Last week marked the halfway point of the Academy’s 2025 winter trimester. Students were notified about their midterm grades by their advisors, and most classes held Midterm Effort To Improve Classes (METIC) sessions, where students discussed their opinions on improving classes.

Andover’s campus flooded with red. They wore broken red glasses, red cowboy hats, and cardboard boxes with math equations written in red. They intentionally hunched their backs, hung their necks forward, and bit down on their lower lips. It was their annual tradition called “Exeter Geek Day.” This special trend of Andover’s students is nothing to be upset about but rather a joke of themselves, which is self-descriptive and disregarded. Ava Ratcliff, in her commentary for The Phillipian’s “The Good In Geek Day,” wrote, “Although I was overjoyed to see Andover crush Exeter, I was even happier to see a friend. We are now rivals, but we can still appreciate our past experiences together.” Here, Ratcliff attempted to describe how school rivalry doesn’t affect individual relationships. However, ironically, this proves quite the opposite, where she will leave their relationship in the “past” as they became “rivals.” She further claimed that “students at both Andover and Exeter welcome academic rigor and could both be classified as “geeks,” advancing her argument that they are “poking fun at ourselves as well.” While this seems like an agreeable joke between the two schools, it did not take long to find out that this was not even agreed upon by their own students. Esther Maxine, a recent Andover alum, posted on Instagram that Exeter Geek Day is “the only day on which, the stupider you look, the better.” This implies superiority over the “stupid” Exonians. Thus, ironically, while forcing geeky stereotypes on us, they also claim to be smarter than us. As ironic as their defense of Exeter Geek Day, the ineffectiveness of their “tradition” becomes strikingly evident. Another commentary in The Phillipian, “A Critique of Geek Day,” stated, “Our culture embraces words like ‘geek’ and ‘nerd’ without fear of judgment or ostracism.” Their goal — bringing school spirit and promoting healthy rivalry — fails because this clash deviates from the “school rivalry.” The ostracism and mocking are seemingly targeted at Exeter, yet this inherently ridicules the idea of learning itself. As students, whether in Exeter or Andover, the love of learning is something that we ought to embrace and pursue. Hence, employing the stereotypical nerd image on students is harmful and inappropriate for building a “school spirit.” We are aware that this tradition comes with a long history, and it became a highlight in Andover’s spirit week. However, it is not right to make students “uncomfortable or unwelcomed.” Tease the school, not the students. You are more than welcome to tell us that you are better than us. Yet, it is not rightful hate for you to stab a knife at both of us, tearing the core values that bring us together.

