On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the Academy hosted its annual dinner to celebrate Lunar New Year. Students and faculty gathered in Elm Street and the New Dining Hall to enjoy a vast array of Asian foods, colorful decorations, and a fun, festive night.

Murmurs, gasps, and whispers fill the room. As the pungent smell of formaldehyde perfuses the air, sheep brains are strewn across the table, and students tentatively prod and slice at them with a scalpel. They are led through a fascinating exploration of the brain, traversing through the optic nerves, complex olfactory bulbs, and dura mater. Comparing an animal brain to a human brain, this experience investigates the captivating organ’s nuances, similarities, and unknowns. This task is daunting to some, but it is invigorating and enthralling to senior Aria Suchak, who is expertly leading the Biology Club through this endeavor. A kind, thoughtful, and persistent figure on campus, Suchak’s positive disposition has impacted many. “As her prep year roommate, I was living with her, so I was pushed to become friends, but we became even closer friends because she would listen to me,” senior Kairene Ramirez said. “She’s honest and very direct when she gives advice.” “She’s very caring and such a good listener. She also gives a lot of good advice and is a very supportive friend,” said senior Natalia Ulbin. Suchak holds an expansive presence throughout the Academy’s STEM community as co-head of MATTER Magazine, Biology Club, and Women in STEM. “I’ve interacted with Aria in Bio Club a lot, and I noticed that when she speaks, she draws attention to herself very well,” fellow Biology Club cohead Ulbin described. “When speaking, she speaks with intention behind her words rather than just to speak. I think she knows what she’s talking about, especially in clubs.” Fellow co-head of MATTER Magazine, CJ Smith, commented, “She is an awesome collaborator and teammate. We work together often to create and finalize our issue for MATTER, and she is always very reliable in helping put everything together with layout and editing.” “Compiling and creating articles is a long and arduous process, but in the end, it’s a great feeling to see my work along with all of my writers’ articles in a beautiful magazine,” Suchak reflected. Suchak’s passion for STEM extends beyond club leadership positions, and her contributions to the Harkness table have been immense. Instructor in Science Shimaa Ghazal described the growth she’s witnessed Suchak undergo throughout her four year tenure. “I first met Aria in an introductory biology class a couple of years ago and last year with the malaria class, and I can tell how much she showed progress in mentality and mindset,” Ghazal noted. “I think one of the best qualities she has is when she tries to explain something to the class, she takes her time for a comprehensive understanding of the concept and delivers the information without rushing or just trying to reach the correct answer. Being patient and willing to spend time on learning is an amazing quality to have in STEM.” Suchak, in turn, described the course’s impact on herself. “The most impactful class I’ve taken is the BIO650 Malaria elective,” she said. “It is definitely my favorite class at Exeter because it wasn’t like any other class I’ve taken. It felt like the eight of us in class were labmates in a university lab, working together to solve real-world puzzles about Malaria. Dr. Ghazal, our instructor, just sat back and listened to us as we worked through these complex challenges. It was one of those classes where everyone who was there really wanted to be there. It really just helped me realize that I love biology and being in the lab.” As a squash team captain, Suchak is also a great leader on the courts. When she’s not playing, she’s mentoring her younger teammates, advising them on the smartest shots to play, and cheering them on. “This is my fourth year on the team, and I love the team so much,” she said. “It’s a really fun group of girls who love squash. We are going to Squash Nationals next week, which we are all excited for.” Upper Mathilde Senter, teammate and dormmate of Suchak, commented, “I appreciate Aria’s dedication to the squash team. Even though she was injured a few weeks ago, she still came to practice every day with her speaker, ready to be a great captain. When we’re on court together, she rarely slacks off. Whenever I get flustered, she tells me to reset. Having a role model like her makes me try my hardest every day.” Suchak described her love for the setting of squash practices and matches - Fisher Squash Center. “I love Exeter’s squash courts, and I think they’re the best courts out of all the schools where we play. They are perfect for home games, and I especially love the posters that line the pillars outside each court. They represent our team’s attitude and positivity and the fun we put into the game. You can often find me soloing with my AirPods after a long day.” Among many other leadership roles, Suchak is a proctor in Lamont Hall. She is often on duty on the basement floor, welcoming dorm members into her room to talk or just hang out. “She is very inclusive and welcoming to everyone, and is a great proctor this year, and has been a great leader,” Says Ms. Lovett, the dorm head of Lamont Hall. Over her four years at Lamont, Ms. Lovett has seen her grow in many ways. “I’ve seen her grow in self-confidence, communication, and interpersonal skills.” Suchak looked back at her transition to Exeter and mentioned how her friends in Lamont made the process smoother and her Exeter experience more comfortable. “When I first came to Exeter, I was on the quieter side and didn’t speak up much. I think my friends in Lamont during my first two years, Sofia Morais, Claire Fu, Esme Eberstadt, and Kairene Ramirez, really made me feel at home at Exeter. They inspired me to follow their lead and become a proctor in Lamont,” Suchak reflected. Suchak’s presence as a leader, teammate, and student has inspired many. “Aria, you are so well-rounded, and honestly, everyone has something to look up to you for because you’re such a strong leader who is passionate about what you do and who loves to learn,” Ulbin commented. “You’re just an amazing friend and an amazing person.” Heading into senior spring, Suchak warmly reflected on her Exeter experience. “I am so grateful for my time at Exeter and want to soak up all the joy in the weeks I have left.”

