Featured Clubs

From fire dancing to Latin competitions, Exeter’s clubs have it all. Each year, students are bombarded with various choices at Club Night, one of the first events on campus in September. With such a huge variety of clubs, it can be hard to narrow one’s selections down to keep from feeling overwhelmed. This year, a few clubs have really stood out among the rest by their activities on campus and from the number of active members.

ALES

Afro-Latino Exonian Society, more commonly known as ALES, is one of the largest clubs on campus. With weekly meetings on Friday nights to discuss topics and build new relationships within the Afro-Latino community, ALES has expanded to reach a large variety of people, extending to those of all races and backgrounds.

“ALES is important to me because it was at their opening cookout my prep year that I felt like I could make it through my Exeter career,” upper Jordan Bolden, next year’s ALES club head, said. “I found that there were people like me who were willing to help through any problems I might face and really welcomed me into the Exeter community.”

ALES also educates students who may not be too familiar with Afro-Latino culture.. “I am half-Black and half-Japanese, and after coming to Exeter, I've learned about and connected with my African-American side more than I have before because of ALES,” lower Tierra McClain said.

The club invites students of all nationalities, races and backgrounds to join. “A lot of people have the misconception that the club is only open to ‘black people’, however I think it's important to see new faces at the meetings,” McClain said. “The meetings are a learning experience for everyone and anyone.”

Bolden agreed. “I think new students should join ALES as a way to open their minds in a new way. New students should come to clubs like ALES to get a taste of the different people that surround them everyday.”

Mock Trial

Mock Trial has been growing exponentially in popularity over the past few years. This year, the Mock Trial team went to the national competition after placing first at the state competition. This year, over 60 students tried out on a sample case. 

Lower Rebecca Ju has been involved with Mock Trial since prep year. “Mock Trial is important to me mostly because of the people – they're all so dedicated and intelligent,” she said.

Lower Julia Leatham echoed Ju’s sentiments. “I love Mock Trial because everyone in the club is so hardworking, which creates a lot of trust within the group. Everyone is lovely and passionate.”

Although Mock Trial can be time-consuming, both Ju and Leathem have found it to be worthwhile. 

“Going to meetings makes me so happy, and I always end up laughing. I don't mind dedicating many hours and weekends, because what else is as fun as Mock Trial?” Leatham said.

In addition, Ju felt that Mock Trial also was a great way for students to apply themselves. 

“I think Mock Trial adds a more practical usage of a lot of the skills we use in Harkness. I've learned how to act - I'm a witness,” Ju said. “And I've learned about the subtleties of language and how important presentation is. New students should join because it is a great community to be in. We get so many beginners every year - nearly every one of our team members started Mock Trial here.”

PEADs

PEADs is the only co-ed a capella group on campus. Performing songs such as “Seasons of Love” from Rent and “Bad Romance” by Lady GaGa, they have garnered a lot of popularity from Exonians over the years. Known for their bright wardrobes, they give each a capella event a burst of color and enthusiasm.

“I started singing in PEADs my prep year, and since then I've learned how to read music, get over stage fright and lead a group of teenagers, many of whom are the same age or older than me,” upper co-head Sabrina Movitz said. “It's going to be a real pleasure leading them again next year.” 

“PEADs is so valuable to me because of the people in the group. Of course, given that we are an a cappella group, we gather to practice and perform, but what's most important is simply the time we spend together,” upper co-head Annie Choi said. “Most of the time, it's highly energized and exciting. Other times it's frustrating, but overall, PEADs has given me so much more than I expected when I auditioned in 2012: friends that are like family.”

Fair Trade Exeter

Fair Trade is one of the many ESSO clubs on campus. It has grown in popularity since it was founded last year by upper Jeanne Olivier. Fair Trade aims to educate Exonians about buying Fair Trade products. The club raises awareness by selling Fair Trade-certified products in Agora every week.

While many ESSO clubs struggle to maintain high attendance rates, Olivier, a current co-head, stressed the club’s strong group of members.

“Our club encourages innovative ideas, thus club members are proud to see their visions and hard work culminate into a variety of events. I think this sense of pride and accomplishment is what keeps them dedicated and excited to participate fully at every meeting and even outside meetings,” Olivier said.

One of Fair Trade’s most notable accomplishments this year was to make Phillips Exeter one of the first nationally recognized Fair Trade high schools. Additionally, the club hosted an assembly this year with Mary Jo Cook, Chief Information Officer of Fair Trade USA, to further educate the Exeter community about making better choices as consumers.

The club’s sales in Agora further boost Fair Trade’s presence at school. Many of the food items, including the Fair Trade chocolate, are favorites amongst a large number of Exonians. 

Olivier noted that “Our weekly sales in Agora and these large scale events make the club visible on campus. Also, our club sells mostly comestible products (dried fruit, chocolate, rice cakes, tea, energy drinks, freeze dry fruit), and what Exonian doesn’t like some good food!”

Feminist Union

Feminism was the campus’ hot-button topic of the year. Although the club did not organize this event, the “Why So Gendered?” campaign sparked debates all over campus. Most recently, Feminist Union’s “PEA Needs Feminism” campaign popped up all over Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram. The club garnered an overwhelming amount of responses from students from every grade and gender.

The Union was revived last year by current seniors Amina Kunnummal and Kristina Elhauge when they noticed that people were increasingly becoming unaware of an issue so important to both of them. Now, students quickly fill up the seats in their weekly Wednesday meetings to discuss anything from Beyonce’s new album to the school’s dress code.

Kunnummal, who is a current co-head, noted the club’s focus on the issues most prevalent to students at Exeter. “Feminist Union gives a space for people to talk about feminist issues that are important to them, and a lot of times our discussions end up being about issues that are on campus,” she said. “I think the great thing about the club’s impact on campus is that so many people feel like they have the space to say these things.”

Whether it is students passionately supporting their cause or curious bystanders seeking answers to their questions, Feminist Union provides a place for students to discuss topics, while providing an open and judgment-free zone for anyone on campus.

G.S.A

Exeter provides a number of clubs that strive to make the school a more accepting place for students. Gay-Straight Alliance, in particular, provides an addition to the Academy’s inclusive environment through its weekly meetings.

Lower Lucy Weiler stressed the positive impact the Gay-Straight Alliance, or GSA, has made on campus through its accepting atmosphere.

“I absolutely love my dorm, and living in a dorm has been an entirely positive experience for me, but I think that GSA provides an open, welcome atmosphere for kids on all parts of the LGBTQ spectrum and a space for their straight counterparts,” Weiler said.

In addition to providing an environment where students can discuss issues or be open with others, the club’s weekly meetings have been largely educational as a place of reflection for students, whether they are gay or straight. “I have learned a lot about how to eliminate micro- aggressions in my own life, alongside just how to simply be a better resource and more welcoming individual for people from all walks of life,” Weiler said.