Perhaps it is the 5 p.m. darkness that never fails to cloak the streets before the conclusion of the dreaded H Format. Perhaps it is the mounds of streetside snow, once pristine and Instagram-worthy, now piles of muddied ice, seen merely as obstacles obstructing the paths to our next class. Perhaps it is the sleepless nights, the chaotic mornings, or the seemingly endless dining hall lines. Whatever it is, we’ve all experienced the tipping point of our patience before, the days when we simply run short on fuel, and it is in these anxious situations where the questions begin to unravel. Why do we do this? How much longer? Is it worth it? Cliché questions with cliché answers. Obviously, it’s hard, and obviously, it’s demanding. The complaints are omnipresent; yet, we, as a collective, tend to resort to the same tokens of motivation to tell us to keep going. We remind ourselves of what pushed us to come here in the first place. Perhaps our high schools back home were not ideal. Perhaps we lived in areas lacking the sufficient resources we desired. Perhaps Exeter was a deeply needed upgrade, a haven for more. We remind ourselves, and the doubt is short-lived. But for so many others, the reasons are not as clear. Maybe our dads, moms, uncles, or aunts, whether alumni or not, single-handedly guided us through the Gateway process, packed our bags, and left us in our dorms, desperately unprepared. Maybe it was our older sisters or brothers, their previous enrollment indirectly necessitating our own. Maybe we simply needed an escape, the way we felt so out-of-place in the schools we left blindly encouraging an application to another, miles away from the homes we loved and the families that watched us go. It is these groups of students, the ones who applied to Exeter on a whim, that shy away from the cliques that swarm Agora, their stories and feelings left clamped up. It is they who ask the questions the most. Why do we do this? How much longer? Is it worth it? When one thinks about a topic for a lengthy enough amount of time, they begin to develop their own distinct philosophy, an attempt to address, not answer, the gravity of their own questions. Why do we do this? Why do we labor through all-nighters just to do it all over again the following evening? Why do we subject ourselves to a daily homework load equal to that of a week’s worth in our past schools? Are we being lazy? Ungrateful? After all, we came here fully knowing what to expect. The bane of the overthinker. In those long nights when caffeine is the sole tool keeping us afloat, delirium reigns, and we begin to think. Distraught and burned out, we scroll through social media posts documenting the lives of our friends back home and what we could have been. Photobooth snapshots. Bowling alleys. Ice cream sundaes and junk food galore. We reflect back on our own lives and the unspoken sacrifices we made by saying yes to Big Red. “Opportunity,” they said, and it was “opportunity” that first reeled us in. Exeter is about opportunity, and truly it is: athletic facilities unlike any other high school, incredible resources for music and the arts, and an extensive list of clubs. Golden opportunities to apply the passions we behold. But how much of this opportunity do we truly make use of? The joy of learning rests not only on the instructor but also on the students themselves. Here, time is a luxury we never appreciated enough. No time for independent reading, catching up with the news, or practicing sports and instruments while simultaneously maintaining that stellar report card. No time for regular meals out or trips to the mall with friends. A dismal irony: in many ways, opportunity is inhibited. So why do we do this? How much longer? To be counting down the weeks left to the end of the term goes against our very being here, but the online countdowns on our phones or the black tallies on our calendars are yet to go away. During those insomniac nights looking up at our ceiling walls, breakthroughs are made. We realize that these final four years are, perhaps, the last we’ll spend daily with family by our side. We wonder whether the positives truly outweigh the drawbacks. We look through our photo albums, and a poignant, though fleeting, emotion springs up: regret. We begin counting. A transition to Exeter should be a transition dictated by oneself. Breaks are necessary and ideal things to look forward to, but obsessive counting contradicts the innate purpose of being here. We are Exonians because we chose to be. We waste time waiting for the next trip to Boston the immediate week we return. Why did we make this commitment at all if our primary source of excitement lies in the breaks that lay ahead? But really, how much longer? Is it worth it? Something valuable to explore, for never has the future felt so unclear. For many, the goals and the ambitions, the lavish daydreams for success, have never felt so hazy. We grew up in protective armor all our lives, the depth of our own drive and knowledge enough to polish us as standouts of our class. Suddenly, although knowingly, we were thrust into an adverse field of uncertainty, wading in dense academic waters. Our priorities change, and it is humbling: rather than being number one, we are incentivized to merely survive — a radical shift. In Harkness discussions, we shrivel up when an unknown term is tossed. We walk away flustered when compared to another in a higher math placement. Whereas we were once the single knight with blade and shield, we now stand surrounded by kingdoms. Judgements sharpened and questions arose: Was I better off not coming here? Do I belong? Am I good enough? Entangled in this flurry of questions, we rise from our chairs, eyes burning from the blue light of our laptop screens. Our frustrations brew and our heartbeats hasten. It is a familiar scene: the windows beside us reflect a world of raven black. Alone in the night, confusion hits us with a pang. Questions left unanswered. Why do we do this? How much longer? Is it worth it? After a while, we sit back down to finish our homework.