This past week, the Academy’s Student Council held its annual turnover elections for the Executive Board of the 2025-2026 term. With a competitive race for key positions, students made their voices heard, casting down their votes for their newest representatives to lead the student body. Lowers Ari Benenson and Jade Yoo were elected Co-Secretaries, upper Andrew Gould secured the position of Vice President, and after a heated presidential run-off and debate, upper Lauren Lee, former co-secretary, was elected to serve as Student Council President. The new Executive Board will take office in the second week of the spring term. The elections saw impressive student participation, with 79% voter turnout for the presidential election and 69% for the other positions and the presidential primary. After getting elected, Yoo reflected on a passion for StuCo many of the candidates feel, “I love working with the student body. I’ve been holding different positions since 4th grade, but no matter what role it was, [Student Council has] brought me a lot of joy. That joy pushes me to work for StuCo every year, and the passion has never stopped.” Earlier in the week, on Tuesday night, Feb. 4, all the candidates took the Assembly stage to deliver brief campaign speeches. The general election then opened from 8 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. But before candidates were allowed to participate in the public appearance, the Elections Committee and StuCo needed to verify the candidates with the signatures they gathered from the student body. Upper Alex Trotman, Co-chair of the Student Council’s Elections Committee, commented on the process the Elections Committee undergoes to ensure the elections run smoothly and fairly for all candidates. “To ensure fairness in our elections, Elections Committee practices confidentiality in all aspects,” he said. “When we count signatures, we don’t release information before the student body is aware. If we were to, some candidates would have unfair advantages.” Verification is essential. Lower Kobi Ajene, a member of the Elections Committee, added, “We went through the essential process of verifying the signatures, and tried to make it as unbiased as possible. If we had any invalid names, we crossed it out. This is why we encouraged the candidates to get more signatures than the required amount. We try to make it fair by putting the same barriers on every candidate.” “Additionally, we do not condone any harmful comments between candidates during the election process. If candidates feel attacked emotionally, their campaigning experience will be hampered,” Trotman stated. Ajene continued to explain the preparations which started around Thanksgiving. He stated, “People were starting to announce whether they were running or not and I think that’s when elections began to be on everyone’s mind,” Ajene remarked, “But the time leading up to elections is still important because the process [the Elections Committee undergoes] shows it’s fair and democratic. The way StuCo is run is for every single policy or action that happens in StuCo, we have to vote on it.” Since upper Ethan Benenson, the other co-chair of the Elections Committee, entered the elections as a presidential candidate, the committee encountered some difficulties. “Since he was running, he temporarily had to step down from his position. It was hard to be the only co-chair organizing this election, but the advisors, Dean Marshall and Ms. Rankin, and president Cam Khater were extremely helpful [in the process],” Trotman shared. “I was on stage [in the general elections] since Ethan was running for president. He couldn’t directly participate in the ongoing elections while he was running. So I volunteered to help out,” Ajene noted. “I was listening to all the people’s speeches, and just being on stage that day, seeing how so many people came excited to hear what the candidates had to say, was a pretty exciting moment.” When the executive candidates were allowed to speak on Tuesday, the audience was able to evaluate candidates and vote for co-secretaries, vice president, and three presidential nominees. For preps, the Tuesday night speeches were especially insightful. Prep Rick Osei-Addae commented after the event, “It was super hype and I hate to say, but it was evident who was prepared and wanted the role and who wasn’t. But even then, everybody who got up there deserved their place—it was a great opportunity to hear them out.” Prep Ryan Ramos spoke of her first experience with Student Council speeches. “It was super fun and a lot more lively than I expected it to be. It made me more excited to see how the election plays out,” she said. Prep Gavyn Jones elaborated, “The speeches were great and enticing. Everyone had good points and reasoning behind why we should elect them. The speeches definitely positively impacted my voting, especially as a prep, because I don’t know a lot of lowers and uppers.” Lower Michelle Kio-Michael added, “Some of the candidates were very lively. You could tell who had a lot of public support and who didn’t. Something was said about going back to 1781, which raised a lot of eyebrows, but overall, it was great.” Upper Asha Masoudi added, “Lauren Lee stood out to me because she was very eloquent and sassy, which I love.” After the presidential primaries, three candidates entered the presidential run-offs. Uppers Kyle Kennedy’s, Ethan Benenson, and Lauren Lee participated in the official presidential debate on Friday, Feb. 7 during assembly. Ajene believed that the presidential debate was extremely significant for the election as it allowed the student body to make more informed decisions. “The debate turnout was way bigger than public appearance, and I think this helped those candidates who made it to the debate. It’s important to give a fair chance to the candidates to present themselves and their policies at a required appointment for all the students,” commented Ajene. Trotman added, “I think the presidential debate is the most important part of the election process. In the last two years, there’s been a correlation between presidential victory and good debate performance. It’s also a very stressful environment being on stage, so it’s a good way to see how your president acts under pressure.” Lower Minnie Kim provided her perspective as a viewer of the debate, “I think it was one of the best assemblies that we’ve ever had. It was fun to see how different candidates had plans about reforming and improving the school.” Voting for the run-off began at the start of the school day on Friday and closed at 7:30 p.m. The results were released to the student body later that night. Turnovers will happen at the beginning of the spring term and the student body anticipates the changes that the new board will bring on campus in the next three terms. Yoo concluded by emphasizing the importance of StuCo in the Exeter community. “Student Council plays a crucial role in deciding the quality of student life, and will impact the memories we make during our Exeter experience,” she said. “To make it successful, I believe transparency, accessibility, inclusivity, and proactive communication are key. I am honored and excited to work with Exec to create an environment where every student feels empowered and connected. Go Big Red!”

