “I STUDENT, B2 Students in ALES, 1970. THE EXONIAN NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 B3

ALES and Administrationmembers headed over to the Principal’s Of- Seek Improvement Continued from ADMINISTRATION, B1 fce. As word of the sit-in spread through so- administration]. Tere was a lot of con- cial media, dozens more students joined them. versation and a lot of times when we Bennett recalled the group’s frustration. would reach out and not get a response “Everyone was excited about the assembly. back. A lot of people told us how bold we Te whole school was talking. We thought were, asking for something from Princi- we had a lot going in our favor at the time. pal MacFarlane and the other adminis- Ten everything changed. Not only did they trators. We tried again and again. Tere not show the video, but they didn’t talk about was a lot of push back, a lot of distancing.” the issues we had addressed. Tey actually Senior and Vice President of ALES’s 50th turned it into something like a kumbaya mo- Board Charlotte Polk nonetheless expressed ment, as if we should all be friends, and forget her appreciation for MacFarlane’s willingness everything we had communicated to them,” to communicate with the group. “She did a he said. “I don’t get angry ofen, but I was so good job of meeting with us and making sure upset that day. We decided we couldn’t just sit we felt heard. She made herself available to there and keep talking amongst ourselves— us, even though we didn’t achieve as much as we had to at least speak up and say something.” we had hoped or she had hoped,” Polk said. Students spoke with MacFarlane for 15 Members of ALES used the frst meet- minutes following the sit-in and sent her an Courtesy of ALES ing to present the completed proposal email later that afernoon. “To reiterate what Robert Greene, the expansion of OMA as well feeling heartened by the clear institutional and the second to share anonymous stu- we discussed, we want a clear apology today. as various diversity and equity conferences commitment to this work, from trustees dent narratives detailing personal en- We want follow-up reminders of your com- and training sessions that the Academy has and from the principal’s leadership team.” counters with discrimination on campus. mitment to these issues throughout the sum- funded for faculty and staf. She elaborated on Wolf acknowledged that there are still Tese same four narratives were in- mer, a statement on the Exeter website about the augmented diversity of assembly speakers great strides to be made, however. “Some of cluded in a four-minute video produced your commitment to cultural competency and campus events, in addition to the fact that the things we’ve done this year [...] are sig- by the ALES Arts Committee and released and the wellness of all students, distribution numerous departments have been revising nifcant, but they are far from enough. Te on May 25. Te group was invited to pres- of the video, and a clear action plan for imple- their course oferings by diversifying reading road is long but we’re on our way,” she said. ent the video at a faculty meeting on June menting the proposal. Please bring these sug- lists and adding non-western history courses. Martin emphasized a need for more 1, the last day of the school year. Te meet- gestions to the faculty of color and let us know MacFarlane added in a separate state- signifcant and grounded progress. “Read- ing ran long, and a required assembly was what your expected timeline is,” the email read. ment that the administration has also been ings depend on the teacher you have, and I announced at the last minute, presum- As requested, MacFarlane sent out a working with various coordinators for afn- have not heard anything about faculty reten- ably to share the video and the accounts school-wide apology that evening. “Our goal ity groups centered around gender identity, tion. Te administration is trying in some it put forth with the entire community. in that assembly was to let our students know race and class, and has been developing a sense, but without understanding that they Te video was not shown at the as- that the faculty had heard them and is com- fowchart that demonstrates various ways in are only scratching the surface,” she said. sembly, however, and members of the mitted to taking action. However, in our haste, which students can share their thoughts and “Following through the ALES proposal and ALES Board were not given the opportu- we did not craf a thoughtful response. I did concerns with the Dean of Faculty so that bringing in more speakers of color is nice, nity to speak. Instead, MacFarlane called not provide the essential context about the individuals can be held accountable and ap- but it won’t solve most of the problems be- on Interim Campus Minister Heidi Heath flm, its power, or the faculty meeting and the propriate reactionary measures can be taken. cause there are still students getting slurs to lead the Exeter community in prayer. students’ compelling introductory remarks. “We have much work to do to build a yelled at them on campus and in the town.” “In the tradition that I come from, when Because of that, many of our students lef the community that is truly inclusive and equi- English instructor Mercy Carbonell we have caused harm to each other, or there assembly confused; others lef angry; others table, and we know that. However, diversity, agreed, emphasizing that more work re- has been harm within a community, we prac- hurt. We are sorry,” she wrote. “We are grate- equity, and inclusion are one of fve central mains, particularly in the Academy’s re- tice repentance. Tis morning, we confess ful for the courage and candor of the students strategic directions for the Academy’s fu- sponse to issues of race and current events who came to the faculty this morning and for ture; we have put in place the foundations occurring outside the institution. “How long ‘Upper Rose Martin described their powerful flm. We also know words are for making measurable progress; the se- has it taken for us to have a Director of Equity the sit-in as a “key moment in insufcient. Over the summer, we are going to nior administration, and indeed all adults and Inclusion? Or consider the efects of what Exeter history.”’ complete and add to the plans already under- on campus, has worked steadily over the happens any time there is silence around an way. We will write to you about those plans, last thirteen months; we have hired a direc- event—Ferguson, Charlottesville. When and we say that we are sorry. Tis is a mo- as we prepare for action when the school year tor to support our continued eforts; and events like those happen, if the administra- ment of repentance. We come to you ask- begins. We will hold ourselves accountable.” the trustees have joined in with their own tion and leadership doesn’t speak to those ing forgiveness. Forgiveness for not keep- Upper Rose Martin described the sit- statement of support. We are determined moments immediately, when there is a pro- ing you safe, and with the commitment that in as a “key moment in Exeter history.” She to live up to our promise to serve, truly, found delay, students feel that those silences, though we are imperfect people, we will emphasized the importance of holding the youth from every quarter,” MacFarlane said. accumulated overtime, afect their overall do better. We love you and we are sorry,” administration accountable in their commit- History instructor William Jordan experience and well-being. And so they ask, Heath said while surrounded by dozens ment to the proposal. “I don’t want what hap- voiced his appreciation for increased com- are lef to ask: ‘how important is it truly?’” of faculty members on the assembly stage. pened to be forgotten and the proposal to get munity and institutional eforts to have dif- Many others expressed that the Acad- Dissatisfed with this assembly, some thrown out again, only for a new proposal to cult discussions and address issues of race. “I emy still has yet to prove its dedication to ALES members convened in Dean of Mul- pop up a few years later. I want these changes think the school as a whole wants to do a bet- issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, in- ticultural Afairs Sami Atif’s ofce. “I get to go through and I think for that to happen, ter job of dealing with issues of diversity, eq- cluding alumnus Russell Washington ’89, that it takes a lot of time and deliberation we don’t have to be fully “woke” but we have uity and inclusion. You hear those words a lot. who pointed to the contrast between Exeter’s to plan a thoughtful event where you can to be willing to do the work for it,” she said. It’s been good to have that come not just from perceived commitment to these issues com- have a good discussion and talk about per- Since last June, the administration has administrators, but from students,” he said. pared to Andover’s. “Two Afro-Latino stu- tinent issues without ruining it.” Polk said. sent numerous updates to ALES regarding Dean of Faculty Ellen Wolf lauded the dent organizations from prep schools turned “It takes very deliberate work and very de- progress on the proposal. In her most recent Academy’s recent progress, saying “we have 50 this past year. Ours and Andover’s. I know liberate planning. But we were all so angry.” update on May 1, MacFarlane noted the hir- been working hard all year on building cul- about their 50th [reunion] because they’ve With encouragement from Atif and other ing of Dr. Stephanie Bramlett as the new Di- tural competency skills and heightening been screaming it across their social media faculty members to communicate their senti- rector of Equity and Inclusion, the Academy’s awareness of the skills needed to work de- for the past couple months,” he said. “Not ments to the administration, dozens of ALES close collaboration with diversity consultant liberately toward equity and inclusion. I am our school. I can’t say it any better than that.” Alumni Recall Experiences as ALES Members By RACHEL WON differences between how people of varying aggressions that made me feel so belittled, that too, the issues with getting support, some of and ANGELINA ZHANG socioeconomic classes performed at Exeter. “I was what was so intolerable for us on campus. the empathy and indiference issues, that was Staf Writers was not too waylaid by it,” O’Neal said. It’s intolerable on one hand to be told that you’re happening to us,” Washington said. “All of this Several alumni struggled with ignorance a special Exeter student, and then by contrast, is very, very familiar. I will say that the ability to from their peers and adult members of the com- have all these insults. A kind of torment.” have an open discussion has improved, but the Current students in Exeter’s Afro-Latinx munity. “I had this teacher who kept cracking Smith attributed this in part to a lack of nature of the discussion is still very fraught and Exonian Society (ALES) met and reunited ethnic jokes,” Roberto Garcia ’71 said. “He didn’t cultural competency from adults. “Tere was no remains very fraught.” with alumni involved in the club throughout say anything about me, he didn’t say anything sensibility in terms of student counselors who Alumni, additionally, recognized the its historic 50 years of existence. Te May 4 and about people of color, but he kept cracking were paying attention to cultural diferences progress that Exeter had made over the past 5 reunion presented Exonians with the oppor- ethnic jokes, and I was just waiting for him to between black and white students. Boys were years. “Te diference now would be that there tunity to refect on the impact of ALES and its crack the wrong joke.” essentially lef on their own to deal with what are school counselors and black faculty who work. ALES alumni, spanning from the Class of Claudia Cruz ’96 experienced feelings of might be called culture shock or the problematic are aware that this is what students of color are 1968 to the Class of 2017, returned to campus alienation during her time at Exeter. “Race and efects of implicit bias, the textbook term used going through. Tere were faculty like that in and shared stories from their Exeter experiences. ethnicity is something that is jarring for a lot of nowadays to describe stereotypes and preju- my day, but I’d say that they weren’t as proactive. Mike O’Neal ’74 refected positively on his people. You always have to explain to people dices,” Smith said. Tey weren’t trained, they weren’t coached. Tey time at Exeter. Coming from the Mississippi where the Dominican Republic is, why you Positions such as the Dean of Multicultural weren’t coaching us,” Smith said, acknowledging Delta, where racial tensions were at an all-time Afairs or the Associate Dean of Multicultural the presence of more culturally trained adults. high, O’Neal described Exeter as an “oasis.” “Coming from the Mississippi Afairs did not exist for a long time; however, Gerrard was surprised at the diversity of “Tey have tried to live up to the Deed of Gif, Delta...O’Neal described Exeter the position was preceded by an Advisor for the student body. “I’m always a little surprised which says they want to get students from as an ‘oasis.”’ Minority Students, which was created in 1986. at just how international the school has become. every quarter,” O’Neal said. “It might not have “It was literally one person who they stuck in a I went to a math class yesterday and the teacher been perfect, but it was a heck of a lot better in have an accent, how do you do hair, why is your little ofce in the mezzanine in the library back had everyone introduce themselves. Among the terms of being in an environment where you hair so diferent from my hair. I think the part by the elevator. Not even in J. Smith,” Russell 12 or 13 students in the room, there [were stu- can have conversations and relationships with that was most striking was the class diference. Washington ’89 said. white people that were not based on animosity A lot of us do come from disadvantaged back- In fact, Garcia noted that when he attended ‘[Exeter] is not perfect but it is or any notions of superiority.” grounds,” Cruz refected. “Class coupled with Exeter from 1968 through 1971, students called better than other educational Tee Smith ’69, a co-founder of ALES, race and ethnicity could aggravate the situation Jeremiah Smith Hall “the Kremlin.” Garcia ex- institutions in this country.’ recognized the greater sense of community that and [make one] feel a bit more isolated.” plained the reasoning behind the name as, “[the] accompanies an increasing number of Afro- In fact, students even questioned the strong Dean’s ofce was there — not a place to visit.” dents from] London, Beijing, Jordan, Tailand Latinx students. “For my frst academic year, bond between ALES members. “We had an all Washington emphasized the importance of and more. Now that’s virtually half the class,” there were eight black students out of roughly black table [at the dining hall] and the question integrating such a position into the Academy’s Gerrard said. 800. Ten the following year, it jumped to about would always come up: why do all the black stu- leadership. “Te presence of that position and Moving forward, Washington sought 30,” Smith said. “By the fact that we had such a dents sit together? And we would respond, why everything that it does is hugely important, a more productive discussion of race and a large increase in black students shows a greater do all the white students sit next to each other? and simultaneously not enough. Because what seamlessly added requirement of diversity into solidarity and greater ability to identify as a black I think it bothered some people,” Garcia said. happened with the frst position and what hap- the values of the Academy. “Part of the way student community. Even though there were no Bob Gerrard ’70 recognized further dis- pens with the current stuf is that all of the of we talk about race is we get into [the thought black faculty or staf, we had each other.” crimination in housing. “I didn’t know until color stuf gets dumped there. When you have of] ‘are we moving forward, are we better than Despite the increasing number of African recently that they were not pairing us with white a designated space and a designated administra- before?’ But if the past is your reference point as American and Latinx Exonians, “I realized roommates,” Gerrard said. “Tey would claim tor ‘of color,’ there is this efect where the rest of opposed to where you need to be, then you got when I was here that white people had advantag- that that was because of a level of comfortability the institution thinks ‘well, we don’t have to be the discussion all wrong,” Washington said. “I es that black people didn’t have, and if there was for us, when in reality, it was much more the thinking about [students of color]’, when the would like to see diversity so embedded in the a diference in their ability to score higher on the fact that they would be making a white student obligation of the institution is to all [students] institution that that’s what Exeter is, not Exeter test or do well academically, part of the reason uncomfortable!” in an even way,” Washington said. plus diversity. Te diversity is there, and there’s was because all of this stuf is culturally bound,” For Smith, it was most challenging to be Today, the Dean of Multicultural Afairs no Exeter without diversity.” O’Neal said. “If you are part of the dominant in an inherently elite place like Exeter yet be has not been part of the Principal’s Leadership Similarly, O’Neal had high hopes for the culture, you are going to be more familiar with treated as a minority. “Part of what it means to Team for a decade. Academy’s future. “[Exeter] is not perfect but it is the cultural ins and outs than someone like me be an Exeter student of any color or gender or Despite a 50-year gap, alumni sympathized better than other educational institutions in this who, within this culture, is perceived as other.” background or identity group is that you are with what today’s current African American country. It’s an institution America should be He realized during his time here that acknowledged to have lots of potential and lots and Latinx students experience. “Te ALES proud of, and people should continue to strive wealth and money were additional factors in of promise,” Smith said. “By contrast, the micro- video last year, that stuf was happening to us to make it an even better institution,” he said. B4 THE EXONIAN NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 Letter from the 51st Board of ALES Tis month, the Afro-Latinx Exonian diferent experiences, ideals, and identi- Society (ALES), formerly known as the ties. Each board does so by following our Afro Exonian Society (AES), celebrated its club’s mission; Advocate, Link, Educate, 50 year anniversary. We had an assembly, and Secure. We strive to advocate for our dinner, brunch, and a variety of workshops Black and/or Latinx community through to allow ALES members and faculty to in- actions such as the ALES proposal of the teract with the alums. Troughout the cel- 49th board, the ALES video, and the sit- ebration, we reminisced over our favorite in. We have ranging topics that link and moments, the people we love, and why we speak to Black and/or Latinx communities. go to ALES. A common theme amongst us Our actions and topics provide the tools was the impact the club had on our overall and experiences needed to educate both Exeter experience and its importance. For the ALES members and the wider Exeter the last 50 years, ALES has supported Black community. Our work, from the proposal and/or Latinx Exonians and continues to to the ALES dance, will secure our posi- do so by providing a space where everyone tion on campus and the changes necessary is welcome. From the Elting Room, to the for Exonians to lead more vibrant lives, Davis Center, to Club Room B, ALES will more specifcally the Black and/or Latinx Courtesy of ALES always be an inclusive environment for members.