On Friday, Jan. 31, students were treated to a night of style, music, and thrill at the inaugural Verdant Visions event. Hosted in the Society of 23’s Conservatory in the Lamont Gallery, the event brought students together for a memorable night centered around three key elements: music, fashion, and fun. Student DJs set the vibe as guests were invited to indulge in refreshing beverages and snacks that transformed a usually dull Friday night into one special. With a “Dress to Impress” dress code, students were encouraged to showcase their most stylish and unique outfits on campus. No doubt, this was a night to remember for all those involved. This week, The Exonian spoke to organizers and attendees of the event to uncover the details behind its motive, preparation, and outcome. “The idea behind the event was to give students something to do on notoriously boring Friday nights,” upper and student organizer Liv Lang explained. “It gave us a chance to look at some art, detach from our phones, and listen to music in the presence of each other.” Prep Ben Lewis shared his experience with the new event, “It was really good to build community with other people because we haven’t really had these types of events so far in the winter [...] Some of us got hype and mostly had a good time, but I wasn’t there for long.” “People were all dressed up and it felt something like a fall formal,” Lewis continued. “I just think it’s just nice to have these events.” Although there are no concrete plans for similar future events, organizers liked how Verdant Visions went this year and are optimistic for the future. The mixed responses from attendees serve as great feedback for the organizers to make the event even bigger and better. Lang concluded, “I had lots of fun and my friends did too, so I’m hoping it becomes an annual event that we can continue to host.”

By Jayden Oh and Annie Zhu

By Jayden Oh, Aaryan Patel, and Marvin Shim

By Ethan Dai, Ian Koo, and Jayden Oh

By: Jayden Oh, William Shu, and Forrest Zeng

By: Aryan Agarwal, Chloé Lind, and Jayden Oh

Jesus was not someone who was ever-forgiving and infinitely kind. He whipped corrupted businessmen in the temple, condemned hypocrisy, and yelled at those who misunderstood faith. Yet, it is also true that loving one another and forgiving people were also his values. Is he pretending to act kind on some occasions? How does being that strict allow people to care for one another?

When strolling through the Academy, you may have seen circular recycling bins in Grill or noticed the QR code replacement for the Courses of Instruction in Bissell House. While these changes may seem small, they are steps that the Academy’s student-led Environmental Action Committee has taken to reduce waste and improve sustainability on campus.

After carefully reviewing the pool of candidates (there was little debate), it is our great and utmost pleasure to endorse Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol as our nominee for 2024’s Husband of the Year Award. Mr. Yoon now makes it the third consecutive year of receiving the nomination, and we can only continue to beam upon this charitable and benevolent man and all the contributions he makes for his wife and beyond.

On Dec. 14, the girls’ and boys’ winter track teams competed in a track meet here in Exeter. Although many people were missing in the meet and this was the first track meet of the season, the team is off to a strong start.

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.

On Oct. 5, the boys’ varsity soccer team played against Brewster Academy, leading and controlling throughout the entire game and ending with a crushing 8-0 victory.

On Oct. 5, instead of listening to an assembly speaker, students watched as the Academy’s music students took the assembly stage and performed a variety of a capella pieces, classical music, and self-composed songs.

Recent renewal of the Niche ranking, where Exeter placed third, raised questions among our community. How did we “lose?” What are the standards of the ranking? Does this really show which school is better than another? As a new prep coming from a junior boarding school, I sat down to discuss this with our secondary school director Kristofor Langetieg, the secondary school counseling director at Cardigan Mountain School. Also, I gathered previous Cardigan student’s opinions on their high school decisions.

All Exonians know the moment when their friends spam their group chats: “SCHEDULES ARE OUT!” Students frantically switch apps, log into Blackbaud (or, for those who know, LionLinks), and check their teachers for the next term. Then, they take all the information and write in their notes app to post on their Instagram stories for advice from other students.

On Sept. 24, author and Exeter alumnus Dan Brown ‘82 delivered his annual assembly speech to preps. After his speech describing his own writing journey that began at Exeter, Brown invited students on stage to take individual photos and sign books. Brown grew up in Exeter and, after attending and graduating from the Academy, became a bestselling novelist, writing internationally acclaimed thriller novels, such as The Da Vinci Code and Angel and Demons. Brown’s novels have sold more than 200 million books and have become popular TV shows and movies.

On Oct. 18, Big Red slammed Deerfield with a crushing 49-10 sweep against the team from Massachusetts. The game saw a remarkable performance from Exeter’s defensive line, which pulled off multiple jaw-dropping interceptions and soaring touchdown runs. In total, Exeter scored around three pick-sixes.

