Principal Rawson Announces His Retirement From The Academy
February 7, 2025
Dear Exeter Community,
It is with understandably mixed feelings that I have informed the Trustees that I will retire as principal of Phillips Exeter Academy at the end of the next school year (June 2026)…
On Friday, Feb. 7, following the Student Council’s presidential debate, Phillips Exeter Academy’s 16th principal, Bill K. Rawson, walked onto the stage. The lingering chatter of faculty and students dissecting the heated moments of the debate faltered into uneasy silence. As shoulders stiffened and eyes tracked his every step, the school was held in anticipation — no one knew it yet, but everything was about to change.
Lauren Lee ‘26 Elected Student Council President
This past Friday, Feb. 7, upper Lauren Lee was elected student council president for the 2025-2026 term. This comes after a long election process, which included a primary election, a presidential runoff debate, and finally a runoff election. Lee currently resides in Wheelwright on campus, grew up in Hong Kong, but now lives in New Jersey. Lee is also involved in many extracurriculars on campus, including Daniel Webster Debate Society, Mock Trial, Democratic Club, Concert Choir, and PEADs. Reflecting on how these activities have benefitted her, Lee stated, “Not only have these extracurriculars enabled me to connect with students of all grade levels, they have instilled in me a deep appreciation for oration and communication. I hope these skills will serve me well in office.”
Andrew Gould ‘26 Elected Vice President
Public speaking is a difficult task for many. Going up on stage, perfecting elocution, executing strong rhetoric, and engaging with crowds is daunting. Almost every Tuesday evening, upper Andrew Gould’s eloquence can be heard from the Assembly Hall during weekly Daniel Webster Debate Society meetings. Political jargon, philosophical references, and laughter echo through the marble foyer. During the vice-president candidate speeches, Gould displayed a snippet of his verbal adeptness last week. As the newly elected vice-president of the student council, he will soon exhibit more.
Ari Benenson ‘27 and Jade Yoo ‘27 Elected Student Council Co-Secretaries
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the student body heard the co-secretary candidates speak for the first time. 14 candidates ran in this year’s Co-Secretary race, the most for any of the three positions. Out of those 14, for the 2025-26 Student Council Executive Board, Exeter chose lowers Ari Benenson and Jade Yoo to serve as their Co-Secretaries.
Exonians Hold Superbowl LIX Viewing Parties
For one night every year, Exonians set aside homework, gather in dorm common rooms, and turn their attention to the biggest sporting event in America: the Super Bowl. While some are invested in the game itself, others show up simply for the food, commercials, and, of course, the halftime show.
Faculty of the Week: Michelle Soucy
Every Tuesday after check-in, Michelle Soucy—a beloved three-year member of Hoyt Hall—hosts a smoothie night, giving Hoytians a chance to grab a healthy snack while they study. “I want them to have something nutritious, so I bring the ingredients in and make smoothies,” she explained. Beyond just a quick snack, her check-ins often spark easygoing conversations, making the Hoyt common room a natural gathering spot for students looking to unwind. Ms. Soucy has served as an instructor in health at Exeter since 2008, and throughout her tenure, she has become certified as a grief educator, a nutritionist, and a positive educator, as well as serving as an advisor for Fight Club.
Senior of the Week: Aria Suchak
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.
Student Council Hosts Jazz Cafe
As a blanket of snow settled outside of Spring Street dining hall on Jan. 31, students sat eagerly around a central performing setup of speakers, mics, guitars, and amps. Dressed in formal clothing, they listened to their peers perform for the Jazz Cafe. The event was developed by Kyle Kennedy’s, current co-secretary of the Student Council. Kennedy’s explained the inspiration behind the initiative as such:“Jazz Cafe as an idea for an event sprung up from the fact that we were going to have a new dining hall. We wanted to have Jazz Cafe as a means to appreciate and utilize the new dining hall space. I wanted to have it as a way to honor and celebrate the opening.” However, that dream was only possible because of some major effort and planning from the Student Council and dining hall.
Meditation of the Week: Erin Chen
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, senior Erin Chen shared a beautiful story reflecting the difficulties of family and the connections we hold with those we love at her meditation. A Bancroft Hall proctor, captain of the girls’ squash team, and a friendly face often seen on the Exeter paths, Chen is known and respected by many. Standing before the audience at Phillips Church, she described her mother, who in her words, is a complicated woman who helped craft Chen and her six siblings into the people they are today.
