Scholar of the Year: Leigh Marie In Her Element

Through her noticeable achievements in academics and her willingness to challenge herself both mentally and physically, senior Leigh Marie Braswell exemplifies the academic spirit of a well-rounded and motivated Exonian. An aficionado of math, computer science, economics and history, her interest in these subjects lead to her involvement in extracurriculars like math club, ESSO and the quiz bowl.

Coming from a small town in Alabama, Braswell often felt distant from her peers due to her love of math. She did not subscribe to the pain complex math seemed to inspire in her classmates and instead strove to join the local math team. A sixth-grade problem solver, she had little encouragement from the community, and her parents, although enthusiastic, knew little about competitions in mathematics. With opportunities to train few and far in between, Braswell took matters into her own hands. 

“Living in this context forced me to decide for myself what I wanted and how badly I wanted it. I actively searched for chances to sharpen my mathematical skills and seized them at all costs,” Braswell said. “I began commuting two hours weekly to Alabama's math circle and later two hours daily to a school that offered advanced math classes. While doing this, I fell hopelessly in love with the constant puzzle of math. My discovery sent me to multiple math camps around the country and to Exeter in eleventh grade.”

Braswell’s arrival at Exeter introduced her to a new world of math. As an upper, she enrolled in Math 600, the course in abstract mathematics. The welcoming intellectual community was an incredible surprise, and Braswell fit in nicely. 

“I found teachers and friends who were also fascinated by the different kinds of infinity, triple integrals, why we really don’t have free will – see Newcomb’s Paradox or ask Mr. Ibbotson – and large brackets with columns of numbers inside of them,” Braswell said.

The community played only half the role, however. Braswell loved the style of teaching and instantly grew attached. 

“Exeter’s math curriculum is a dream come true; it motivates you to develop complex ideas on your own and sparks some awesome discussion with your classmates. What’s so enjoyable about math is the problem solving involved, the collaboration it requires, and the unmatched feelings of truly understanding a concept and that of finding a clever solution to the problem you’ve been working on for hours,” Braswell said. “Exeter’s famous curriculum does just this, and it has exceeded my expectations.”

A combination of her insatiable desire for learning and the newfound community support led Braswell to join Exeter’s math club. An integral part of Exeter career, math club allowed Braswell to study with other enthusiastic mathematicians in a variety of ways. 

“Working with IMO gold medalists is probably the most humbling and motivating experience ever. Teaching aspiring mathletes and leading the organization of Exeter’s middle school math tournament are probably some of the most rewarding experiences ever,” Braswell said. “Laughing and gossiping about it all afterward? That’s just math club. Those friendships keep you up when the math contest scores get you down, and I hope to keep them long after my Exeter career is over.”

However, math has not been her only academic success. “I only thought I was coming to Exeter for the math. Boy, was I wrong,” Braswell said.

The Academy’s computer science classes offered Braswell a chance to join a friendly new community. She worked closely with two friends to develop applications, working tirelessly to perfect the game. During her time working on the project, she encountered one of her Academy career highlights. 

“One of my favorite Exeter memories is camping out with the group in the music library for hours to finish the project a few hours before it was due, while the PEADs practiced Lady Gaga right next to us,” Braswell said. “Thinking back to times like those makes you realize how much fun ‘work’ really was. I don’t think it’s work at that point.”

On a whim, Braswell decided to take economics, a subject she knew little about. History and economics instructor Giorgio Secondi introduced her to the world of economics and helped her explore topics. Her academic passion inspired her to start the Exeter Quiz Bowl team for the Harvard economics competition. Besides expanding on her logical precision and development of arguments, economics class taught her other lessons. 

“I learned to embrace the uncertainties and contrasting viewpoints inherent in dealing with human decision-making. Because the subject was totally new to me, I had to accept being a beginner again, asking lots of ‘stupid’ questions and saying incorrect things in class. I’ll undoubtedly be doing this again and again in the near future,” Braswell said. “However, when there is so much to learn in such an interesting subject, it’s easy to become absorbed in it. You forget that you’ve been reading an economics book for a few hours, and then you must frantically start working on your other homework.”

Braswell’s wide breadth of academic interest and achievement has led many of her teachers to admire her drive. Secondi expressed a particular respect for Braswell as a student. 

“One of the factors that set Leigh Braswell apart from other students is her willingness to take risks. She never backs down from a challenge. If she’s not sure of the outcome, she still gives it her best shot, and if it doesn’t work out, she just dusts herself off with a laugh and tries something else,” Secondi said.

Secondi continued about Braswell’s prowess. “Her intellectual curiosity, energy, and talent are remarkable indeed; but the breadth of her academic achievements is what really sets her apart. She’s a superb mathematician, a great writer with a Negley prize to her credit, and now a first-place winner in the Harvard Economics Challenge. It’s hard to think of other students who have achieved so much in so many different areas,” he said.

Braswell is truly an example of a scholar, an individual whose curiosity and passion lead her to different paths of life, one of which was Exeter. 

“I’d definitely be a different person if it weren’t for that Exeter brochure I got in the mail,” Braswell said. “Through the trials and the triumphs, Exeter has made me a stronger, more courageous and more compassionate individual. I’ve learned how to come back from failure and how not to be complacent with success. Every single day, I’m filled with curiosity as I learn from both my teachers and classmates, inside and outside of class. I’ve never been so excited about the present and the future, and Exeter’s incredible community deserves most of that credit.”