Hip Hip Jorge!
Whether he’s singing in concert choir, running an economics club meeting, writing letters to deployed troops or teaching meditation practices to his friends, senior Jorge Colmenares encompasses the traits of an Exonian in the truest sense.
Colmenares came to Exeter as a new upper after his family experienced challenging financial circumstances that prohibited him from attending private school in New York City. Unsure where he would go next, he searched for a boarding school that allotted financial aid until he found Exeter. He was immediately attracted to its academically oriented atmosphere. “I always wanted [a full education] for myself,” he said. “I loved school, and I wanted to be challenged.”
For Colmenares, Exeter became a “sanctuary,” especially when his family was struggling at home. His Exeter experience has been full of different people who have fostered a comfortable environment for him. “I’ve made the best friends of my life here, and I know I couldn’t get that anywhere else,” he said. “The teachers here have been so understanding and so welcoming. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to go to.”
Concert Choir has greatly contributed to Colmenares’ experience in the Exeter community. Despite lacking formal singing experience, he auditioned and joined the group during his first term at Exeter after seeking something different from his past work with the violin. Soon, Colmenares found a second family within the singers of Concert Choir as well as with the director, music instructor Kristofer Johnson. “Mr. Johnson is absolutely amazing. He brings us all together and really creates a sense of family in the group,” Colmenares said.
“We can learn to appreciate challenges like he does, [and] we can all aspire to have Jorge’s work ethic as well.”
As the cohead of Economics Club, Colmenares also plans to study and major in economics in college. In the true spirit of non sibi, he hopes to work to create economic policies in the public sector.
Seeking to further his impact outside the Exeter community, Colmenares also leads an ESSO club called Support the Troops. The cause is near to his heart, he explained, because one of his close friends was deployed in Vietnam. Upon arriving at Exeter, he wanted to find some way to support the troops currently being deployed. Last year, senior Tom Appleton collaborated with him to revive the club, which at the time was mostly inactive. The group now meets every week to write letters and sends care packages to deployed troops around the world.
Despite his effort to take full advantage of all of Exeter’s opportunities, Colmenares also recognizes the importance of reflection and being thoughtful. Starting as a young child, he used to meditate with his mother for five minutes everyday. He enjoyed the sensation of centering himself and continues practicing it. When he was twelve, he began taking seminars and reading books about meditation before later attending a two week program that certified him as a meditation instructor in the Vedantic tradition. Though he identifies as Catholic, Colmenares said that meditating allows you to “keep things in perspective, center yourself and cultivate self awareness.” Since his certification, he has taught friends, teachers and family alike how to meditate.
Senior Moonlan Zhang, a close friend of Colmenares, noted that his teaching abilities are not limited to meditation. “I can’t count the number of times I’ve relied on him for math help or economics help or just talking to someone,” she said, adding that Colmenares is always ready to explain a concept or discuss a political issue.
Senior Alexandra Merulla suggested that his genuinely kind personality might be the reason for his teaching skills. She recalled a discussion she had with him a few days after they met in a transition math class upper year. “I could tell right away that Jorge is extremely intelligent but also a caring person who gives you all of his attention when you’re talking to him. I had a very deep conversation with Jorge in grill about our lives and our goals and fears, and he opened up to me and was very mature and thoughtful,” she said.
Zhang agreed, adding that all Exonians would benefit from following Colmenares’ lead. “We can learn to appreciate challenges like he does, [and] we can all aspire to have Jorge’s work ethic as well. Clearly Jorge is very very bright, but like many bright students who come to Exeter, he has also learned to also rely on others,” she said.
For Merullo, Colmenares is the best friend imaginable.“If you get the chance, you should take a minute to talk to Jorge because you might see him running for president some day. Jorge is kind, works hard, doesn’t give up and knows how to enjoy himself and keep everything in his life in balance. He is loving, supportive and can make you laugh—sometimes at him, sometimes with him,” she said.