Head Tour Guide - ��Ƶ

Ben Wilson

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:29:36 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
I am a member of the varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball teams, which I have participated in during each athletic season during my time at ��Ƶ. Additionally, I play bass guitar for the Jazz Workshop and Vocal Jazz and Pop Ensemble. I love to dip my feet in everything ��Ƶ has to offer, because the freedom of choice in terms of extracurriculars helps students find their passions.

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
I chose ��Ƶ because of how easy it is to engage in each of my interests, no matter how different they may be. Coming into high school, I wasn’t sure whether or not I could continue music and sports at the same time. However, it soon became clear that with ��Ƶ’s strong value of well-roundedness, I would be able to pursue a variety of activities throughout the entire school year. As I have progressed through my time as a student, I have only discovered more opportunities to try new things, with the full support of student and faculty communities.

Advice to prospective students?
My advice to prospective students is to enjoy each step of your journey. I often find myself anticipating the future, and in turn, not appreciating the moment I am in. Since I learned this lesson, I strive to be more present and engaged every day, and I think that it is valuable to practice this early on.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ:
This past basketball season, a moment that made me feel extremely at home in ��Ƶ was during our end-of-season team dinner. During this shared meal, I looked around and reflected on the sense of brotherhood my teammates and I had fostered during our time together. Whether during a tough practice or after a win or a tough loss, my peers had always stuck together and supported another. To conclude this dinner, our senior captains shared a speech about their time and growth on the team, and both shed tears as they spoke. This reveals how comfortable and expressive this small community within ��Ƶ was, and I felt extremely grateful to be valued and seen by my captains.

What is your favorite activity at ��Ƶ and why?
Currently, my favorite pastime is playing hacky sack with friends during my free periods. Due to the sudden resurrection of this “sport” in high schools across the country, the ��Ƶ community has certainly embraced the trend, as I find small hacky sack circles across campus each day. I love how each circle welcomes students to join and play along with open arms, and some groups even hold more competitive sessions to challenge themselves as a team. It has become a great way to spend time outdoors with friends, or even just to pass time during school breaks.

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Zeke Spector

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:27:42 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
I am a tech crew mentor for ��Ƶ’s winter mainstage production, as well as a member of Chess Club and Linguistics Club. I am also a student representative on the Council for Community Life (a committee of students and faculty that observes and works to improve ��Ƶ’s social norms).

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
One of the main reasons I chose ��Ƶ was the academic freedom the school offers. I was intrigued by the variety of course offerings at ��Ƶ, and I loved that ��Ƶ gives students the freedom to take classes that interest them across all four years in almost every subject. I also loved the atmosphere of community I felt from current students at the time, as practically everyone I met who attended ��Ƶ was incredibly friendly and welcoming to me.

What is your favorite activity at ��Ƶ and why?
I love the photography darkroom. There is something both so satisfying and relaxing about developing and printing film, a joy I never would have discovered without ��Ƶ. There is a magical feeling to watching images that I created appear on the light-sensitive paper. I have to recommend that, if you have the opportunity, you give film photography a chance.

Favorite class you’ve taken at ��Ƶ and why?
U.S.: Utopias is one of ��Ƶ’s mid-level history courses in which we learn about 19th-century “Utopian” (and usually communist) experiments in the United States. The class first covers the founding of the U.S. itself, then dives into individual utopias. The class culminates in a big, multilayered project in which groups research a specific utopian community. At the end of the semester, the class hosts a Utopias Expo, where groups pitch their utopia to relatives and other members of the ��Ƶ community. Groups must dress like members of their utopia, have food from their utopia, have a physical 3D representation of their utopia, and much more.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ:
One rainy day in December, my 9th grade year, my friends and I were looking for something to do during lunch. We decided to run through the downpour to a local Concord grocery store and get two gingerbread house sets. We brought them back to ��Ƶ and had a gingerbread house-making competition while blasting music in the student lounge. In that moment I knew I was in the right place, with people I love to hang out with in a place that supports our random, creative adventures.

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Jamal Pandey

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:24:30 +0000

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
I chose ��Ƶ for its very welcoming community for me to transition into from such a small middle school, and not having to worry about grades in relation to peers (for example: valedictorian/salutatorian, top or bottom of class) in order to be able to focus on my own grades and goals. I also really appreciated how kind and open faculty members were right off the bat, even though they didn’t even know who I was as a prospective student.

Favorite class you’ve taken at ��Ƶ and why?
My favorite class has to be Applied Algebra with Precalculus taught by George Larivee, because being taught by a teacher who enjoys what he does so much makes the class so much more enjoyable. I’ve grown to prioritize math and love it so much because this one teacher has made it so amazing to experience.

What is your favorite boarding memory or tradition?
My favorite boarding tradition is the house competitions that we have on Wednesdays, because they bring a sort of competitive atmosphere to the boarding community. The rewards at the end of the year from the winning house make it so fun and something to look forward to while trying to be the top house for the year.

Advice to prospective students?
Be your true self. ��Ƶ is a school that values a person for what makes them them. Don’t think about whether or not you come off as authentic, because that’s where you lose yourself, so just go with the flow and trust everything to fall into place.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ:
I remember all through 9th grade fall, I would often contemplate whether or not I should do wrestling or basketball. I wasn’t good at either, but when I made the choice to wrestle, the upperclassmen and 10th graders on my team made me enjoy this chance so much and proved the truth of what it means to be on a team at ��Ƶ.

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Ray’Hannah Mendez

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:22:40 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
At ��Ƶ, I am involved in both leadership and community-centered activities. I serve as junior class president and am also a social lead in my boarding house, a member of the disciplinary committee, and an orientation leader. Beyond leadership, I am a member of the girls varsity cross-country team, Sensational: Dance Club, and Umoja: Black Student Union, and I am actively involved in ��Ƶ's theater and dance programs. I also play guitar and piano. Additionally, I serve on the All-School Campaign for the Annual Fund.

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
I chose ��Ƶ because it felt like a place I could truly grow into myself. The pass/no-credit 9th grade fall system especially stood out to me because it encourages students to take risks, try new things, and understand that failure is part of learning rather than something to fear. The strong student-faculty relationships stood out to me as genuine; ��Ƶ has teachers that care about students as people, not just academically. When I first visited campus, it felt like a breath of fresh air. ��Ƶ is challenging without being overly strict, which creates an environment where students are trusted with independence and flexibility while still being pushed to work hard. And this goes down to the mascot, the Chameleon, because it represents adaptation, change, and becoming who you truly are. That idea of evolving in a supportive environment is what made ��Ƶ feel like the right place for me.

What is your favorite activity at ��Ƶ and why?
I love to draw at ��Ƶ. I love just walking into the studio, sitting down, and creating something entirely my own, whether it is a quick sketch or a more detailed piece. I did not come to ��Ƶ with the slightest idea that I would be drawing in my free time, but I took an art class not knowing what to expect, and now genuinely look forward to late-night studio sessions. What makes these moments even more special is the atmosphere. A bunch of students gather, play music, and talk about anything and everything. Those nights feel creative, relaxed, and deeply connected, and they have become some of my favorite memories at ��Ƶ.

What is your favorite boarding memory or tradition?
One of my favorite boarding memories at ��Ƶ has been participating in house competitions. Whether it is baking competitions, lip syncs, or dance battles, those events always bring so much energy and personality out of everyone. I love how competitive people get while still having fun and supporting each other.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ.
One moment where I really knew I belonged at ��Ƶ was during the Winterfest talent show. My friends and I choreographed a dance and performed it in front of the school, which was so incredibly exciting and a little nerve-racking at first. What made the experience so meaningful was the support from the entire community. People were genuinely cheering us on and supporting us in such a positive way. In that moment, my 9thvgrade year, I felt really seen and supported, It made ��Ƶ feel like a place where people show up for each other, celebrate creativity, and genuinely take joy in one another’s efforts.

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Maelle McWhinney

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:22:26 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
In addition to being a head tour guide, I am also a head orientation leader, co-head of Canoe Club, and member of Outdoors and Feminist Literature Clubs. For performing arts, I am a part of Chorus, ��Ƶ Singers, Cabaret (a student-led musical theater singing group), and our mainstage productions. I also play soccer and varsity tennis.

What is your favorite activity at ��Ƶ and why?
My favorite ��Ƶ activity is probably Club Expo. In the first two weeks of school, we have an event where every single club, of which there are many, creates a table to promote themselves to the new students. There’s music, and each club sells themed food, items, or activities to raise funds for the year. It’s an amazing start to the year and a really fun way of helping everyone get to know the school a bit better.

