Sophia Zu
Sophia Zu is a bright intellectual, but can’t open a bottle of jam. A talented musician, writer, biologist and caring friend, Zu has made her mark on Exeter’s campus and in the hearts of many.
Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Zu found out about Exeter through the headmaster at her old school, which was influenced by PEA’s pedagogy. “We had Harkness at my old school,” she said. “It didn’t work because there were 17 people at each table, but I was fascinated by a school where it works really well.”
At Exeter, Zu is a former news and life editor of The Exonian, plays the violin and the piano, and is a member of Exonian Encounters.
Though Zu plays both the violin and the piano, she has been playing the latter since the age of four and identifies it as “a very big part” of her life. Her instructor Lodowick Crofoot praised Zu for both her raw talent and diligence. “One of the most important things she has is an intuitive sense of musicality,” he said. “She understands the nuances of the music while playing which sets her apart from many who just want to show off their technical skills.”
Zu has an “adventurous spirit” when it comes to her piano repertoire; according to Crofoot, she has tackled works by the great French impressionists Ravel and Debussy, as well as classical jazz by George Gershwin. Crofoot commented that he had “run out of things” to teach Zu, yet noted that despite her natural ability, Zu never ceases to work hard. “She had a summer internship for science research in Pennsylvania and took initiative to get practice time at the University of Pennsylvania’s Music Department,” he said. Currently, Zu is preparing pieces for her final recital in the spring, including a Chopin ballad which Crofoot described as “something I usually don’t have students good enough to play.”
As a news editor for the 139th Board, Zu brought a spirit of resilience to The Exonian board, and, as fellow editor Harry Saunders put it, remained “a consistent presence on an Editorial Board that had many fits and starts throughout its tenure.” He attributed Zu’s close relationship with staff writers to “the combination of being good at her job and being a very kind person.”
Saunders also noted Zu’s proficiency with layout. “We called her the layout wizard, because she often stepped in and solved problems with the InDesign software that none of us could crack,” he said. Zu herself described her Exonian experience as something that has “taught me more about work ethic and patience and collaboration than pretty much anything else at Exeter.”
Zu’s experiences at Exeter have helped her develop personal political awareness. “As this girl from Canada, I didn’t know anything about American politics,” she said. “ I went through lower year as the candidates campaigned, and dealt with the aftermath of the presidential election upper year.” She described these times as challenging yet rewarding, attributing her increased involvement to the diversity of perspectives she has been exposed to at Exeter. “Especially in America, you are forced to see opinions you don’t agree with,” she continued. “It was an interesting experience to have in a Harkness environment.”
Senior Meg Bolan also noted Zu’s passion for debate and dialogue. “I appreciate how open to discussion Sophia is,” senior Meg Bolan said. “After assembly, I always look forward to heading over to Wetherall, getting warm beverages or food, and diving right into discussing our thoughts.”
Zu believes that one of the best things about Exeter is the people she’s met. “There are people who have reaffirmed what I had believed in when I applied to Exeter and came,” she said. “The people here are incredibly self-motivated, driven, kind and fun, and there’s not a better group of people to sit with, study with or eat with.”
Zu’s friends at Exeter also shared sentiments. “Her company in her lovely little Bancroft room solves any blues,” Bolan said. “There, one can find a level-headed friend to dump your problems onto while eating Applecrest honey-roasted peanut butter with your fingers and sipping San Pellegrino.” Bolan went on to describe Zu as “splashing your face with cold water and a breathe of fresh air at the same time [...] She is fearless, absolutely brilliant, unabashed, overflowing with talent, loyal beyond belief, compassionate and inspires me every time I speak to her.”
Senior Tricia Moriarty recalled the day she first met Zu at the dining hall lower year. “We immediately bonded over our similar sense of humor,” Moriarty said, explaining that they shared a mutual love for music and similar artists. “Some of my ultimate favorite [memories] have been going to an early autumn Father John Misty concert in Boston, going on evening walks around Exeter, curating Spotify playlists and then listening to said playlists together in her room.”
Bancroft Hall is another integral part of Zu’s Exeter experience. “Bancroft has been the best part of Exeter and I don’t know where I would be if I was in a different dorm and if I didn’t have the support group I have,” she said.
Senior and Bancroft resident Molly Canfield praised Zu’s love and consideration towards not only her friends, but to everyone she meets. “I have spent more time with Sophia than anyone on this campus, other than my twin,” she said. “Sophia is the most loving, amusing, quirky person, and I am so lucky to have her in my life, in my dorm and on this campus.”