Whether it’s breaking PRs in the pool, running Red Cross and raising funds, playing the guitar, or doing a little extra research on biology and physiology, Zheng’s positivity can bring a smile to anyone’s face, and he’s always checking in to make sure everyone is doing okay.

On a chilly, gray November day, students rush between classes, eyes cast down at their phones. Some are surprised to hear their name jovially called by Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez, fist-bumping each Exonian he comes across. Whether the Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion is at his residence in Soule Hall, his workplace in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, or walking the paths of the Academy, he carries with him a certain warmth. To many students, Pajaro-Mariñez is not just a familiar face but a reassuring presence as a guiding and trustworthy mentor.

Four weeks in advance: bright posters pinned to bulletin boards across campus. Two days prior: a schoolwide email from Music Department Administrator Barbara Darby alerting students to an upcoming concert. Five minutes left: murmurs echoing throughout The Bowld, the last few spectators hurrying into the building and in urgent search of a seat. As the seconds dwindle to none, the lights begin to dim, and the performers stride into the space. Despite early reminders to shut off phones, the temptation is irresistible: camera lights, in poor secrecy, radiate from the audience. With a flurry of the conductor’s wrist, the ensemble on stage launches into motion, music trickling into the air.

“I believe it is one of the highest callings to be a writer.” On Jan. 23, 2026, Tega Oghenechovwen stood on the makeshift assembly stage in Love Gym. Looking out into a crowd of students and faculty, Oghenechovwen described the importance of writing as a vehicle for social change and read aloud from his book of short stories.

On Jan. 20, 2026, news outlets and communities nationwide reflected on the one-year anniversary of United States President Donald J. Trump’s second term in office. Over the past 12 months, the country has been gripped by a number of political advances unprecedented in scale. At the turn of the new year, headlines buzzed with the news of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces.

The year is 2026, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is omnipresent. It fills up the top of your screen when you make a Google search. Your grandparents send it to you, accompanied by laughing emojis. You find it, ironically, in signage for the school’s latest art exhibition, and tucked between the pages of this very publication.

In March 2025, Arctic winter sea ice reached its lowest maximum extent since satellite records began 47 years ago. Climate change is warming up the Arctic, and with it comes increasingly efficient Arctic shipping lanes and access to rare resources. As a response to Russia’s growing footprint in the region, Trump has grown vocal in his advocacy for the acquisition of Greenland.

In Exeter, Shaw’s Aisle seven hides my favorite place in town. It’s where I can find Lao Gan Ma, bubble tea, and hot pot soup base. My fading identity, among the dining hall macaroni and cheese and burgers, is being revitalized through the expanding Chinese food industry in America.

What makes a good teacher? Well, ‘good’ can be defined in many ways. A teacher who is kind but a harsh grader may be a good teacher to some. However, others could prefer an easy grader who yells at students in class. Sure, there are core values that teachers should have, like having their students’ best interests in mind, being passionate about their subjects, and being engaging. But these things are already found in most of the teachers here at Exeter; they are all passionate about what they do, even if they express it in different ways.

From the moment the first ball is struck against the wall to the cordial handshake between opponents at the end of the match, squash is a game of high-intensity, quick reflexes, and strategic mental strategy. Although the players are by themselves, confined within the walls of the court, the team does not win the match with one player.

Phillips Exeter Academy should not institute Saturday classes on the weekend that follows Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Academy dismisses the academic significance of our Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming by instituting these classes.

On Saturday, Jan. 17, Big Red boys varsity hockey opened its winter E/A slate with a statement win, defeating Andover 4–1 at the Exeter Rink. “I could definitely feel a different level of excitement and a different level of focus from the players,” Sean O’Brien, head coach of boys varsity hockey, said.

On Saturday, Jan. 24, the varsity wrestling team competed against Phillips Andover Academy, Brooks School, and Belmont Hill, securing a win for Brooks School but ultimately losing to Belmont and Andover. The team first competed against Andover, but rather than letting that loss beat them down, they came back stronger.

Exeter has long been plagued by the problem of boring assemblies. For many, scurrying back to their dorm or hiding in a bathroom stall is a weekly ritual done to escape the cold and echoey walls of the Thompson Gym. Of course, it’s no easy task to find speakers who appeal to Exeter’s broad student body. For the past week, I’ve been searching for speakers who can fill this void.

The snow day we’d been dreaming about for nine years finally arrived — and ended just as fast. There’s still a foot of snow on the meadows and slush on the paths, but everyone’s back in class, pretending we didn’t just spend 24 hours living in a different universe.

On Jan. 20, 2026, news outlets and communities nationwide reflected on the one-year anniversary of United States President Donald J. Trump’s second term in office. Over the past 12 months, the country has been gripped by a number of political advances unprecedented in scale. At the turn of the new year, headlines buzzed with the news of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces.