Mak Orafidiya

In his time at the Academy, senior Makinrola Orafidiya has chosen to reach past his comfort zone. Through his mission to meet youth from every quarter, Orafidiya has made lifelong friends and discovered himself along the way. “I’ve learned to be open to meeting new people,” Orafidiya said. “I never feel tied down … When you do that, you're limiting yourself.” This readiness to form bonds with others has enabled Orafidiya to garner the love of his peers and instructors.Instructor in Health and Human Development Brandon Thomas has noticed Orafidiya’s ability to reach out to others. “I appreciate Mak because he is one student who always asks me how I am doing,” he said. “I think how easily he connects with others is special. His attitude enables others to feel comfortable around him easily.”Orafidiya’s genuine kindness makes him stand out amongst his peers. “I would say Mak has one of the most contagious laughs ever known, the voice of a king while hitting all of Ariana Grande’s high notes and a heart of gold,” senior Myra Collins said. “I know that whenever I am at my best or lowest moments, Mak has my back and will support me no matter what.”Orafidiya’s eagerness to step outside his bubble transcends interpersonal relationships; he has plunged himself into an array of extracurriculars revolving around journalism. In previous years, Orafidiya participated in Journalism for Human Rights and served as a sports editor for The Exonian. Orafidiya received his sports editor position unexpectedly, having applied to be a news editor. However, the editor quickly discovered his love for the sports section. “That was probably one of the best positions I held on campus,” he said. “Being a sports editor for The Exonian was both a humbling experience and an exciting [one]. The best thing about it was that I was able to edit with people who eventually became some of my closest friends here.” In addition to journalism clubs, Orafidiya has an active interest in voice. Having come to Exeter from the American Boychoir School, he has been a member of concert choir for all four years, and currently sings in Gli Scalatori, the premiere vocal chamber group on campus. “I’ve really seen myself grow, and I’ve also seen the choir grow over this four year period,” Orafidiya said. There were hard moments, when Orafidiya struggled with feelings of insecurity as his voice changed. Orafidiya credits Gli Scalatori for helping him rediscover his voice. “There are only two singers in the tenor section. It’s such a small group––your voice is so important,” he said. “You really have to know what you’re singing and have faith that you and the other singers are going to do their job so that you can produce a good [sound].” Singers in Gli Scalatori describe Orafidiya as a reliable partner. “I've known Mak as a singer since middle school, and his sparkly voice shines in the group, as it always has,” upper Orion Bloomfield said. “He is a leader in sight-reading, personality, cheerfulness and all the works.” Though he has continued his pursuit of classical music, Orafidiya has an equal passion for more contemporary tunes. “I’ve always been attracted to [solo performance] because everyone has some different way they express themselves, whether it be through writing, art, whatever that may be,” he said. “I’ve always been able to best express myself through my music and through my singing.”What may be surprising to many, however, is Orafidiya’s initial fear of performing solo. “I didn’t trust myself, and I didn’t trust that people would like to hear me singing,” he said of his prep and lower year. Upper year was when he took a leap of faith, performing at Evening Prayer with seniors Reina Matsumoto and Adrian Kyle Venzon. The positive feedback he received encouraged him to perform at another Evening Prayer session in his senior year. “[My own Evening Prayer] was probably one of my favorite performances of my career … Afterwards, peers––and even people I didn't know––came up to me and raved about how good it was,” he shared. “One person even told me that I sounded like an angel, which was really sweet.” With this newfound confidence, Orafidiya plans to continue singing in college. Venzon notes that music has brought him and Orafidiya closer as friends. “[Evening Prayer] was an amazing experience, making music together,” he recalled. “Also, having roomed with Mak for both chamber orchestra and concert choir trips––to California and London––I've gotten to know what he’s like when we’re not surrounded by Exeter. He's kind, caring and thoughtful.” In addition to music, Orafidiya has also embarked on a journey of self-discovery in dance. “A.J. Willard and I were the first male members of Poms, the ‘cheerleading’ group that performs at pep rallies,” he said. “Most of the dance groups aren’t gendered in any way, but a lot of them are predominantly female … I was able to do something that broke boundaries, but it was extremely terrifying because I thought I was going to get judged, ridiculed or laughed at.” In overcoming this fear, he discovered a new activity that he has come to love.With three weeks of senior year remaining, Orafidiya reflects on the invaluable lessons that Exeter has given him. “When I stepped on campus, it felt right to be here, and it felt like I belonged here. I’ve done things I would never have done anywhere else,” he said.