AdmissionsBy BEN CAI AcknowledgesPresident of the Trustees Tony schools like Exeter Afro-Latinx stopped defending the interested in boarding Needs schools. With 25 and MAI HOANG Downer ’75 described the objective of low numbers of African American and enrolled students, Prep 9 representatives Staf Writers obtaining “youth from every quarter” as Latinx students present at their schools made up roughly 13.5 percent of the the “priority of the highest order” and the and focused on addressing the problem African-American and Latinx student “core of our school’s DNA.” In particular, through increased recruitment of those body in the 2017-18 school year. President of the Afro-Latinx Exo- Downer described how diversity at the students. Weatherspoon concluded,“That nian Society’s (ALES) 51st Board, upper school was crucial to the students’ success jump you see is a focused effort on the ‘Another pernicious notion is Rose Martin, says that she is one of few and experience even after they gradu- part of the community to recruit and how students of color admitted non-white-passing Latinas in the Class of ated. “For young people to thrive in, and draw in black students to the school.” to institutions like Exeter are 2019. She says that her friends are mainly contribute meaningfully to, this world However, a closer examination of “deviations to the norm.’” students of color, but from different and society, they must be able to relate to statistics in the 2009-19 period would grades, because they “can’t find people and work with people of all backgrounds.” show that there has been a plateau in the Lower Eman Noraga thinks that the in [their] own grades who share the same There has been a remarkable increase number of Black/African-American and school is taking “the easy way out” by experiences.” Fifty years since the found- in racial diversity on Exeter’s campus, Hispanic/Latinx students admitted in relying too much on these organizations. ing of ALES in 1968, Exonians reflected with the racial makeup for the 2018-19 recent years, with percentages falling in “They don’t look outside the bubble of on race in PEA admissions, the source of school year being 36.8 percent students between the 15 to 20 range. The percent- those preparatory programs. It’s a one- enrolling a diverse student body. of color, 10 percent Black/African-Amer- age for the 2018-19 school year is one sided type thing and it is unfair to have ican students and 7.6 percent Hispanic/ percent less than the previous year. only one type of black person,” Noraga Latinx students. Numbers aside, there are still prob- said, adding that she has friends outside “We seek to enroll students from a lems surrounding the way Exeter ap- of the New York area who are equally wide range of backgrounds and with an proaches the recruitment of Black/ competent. equally wide range of perspectives,” Dean African-American and Hispanic/Latinx Lower Noel Gomez, who participated of Enrollment and External Relations students. Dean of Multicultural Affairs in the Prep 9 program, was unsurprised William Leahy said. “Such a diversity of Sami Atif brought up how “diversity” is by how many African American and background makes the overall teaching approached from the viewpoint of ben- Latinx students came from preparatory and learning environment here even more efitting white students. “When private in- programs and reasoned that the admis- instructive and meaningful.” stitutions chose to integrate, that decision sions team at Exeter may be “trying to Associate Director of Admissions was made on different levels, including find more qualified African American and Coordinator of Multicultural and Di- the need to make sure white males of that and Latinx students to some extent be- versity Recruitment Nahin Jorgge agreed time understood black people,” he said. cause if this was not the case then why with Leahy, and said, “having a diverse “I wonder how much of it has changed.” would these preparatory programs exist. community strengthens the educational Atif also noted that this mentality leads It’s kind of like Affirmative Action,” he experience for our students and faculty.” to “enforcing and serving the dominant said. That being said, Jorgge emphasized culture.” He sympathized with Noraga in that there is no quota for different racial Another pernicious notion is how diversifying the search for African groups. “We look holistically at the ap- students of color admitted to institutions American or Latinx students, adding that plications we review and look to shape like Exeter are “deviations to the norm.” “African American or Latinx students a diverse class with many interests and “At some point I want everyone to know shouldn’t have to go through a prepara- backgrounds, including race,” he said. the African-American and Latinx kids tory program to prove themselves.” “Academic strength continues to be one here are not special, not more special Gomez suggested that the school of the most important factors in admis- than the peers they left behind in their should provide more assistance in the sions.” homes,” Atif said. “It is born out of a rac- admissions process for African Ameri- According to Jorgge, the Acad- ist fault that this hand-selected group is can and Latinx students outside of these emy continues to work with different [seen as] somehow an anomaly who can preparatory programs. Courtesy of ALES community-based organizations and comprehend things that others can’t.” Lower Tatum Schutt felt a growing Although Martin thinks that Exeter ALES alumni to connect with a diverse Lower Johanna Martinez, who par- awareness of the need for more diver- is relatively diverse “in a broad sense,” applicant pool from different parts of ticipated in the New Jersey SEEDS sity, acknowledging that Mr. Jorgge had when the category “students of color” the country. preparatory program, attested to Atif’s explained to her that it can still be chal- is broken down by grade and ethnic Mike O’Neal ’74, a former member observation that there is a campus-wide lenging “to get students of color to come background, there are still many areas of ALES, feels that Exeter has always notion that African American and Latinx to a campus where there still are so many to improve. played