Heroic Hansen

Senior Hansen Shi pulls his golden soprano saxophone out of its case. On the music stand, sheets of quartet music are neatly placed, and now as he holds the instrument in his hands the practice room fills with the sound of soothing melodies.Shi is a member of the Saxophone quartet, just one of the many positions he holds at Exeter. Some of the most notable titles Shi holds include Co-Head of Economics club, Negley Award winner and editor-in-chief of the Academy’s science magazine, Matter.Shi decided to come to Exeter the December before his first year when math instructor Zuming Feng’s father suggested he apply. “I went on the Exeter website, read everything I could and decided I wanted to go,” Shi said.Shi noted that since his prep year, Exeter has changed him significantly and positively. “I’ve become a lot more open-minded and aware of what I want to do,” he said. “Coming to Exeter has always allowed me to solidify my passions for history and literature.”During his time at Exeter, Shi’s passion for history and literature has been clearly shown and recognized. For example, last year, after writing his 333 history essay on Robert McNamara, systems analysis and the escalation of the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Negley Award, an award given to the composers of the best 333 essays.Along with the Negley Award, Shi was awarded a number of prizes on Prize Day, including a prize in Advanced Integrated Mathematics, debate prizes, two English prizes and the Blackmar Prize.Awards are just a part of Shi’s accomplishments. Among his most notable achievements, one of his proudest is his acceptance to TASP, Telluride Association Summer Program, where he participated in a seminar in Cornell University for the “Literature Takes on Moral Complexity program” this past summer.“We studied under two Cornell professors of romance languages—Kathleen Long and Marilyn Migiel—and read selected works from the Renaissance canon: Machiavelli's Prince, Boccaccio's Decameron and Montaigne's Essays, among others,” Shi said. “In addition to the curricular component of the program, we also engaged in what the Telluride Association called "Democratic Self-Governance" at house-meetings every week. Overall, it was an irreplaceable experience and really helped me formulate a lot of the ideas of the importance of community and democracy I hold today."Another definitive component of Shi’s accomplishments is his involvement in debate. Shi is the Captain of Curriculum of Exeter’s debate team. This year, qualifying for the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship (WIDPSC), has been a milestone for his debate career, especially because he was the first to qualify from Exeter since alumnus Michael Ambler did in 2008."WIDPSC had always been a dream of mine since I first joined Exeter debate in lower year, with no prior debating experience. It wasn't even really on my radar until I missed the cut-off by two points during my upper year. After that, I was determined to do my best to make sure that Exeter got to make a showing at World's,” he said.Shi’s accomplishments do not end here. He is the former Opinion’s section editor at The Exonian, a head tutor of peer tutoring, and the editor-in-chief of the Academy’s science magazine, Matter.Students and friends of Shi reflected upon Shi’s stellar accomplishments as well as his dedication to all his work. Senior and co-head of debate club Thomas Clark commented on his unmatched talent in debate and his ability to lead the members of the club.“Hansen and I have been partners many times, including the policy tournament at St. Paul's where he qualified for Worlds,” Clark said. “He is hands down the best debater I've worked with, and it is really quite awe-inspiring to work with him. Frankly, he just makes the opposition look foolish no matter what position he is arguing.”Clark continued. “He is also a terrific co-head, because I think he is very personable and approachable and has a great grasp of debating philosophy and techniques. I think the debate team has in Hansen someone they can all look up to, trust and voice their concerns to.”Students and faculty of Webster Hall shared the nonpublic qualities of Shi that are only known amongst members of the dorm.History instructor and dorm head Giorgio Secondi reflected upon Shi’s humorous nature that livens up the dorm atmosphere. “[Hansen] stands out for his sense of humor: his laughter is well known in the dorm, and he's a quick wit who never hesitates to make fun of himself,” he said.Senior Lloyd Feng agreed, “Hansen is a really funny guy in the dorm really casual, likes to make a lot of jokes, really easy going. He even has the ability to inject humor into his writing as well. It is always a pleasure to have him at our late night ramen sessions.”In addition to bringing about a humourous environment in the dorm, Shi also utilizes his uncanny writing skills to help his dorm members and mentor them. “For my 331, I emailed him my rough draft and he was very helpful. I ended up with a very good grade in the end and it was definitely helpful,” upper Kiyo Kuwana said.Secondi commented on Shi’s diligence and academic curiosity. “Hansen is an unusually bright and intellectually curious student. His interests range widely, and he's a voracious reader and an incredibly quick learner,” he said. “I can see him become a professor or an attorney.”