Milena DeGuere
Milena “Mila” DeGuere is described by her advisor Pamela Geer as “a force to be reckoned with.” A four year senior, she is actively involved in the Exeter community as a proctor in Dunbar, a Student Listener, a co-head of Flight Club, a member of DRAMAT, and a co-head of Exonians Against Sexual Assault (EASA).
DeGuere joined the Theater Department during her upper winter, when she auditioned on a whim. She had participated in theater in middle school but a knee injury during her prep and lower year, as well an overbooked schedule, had kept her from pursuing theater at Exeter. Ever since joining, DeGuere has participated in last year’s winter and spring mainstage productions and this year’s fall production.
“That experience of creating something with a group of people and being able to share and celebrate that with them is a community that I have come to value,” said DeGuere. Friend and co-director of Heathers, senior Jacqui Byrne, commended DeGuere’s dedication to the musical. “Mila was always there to back me up, support me and make sure everyone would hear what I was trying to say,” said Byrne.
“She is always loyal to the people in her life and isn’t afraid to stand up to anyone who hurts the people she loves. And she has one of the best senses of humor ever.”
In addition to theater, DeGuere is a co-head of EASA, a student organization dedicated to educating the Exeter community about sexual assault. The summer before her upper year, when the Boston Globe published several articles about sexual misconduct cases at Exeter, DeGuere remembered feeling overwhelmed by the reports.
“I was feeling confused and angry with no idea what to do about it,” said DeGuere. The following year, she joined EASA and became deeply engaged through the club meetings. Senior and friend Claire Jutabha recognizes DeGuere’s work with the club and the passion she developed. “I’m really proud of everything she has done over her four years, especially seeing her as the co-head of EASA this year,” Jutabha said.
DeGuere also enjoys studying history and math, having taken two math and two history classes per term for the past two terms. “Those are two subjects I’ve come to love at Exeter,” DeGuere said. After learning the subjects through the Harkness method, DeGuere developed a strong connection with math and history that she plans to continue in college.
Math teacher and DeGuere’s adviser, Panama Geer, believes that DeGuere became passionate about math while learning calculus. “She has always spoken very positively about her experiences during two different terms with Mr. Garvey and I think working with him on the Math 4-5 book was a turning point for Mila,” said Geer.
DeGuere took the History 600 seminar course last term. Her instructor, Michael Golay, praised her hard work and diligence with the difficult thirty page paper. “She’s a really good researcher; very skilled at digging out information and then weaving it together in a very readable and insightful long form history paper,” Golay said.
When the school day is over, DeGuere returns to Dunbar Hall, where she serves as a proctor and Student Listener. DeGuere was inspired to become a proctor herself after having a positive relationship with the proctors during her prep year. “I have one of the classic stories of when I came in as a prep and there were these two amazing friendly people who carried my stuff and talked with me,” said DeGuere. “That experience really stuck with me and I wanted to become that for someone.” Student listening was another way for her to engage with the Dunbar community. “I felt like I could connect better with the dorm and help and be there for them just like the people who were there for me when I needed them,” she said.
In addition to her academic and extracurricular commitments, DeGuere has developed strong friendships at Exeter. Senior Abby Waite remembers her immediate connection with Mila on the first day of their prep year. “She was one of the first people to welcome me to the school and make me feel included here,” Waite said.
Jutabha, who also comes from Los Angeles, appreciates that they always make time to have breakfast every other week. “Mila can cheer you up like no one else,” said Byrne. “She is always loyal to the people in her life and isn’t afraid to stand up to anyone who hurts the people she loves. And she has one of the best senses of humor ever.”