Newest Alumni: Daring, Compassionate

This spring, amidst the folds of blue blazers, white dresses and laurel wreaths, the Class of 2015 will bid goodbye to Exeter for the last time. As they graduate from the Academy, the seniors will leave behind their classmates, friends and the place that has become their home. The senior class has had an undeniably lasting effect on both their fellow students, as well as the Exeter community as a whole.

Principal Tom Hassan spoke highly of the senior class and highlighted their positive qualities, including the ability to bring about qualitative and concrete change in the school that was so important to them.

“We are lucky this year to have a class with kids from every part of the world with all kinds of interests. I feel lucky to have been a part of this exceptional group of people.”

“The Class of 2015 is a very thoughtful class.The seniors care about and do a great deal for each other,” Hassan said. He went on to detail the senior class’ ability to adapt to changing circumstances. “They have experienced an unusual year in terms of events outside the Exeter bubble having a profound effect on us here and on others outside our community. Throughout this year, they have looked to see how we all, including their own class, can make a true difference.”

But science instructor Allison Hobbie said that, as preps, the Class of 2015 was not adamant about focusing on social change or addressing systematic problems in the school. As an adviser for four years for the Class of 2015 in Student Council (StuCo), she said she has watched them “mature socially in a very charismatic way.” She said it was difficult to pin down exactly what this special quality was but stressed that their maturation has been physical, intellectual and social; she also added that they have always focused on inclusion and have worked to avoid the creation of any cliques.

“They’ve also matured physically and intellectually of course, but that social inclusionary development is something I’ve really noticed,” Hobbie said.

Hobbie said that the class, “in general, does not take itself too seriously,” which has allowed them to maneuver difficult situations they have encountered during their time. “It’s a class that’s willing to see the brighter side and the fun in difficult situations, and that has made them stronger… they’ve found some strength by stepping back and finding joy in each other,” she said.

Hobbie detailed the Class of 2015’s special moments and shed light on the love, friendship and consideration that exists within the class. Hobbie felt that there was one particular instance that reflected these qualities. “[The seniors] made the decision during prep, lower and upper year to not charge extra for gear,” Hobbie said. “So as a class we didn’t have as much money, but they did that to make it more available to the whole class.”

Hobbie also praised the actions of this year’s class reps.

“Senior year reps have a really hard job—all these little extra details—and the group working this year is incredible,” Hobbie said. “They all work really well together, and they’re really good at making sure things get done,” she said.

She added that this past year “has gone really smoothly” due to their efforts. Hobbie described her pleasure at seeing how close the senior class has remained throughout their entire time here.

“We had an open mic night at the beginning of the year, and it was great to see everyone still getting to know each other and be cohesive socially,” she said.

Seniors, too, noted the close connections they have developed over the years together. Senior Katie Liptak said that “Exeter is my home and [this class] is my family” because of its “constant warmth, support and kindness” that the class has given her.

She added that the class and its support have allowed her to develop from “a prep who flushed red when she spoke, to a senior with a voice and sense of self.”

She chalked this up to the fact that her class “cares… about each other, Exeter, the type of people [they] want to be and the type of world in which [they] want to live.”

The community Liptak has seen develop made her “terrified” to leave the Academy, because it means leaving behind a class that has taught her lessons that she will keep the rest of her life, especially its “unrelenting kindness.”

Students themselves spoke highly of the diversity of their class, which they have grown comfortable and happy with.

Senior Class President Stephanie Chen said she was “proud” to be a part of the the Class of 2015 because its “expertise is spread out across a large variety of different interests [and backgrounds], and that’s what makes our grade special.”

Student Council President and senior Benjamin Cohen agreed with Chen and appreciates the well-rounded nature of the senior class.

“We are lucky this year to have a class with kids from every part of the world with all kinds of interests,” Cohen said. “I feel lucky to have been a part of this exceptional group of people.”

Cohen will greatly miss his fellow seniors and lamented the loss of “late night conversations with dorm mates...the hardy laughs...and the fascinating talks about school or sports or who knows what.”

However, he looks forward to reconnecting with his classmates later on down the road and hopes to maintain the strong friendships he has formed here.

“Our time here binds us together and that bond doesn't weaken with time,” Cohen said. “I look forward to coming back and being with my Exeter family.”

The members of the Class of 2015 have had an unmistakable impact not only on each other, but on the other members of the Exeter community.

From teammates to dorm mates, many students are sad to see their friends and mentors leave campus at the end of the term.

Lower Cameron Gruss spoke of his experience with the seniors, both in his dorm and on the tennis team.

“They’re always there for you whenever you reach out to them,” Gruss said. He explained his most memorable experience with the Class of 2015. In the midst of a particularly grueling tennis match, Gruss was tired, angry and frustrated.

“I was getting really down on myself, yelling and hitting my racquet,” he said. The two captains of the team approached Gruss, calmed him down and encouraged him to do his best. This seemingly small act gave Gruss the courage and determination to go on to win his match and take home a victory for the team.

Gruss is reluctant to say goodbye to his friends in the Class of 2015.

“I’ll miss having people to look up to,” Gruss said. “It's frightening to think in two years I won't have anyone older then me to look up to.”

Lower Issay Matsumoto agreed with Gruss, but also hopes to pass on the experiences he has had with the seniors to the younger students that he encounters in the future.

“It's heartbreaking to see them go,” Matsumoto said. “But I am excited to pass on the gift that many of them gave me. Next year, I will be an upper, and that frightens me. But thanks to my team members, dorm mates, classmates, bandmates and friends in the class of 2015, I feel somewhat assured that I will make it.”