Pretty Pompos

Natalie Pompos has done it all. In her three years at Exeter, she could often be found in the art studio, on the turf, in the gym, on a golf course, studying fervently in the library, abroad in Japan, abroad in Egypt, or having a great time with her friends in Dunbar. Before she was a student at Exeter, she was a global citizen, living in America, New Zealand and various other places all over the world.When she first came to Exeter as a new lower, Pompos was an avid athlete. She was chosen to train with the United States Olympic Development Program for field hockey. Before Exeter, she dedicated most of her time to athletics and bettering her skills. Pompos continued with the Program until the end of her upper year, earning gold medals at several different US Field Hockey Championships.She was also a key player on the varsity basketball and golf teams. Ultimately, she chose not to pursue collegiate field hockey or other collegiate athletics, and moved on to other interests during her upper year.Pompos soon realized her many other skills. Her involvement with the art gallery led her to an intense focus on the arts, culminating with her participation in the prestigious Art 444 course and a term as the head of the program. Pompos dropped basketball and golf, a clear indication of her newfound desire and priorities.“I decided to focus more on my academics, artistic and service oriented interests,” Pompos said. At Exeter, she is now the Senior Curator of the Lamont Art Gallery and she served as Head of ESSO Art Programs.Next year, Pompos will be attending Yale University. She plans to major in their Ethics, Politics, and Economics program. She hopes to write and photograph for the Yale Daily News, become involved in their impressive art gallery, and be active in cultural enrichment. All of her plans for her future stem from the passions she found at Exeter.Exeter helped Pompos to discover one of her artistic passions. “My main medium is photography. I have been featured several times by some notable publications, and also do freelance work. One of my greatest accomplishments was being featured on Italian Vogue's website last year,” Pompos said. She is now a proctor for the photography studio, immersing herself in her passion and helping others navigate their way through the world of photography.As student who has taken Japanese since she came to the Academy, Pompos discovered a love for the language. She began the 2013 school year with a term abroad in Japan under one of her favorite teachers, Kayoko Tazawa. “Japanese has played a pivotal role in my Exeter experience. Currently, I am in Advanced Readings in Japanese 470. Ms. Tazawa is one of the most phenomenal instructors and people I have ever encountered,” Pompos said. “I had the opportunity to spend my senior fall term in Japan. I lived in Japan when I was younger and attended elementary school. It was wonderful to be immersed once again in Japan's impressive culture.”Tazawa shared a similar admiration for Pompos, which was greatly influenced by their term abroad together. Last spring, they visited a silk weaver in India, while on a spring break exploration trip. Afterwards, while touring a poor village, Natalie gave a little girl her necklace. “That not only made the girl’s day, but I think that made her life. Natalie is such a generous girl, not only with items, but also with time. She shares her time and makes time to promote Japanese. What makes Natalie stand out from others is that she is a doer,” Tazawa said.Tazawa continued about Pompos and her drive to help others and pursue her goals. “She is very enthusiastic about learning. She is definitely a leader in the class, as well,” Tazawa said. “When the class had to make a movie, she took charge and was able to direct everyone with what they had to do. Without her, we could not finish filming in a day. We want more students to learn Japanese, and she takes time to promote the language. Her love extends past just learning Japanese.”Pompos is known across campus by current and past teachers not only for her intense dedication to her classes and work, but also for her sense of humor. She first discovered her humor in late night goofing off sessions in Dunbar with her best friends, seniors Barbi Sarkosi and Ekate Tibilova.“Natalie is an insightful and creative thinker,” William Perdomo, English instructor, said, “I had the impression that her time abroad expanded her viewpoints, her level of analysis, and sense of compassion. She's also very funny.”“Natalie is one of the most intelligent and cultured people I have ever encountered. Whenever I hear her teachers talk about her, they are incredibly complimentary of her intellect, work ethic, support of her classmates and charisma,” Sarkozi similarly said. “Probably one of the best things about Natalie is her phenomenal sense of humor. I feel so fortunate to have met her. She became one of my best friends and contributed so much to my experience here at Exeter! I am obsessed with her.”