In the guts of the Academy’s sprawling athletic complex sit two bold red doors. Inside, people bustle about between rows of athletes lying on black treatment tables. This is the office of the athletic trainers—and to say their job is essential would be an understatement.

By Aryan Agarwal, Kevin Thant, Arjun Velan, and Andrew Yang

By Nick Baker, Hanna Wei, Andrew Yang, and Arisa Yoshino

By: Logan Beckerle, Samaiya July, Diya Sandeep, William Shu, Andrew Yang, and Forrest Zeng

On April 27, students gathered in Rink A to participate in Relay for Life, an annual event dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. Students who participated in this event enjoyed a variety of student-run stations that ranged from jousting to burger grilling. Halfway through the event, a Luminaria performance invited audience members to hold electronic candles and listen to the experiences of those who were affected by cancer. Together, the school community raised over $5,000 in funds for the American Cancer Society.

When Big Red athletes pass by the equipment room to pick up their team suits, they see coach Nicole Benson greeting them with a warm smile and asking about their day. Benson is also an experienced varsity swim coach who checks in with swimmers on the pool deck and supports swimmers by showing them proper technique.

On Feb. 14, retired Air Force pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet took the Assembly Hall stage, sharing how his dream to become an Air Force pilot propelled him to eventually lead the Polaris Dawn’s 2024 space mission. Poteet reflected, “I was just so amazed by the sheer power and control demonstrated by these fighter pilots. I was just like, ‘I want to do that. I don’t care what it takes, I am going to commit the time, energy, and resources necessary to achieve that goal — that was the fire that lit inside of me.”

Exeter’s Mock Trial Association has always been a staple club on campus. From the assortments of awards and national rankings to all of the amazing people on the teams, it is hard not to be awed by the grandeur of such an impactful club. Plus, we’ve all probably had that one friend who can never seem to get dinner with you because of Mock.

A core time period at Exeter is the two week stretch between the end of Thanksgiving break and the start of Christmas break. For a plethora of reasons, Exonians have come to label that interval as “Hell Weeks.” However, Exeter’s opinion on the topic isn’t so consistent, with the description coming under question and rejection from many students.

