Baxter in the Boat
To call senior Ashley Baxter outgoing would be a tremendous understatement. During her time at Exeter, Baxter has served as head of The Exonian’s Business Board, raised the most money towards Relay for Life to date, coxed the girls’ varsity crew team for past three years and hosted a charity walk for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention that raised nearly ten times the expected goal. Baxter has repeatedly demonstrated leadership and selflessness throughout her Exeter career.
When describing Baxter, former roommate and close friend senior Lily Sexton said, “Ashley was my roommate my prep year, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that experience. Not only did she make my adjustment to Exeter easier and more manageable, but she also taught me a lot about what it means to be a true friend. Regardless of the hour of the day or the geographical distance between us, Ashley was always there for me.”
Known for her charismatic personality, being a supportive friend is only one of Baxter’s many notable traits. Her crew coach, classics instructor Sally Morris said, “Ashley’s personality has a wonderful mixture of intensity and humor. She also is unflaggingly loyal, sympathetic, quick thinking and full of energy.” It is her distinct energy and intensity that enables her to accomplish everything Baxter does alongside a rigorous Exonian workload.
Looking back on how Exeter has helped shape her as a person Baxter said, “Between Relay and my walk for suicide prevention, I was really inspired by the community and their willingness to take action. In both cases, we raised more than we could have hoped for, and for that, I am grateful.”
These events have taught Baxter responsibility and what it means to be dedicated to make a change. “I am proud of how we could come together in both instances and fight for something that means something to all of us as a community.”
Baxter was inspired to arrange a suicide prevention walk due to the people she has lost from suicide in her life. Ashley believed that the community would benefit from a fundraiser to raise awareness of the pressing issue in today’s society. On a sunny day in Portsmouth a group of Exonians walked in solidarity, raising over $3000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
But Baxter’s role as a leader extends even farther than just her work with the Relay and suicide prevention walk.
Making the girls’ second boat in her lower year, Baxter served as a coxswain, a highly competitive position for the varsity team. Before coming to Exeter, Baxter had already accomplished in crew, awarded best novice coxswain by the Marin boat club.
For Baxter to be the valuable leader she is on the team, she emphasized the importance of trust between teammates.
“Eight girls accelerate backwards in a boat the length of a school bus and a half as I steer with a rudder barely larger than a credit card,” she said. “I need to not only keep them safe, but lead them to the finish line.”
Baxter went on to say that “it is impossible to win without each and every girl working for the rower in front of them. I am constantly amazed by the girls on my team and their strength and dedication.” When those boats come ready to race, Ashley’s teammates have to put their faith in her to make decisive and necessary decisions to win races. Baxter said, “It is trust in each other that creates a winning crew. This trust also made it possible for me to make such great friends through these four years.”
Regarding Baxter’s impact on the boat Morris said, “as soon as she arrived, she fit into the varsity mix and worked really well with the older girls on the team. Now as a senior and a coxswain, she is a natural leader, encouraging her rowers to challenge themselves to be as strong and fast as possible.”
Needless to say, Baxter’s kind and motivational persona will be greatly missed next year along with the many activities she manages for the Exeter community. “I can’t think of anyone more genuinely passionate and considerate than Ashley. Whether it’s in or out of crew, she dedicates herself wholeheartedly to everything she does and cares deeply about everyone she interacts with,” senior Mahesh Kumar said.
Whether she’s on the water or in the dorm, Baxter hasn’t failed to make an impact on the people around her. Sexton said, “I know I can rely on her for anything, whether it be a dancing buddy, a caring listener or even a Stillwells friend, and for that I am extremely grateful. As we graduate this spring, I have complete faith that Ashley will remain one of my dearest friends throughout my life.”
Contributions from Jacqueline Cho