Poor Weather Conditions Prompt EP Cancellations
Evening Prayer, a unique tradition of the Academy that has lasted for nearly 40 years, was cancelled for the second week in a row due to complications with snow and ice. The successive EP cancellations have raised a variety of reactions from Exonians.
Last week, hazardous weather conditions stopped upper Rebecca Ju and lower Ally Grounds from performing. This week, due to winter storm Linus and its complications, upper Michelle Bosche’s and prep Charlotte Polk’s EP performance was cancelled.
According to Rev. Robert Thompson, it is unprecedented for the Academy to cancel a single Evening Prayer, let alone two.
“This service existed when I arrived in 1986,” Thompson said. “I do not remember Evening Prayer ever being cancelled.”
The performers were disappointed by the cancellations. Polk, in particular, said this week’s EP was her first ever. “I was disappointed, but it’s not anyone’s fault,” she said.
“It definitely is a little disappointing,” Bosche said, echoing Polk’s sentiments.
Similar to the performers, students were also let down by the cancellations. Lower Elaney Ortiz said that she was looking forward to listening to the performances. “I was really excited to go this week, because Charlotte and Michelle were performing,” Ortiz said. “I’ve heard Charlotte sing before, and she has an incredible voice.”
Thompson said that because he won’t be present next Tuesday, he will be missing yet another service. “I will be traveling next week, [so] I will miss three Evening Prayer services in a row,” he said.
Lower Michelle Lee and Ortiz both sympathized for the performers who practiced but will have to wait another year before a free EP slot comes again.
“The people who are most upset are obviously the performers who have to wait until next year to perform,” Ortiz said.
Thompson agreed with both Lee and Ortiz. “It is sad that any performer who has prepared for their offering is not able to make that offering,” Thompson said.
While Exonians were saddened over the cancellations, students were understanding of them.
“I'm sure people are disappointed, but I also hope that people aren't too focused on it. We all love Rev and we all understand that it just hasn't been possible,” Ju said.
Like Ju, many understood the untimeliness of the past two winter storms, and commended the decision to cancel the services to prioritize students’ safety.
“I feel as though students’ safety should always be [the Academy’s] primary concern. In the email Dean Kim sent out, he said there was some sort of danger in the church, but for whatever reason, they felt it wouldn’t be safe to hold EP these past two weeks, and I assume a lot of thought was put into that decision. Although EP is a nice service at Exeter, I don’t feel as though so crucial that it rationalizes putting students in danger,” upper Jake Della Pasqua said.
Other students were equally understanding of the weather precautions. Lee completely agreed with Polk’s sentiments.
“Honestly, I don’t feel awful about it being cancelled because it was fairly ridiculous to walk through all the snow, and there’s nothing I could do about it if it really was a fire hazard,” Lee said.
Ortiz added, “They had to cancel. It makes sense since it’s pitch black outside and when people leave for EP, the paths are still incredibly icy.”
Despite the disappointment that accompanied the two successive EP free weeks, students still look forward to future weeks’ services and hope for no more cancellations.
“Whatever is wrong with the church, I hope they fix it so EP can get back and running, and everyone can start going again,” Della Pasqua said.
“I will attend if I can find a date,” Ju said.
Bosche acknowledged a potential positive side effect of the cancellations. “Next week will [probably] see more attendance because of two overdue nights,” Bosche said.
Contributions from Ellena Joo