Go BIG RED!

Exeter’s campus will be painted red this weekend. From the Assembly Hall to Phelps Stadium, Big Red school spirit will spread like wildfire for the Exeter/Andover events.This year’s Red Bandits plan on bringing the Exeter enthusiasm to both Friday’s assembly and that night’s pep rally. “I decided to be a red bandit because I love the school spirit that bonds Exeter together,” Red Bandit and senior Jackie Kim said. “I had so much respect for bandits my prep year, because they were not only having fun, but ultimately creating that bond that ties Exeter together.”A new group of students, seniors John Kennealy, Nate Moulton and Alan Guo, has volunteered to assume the role of Lion Rampant, the iconic mascot of PEA, for this year’s E/a weekend.“I decided to take the opportunity to be the lion, because it is the representative face of the school on E/A,” Guo said. “It is something that everyone focuses on, as well as many of the spirit activities. I'm just really excited to get to represent the school in that manner and stand proudly in front of my classmates.”Kennealy also appreciated the symbolical nature of the post. “I volunteered to be the lion specifically because it's an establishment, and an icon, at the time of the year when we have the most school spirit,” Kennealy said. “I thought it would be cool to be a part of that tradition.”Teams captains have already made preparations for the pep rally and are ready for their victory, especially the football team, who have dominated in their game for the past five years.“E/A means a lot,” senior football captain David Ayscue said. “In my four years here, we have never lost the football game, and we don't plan on losing it this year. The game should be good. They have an undefeated team, but we've got the group of guys to knock them off.”Senior water polo captain JB Baker emphasized the importance of pep rally and E/a. “I think pep rally is for uniting the school, and recognizing the efforts of the athletes who commit themselves everyday to their teams,” he said.Students also look forward to reuniting with visiting alumni, many of whom return to campus to cheer for Big Red’s athletes. “I'm extremely excited to see the alumni come back, since I was really close with them,” Guo said “There’s also something special about the Exeter-Andover rivalry. It's got to do with the history, the unity, the intensity of all of the games and our athletes. That gives it some of its magic.”This weekend is sure to be full of activity. Aside from the Exeter-Andover competition, the Soule Tea dance will be held in Grainger Auditorium, as well as an opening reception of Catalyst: Work from Community-Based Arts Centers, which will be opening in the Lamont Gallery on Friday.For this year’s pep rally, the red bandits plan to lead a snake dance, an old tradition which Student Council has decided to revive. It will start at Main Street and students will be picked up by the ‘snake’ from their dorms or the Academy Center as it moves along campus. Eventually, the line of students will arrive at the annual bonfire.The excitement of E/a is ready to be shared live with not only the current students of Exeter and Andover, but anybody who’s interested to watch the rivals compete.“Any member of the Exeter or Andover community, alums or anyone interested, can tune in and watch the game live online,” assistant director of Student Activities Kelly McGahie said. “This year I know we have a couple of students who are doing color commentary, and another student who will be up in the booth helping to call the game.”Big Red will bring the spirit to E/a this year, and students, alums, and faculty are all ready to show Andover who’s boss. As Kim said, “We’re definitely going to be redder and louder than last year.”