When course registration opens, one of the most crucial decisions for many students is not which classes or sports to enter but rather when to take their choice format. The choice format which replaces a student’s sports block with a free block in any one term throughout the year is utilized by many. Most students believe that choice format will allow them to improve their academic and/or extracurricular performances. However, a closer look at the effects of choice format shows that these expectations are rarely met.

"It was 11:00 p.m. and I decided to post the network switch onto the tech forum [Hacker News], and almost instantly it became like top page news,” said MUREX captain Byran Huang, as he recalled one of his favorite moments on the team. This success wasn’t just luck; it was the result of hard work and innovation by a group of young engineers who dedicated their time to making their statement in the robotics world.

You’re at a start-of-the-school-year social. It’s up to you to make friends for life at Exeter. You want to be funny, but you can’t be a clown. You have to take risks and make friends as soon as possible! You find your way to a small group of people who just started talking and crack a joke. You expect laughs and an invitation to join the conversation—but to your horror, you’re met by awkward stares and an uncomfortable laugh. Embarrassed, you apologize and leave the circle. What have you done?

METIC = Minimally Effective Technique Initiating Change

Every Monday at 7 p.m., Catholic Exonians (CE) meet on the second floor of Phillips Church for activities ranging from attending Mass to field trips to nearby churches. For many, CE is more than just a club; it is a family of people with shared values that help each other through times of struggle.

Every October, Exeter’s Family Weekend invites families of current students to witness their Exonians in action at the Academy. This year, on Oct. 18 and 19, families arrived on campus, some even hailing from overseas, to attend students’ classes, sports games, and extracurricular activities. Families came with the hope of experiencing a day in the life of their students and spending valuable time with them over the weekend. For administration, this meant accommodating almost twice the number of people on campus. Students and instructors noted changes across campus and wondered if Family Weekend realistically reflects a day in the life of an Exonian.

It’s the start of a new school year. “Hi, what’s your name?” echoes across campus. Soon follows the familiar question, “What’s your MBTI?”

His knees shake with excitement. After two terms of searching for summer jobs, Dimitri cannot believe it. “400 grill cookies per hour?” he thought. “If I worked one hour every day of summer, that would be 36,000 grill cookies…taking inflation into account, 27,000 grill cookies.” He puts down his fork and begins filling out the form for an Amazon gift card distributor.

Whether she’s training future lifeguards, coaching the varsity swim team to victory, or teaching physical education classes for the Red Cross, Coach Kate D’Ambrosio is always a friendly face to come across in the athletics complex. D’Ambrosio has worked at Phillips Exeter Academy since 2019 and has made a big impact on the Exeter community as Aquatic Director and manager of the Roger A. Nekton Championship Pool.

On Mar. 29, Grainger Auditorium pulsed with music as streaks of flashing lights painted the dance floor. The Spring Formal Dance, hosted by the Student Council’s Recreation Committee, promised a night of energy and excitement. Yet, while the beats boomed, the crowd’s enthusiasm wasn’t quite reciprocated.

In the early evening, a warm voice can be heard resonating from a room on New Hall’s third floor. The voice rings clear and sharp, with the intonations of a singer. It comes from senior Ava Helbig, who sits beside her large bag of various nail polishes, trying out a new nail design. Across the room, lowerclassmen sit at her desk or bed, attentively listening to Helbig’s latest piece of advice or waiting for more biology homework help. Helbig radiates positivity as she continues to orate, passionately strengthening her surrounding community.

This past week, the boys’ varsity tennis team started the season strong by competing and winning against both Groton and Loomis. Unlike normal tennis matches, this was held in an indoor court, rather than an outdoor court.

As spring term starts and the lives of Exeter students are in full swing, prospective students have business to attend to: deciding whether or not Exeter is right for them. Luckily, Exeter hosts Experience Exeter, giving admitted students four chances to visit campus, classes, and help with making their decision.

When people peer into the glass windows of Downer Fitness Center, they see the Academy’s ultimate hub for athletic training, lined with rows of treadmills, athletes huffing and puffing, and the clanging of dropped weights. But most notably, they see Coach Nicole Sampson, hair clipped up and chatting with athletes. She hands out workout sheets, adjusts athletes’ technique, and encourages athletes to keep challenging themselves.

