Niko Amber
“I’ve never seen a person so well known by the rest of the school,” [Kang] said. “She always tries to meet new people and is very engaged with the Exeter community.”
Learning Swahili, cooking in class and discussing pan Africanism in Ghana, senior Niko Amber began to recognize how Western cynicism impacted her life. When she came back to the Academy’s campus this winter, she returned with a renewed sense of self and happiness. As the only senior who attended the program, Amber spent fall term as an ambassador at SOS-Herman Gmeiner International College in Ghana.
More than anything, her experience in Ghana taught Amber to value each aspect of her life by achieving a more holistic outlook on and off the Exeter campus. “The school in Ghana had a significant amount of work but people didn't look at everything as a life changing decision or think that if you do badly on a math test your life is over,” she said. “I think having sort of a slower pace of life where people were just genuinely more happy really helped me come back.”
Amber continued to explain how her positivity and introspection grew during fall term. “I think it was one of the biggest impacts on my time at Exeter,” she said. “I learned so much about the cultural differences between the regions because I think the US or the Western world in general generalizes the African continent.”
History instructor Kwasi Boadi, who chaperoned her in Ghana, described how capable Amber was during her term off. Reflecting on how she conducted herself, Boadi concluded that she had proven herself to be both calm and resilient. “[She is] an extremely pleasant young woman, imbued with a strong sense of purpose,” he said.
At Exeter, she has continued to maintain her clear voice and genuine character across classrooms, Democratic Club and the crew team. As Boadi playfully said––“You underestimate her at your own risk.”
Yet four years ago, when prep Amber first arrived at Exeter, she did not have any idea what she wanted to do. “I think I've changed in my four years here. I signed up for 21 clubs my prep fall club night but now, I’ve found my passions [and] I'm really happy about that,” Amber said. “In a lot of ways, I have become the person I am.”
Through the path of exploring who she is, Amber found her strength in advocacy. “I was always pretty vocal about things and people,” Amber said. “I think working through Exeter has helped me find my voice even more. I will speak up for things I believe in.”
Amber brings that unique voice to the Harkness table. After instructing Amber in his Pre-Colonial Africa history class, Boadi commended her scholarly qualities. “[She is] genuinely interested in all things African, brilliant, curious and conscientious,” he said.
Senior Alan Xie, one of Amber’s history classmates, expressed admiration for her depth of engagement and contribution. “She is very interested in history, and would consistently bring good contributions to class,” he said. “Niko is not afraid to participate and voice her opinion, and I think that she has a good presence around the table.”
Amber’s adviser, classical languages chair Nicholas Unger, also attested to her clever and caring personality. “She strikes me as an incredibly thoughtful person, well-informed about the issues of the day, whether it's the state of healthcare in this country or the state of student life on this campus,” he said. “She is always willing to engage with you with generosity of spirit and clarity of mind.”
While Ghana prohibited her from meeting the new students in Gould House during the fall term, Amber has gracefully jumped into her role as proctor during winter term. “Gould House is such a close community,” she said. “The girls are great and I love being Proctor. Even though I just came after being abroad, everyone's been really accepting of me.”
Lower and Gould House resident CarlyMae Buckner described Amber to be a supportive friend who encourages those around her to be their best self. “Niko balances the line of having fun and getting stuff done which is a great thing to have in a proctor,” she said.
In clubs, she has also managed to voice her opinions as the co-head of Democratic Club. “I don't think I knew my political allegiance before I came to this school,” Amber said. “I think Dem Club has been one of the most important clubs to me during my time here. I have learned so much and it has helped me express my opinions and also formulate my own ideas about the American political sphere.”
Senior Madison Kang described the plethora of knowledge that Amber draws on to determine her political opinions. “I sometimes sit with her at lunch and she has a wealth of knowledge about the world beyond the Exeter bubble,” she said. “While many students get caught up in campus, she also makes sure to stay informed.”
Beyond academics, Amber is also a prominent athlete on Exeter’s girls’ crew team. “I think crew is a very unique sport because it's an endurance sport but we are also working together,” she said. “I would have never rowed crew had I not attended Exeter.”
Fellow crew member upper Alayna Thomas spoke to her love of crew and impact on the larger team. “In general, she’s super funny, encouraging and welcoming to people on the crew team,” she said. “She fits in really well because of her sense of drive, which comes entirely out of team spirit. It really helps to have people who are like Niko and willing to work super hard for the team.”
Crew captain and senior Amelia Lee added how both Amber’s energy and spirit add to the team. “On and off the crew team, she is one of my best friends who always tries her hardest to be the best at what she does,” she said. “She brings her bubbly chatty energy while off the boat and translates that wildness to power when we are practicing.”
Other friends of Niko can also speak to her outgoing nature. Senior Anna Shattuck described her presence in the interactions she has on campus. “She knows how to light up a room in a way,” she said. “Niko is unique in her style and personality. She is a positive force on the Exeter community.”
Senior Gavin Sabalewski concurred, describing how Niko’s unique nature allows her to manage the strenuous nature of Exeter life. “She is unique because of her incredible ability to balance Exeter's rigorous academics with her extensive social life,” he said. “As one of the most outgoing and well-known people on campus, she can always be seen laughing with friends in the dining hall, playing music from her speaker in Grill, or cheering people on at sports games. Somehow, she still finds time to grind in the library and complete her work to the best of her ability.”
Even with her strong academics and extracurricular activities, Amber has managed to maintain strong friendships within PEA. “Niko is always there for me,” lower Sarah Pasche said. “She is honest, trustworthy and only wants what is best for her friends. She is incessantly willing to help you out when you’re feeling down.”
Kang noticed similar trends, mentioning that Amber truly stands out from a crowd due to her outgoing nature. “I’ve never seen a person so well known by the rest of the school,” she said. “She always tries to meet new people and is very engaged with the Exeter community.”
After Exeter, she will continue to pursue her passions for politics, philosophy and economics. Reflecting upon her time at the Academy, she encourages other students to do the same. “I hope people can take time to see how privileged they are at this school and take advantage of every opportunity that Exeter offers to try to find things that make them happy.”