Community Reflects on Groundhog Day

By JILLIAN CHENG and EILENA DING

On Sunday, Feb. 2, the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow during the 139th annual Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, predicting six more weeks of winter. 

Every year on Feb. 2, Groundhog Day occurs in both Canada and the United States of America as a tradition to determine the remaining duration of the current winter. Punxsutawney Phil emerges from the ground, and if he sees his shadow, the winter is extended by six weeks. If he doesn’t, it is said that spring will come early. 

While most students didn’t believe that Punxsutawney Phil actually had the ability to predict the length of winter, many associated the holiday with fond childhood memories.

Prep Alex Eggers reflected, “I think a lot of people kind of worship the groundhog, which I think is very comedic, especially watching it on TV, and seeing people hold up the groundhog and cheer for it.” Eggers added that, “I think it’s definitely humorous, but I definitely wouldn’t say I believe in the concept of there being six more weeks of winter if the groundhog sees its shadow, but I think many children and families enjoy it.”

Prep Isabella Orellano shared a similar view. “When I was younger, I vividly remember watching the groundhog on TV every year because it was always close to my birthday, so the holiday definitely reminds me of childhood memories.” 

However, Orellano noted, “I don’t think the tradition is true. I do think it’s a lot of fun seeing if the groundhog will predict six more weeks of winter, and it’s just a lighthearted holiday.”

After hearing of Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions, students of the Academy had various opinions. Senior Chinasa Nwankwo explained, “I don’t think that Punxsutawney Phil actually has an effect on the length of winter, so I don’t really feel affected by his prediction.” 

Eggers shared a similar view, “I don’t really believe that the groundhog can predict if there will be six more weeks of winter, but based on the current weather conditions, I think it’s very possible it’ll be a longer winter.” 

Orellano added, “I really hope it’s not six more weeks of winter because I don’t think I can handle six more weeks of this.”

In light of Groundhog Day, the students of the Academy reflected on the recent waves of snow hitting Exeter. Many students found that the frosty campus was adding to the fatigue from the tiring course load. 

“It’s very tiring to kind of wake up to the same dreary, dark conditions every day. It can definitely plunge my mood a little bit, but I think it also inspires me to have a more positive attitude because you just have to keep on going and keep doing your daily activities even if you don’t want to go outside and experience the cold and snow.” Eggers said. 

Orellano added, “I don’t think the snowy campus is terrible, but I like having warm weather a lot better because I live in Florida and I’m not used to the cold or the snow at all. So it’s fun at first, but then it gets tiring.”

However, Phil’s predictions did not sway the facilities management department. “We’re ready for it,” was how Director of Campus Safety Paul Gravel responded when asked about his opinions on the groundhog predicting six more weeks of winter. “Bring it on.” 

Senior Manager for Buildings and Grounds Jeff Plimpton, like many students, was also skeptical. “I don’t put much faith in Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions.”

While Phil’s prediction is arbitrary, the recent winter storm hitting New Hampshire is real. At the Academy, campus safety and facilities management work together around the clock to keep the snowy conditions and extreme weather at bay. “We anticipate ice and snow coming in, and because campus safety is 24/7, the officers on the midnight shift make the call to [facilities management] to give them an idea of when they should be coming in,” Gravel explained. “They’ll come in usually around 5:45 AM and start clearing the sidewalks. They have a schedule, so the dormitories and the classroom buildings are the first to get cleared out, and then they work their way to faculty housing and the children’s centers.”

“I am not a fan of snow removal,” Plimpton admitted. “Our grounds staff often arrives on campus at 5 a,m. for snow removal, so that is an early wake-up call and not the most fun way to start your day.”

As essential personnel, the winter weather cannot deter workers of campus safety and facilities management. “We just make arrangements to get in, how and whatever way we can,” Gravel said. Campus safety and facilities management workers dedicate themselves to their jobs even with the extreme weather and their own personal lives. “On days where it’s snowing or we get six inches, eight inches…we have to dig their families out too,” Gravel continued.  

To preserve the students’ personal safety, Plimpton recommended proper winter outerwear.  “It can affect students’ safety so much that students should be aware of the weather and conditions out on campus. Wearing appropriate footwear is always recommended and will certainly help students navigate campus.”

Gravel agreed.  “[Students] are not outside that long, but wear [proper footwear] with treads on them so you don’t fall. My advice would be to just dress accordingly and wear layers.” He also recommended students stay off the ice at the Squamscott River. “We don’t wanna see an accident and we don’t want anybody to get hurt. So I really encourage us students to stay off the river and by the boathouse.”

Plimpton concluded, “Having the right attitude is the best way to deal with anything you are not particularly fond of. Some winters are mild and some more severe. I’d say plan for the worst and be thankful for the milder winters.”

Whether or not students believe in the prediction of Punxsutawney Phil, many are tired of the dreary winter days and abundant snowfall. However, thanks to the hard work of facilities management and campus safety, students can enjoy the snow as a luxury instead of a danger.