Activities on the Weekend Keep Campus Lively
By MICHELLE CHOO, WILLIAM INOUE, LEVI STOLL, and ANDREW YANG
Courtesy of Alex Lim
Every Friday, students receive an email with an overview of weekend activities, ranging from arts and crafts to karaoke events. Student Activities works with the Student Council to plan these events, which provide students with fun opportunities to connect with friends. They also plan the logistics and ensure these activities are enjoyable. Though many students enjoy these events, others also believe they can improve further.
Assistant Director of Student Activities Kelly McGahie said, “It’s a way to get people engaged and out of their dorm rooms without feeling like, ‘Oh, my life is terrible. All my friends are gone for the weekend.’”
Lower Chayyah Lewis shared her favorite weekend activity so far this year. “The karaoke event was nice. It was solid,” she said.
Courtesy of Alex Lim
New lower Alexa Morel finds the weekend activities a fun, refreshing break from her busy life at the Academy. “I love being able to go out with my friends and it’s nice not to be stuck in a dorm studying all night,” she explained. “It’s great to have more activities to get students out there.”
Her experience with the weekend activities so far has been positive. After last Saturday’s Halloween night events, she enthusiastically shared her sentiments: “The Halloween events were very fun and really got me in the spirit. The haunted house was so well put together. I think it was worth the hype.”
Prep Lydia Kuhnert has also enjoyed the events so far, emphasizing the karaoke night held early in the year. “So far my favorite weekend activity has been the karaoke night, which was super fun because it was engaging. It was a great way to bond with people because we would go up in groups,” she said. “And I’m also really looking forward to the Halloween activities.”
Lower Crane Lee added, “I think the outdoor karaoke event was the best event this year because it really let me take a break from Exeter’s stress and do something fun with my friend. I don’t think there has been a single bad event this year, from the Glo Dance to the Halloween Event. I love going to school-organized events since they really try and tailor each of these events and utilize the school’s environments to the best. I feel like the school really tries to have these small activities for the students and I really appreciate it looking out for us this way.”
Lewis voiced her suggestions for future outdoor activities, calling for backup plans in unprecedented circumstances. “The karaoke got cut short by the weather, and I think there definitely should have been a backup for continuing it indoors because it got cut too short. For events that are outside, just make sure you have a backup.”
Kuhnert enjoyed the weekend activities but noted their frequency. “I’d say that when activities do happen, they’re very fun, but the problem is they don’t happen nearly enough. At Exeter, it’s a busy lifestyle, so the weekends need to be a time to relax and de-stress. So when the administration does put on these activities, they’re super fun and they’re a great way to hang out and bond with friends, which is something that’s especially important as a prep.”
Morel asked for more reminders on upcoming weekend activities while commending the Weekend Activities Committee’s efforts for communication with the student body. “Sometimes the weekend activities emails get buried, so maybe more reminders could help,” she suggested. “But other than that, the email works. The flyers work.”
Lewis also recommended the implementation of weekend activity surveys to ensure student voices are heard. “People may be thinking of cool events that they just never tell anyone about,” she explained. Lewis believes frequent and active feedback from the student body could help improve the consistent quality of weekend activities on campus.
Since the pandemic, McGahie noted that this has been the most “normal” year for weekend activities. “The start of this year has been the most ‘normal’ start to a school year that we’ve had since prior to the pandemic. Even last year at the start of the year, there was a little bit of hesitancy about how far we can actually plan events out. Now, athletics have come roaring back and rentals of facilities have come roaring back too.”
McGahie also commented on the logistics of the upcoming Fall Formal event on Nov 2. “We decided to use Thompson Gym because there’s too much happening in Grainger. I’ve asked the DJ to come in with a light show. He is coming in with a fogger and a giant video screen. We also have a camera person this time. However, if we’re going to be in Thompson, we have to do something to create a more intimate space because it’s so big.”
Plans are also being made for the two weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas break, commonly called “Hell Weeks.” As long as the Student Activities office continues its effort, the last thing the student body should expect is a dreary weekend.
