Truly Trishna
As a little girl, four-year senior Trishna Mohite loved going to art museums. Back then, she could not explain her love for the arts; however, now at Exeter, she can confidently say that she has identified the reasons behind her passion. As an Editor-in-Chief of PEAN, Editor-in-Chief of PEAL and long-time member of Dance Company, Mohite has shown herself to be a leader in the arts here at the Academy.
When she was in middle school, Mohite was part of the yearbook club; thus, when she came to Exeter, she looked to PEAN and started as a layout associate during her prep and lower year. As an upper, Mohite worked as a layout editor and this year, she has become one of the editors-in-chief along with seniors Ariel Kim and Lily Sexton.
Mohite described her middle school yearbook experience as completely different from the one she has had at Exeter. While PEAN creates an annual “Big Book” that can range between 300 to 400 pages and a spring supplement that spans around 100 pages, the yearbooks at her old school were only about 40 or 50 pages.
“It’s a whole different level of commitment because PEAN is very student driven,” Mohite said. “It’s great to have that sort of freedom, and it has taught me real world skills; how to work as a team and how to lead one. PEAN is definitely an outlet for creativity, and [doing it] is a truly rewarding experience.”
Upper Emily LaRovere, an editor of the publication’s senior pages, complimented Mohite’s work ethic and personality in the PEAN office. She said that Mohite is a very hard worker who also manages to keep meetings fun. “Trishna is able to keep our meetings under control and helps us get our work done. She’s always smiling, even when things are stressful, and keeps a positive attitude,” LaRovere added.
Meanwhile, leading PEAL, one of the Academy’s literary publications, has had a different impact on Mohite. She said that PEAL differs “creatively” because the publication collects all genres and styles of craft: poems, short stories, recipes, cartoons or anything “really quirky.” Her work for PEAL further establishes Mohite’s influence on the arts and literary craft on campus.
Furthermore, another important component to Mohite’s presence on campus stems from her involvement with dance. Prior to arriving at the Academy, Mohite had already danced for five years, and she continues her dance career as a member of Dance Company. The most profound performance for her, Mohite said, was during her lower year: the Mahabharata, a three-hour depiction of a Sanskrit epic poem put on by student musicians, the senior acting ensemble and Dance Company.
But Mohite’s life at this school isn’t only comprised of arts-related clubs and publications. Aside from the arts, she also devotes much of her time to organizations such as the Exeter Summer Fellowship Committee, ESSO Fair Trade and McConnell Hall.
As a board member of the Fellowship Committee, alongside senior Yena Cho, Mohite helps to choose and guide five to six students a year who wish carry out a summer project of their choosing. These projects are then brought back to the Exeter community through presentations on-campus.
During the summer between her lower and upper year, Mohite went to India to carry out research on female foeticide. There, she met with doctors, politicians and a few locals to talk about the state of girls in India and prevalence of foeticide.
Mohite had first heard about the issue in middle school, when her mother was reading the newspaper and discussed it with her father. Mohite asked what it was, but didn’t realize how great the rates of foeticide in India were. Her interest in the subject didn’t fully anchor until the winter term of her lower year, when she took the HIS 264: Modern India, taught by history instructor Leah Merrill.
Since her upper year, Mohite has led ESSO Fair Trade Exeter alongside senior Stajz Saar. The club meets every week to talk about Fair Trade-related issues, and occasionally sells its products in Agora.
During her prep year, one of Mohite’s dorm mates encouraged her to join the club. At first, she had little knowledge of what the aim of the Fair Trade movement was, and instead just helped design and set up the club’s website and marketing program. But recently, the club has become a place where she can spread her own knowledge of Fair Trade’s purpose.
“[Fair Trade] is important to me because it’s something I learned about here at Exeter,” Mohite said. “It’s something I wouldn’t have done if I wasn’t here. I’ve gotten to meet local producers of Fair Trade products. I can also sell and research products and bring it back to the Exeter community.”
In the context of the club, Saar described Mohite as a natural leader. “Trishna’s organized and driven, and brings that [attitude] to every Fair Trade meeting and event. She’s one of the hardest workers I know and I truly admire her work ethic,” Saar said.
But that isn’t all. In McConnell Hall, Saar said that Mohite is a “stellar proctor” and a supportive influence. “You can always count on her to add some laughter into your day with a sassy comment,” Saar added. “Even when she has a lot of work, she stays positive, and on those nights where we’re both up late trying to get things done, she keeps me motivated and on task.”
“Since my prep year, I remember Trishna being a hilarious and vibrant part of McConnell and my advisory,” upper Julia Friberg said. “She’s always a friendly face in the hallways. Her vivacious personality makes advisory so much fun and I can count on her to always have a genuine smile. McConnell is so lucky to have her.”
History instructor Michael Golay has known Mohite since her prep year, but said that fundamentally, she hasn’t changed. She has remained that “good student, a serious scholar” and someone who has always had that “lively, playful side.” He also described Mohite as being “edgy in a very appealing way,” and as “independent and assertive.”
“Trishna is a big presence in the dorm and always has been,” Golay said. “She’s a really good proctor, reliable, consistent and she shows initiative. She’s been helpful to me when I’ve asked her to take the lead in discussing touchy topics in advisee meetings.”
Golay also added that Mohite’s “Dubsmash” videos are worth a watch, calling them “clever and wacky and very, very funny.”
Senior and fellow proctor in McConnell Hall Olivia Reed started her appreciation for Mohite with a memory. She recalled how they had worked on the 333 last spring, setting up shop in the common room and chugging out the research and writing together. “Trishna was so focused and an excellent co-worker during the arduous writing process. She stayed upbeat despite the challenges,” Reed said.
Reed added that Mohite brings the same care to her other roles as PEAN, PEAL and dorm proctor. “In the dorm she is kind, sassy, funny and bringing good energy to her duty night and dorm events, often entertaining everyone with a ‘question of the night’,” Reed said. “To work with her as my fellow proctor is always a joy because she has creative ideas. She looks out for the girls in the dorm and is an excellent contributor to our proctor team.”
For Mohite, McConnell has been one of the most important things about her time here at Exeter. There, she’s created friendships that have exposed her to new interests and clubs.
“I’m an only child, so when I came in prep year it was like having a group of sisters,” Mohite said. “I was very lucky to have the girls in my grade get very close, and with the faculty, the dorm experience has been amazing.”