Ben Harrison
Exonians probably noticed him playing melodic tunes on his bagpipes at fall E/A. Maybe they know him as a co-head of the Feminist Union. Perhaps they have read stories to younger children with him in ESSO Main Street School Classroom Helpers. They might have read some of his articles in Matter Magazine, Exeter’s science publication. Or maybe Exonians know him simply from the warm smiles and cheerful greetings he shares with them when he passes them on the paths.
Senior Ben Harrison attended public school in rural Virginia before coming to Exeter as a new lower. After a riveting summer course at Brown University and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Harrison considered a boarding school education. He found Exeter to be vastly different from his previous educational environments. “Exeter has amazing academics, small classes, great facilities and the Harkness method. People enjoy having discussions outside of class. Everyone really wants to learn,” Harrison said. “It’s really all that you could want in a high school.”
“Ben is generous, open, humorous, exudes integrity and has an acute sense of his citizenry,” Perdomo said. “My fondest memory of Ben will be duty nights. He usually stops by to to have a conversation about college, writing sonnets, difficulty with a math problem, photography, Fem Club or ALES.”
Despite the initial academic and social challenges of coming to Exeter as a new lower, Harrison quickly found his place in the community and learned how to maintain a healthy balance between the numerous activities he pursues. He discovered a passion for astrophysics last year through the three astronomy courses he took with Science Instructor John Blackwell. “Ben is a serious, friendly, amicable soul,” Blackwell said. “He worked diligently as a student and was a real leader in class with his thoughtful approaches to sharing solutions to difficult material.” Harrison plans to major in astrophysics in college.
Harrison brings this passion for listening and leading to the extracurricular activities he participates in. Having grown up in a predominantly white, Republican neighborhood, Harrison found Exeter’s social diversity to be an exciting change. It deepened his interest in social issues, which he explored by frequenting club meetings at Exeter, including the Republican Club, the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and the Afro-Latinx Exonian Society (ALES). “Issues just came up in conversation and everyday life, so I thought I should probably know more about them,” he explained. “Everyone has a role, whether they realize it or not. It’s important to educate yourself on what your position is, what role you have and how you can utilize that.”
Harrison became especially involved with Exeter’s Feminist Union, and he now serves as the club’s first-ever male co-head. He hopes that his leadership will set an example to the rest of the community that feminism is not a female-only movement. To him, the definition of feminism is simple: “not discriminating against people based on their gender or sex.” He spoke of previous efforts he had made to boost interest and attendance amongst male Exonians. “I want to make [the club] broader, more intersectional and more accessible to everyone. I want to personally learn more so I can be a better ally in the dorm and other all-male spaces where women might not have a voice,” Harrison said.
Another factor that encouraged Harrison’s interest in feminism was his own family environment. Harrison grew up very close with his mother and sister, whose frequent discussions of feminist issues provided him with greater insight on those topics from an early age. He believes his mother’s courage and guidance has been a particularly unparalleled source of support in his life. “My mom is definitely the number-one person I look up to. Being a single mother, she had to fill a lot of roles, but she’s done it and here I am. I don’t know how she made it,” he said.
It was through the combined support of his mom and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation that Harrison had the opportunity to pursue such a breadth of interests. In his freshman year of high school, he began learning how to play the bagpipes, an instrument he was drawn to because of its beautiful and unique sound. He has continued to play instruments throughout his time at Exeter and has performed in the marching band, the Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band. Harrison recently began practicing the trumpet, another instrument he admires and has long wanted to play.
Anyone who watched senior Ori Evans’ most recent PEA CRIBZ video on Facebook, which features Harrison’s interior room design, knows he also bears a gifted eye for creative art and visual detail. “As far as designs go, this has got to be pretty up there. I haven’t seen anything like this before,” senior and co-host Abel Ngala said in the video as he pointed out an expansive mosaic of record album covers, intricate wall designs and adjustable colored lights. Harrison’s artistic pursuits reach beyond interior design and into studio art. He is looking forward to taking a photography course in his senior spring.
Apart from his wide range of passions and willingness to learn something new, Harrison is most known and appreciated for his strong and compassionate character that often serves as a comfort to those who know him. “Ben truly sets the standard for non sibi. He is always extremely considerate of everyone around him. There is always a positive vibe when Ben is around,” senior Lucas Stevens said.
Harrison’s adviser and English Instructor William Perdomo expressed similar sentiments. “Ben is generous, open, humorous, exudes integrity and has an acute sense of his citizenry,” Perdomo said. “My fondest memory of Ben will be duty nights. He usually stops by to to have a conversation about college, writing sonnets, difficulty with a math problem, photography, Fem Club or ALES.”