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.

On Friday, Oct. 4, students gathered in the library to display a LEGO replica of the Class of 1945 Library.

Feet paddling, arms swinging, senior Keon Osei surges across the defenders in the Roger Nekton Pool. As a great passer and a shooter, it is always the goalie’s first choice to pass the ball to him. As he rips through the defense and jumps for the shot, everyone else on the JV water polo team switches to defense, guaranteeing another goal. As a selfless yet impactful player of the team and leader of the Upcycling Club, Osei sat down to explain his experience throughout his years at Exeter.

With the advent of the spring season, many of Big Red’s teams — crew, lacrosse, softball, baseball, golf, and tennis — kicked off their season with exciting preseason trips. From early mornings of training to afternoon trips at Universal Studios, preseason aimed to prepare teams for their upcoming seasons both by improving their practical skills and strengthening team dynamics.

We have tried everything. To-do lists, self-motivation, meditation, and more. Yet, to really succeed at Exeter, have you considered getting a nemesis?

If you frequent Exeter’s network of footpaths, you may have noticed that the Academy seems to have its very own Thor. Red hair, piercing blue eyes, and a resemblance to Chris Hemsworth often lend this impression to Instructor in Health and Human Development (HHD) Mack Kraines. Kraines has served as a member of the Health Department for two years, having taught at Exeter Summer for an additional four. For those who spend a lot of time on the soccer field or tennis court, “Coach” might be another epithet he’s known by, as he mentors players on both the JV soccer and JV tennis teams. Though his time at Exeter has just begun, Kraines has already managed to have a strong positive impact on his team members, students, and the Exeter community at large.

The Grill Cookie has long been a staple of Exonian culture. For many students, purchasing the gooey chocolate chip cookie, priced perfectly at 50 cents, became a daily ritual. For over a hundred years, the cookie has been the most popular item at Grill, and over 200 are sold every day. For only a single Grill Point, the Exonian was able to purchase four cookies — perfectly affordable and a perfect even integer. Following the return from spring break, students were rudely awakened by a 50 percent price increase: tragically, each cookie was momentarily 75 cents. To the relief of students, on Wednesday, April 2, the price of the cookies returned to 50 cents.

Lincoln Peirce, author of the “Big Nate” comic series and the “Max and the Midknights” comic trilogy, immediately engrossed onlooking Exonians with a short guest appearance from an audience member, prep Tiago Bilyk. Brandishing a small whiteboard, Peirce drew familiar and silly caricatures—a thinking bubble, a swearing speech bubble, the dizzy cartoon effect, et cetera.

On Oct. 28, Exeter’s boys’ junior varsity basketball team played Choate at home, seeking their fifth win of the season. While it was a close game, tied at halftime, Exeter pulled ahead near the end to secure a 73-64 victory.

When people think about economics, they see a Wall Street trader hunched over a cluttered desk wearing a Patagonia vest and rolled-up sleeves. Three monitors sit in front of them with red and green numbers flashing, Outlook notifications ping, and, most importantly, money is being made.

On a brisk winter morning, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through downtown Exeter, mingling with the faint hum of passing cars and the chatter of pedestrians.

During Phillips Exeter Academy’s admissions process, prospective Exonians inevitably come across what is arguably the most essential document created by Exeter each year: the Courses of Instruction (COI), a repository of all Exeter courses being offered.

On Oct. 26, the boys’ varsity soccer team traveled to St. Paul’s School for a seasonal game. Although they initially found it challenging to pierce their opponent’s defense, the tides of the game changed after their first goal, allowing them to finish with a 4-1 victory.

On Oct. 25, the trustees and principal Rawson took the stage, honoring law professor Jim Coleman ‘66 with the John and Elizabeth Phillips Award. After his speech describing his educational journey in the assembly hall, Coleman joined students in the Elting Room to give advice.

On Sept. 17, Exonians took a day off from classes for Academy Life Day for their annual dorm-bonding activities. Some dorms chose to stay on campus, while others traveled by bus to places near the Academy. After their plans, each dorm hosted a dorm-wide lunch.