Down the hall of the Academy Building, a classroom’s door remains wide open. Inside, maps and posters adorn the walls. “Keep Your Mind Open” hangs above a cork board, and each sign, with its own flare of color and personality, brightens up the room. As always, in the center of the room sits a classic Harkness table. At the table sits a smiling Jack Gronau, Instructor in History, open to giving advice to his students, passionately discussing his current and future courses, and, of course, wearing an immaculate outfit.

Phillips Exeter Academy has always been proud of its diverse student body, a core part which is the campus’ international community.

On Friday, Jan. 24, Amber Blaeser-Wardzala, an Anishinaabe writer, beader, and Jingle Dress Dancer from White Earth Nation in Minnesota, read from her book before an enthralled audience in the Assembly Hall.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Exeter’s varsity volleyball team faced off BB&N, defeating them 3-0. Though the results turned out as expected, the game was not an easy win.

Each Halloween, the Academy urges people to steer clear of costumes that depict other cultures, often sparking the familiar debate: “My culture is not your costume.” On Oct. 23, 2024, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) posted on their Instagram, reminding students, “If you’re dressing up for Halloween, be mindful about stereotypes that you are projecting about identities and cultures that are marginalized.”

Every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m., Pinoy Society meets to bond as a community through fun events.

Every Friday, students receive an email with an overview of weekend activities, ranging from arts and crafts to karaoke events. Student Activities works with the Student Council to plan these events, which provide students with fun opportunities to connect with friends. They also plan the logistics and ensure these activities are enjoyable. Though many students enjoy these events, others also believe they can improve further.

We’re sure you’ve seen that large white tent in the middle of McConnell Quad. You know, the one that smells like grilled chicken and the occasional Exeter Bar? Well, that’s the new addition to our campus: The Elm Tent.

By ISHAAN SINGH, HENRY WISE, and ANDREW YANG       Composed of more than 20 members, Exeter’s golf team has proven to be a powerhouse on campus. They...

By ARYAN AGARWAL, ALEX LIM, HANNAH WEI, ANDREW  YANG, GRACE YANG, and JULIA ZHOU From the deepest depths of EPAC basement, a howl resounds...

By Daniel Chen ‘27, Ella Fang ‘27, Ahmed Hamad ‘27, Aaron Spence ‘27, and Andrew Yang ‘27 Every spring term at Exeter, Exonians who share a passi...

By ARYAN AGARWAL, MARVIN SHIM, KEVIN THANT, and ANDREW YANG The Regeneron Science Talent Search is one of the most prestigious STEM fairs for hig...

By ARYAN AGARWAL ‘27, SAM ALTMAN ‘26, KEVIN THANT ‘27, and ANDREW YANG ‘27 All the time, we hear that Exeter is renowned for its diversity of o...

A step back, a breath, a wait. Whack! The golf ball goes flying through the air, landing straight into a hole — a hole-in-one. Celebrating multiple exceptional performances during this past spring, Exeter’s boys’ and girls’ varsity golf team played 25 matches in total, with each player working hard to improve their technique.

It’s 8:00 p.m. on a Sunday, and senior King-Diorr Willsun’s fingers clack on his keyboard. As he checks students into Wentworth Hall, using a website he built himself, he daps each student up before they leave. A prep sits on the floor and raises his physics notebook to Willsun, asking for help. Behind him, on his dorm room wall, a rosary drapes over a Holy Cross. A poster with the handwritten Latin phrase: Te Deum Laudamus — We praise thee, O God — clings onto his closet door.

On Oct. 11, three non-PEA teens entered the library without permission...

It’s easy to forget that the cameras are there. Perhaps we fail to notice the vehicles patrolling our campus. We don’t even know that every time we swipe our Lioncards, we’re being tracked. The surveillance methods are silent, noticed only when you look closely. Most students live unaware, but the lens doesn’t blink, the patrol cars don’t falter, and the ID scanners are always waiting.

On April 27, students gathered in Rink A to participate in Relay for Life, an annual event dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. Students who participated in this event enjoyed a variety of student-run stations that ranged from jousting to burger grilling.

By JOONYOUNG HEO, LUCY JUNG, ADELE PITTS, MARVIN SHIM, ANDREW YANG and FORREST ZENG The Acad

By ERIN HAN, JANIBEK SUBKHANBERDIN, and ANDREW YANG Wetherell has been under construction

By WILLIAM INOUE, ANDREW YANG,  JADE YOO, and FORREST ZENG Students had mixed reactio

By  ARYAN AGARWAL, MARVIN SHIM, KEVIN THANT, and ANDREW YANG Climate change is one of the