ESSO Vamps Participation And Outreach
This year, Exeter Social Service Organization (ESSO), the Academy’s student-led community service organization, focused on club membership and further integrating the organization into the surrounding Exeter community. Under the 2015-2016 board, ESSO boasted 64 clubs and 41 one-time events and projects throughout the year, some of which had as many as 700 Exonians participate in.
Established in 1987, ESSO exemplifies Phillip Exeter’s founding belief in “non sibi,” or not for oneself. Under the terms of ESSO’s core values, which include accountability and responsibility, students are encouraged to “think globally” and “act locally,” extending help to all in need. The organization offers a broad range of clubs, all student-led, which cater to a wide variety of interests. ESSO seeks to provide Exonians with the opportunity to learn from serving from their community and to take this knowledge with them as they move on in life.
This year, the ESSO board focused on two essential goals: integrating ESSO into the fabric of the PEA campus, including the classroom and heightening accountability and membership in clubs. According to ESSO director Elizabeth Reyes, the club made significant progress in terms of student participation, seeing fewer clubs canceled as well as organizing many successful trips. Reyes commended the students for their dedication to the various clubs, explaining that the good work of the students reflected in the gratitude expressed by the community. “Students showed up when they made a commitment,” she said, “and the benefit to the community was seen through thank you emails and cards and many submitted photos of smiling participants.”
“ESSO wants to be a more cohesive organizations and make itself easier for students to navigate.”
Reyes also applauded the 2015-2016 board’s commitment to accountability, strong clubs and the immersion of ESSO into some curriculum. “We will always need to keep on top of these as students and interests change,” she said, “but we can see positive results.” She went on to say that the 2016-2017 board will continue to work not just on accountability but on reaching out to the populations in need in the surrounding communities.
In the fall, ESSO held an event called Community Interest Night, open to all parents of children in the town of Exeter as well as to leaders of the organizations ESSO partners with. Those in attendance were able to talk to student co-heads of ESSO and sign their children up to participate in clubs, ranging from swimming or instrument lessons to peer tutoring to sports, art and game oriented clubs. Reyes explained that the organization began its year by reaching out to the community and asking them what they wanted. According to Reyes, this heightened communication allowed ESSO to better meet the community’s needs. “We are doing a much better job at asking people what they need and trying to meet those needs,” she said. “It benefits the PEA students and the community members.”
ESSO also kicked off their year with ESSO interest night and ESSO assembly, which both served to draw Exonians into the ESSO community as well. They assisted with 5k events in the community and helped run Relay For Life, a fundraiser for cancer awareness that garnered over 5,000 dollars. In May, ESSO held its first ever “Field Day” event for Exonians as well as for all children who participated in the clubs. The ESSO Board worked alongside ESSO club heads to plan the day, which consisted of a variety of outdoor games. Popcorn, grilled food and drinks were served, and children participated in such activities as three-legged races, obstacles courses and bracelet making.
Upper John Ragone, a communication coordinator on the 2016-2017 ESSO board, said “The Field Day brings ESSO clubs together, because it shows that all ‘ESSOnians’ have a common tie through their willingness to help and be engaged with the local community.” Upper and 2016-2017 ESSO co-president Connie Cai agreed, saying “We thought this event would be a great way to have ESSO clubs work together and showcase all the amazing things they do.”
Next year, ESSO hopes to partner with the town of Exeter community, particularly with the Exeter High School, and to target low-income communities more than in the past. Additionally, they hope to incorporate themselves into the classroom more: In the the fall, ESSO will visit two different locations to talk to people from the Adult Education Center and St. Vincent de Paul Society, supplying these organizations with the support and information they need to register their kids for ESSO clubs.
According to Ragone, ESSO also hopes to make itself more accessible to the student body. “ESSO wants to be a more cohesive organizations and make itself easier for students to navigate,” he said.
Finally, ESSO looks forward to continuing their cross-departmental work, collaborating with the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the dining services, the Lamont Art Gallery, athletic teams, religious services and sustainability groups on campus. “We don’t want to be a siloed organization,” Reyes said. “ We believe collaboration makes us stronger and benefits PEA. We are excited to continue partnering.”