a significant role in leading the students attended the Academy because problems.” For example, according to former way for increasing diversity within the of “special” conditions. Despite this, both faculty and stu- President of ALES and senior Athena top-tier education systems, even before Even though Martinez feels more dents have shown an enthusiasm to Stenor, there were only four black girls in the population of Afro-Latinx students comfortable and confident as a lower, address discrimination at the Academy. the prep class of 2018, two of which had reached the level that it is currently. she experienced “diversity imposter syn- History instructor William Jordan high- “significant white ancestry.” She and Vice According to religion instructor Rus- drome” as one of the few Hispanic girls lighted how a mutual commitment and President of ALES’s 50th Board, senior sell Weatherspoon, the 1950s to 1960s in her grade during her prep year, which cooperation between faculty and students Charlotte Polk, were the only “fully black” represented a “dramatic and gradual made her feel uncertain of her abilities. will help facilitate the success of improv- female preps in the 2014-15 school year. change in relationship to civil rights is- “Prep year, I was not sure if I was sup- ing the school. “It’s been good to have According to Exeter’s Deed of Gift, sues” through desegregation, equal voting posed to be here because I was under the that come not just from administrators, the school aims to admit “youth from rights and fair housing, which brought impression that the only reason I was here but from students,” he said. every quarter,” and many generations of attention to race and the systems or was because of New Jersey SEEDS and the While the Academy has demon- administrators have taken this to mean laws that forced discrimination. “That need for diversity,” Martinez said. strated significant progress since the diversity in terms of ethnic background. caused many colleges and many public Students have also brought up how 1950s regarding student body diversity, During the Civil War, the Academy ad- and private schools to look around and the school recruits a substantial number specifically the percentage of African mitted an African-American student. go, ‘Do we have the low numbers of of its students of color from preparatory American and Latinx students, there is Then-principal Gideon Lane Soule de- black students here just by some kind of programs like NJ SEEDS or Prep 9 that still a growing desire within the school clared in response to the objections of accident?’ or ‘Are we structurally set up are dedicated to providing educational for more African American and Latinx four white students, “The boy is to stay; to discourage their presence?’” he said. and financial aid to underprivileged students who have diverse backgrounds you may do as you please.” Consequently, many secondary African American and Latinx students and experiences. Cristina Gonzalez’s Letter to Te Exonian As my senior year comes to an end, I had attended a public school in Los Angeles that I had formed my frst day of classes my Four years ago, I would have never cannot, in any way, express the immense with a majority of the students identifying prep year—I did not belong and my voice imagined myself reading an original poem gratitude I have for the Afro-Latinx Exo- as Latinx, I felt out of place. did not belong anywhere at Exeter as well. regarding my experiences on campus as nian Society community. It is through these Terefore, my immediate response was Tough I didn’t speak about it consistently someone who identifies as Xicana for past four years that I have grown, and I owe to refrain from speaking and to only share with the people I found comfort in, when UnSilenced. Four years ago, I would have it to the members and advisers of ALES. It my thoughts with my notebook as I thought I did, they assured me that I was wrong—I never imagined participating in a Die-In is through these past four years that I have my peers would disregard any comments I deserved to feel comfortable and safe at or a Sit-In. Four years ago, I would have realized that my voice is one that needs to be made. But as I entered the ALES room, I Exeter as any other student at Exeter did. never imagined being vocal and much less, heard, and I owe that realization to ALES. I realized that I wasn’t alone and that Club Sometime my upper year, on a Friday being heard. thank them because if it weren’t for them, Room B was my place to speak. Tough the night in Club Room B, I found myself I owe it all to the ALES community. I I would have never returned afer fall term members of ALES and La Alianza Latina sharing the owe it to the smiles and hugs from the mem- of my prep year, but most specifcally afer didn’t solve my problem of remaining silent experience I had in my Math 310 class bers. I owe it to the advisors. I owe it to the spring term of my lower year. I also thank my prep year, they helped me by providing with the members in ALES. Though it times when I spoke up in Club Room B and them because if it weren’t for them, I would the comfort that nobody else in the school wasn’t the frst time I had shared it, it was the ALES members listened. It was ALES have never spoken up about the injustices I could give to me. the frst time I shared it to the group while that aided me in realizing the importance have faced while at Exeter. And as I briefy My lower year was a moment in which acknowledging that my experience was of my voice. It was ALES that helped form refect on my four years, I hope that the ad- the Afro-Latinx Exonian Society members unjust and one that was too familiar for the following words for my poem: Yo no miration that I feel towards the Afro-Latinx became the people I crawled to afer each students of color at Exeter. A few minutes me voy a caer pero tampoco voy a gritar. Exonian Society only becomes clearer. Math 310 class. It was during spring term afer I had shared, I walked out of the room Lo único que sé es que tu, fnalmente, me My prep year, I remember walking into of lower year that I found myself being in and walked into a bathroom stall to cry. I vas a escuchar. my classes for the frst time and immedi- a class where