Mac Perry

With his perpetual grin and aura of approachability, senior Mac Perry has a fire inside him that has driven him to succeed on the lacrosse team, in the classroom, in the dorm and as a leader. For his freshman year, Perry attended a prep school where he was a day student, but he desired something more satisfying both in and out of the classroom. When the lacrosse coaches at Exeter noticed Perry and convinced him to apply to the school, he came in as a repeat prep and immediately knew he had made the right decision. He was drawn in by the notion of discussion-based learning. He said, “The Harkness table allows you to verbally process and interpret the information in class, as it helps you to understand things on a greater level by shaping and boosting how you think critically.” Perry’s drive to always do more, learn more and be more, is what makes him stand out at Exeter. He’s been a member of the MLK Day Committee planning board since his sophomore year. On the board, he plans MLK day events every January, where students go to workshops to discuss social issues that are important at Exeter, an environment that thrives on diversity. Being a part of the MLK planning board and the Exeter community has given Perry a dose of perspective.

“He’s someone that I plan to keep in touch and be very close friends with even after Exeter.”

However, not only does Perry work toward increasing awareness of social issues, he is passionate about aiding the environment. After attending the Student Global Leadership Institute in Hawaii this past summer, Perry, along with two other seniors and faculty members, will be planning to implement a program in the spring, where native trees will be planted all around Exeter’s campus. Perry said, “Trees were chopped down because of the new music building, theater and field house, but Exeter has always been known for its greenery. Many of the faculty in the science department and students like me were alarmed, so I decided to help out and work toward planting more native trees on campus, which reduces our carbon footprint.” This is a true testament to Mac’s drive for contributing to Exeter and giving back to the community.Mac, one of the current captains of the lacrosse team, has been playing lacrosse ever since the second grade and has been a leader on and off the field. Mac describes lacrosse not only as a sport, but as a “motivation to give it my all whether in the weight room or in the classroom” and an “experience that has taught me the value of hard work.” Mac remembers his most memorable experience in lacrosse like it happened yesterday: The score was 7-7 in the tight E/a lacrosse game last year, and the final seconds were ticking away. Pery was determined to take the win, despite the fact that Andover had been the number one team in New England the previous year. In an outstanding defensive effort, Exeter took possession of the ball, and the lacrosse team soared across the field to make the final goal. At the whistle, Exeter’s lacrosse team had overpowered Andover to win 8-7, and underneath the celebratory dogpile was Perry.Perry’s dorm experience has been one of the most gratifying experiences for him. As a proud Wentworth Bull, Perry spends a large chunk of time in the dorm, connecting with the new preps or hanging out with everyone in the basement. Prep Nivan Dhir said, “Mac has made me feel like I’ve been part of the dorm as long as he has, because he has been approachable and welcoming.” Additionally, one of his best friends, senior Quintin DiStefano said, “Once I got on campus prep fall, he immediately became my friend. Being able to waste time effectively with someone really brought me close. Without him, I’m afraid my experience would have been a lot duller. He’s someone that I plan to keep in touch and be very close friends with even after Exeter.” Perry also keeps in touch with the graduated seniors who he was close with, as he has realized Wentworth itself is a huge society of people including those who have left their legacy from before. Fittingly, Perry is looking to study government and environmental science, as he “wants to do something that will help other people feel good, as aiding others is what motivates me.”