Holiday Celebrations at Exeter
Last Saturday, Dec. 8, latkes and laughter filled the church basement as Exonians celebrated Hanukkah with their annual dinner. Dozens of people from all different faiths played dreidel, ate brisket and sang songs.
Lower Yona Kruger expressed her appreciation for the Exeter community’s spirit during the evening celebration of Hanukkah. “We all lit candles and sang traditional songs. It was really fun and cozy,” she said. Previously attending a Jewish school, Kruger was unsure of what to expect from her first Hanukkah celebration at Exeter. However, she ended up loving the experience. “I can definitely say that Exeter knows how to celebrate Hanukkah just as well!”
On Sunday evening, both Christians and non-Christians gathered in Phillips Church for the Christmas Candlelight Service. The group lit seven candles, each representing seven values, including hope, faith and justice. Different people shared with those gathered what each value meant to them. After the service, everyone came together and shared traditional Christmas dishes such as ham, baked brie, stuffing and puff pastry.
Senior Priscilla Ehrgood appreciated the service and noted how small elements of the celebration reminded her of Christmas in her home. “The service was so beautiful,” she said. “We all had our own candles and they turned the lights off, which they do at my home church too.”
Ehrgood elaborated on what the gathering meant to her as a Christian. Although she had to adjust to being away from home for the Christmas season, she has grown to love celebrating with other Exonians as well.
“Christmas has always been a time for my family to really come together,” she said. “However, I’ve learned to embrace my own holiday spirit on campus by celebrating with other friends and taking the time to be with them, decorating my own room and allowing my traditions to change.”
Lower Helen Xiu also enjoyed the Christmas Candlelight Service. She emphasized how the dinner felt like a large, connected family, a special atmosphere that she could only experience in the Exeter environment. “This was the type of experience that I wish I could have at home because there, it’s usually just me and my mom since it’s very rare that my sister and dad can be at home with us,” she explained. “So this was a really nice family-style event at school.”
The family-like atmosphere at Exeter enriches the holiday season for many boarding students through the non-religious tradition of anonymous gift exchanges, known as Secret Santa or Angeling.
Lower Alana Yang, a resident of Amen Hall, felt that Angeling helped raise her spirits, especially during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. “The winter is so dreary and cold sometimes, but people in the dorm who show that extra bit of love through Angeling remind you that the holidays are right round the corner.” she said. “A lot of times you forget that this is a time of the year when you should be having fun.”
Senior Gordon Chi, a resident of Knight House, considered the tradition to be uplifting for the entire dorm. “[Exchanging gifts] is good because generally students enjoy receiving new presents, and it is also rewarding for the student buying the present because they get to know the person better,” he said.
As a proctor in Wheelwright Hall, Ehrgood also said that Angeling serves as a bonding experience for dorm members. “Either you get someone you’re really close with and it’s an excuse to take the time to think about them, or you get someone you don’t know and get to know that person better,” she explained. “You have to take the time to appreciate somebody and be thoughtful for them.”