Exonians Stay Connected From Afar

By Tina Huang, Amy Lum and Andrea Luo

This term, Exonians have had to adjust to a new digital normal, replacing in-person experiences with digital ones. Though the Academy has facilitated online course platforms, Exonians have found new methods of social connection themselves. By FaceTiming and Zooming, Exonians are making the most of available resources to keep the Exeter camaraderie alive.

Many athletes are using this time to have team exercise sessions, even though they cannot be physically together. “The lax team has been working really hard to stay connected,” upper Marymegan Wright said. “I’ve been working out a lot. Myself and a few girls on the lacrosse team work out together, which helps me stay motivated and keeps all of us in touch!”

Senior Billy Menken and his friends use Zoom to recreate their favorite activities from winter term. “For the last 20 minutes of G Format every day, Carson, Fiona, Joy and I would all end up in Elm at the same time, even though our schedules were completely different,” said Menken. Menken has replicated this experience several times.

“Meals over Messenger video with Abboteers and with my Ewald et al. buddies [have] been a lot of fun, too,” he added.

In recreating the on-campus experience, senior Cristal Reyes and her friends FaceTime daily. “Sometimes, we do homework ‘together,’” C. Reyes said. “We basically have the camera on, but we mute ourselves, so we don't distract each other. It's kind of like going to the library on the weekends!” Although C. Reyes has concerns about college next year, she hoped “everyone remembers that in a time like this, it’s important to be as supportive and to stay as connected to each other as possible!”

Social media has been significant in keeping people connected, according to lower Dorothy Baker. “Because of social media, we're all kind of connected one way or another and we never forget about each other's presence.” Students have been able to keep contact using apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, Messenger and Discord.

However, some students also noted the disparity between user activity on social media. “There seems to be a polarization of really avid social media users and those who have kind of disappeared,” upper Margaret Norsworthy said. “I’m hoping that I can keep myself from falling into the second group.”

Outside of social media, students have started playing video games in their free time. “I've been spending increased amounts of time playing Minecraft on the '22 realm,” lower Zander Chearavanont said. On the day of his interview, Chearavanont and his friends defeated the Ender Dragon, one of Minecraft’s most difficult bosses. 

Some Exonians have taken to sharing their quarantine lifestyles through Instagram. In particular, the account @quarantinecookz has gained popularity among the student body. Run by seniors Leah Cohen, Rose Coviello, Lilly Pinciaro, Tatum Schutt, Sophia Chang, Sam Weil and Carly Kirsch, the account features their culinary adventures during social distancing, taking in submissions from other Exonians to be featured on the page. 

Like many others, the seven seniors were forced to find new ways to connect with each other, one of which was sharing pictures of their home-cooked meals. “We started [the account] because we were all cooking things and sending them into our group chat, and then, I had the idea while talking to Tatum to start a cooking Instagram account for fun,” Cohen said. 

Not only has the page garnered hundreds of followers in three weeks—it has formed a supportive community of Exonians through a common love of cooking. “I think it would be accurate to say that it became the real highlight of our day to post and see our friends, family and generally just people we knew around campus praise us for our creations,” Weil said. “We are extremely supportive of our cooking endeavors with each other, to the point where it's become a bit fanatic. But I think that infectious spirit has been fun to show on Instagram and has inspired others to be creative and connected in their own homes.”

Though there is no face to face connection, showcasing daily meals and baked goods has helped to connect members of the Exeter community. “It's so fun to hype each other up in the comments of the posts, too,” Cohen said. “If you look at the comment section on any given post, all of us are commenting a bunch of emojis. Not only does it connect my little friend group, but we do fan submissions too, so when people send stuff in, we post it on our story.”

For many, this period of time has been perfect for pursuing passions—or just things they have been meaning to do. Cohen vouched for this fact. “I'll often help my mom with dinner and she'll teach me one of her recipes. It's something that we always talked about doing, but it [was] hard because I was away at school or busy with other things,” she said. “But now there is nothing else going on, so it is the perfect [time] to learn.”

Aside from Instagram, Exonians have taken to other platforms of social media such as YouTube. Menken started a YouTube channel, SeniorSpring2020, hoping to bring some joy into the lives of the Exeter community. “I’m making semi-serious, semi-funny videos to try to keep Exonians comforted and entertained. It was my best idea for keeping the Exeter community alive,” Menken explained. “I’m working on another song with a bunch of senior musicians now, so stay tuned!”

Similar to @quarantinecookz on Instagram, the channel is also taking in submissions and input from the community, allowing Exonians to stay connected in a wide variety of ways. “If anybody has any ideas for videos that they’d like to be in or not, or wants to upload a video of their own to the channel, my ears and my channel are open to all of you,” Menken said.

Though Exonians have tried to stay connected with each other, quarantine has also led students to find social connection locally—with family or neighbors.  “[It’s] basically the same as a summer at home, minus seeing my friends,” lower Izzy Reyes said. “I have plenty of food and a supportive family, so I’ve been lucky.” I. Reyes spends her free time skateboarding, painting and hanging out with her little sister. 

In Menken’s community, staying active has been a form of connection. “I go on runs and play basketball with my two older brothers. I’ve actually never seen so many neighbors in my life,” he said. “They can’t do anything outside the neighborhood, so the kids go biking and color their driveways and the adults are constantly walking around the block. We maintain our physical distance, of course, but it’s nice to say hi.”

Although video calls and texting may not replicate the on-campus experience, promoting a sense of community is the main goal. “It's been odd,” Chearavanont said. “These are strange and quiet times. I can’t really describe it.” Through it all, though, Exonians have leaned on each other.