the teacher made insensitive sat there for 20 minutes as I sobbed before I want to thank ALES for standing with ately feeling like I didn’t belong. Almost comments about people of color, specif- I decided to return. And it was upon my me when the people who were entrusted every person who sat at the Harkness table cally Mexicans, and my classmates took his return that one of the seniors hugged me. to do so failed, and I want to thank the with me in each of my classes neither looked comments as humorous and harmless. It It was that moment that I realized I needed Afro-Latinx Exonian Society for becoming nor shared a similar background as me. As I was this math class that asserted the idea to speak up. my family. B5 THE EXONIAN NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 Letter from Lower Johanna Martinez on Assimilating at PEA By JOHANNA MARTINEZ est kid and most outspoken person, my say my name (which my parents purpose- tion of my ethnicity. Just last week, an Staf Writer confdence dropped almost as quickly as fully chose to assimilate better in this Exeter town person turned to me as I was my grades. I couldn’t help but compare country) in a more exaggerated way in waiting for the train to Boston and told When I applied to Exeter, the thought myself to my peers who were doing so order to make it sound more Hispanic? me to have a “Happy Cinco de Mayo!” of getting in never crossed my mind. I had much better academically. In hindsight, I knew that as the only Latina in most of in an accent that made me cringe. Even no idea what Exeter really was besides the this wasn’t the best idea because I hadn’t my classes, I needed to be a good repre- though I understand that she meant no “best school in the nation”. All I knew was come from the same educational back- sentation and didn’t want others to think harm, it was still an odd encounter. that I needed to get out of Elizabeth, New ground as other students. My dad didn’t that the only reason I got in was because On top of regular stress from aca- Jersey if I ever wanted to be anyone in my make it past middle school and my mom of afrmative action. demics, I wish that I didn’t have to deal life and that it was the logical next step if didn’t go to college, so it was crazy for me Prep winter, I remember crying all with these things. I wish my friends and I wanted to go to a good college. As the to think I’d do as well as kids whose par- morning before classes the day Trump I didn’t have to be followed by a Sephora daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants who ents went to Harvard and whose towns got elected. My sister was a DREAMER employee the moment we stepped into gave up everything so that I could have had actual resources. However, I still felt at the time and I was scared that my the store and that the employee didn’t ac- a better life, I was not about to squander pressure to do well and prove that all my family would get deported afer hear- cuse me of shoplifing and make me emp- this opportunity. parents’ sacrifces were worth it; to prove ing Trump’s anti-immigration and build ty my pockets even though I had a bag It all seemed like one big joke at to all the people in Jersey that I could the wall rhetoric. I was thankful that full of things I just bought. I wish that I frst, as if someone in the Admissions break the cycle and not become a college day more than ever that my roommate didn’t have to make sure that my hands ofce had made a mistake and acciden- drop-out, maid, or teen mom like some were out of my pockets whenever I went tally accepted me. Part of me thought of my old classmates back in Jersey. What “My sister was a DREAMER downtown or felt the need to tip decently that the only reason I got in was because made matters worse was the fact that the at the time, and I was so that I wasn’t seen as too cheap. I also I was a Latina from a not-so-great part amount of Latinx faculty could be count- scared that my family wish that a random old lady didn’t feel of Jersey and that this would help Exeter ed in one hand and that I was sometimes would get deported...” the need to touch my friend’s hair with- seem more diverse. Or that they had felt the only person of color in a class or the out asking. I know these comments and only Latina. was an understanding person who didn’t actions don’t seem like much, but their “It all seemed like one Before dropping me of, my parents think this way of immigrants. Yet, walk- impact is more than the originated in- big joke at first, as if had told me to behave and not screw ing to class that day I saw a few red hats tent. And I know that I can’t speak for ev- someone in the Admis- this up because they were beyond proud that said Make America Great Again and eryone, but this has been my experience sions office had made a of me. Tey told me to always look my felt pissed. It didn’t help that afer one of here at Exeter. Even though I’m extremely mistake and accidentally best and act like I belong even when I felt my classes, a student who I knew was a thankful for all that Exeter has given me, accepted me.” that I didn’t. So, every morning, I made Trump supporter felt the need to ask me there is a lot more that Exeter needs to do sure my makeup was on point, my out- about my parents’ legal status because he to improve. And this change can only be so sorry for me and my experiences that ft was basic and formal-ish, and that I noticed I was upset. It would’ve been fne accomplished by frst acknowledging that they accepted me. Tis feeling was only didn’t seem too “hood.” I tried my best if he had stopped there but he then asked we all come from diferent backgrounds intensifed afer I got my prep fall mid- not to use slang at the Harkness table or me if I was also born in Mexico because and understanding how being a margin- term grades and for the frst time thought to “give too much attitude.” Sometimes of course – all Hispanic people are from alized group on campus can make some- that I was extremely stupid. Coming this was difcult to do because how can Mexico. In his defense, he was not the one’s Exeter experience diferent from from Elizabeth where I was the smart- I not make a face when a teacher tries to frst or last person to make an assump- someone else’s.