At Exeter, winter term is treated like Voldemort at Hogwarts—everyone knows it exists, but almost no one dares to bring it up. Most students recognize it as a time when work piles on, daylight becomes precious, and H-block math classes drain your energy. Amid this winter slump, a cozy, inviting coffeehouse event on Saturday, Feb. 1, brightened students’ days.
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.
On Friday, Jan. 31, the timeless words of Charles Dickens echoed through Rockefeller Hall as Rob Richards, Instructor in Theatre and Dance, presented “Hard Times,” a theatrical adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Exeter’s community was drawn into the vivid portrayal of Victorian England, where themes of industrialization, class struggles, and human resilience came to life.
Club Spotlight: Association of Low Income Exonians (ALIE)
Exonians come to Exeter from countries all around the world and on various amounts of financial aid. Many Exonians receive financial aid from Exeter, but what most Exonians don’t realize is that there’s a biweekly club called ALIE (Association for Low-Income Exonians) for financial aid and low-income students that meets in Bissell House. .
Every Sunday, from five to six p.m., the third floor of Goel lights up with the sound of music and dance. Here the dance club Shakti practices their new choreography and prepares to perform Bollywood dance and music to the Exeter community. From performing at E/A Pep Rallies and the Exeter Diwali celebration, Shakti is an essential part of Exeter’s dance clubs, the club community, and the members who dance in it every week.
Captains of the Week: Boys’ Wrestling
At 6:00 p.m. every weekday, you can expect to see sweaty wrestlers pouring out of the gym and onto the paths, many facing the chilling wind without jackets. These wrestlers, boys and girls, are regarded as some of the toughest kids on campus. Varsity wrestling captains Jack Breaks and Becket Moore are at the heart of the operation.
Coach’s Corner: Girls Varsity Basketball
On some days, Love Gym feels like a battleground, where fast dodges turn into chaos, sneakers skid on the hardwood, and the echo of a coach’s whistle cuts through the noise. On other days, players show up to practice in costumes for a themed practice, laughing at each other’s silly hairstyles or outfits. Somewhere between these two extremes, the grueling drills and ridiculous outfits, the girls’ varsity basketball team is shaping its identity.
Admin Spotlight: Jason Baseden
“I learned everything from playing sports. That’s why I do the job that I do.” If one takes a stroll on the second floor of Love Gym, they are bound to find the striking office of the Director of Athletics and Physical Education, Jason Baseden. The endless decor is perhaps dizzying for an onlooker, but its charm is almost nostalgic — a myriad of sports memorabilia spans every wall and table in the office. With decades-old helmets, lacrosse sticks, squash rackets, volleyballs, and at least a few dozen picture frames, Baseden has it all. The history of Exeter athletics is enshrined here, and just as sports touch every corner of his workplace, it is apparent that athletics permeate every facet of his character and values. Sports is what he’s about.
HIGHLIGHTS 1/23/25:
2/13/25 Highlight: Boys’ Varsity Basketball
2/13/25 Highlight: Boys’ Varsity Squash
2/13/25 Highlight: Girls’ Varsity Hockey
2/13/25 Highlight: Indoor Track and Field
By ELLINA KIM ‘28
By MARVIN SHIM ‘27 and KEVIN THANT ‘27
Judge, Jury, and Executioner: The Public Can Mediate Creators’ Controversy
By V MURDAYA ‘27 and LEON XIE ‘27
The Separation Between the Art and the Artist
By DHRUV BHAGHAYATH ‘28 and LARRY LYU ‘28
By KAYLEE GONG ‘28
By ARYAN AGARWAL ‘27 and GRACE YANG ‘27
By KAYLEE GONG ‘28
By JOHANNA HILLMAN ‘28
Questions for Late-Night Thinkers
By LUKE CHON ‘28 and JAYDEN OH ‘28
Should Valentine’s Day Be A Holiday
By DIYA SANDEEP ‘28 and ANNIE ZHU ‘28
Dear Mom and Dad, Your Sacrifices Silence My Struggles
By CLAIRE XIAO ‘27
Running from Reality: The Message of Subway Surfers
By MELIA THIBAULT ‘27
By SHAY KASHIF ‘26
By JAYDEN OH ‘28
What Happened To Those Resolutions?
By THEA VAUGHAN ‘27
Get That Groundhog Back in the Ground!
By AVNI MURARKA ‘28
By CHLOÉ LIND ‘27
What’s Your Favorite Grill Item?
By SAMAIYA JULY ‘28 and SELASIE AMEMASOR ‘28
All Opinions
