Matt Dean '09
Exeter, NH

Leader, The Exeteras (male a capella group)
Founder, The Post-It Notes (coed a capella)
JV Boys Soccer
Concert Choir & Piano lessons
CHE 319: Accelerated Intro Chemistry with Mr. Leger

"I chose to play music that I arranged."


Matt, who is an accomplished pianist, has always enjoyed singing in groups but did not discover his talent for arranging music, which he does for three campus a capella groups, until coming to Exeter. He arranges using a piano and his laptop with software that generates sheet music. The Exeteras are in high demand during "Secret Santa & Angeling" season on campus.

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Ian Winthrop '08
Roxbury, CT

Captain, X-country & V Crew
2007 US Junior National Rowing Team
Bio 360: Biochemistry & Human Nutrition with Mrs. O'Grady
Co-Head, Swing Dance Club
HIS 486: Contemporary Middle East with Mr. Hertig

"I chose to study Biochemistry and Human Nutrition, and it's boosted my athletic performance."

Ian also opted to take a course on the Middle East because he has several family members from Israel. He takes voice lessons because he has always enjoyed singing, and his scholarship at Exeter has made it easy to pursue that interest. A competetive runner and rower, he was one of two Exonians selected for the U19 Junior National Rowing team in summer 2007.

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Alison Rittershaus '08
Trevett, ME

Latin 510: Advanced Latin Readings with Mr. Morante
School Year Abroad in Italy (2006-07)
American History Buff & Reenactor
DRAMAT Board
Mainstage Play: Arcadia

"I chose to read Plautus in Latin, and to spend a year in Italy."

Alison was inspired to study Latin when she took a course on the history of Colonial America and decided to emulate the founding fathers. She loves the language and finds Plautus' "Menaechme" laugh-out-loud funny. During 2006-07, Alison forged close bonds with her Italian host family, which delighted in demonstrating the opposite table manners to those described in the book of Italian etiquette she'd brought with her.

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JC Barcelon '08
Pasig City, Philippines

Art 444: Advanced Studio Art (2006)
Proctor & Student Listener, Ewald
ESSO
Art Club
Student Council Dorm Rep
REL 420: Intro to Philosophy with Mr. Vorkink

"I chose to see the world around me by painting it."

Painting is a long-held interest, but JC's experience in Art 444 as an upper did much to fuel that flame. JC particularly appreciated the Harkness approach to art, which combined the support of discussion and critique, and diversity of opinion with the freedom to pursue what interests him most. Painting, he says, shows us what we tend take for granted, such as the particular curve of a cheek or the range of colors in somebody's hair.

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Cathy and Lizzy McDermott '08
Houston, TX

Former nationally ranked fencers
Girls V I Crew
HIS 425: Europe 1890-1945 with Mr. Herney
Term at Ballytobin Community in Ireland (2008)
Bio 361: Marine Biology with Mr. Aaronian

"We chose to try blades we could pull through the water."

Cathy and Lizzy turned down spots on the Junior National Fencing Team to attend Exeter, where they took up rowing. During the summer of 2007 they traveled with Exeter's girls first eight to England, where they won their class at the Reading Regatta and competed, but did not prevail, at Henley. The girls will spend the winter 2008 term in Ireland as part of Exeter's program at Ballytobin, a Camphill community for the severely disabled run by Exonian Patrick Lydon '68 and his wife.

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Curtis Thomas '09
New Orleans, LA

Head, Exeter Dance Company
Dorm Proctor, Soule
FRE 220: Intermediate French with Ms. Christoph
Concert Choir & Voice lessons
Mainstage & DRAMAT Plays
MAT 220: Integrated Mathematics with Mr. Swift

"I chose to explore who I am through dance."

Having initially decided not to apply to boarding school, Curtis accepted a four-year scholarship to Exeter when Hurricane Katrina destroyed his family's home. Curtis considered changing schools to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts, but chose to stay at Exeter, where he has put down roots, made many friends and is a participant in every kind of performance. Curtis received the unusual honor of being appointed a dorm proctor his upper year.

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Naomi Funabashi '08
Phoenix, AZ

Tour Guide Extraordinaire
The Exonian board
Gold Medal, Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards
“The Last Revolution”published in Best Teen Writing 2007
REL 312: Ethics of the Marketplace with Ms. Brownback
ESSO: Homeless Helpers

"I chose to honor my mother through the power of words."

Naomi has always loved storytelling and recently published a children's book for her sister. She was especially moved when her mother decided she was old enough to hear the full story of her own experiences during the Cultural Revolution. Her mother's history became the subject of a 'Roots" paper assigned in English class her upper year, which in turn became a prizewinning essay of creative non-fiction.

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Sean Beckett '08 and Felipe Ochoa-Virijevik '09
Rochester, NY and Bogota, Colombia

SEAN (right):Humor editor, The Exonian
Ultimate Frisbee fanatic
Student Listener, Williams House
MAT 650: Selected Topics in Mathematics with Mr. Mallinson

FELIPE (left): JV Soccer
Math Club with Mr. Feng
Film buff & lover of puns
GER 110: Elementary German with Mr. Schieber

"I chose a chess partner from the other America."

Inspired by campus chess master and fellow Williams House resident Ludwig Holmstron, Sean and Felipe play at least two 5-minute games each evening. For Sean, this has provided an opportunity to re-learn a game he hadn't played since childhood. For Felipe, playing chess has been one way to make friends at his new school.

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Watch a short Flash presentation about some of these students: Many Paths to Excellence >>