ALES Members Afrm Sense of Community on Campus Continued from EXPERIENCES, B2 an attack on personhood, racism or microaggressions. It took me a while think more [effort] can be made by to find that solid support system, but the administration to let them know later on I found an affinity group that students can be their true cul- for women of color and ALES.” She tural selves.” added that joining these groups was The State of the Academy survey “probably one of the best decisions I also provided information regarding made.” whether there is enough awareness According to Atif, many students of racism on campus. 13.75 percent echo Martin’s feelings of finding sup- of students felt as though too much port in clubs such as ALES. These had been done to address racism on communities empower students by campus. 39.59 percent felt as though educating them on how to react in enough had been done. 47.55 percent racially-charged situations. “I think of students felt as though the campus [ALES] has served in many ways to had not done enough. give students language and support, In order to cope with these in- so when they see things, they can cidents, some students require a analyze it and are able to respond. It support system. Upper Olivia Ross is often that students will experience remarked that she had heard many something and not be able to proper- cases in which students’ requests for ly call it out, to have the confidence assistance had been dismissed. “Stu- to challenge it,” he said. dents have reported professionals in Upper Chandler Jean-Jacques ap- the Health Center for patronizing preciated both ALES and Exeter be- or talking down to parents of col- cause both communities pushed her Senior Cristina Gonzalez performs at Unsilenced. JaQ Lai/Te Exonian or when discussing their children’s to further explore her identity. After mental health,” she said. many Harkness conversations in dif- Exeter. [In] any place I am, race af- of thing will always be a part of my As one of only a handful of La- ferent settings, Jean-Jacques came to fects how I go about my daily life.” life. It wasn’t the [first] time that I tinas in her grade, Martin at first the understanding that “[race] does Wabunoha, like Jean-Jacques, was called the n-word, and it proba- found it hard to navigate Exeter’s affect people’s experience. It’s just came to this same realization. Wabu- bly won’t be the last time. It’ll proba- racial climate without substantial that having certain identities forces noha maintains his determination bly happen most places I go,” he said. support. “The beginning of my prep you to think about them all the time.” not to let attacks on his person- “I’m not going to give this up year was rocky for me, as a multira- She continued on this thought, hood, such as being called a deroga- just because someone called me the cial female,” Martin said. “I found it adding, “I think me being Black has tory slur while walking down Front n-word, you know what I mean? No. difficult to find more support sys- affected my experience at Exeter, but Street, undermine his education at I’m not going to let someone do that,” tems on campus when I witnessed I wouldn’t say that that’s unique to Exeter. “I have realized that this type Wabunoha said. THE EXONIAN NEWS THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 B6 Approximate Timeline of ALES Events: 2012-2017 2012: 2015: 2016: 2017:

March May February January • Gisella Zuñiga, Sara Young, and • A group of people in History In- • John Snow, an anonymous ac- • An Op-Ed written by the 49th Board Paul C. Gorski for EdChange submit structor Clinton Williams’ “Black Ex- count, posts to a popular Facebook fo- of ALES is published in Te Exonian, ti- “Equity and Diversity Climate Assess- perience in White America Class” get rum a submission stating, “I am a black tled “On Equity and Inclusion.” ment Report for Phillips Exeter Acad- together with the Council of Equity and girl and I feel like I will never get a boy- • Two meetings are scheduled: one emy.” To quote the evaluation: “The Social Justice to put together a proposal. friend at this school because of my race.” on February 3, with the 49th Board and evaluators were charged with conduct- • A group consisting of some mem- The post receives extensive backlash. As Principal MacFarlane, and one on Febru- ing an equity and diversity assessment bers of the original group and some a result of the post, a student creates an ary 10, with the ALES club and Principal based on a variety of data sources . . . interested students meet with faculty anonymous survey about race and dating MacFarlane These findings represent a snapshot of including then-Principal Tom Has- preferences. The survey reveals that 44.1 equity and diversity concerns at Exeter san, then-Dean of Faculty Ethan Shap- percent of the participants find the black February at a specific time in its history.” The re- iro, Dean of Students Melissa Mischke, race to be the least attractive. Though it’s • Te two aforementioned meetings port details the current climate of Exeter and the strategic planning committee, not a scientifically conducted survey by are held. While the 49th Board meets with and also provides suggestions for its im- among others. The proposal is presented any means, it provides insight into racial Principal MacFarlane, a separate meeting provement. While some statistics paint a to these faculty, who seem well meaning bias in dating at Exeter. is conducted with the members of ALES. positive picture of Exeter, there are some and assure the group the proposal will Narratives detailing racial injustice on startling statistics regarding race, class, be passed on to Principal MacFarlane. May campus are collected to be presented to gender, and sexuality. • A screening of a student made film, Principal MacFarlane at the subsequent “For Colored Girls,” is hosted on cam- meeting. pus. It details the experiences of black • At the second meeting, Principal women on campus and includes results MacFarlane reads two of the narratives of the survey conducted in February. It aloud. Te other two are read to her. Tese can be viewed here: https://www.you- four narratives are the same that appear in tube.com/watch?v=2qCnMFGbRFc¨ a later video.

December • The 49th Board of the Afro Latino Exonian Society finishes revising the original 2015 proposal.

May present. At the meeting, they declare that shown in the assembly, but students of the pal MacFarlane, the 50th Board of ALES • Te morning of May 25, a video cre- there will be some kind of cultural com- 50th ALES Board are told both that the writes: “To reiterate what we discussed, ated by students in the ALES Arts Com- petency training for faculty in the fall of video will not be shown and that they will we want a clear apology today. We want mittee is published. It consists of video 2017. not be given an opportunity to speak. follow up reminders of your commitment footage of places on campus. Its audio is • Approximately 11 a.m.: A group of to these issues throughout the summer, four diferent students reading the same June displeased students gather briefy in Dr. a statement on the Exeter website about four narratives that were presented to • ALES is invited to present the afore- Atif’s classroom and then shortly decide your commitment to cultural competency Principal MacFarlane on February 10. mentioned video in a faculty meeting. to go to Principal MacFarlane’s ofce. and the wellness of all students, distribu- Te same morning, a petition (the link of Students speak to give a timeline of events • 11:15 a.m.: A daylong sit-in is held tion of the video, and a clear action plan which is written below) requesting cul- and then to explain the signifcance of the in Principal MacFarlane’s ofce. Dean for implementing the proposal. Please tural competency training for all employ- video. Tey leave afer their presentation. of Faculty Ethan Shapiro calls Principal bring these suggestions to the faculty of ees of the Academy is published. (https:// Te following faculty meeting runs long, MacFarlane, who returns to the ofce to color and let us know what your expected www.change.org/p/phillips-exeter-acade- and a required assembly is called for that speak with the students. timeline is.” my-cultural-competency-training-for-all- same morning. • Students voice their displeasure • 11:08 p.m.: An apology is sent via employees-of-phillips-exeter-academy). • 10:45 a.m.: In the assembly, Princi- with the administration’s inaction, with email by Principal MacFarlane. • ALES holds a meeting to discuss pal MacFarlane addresses the community their address, and with their refusal to faculty of color hiring and retention, at and then calls on Reverend Heidi Heath show the aforementioned video to the which Principal MacFarlane and then- to pray. Assembly is then dismissed. Many whole student body. Students request sev- incoming Dean of Faculty Ellen Wolf are had thought that the video would be eral action items. In an email to Princi-

ALES 49th Board Proposal, December 2016 Version The following are excerpts from the dents of color: …The group of students were prom- December 2016 version of the ALES pro- Feel pressure to change the way ised that the propositions would be pri- posal, created by the 49th Board of the “Students of color are statistically they speak, dress, or act in order to fit in oritized in the following year. After five Afro-Latino Exonian Society: significantly less likely than white stu- at Exeter years and two proposals, the experiences *NOTE: This is an edited version of dents at Exeter to: of Black and/or Latinx students remain the proposal without details under each Have heard or been the target of largely unchanged… bullet point* Feel that faculty advisors respond racist jokes or remarks at Exeter effectively to racial conflicts in the dor- Have felt threatened by other stu- mitories dents at Exeter The Proposal: Regarding underrepresented mi- norities, nearly 20 percent of the stu- Believe that teachers respond ef- Feel stereotyped based on race at Make diversity, equity, and inclu- dent body identifies as Black and/or fectively to racial tensions in the class- Exeter sion an institutional priority by naming Latinx… room it and addressing it in the strategic plan. …Due to the concerns raised by …While our student body is pur- Feel safe at Exeter the students’ responses, the Academy Prioritize the hiring and retention of ported to be one of the most diverse in received several recommendations to Black and/or Latinx faculty. the nation, the Academy has taken insuf- Feel that the curriculum reflects improve the racial climate of the school, ficient steps to create an inclusive envi- the voices and experiences of people including providing “additional oppor- Required, ongoing, cultural compe- ronment and provide the support and re- from their racial group tunities for students, faculty, and staff tency training for all Academy employ- sources needed to promote the academic to engage in civil dialogue,” “[diversify- ees. success and well-being of all Exonians… Feel comfortable being themselves ing] the curriculum by insisting upon at Exeter multicultural curricula in all classes,” Curricular enhancements. …In 2012, the Academy hired a third and “[continuing] and [strengthening] party to solicit their professional advice [And] statistically significantly attempts to hire teachers, staff, and ad- Provide more support and funding in assessing the school’s progress regard- more likely than white students to: ministrators of color.” for the Office of Multicultural Student ing diversity, equity, and inclusion, titled Feel that they have been the tar- Affairs. the Equity and Diversity Climate Assess- gets of online forms of harassment …Furthermore, in 2015, the Coun- ment Report for Phillips Exeter Acad- cil of Equity and Social Justice crafted Provide additional support and re- emy. In this report, the research group Have been bullied at Ex- and delivered a similar proposal to the sources to students who come from un- found that the racial climate at Exeter eter administration of Principal Hassan and derserved educational backgrounds. was positive, although citing several no- the incoming administration of Princi- table differences between the responses Believe that racism is a problem at pal MacFarlane… Create a space that celebrates multi- received from white students and stu- Exeter culturalism.

ROSE HOROWITCH Editor-in-Chief

MADISON KANG Director of Writing

JOHN BECKERLE Managing Editor

News Editors Don Assamongkol Paul James Sarah Ryu

Life Editor Alan Wu

Photography Editor Numi Oyebode

Faculty Advisers Ellee Dean Erica Lazure Alex Myers Members of ALES’s 50th Board, 2018. Courtesy of 51st ALES Board.