Favorite class you’ve taken at ��Ƶ and why?
My favorite class that I’ve taken so far is Black Mirrors: The Self as a Social Construct from the fall of my junior year. In this class, we spent almost the entire semester digging into a graphic memoir called Persepolis that follows a young girl and her experience growing up in post-revolution Iran. The novel included themes of crisis, identity, displacement, and the influence that others have on our sense of self. Although heavy, the discussions we had in this class truly changed both the way I approach analysis and my worldview for the better.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ.
Although there are many, one of the moments that sticks with me most was from my first week of 9th grade year. One afternoon, I was with a group of people that I was only just getting to know, and someone suggested that we go hang out in one of the music rooms. Within five minutes, one of us had started playing the piano and the rest of us were singing in harmony. I remember feeling in that moment like I had finally found a place where I belonged.

Anything else you’d like to share about your ��Ƶ experience?
For the second semester of my junior year, I had the incredible opportunity of studying abroad in Zaragoza, Spain. During this time, I stayed with a host family, took classes in Spanish, and traveled all throughout Spain. In addition to experiencing an entirely different culture and part of the world, I was able to learn so much more about myself and my capacity to adapt to change. My program was one of three opportunities to study abroad in Europe, but ��Ƶ also offers semesters away across the U.S. and I could not recommend the experience more.

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Boris Liu

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:20:30 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
Besides being a head tour guide, I am also involved in several other clubs and teams at ��Ƶ. For sports, I am committed to skiing in the winter and cross-country in the fall. I am currently a member of EASA (East Asian Student Association) and Photography Club, while also serving as a co-head for the Biotech Club, Research Club, and founder of our Physics Club and physics bowl team.

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
As an international student, one of my biggest concerns was whether I’d be able to fit into the community I’d be spending the next few years with. One of the main reasons I chose ��Ƶ was the warmth and authenticity I felt during my tour. The strong sense of support, inclusion, and comfort throughout the community immediately stood out to me and made me certain that this is the place where I wanted to spend my next four years.

Another reason I chose ��Ƶ was that I wanted a place where I could balance both academics and athletics. I’m a pretty competitive Alpine skier and have been racing for nearly six years. I didn’t want to give up the sport I love in high school. ��Ƶ stood out to me as the perfect choice as it genuinely encourages students to pursue their passions outside the classroom while maintaining strong academic rigor.

Favorite class you’ve taken at ��Ƶ and why?
My favorite class at ��Ƶ is definitely photography. It introduced me to something I never expected to love. The class offers a lot of freedom to express our artistic identities while still providing structure and guidance to help us steadily improve our skills. Capturing the details, light, and moments that I used to overlook is a creative and eye-opening experience that I truly love and value. Taking photography has completely changed the way I look at the world, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

What is your favorite boarding memory or tradition?
My favorite boarding tradition is definitely house food. Every Saturday at 11:00 p.m., one of our house faculty members cooks a late-night treat for everyone in the house. Even though it’s not the healthiest tradition, it’s definitely one of the most joyful and comforting. Everyone in the house gathers in the common room to enjoy the food together, filling the space with laughter. It’s one of those small but meaningful traditions that make ��Ƶ feel like a true home to me.

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Lily Kim

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:18:47 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
I serve as Student Head of School and co-head of Advocacy for Women’s Autonomy, and I am actively involved in Model UN and the Centipede (student newspaper). I am also a member of ��Ƶ singers, Chorus, and Pitches (treble a capella ensemble), and I play second base on the varsity softball team.

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
The primary factor that influenced my decision to attend ��Ƶ was the opportunity it provides for students to develop and balance a range of skills across academics, arts, and athletics. In reflecting on an alternate reality if I remained home, I recognize I would not have access to the same opportunities to pursue activities like photography and a cappella singing. Other attributes of ��Ƶ that intrigued me were the strong humanities program with the elective-based courses and the small class sizes, which I greatly looked forward to, considering I had attended public school my whole life prior.

What is your favorite boarding memory or tradition?
My favorite boarding tradition is the lip sync battle, which is a spirited dance competition between the houses. Collaborating with my housemates to learn creative choreography and seeing everyone so energized and unified in the effort brings me so much joy.

What is your favorite activity at ��Ƶ and why?
One of my favorite activities at ��Ƶ is photography because I enjoy having the creative agency to photograph matters close to my heart. In my photography class, I also appreciate our biweekly critique sessions where we share our work and engage in insightful discussions about composition and the emotional or rhetorical impact of each photo.

Advice to prospective students?
Keep your head up and your heart calm. The application process is undoubtedly stressful and overwhelming, but trust that the right path will reveal itself exactly as it is meant to be.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ.
Whether I’m losing track of time chatting with friends during dinner in the Stu-Fac or embarking on spontaneous bike rides through the backroads of Concord, those are the moments when I truly feel that ��Ƶ is where I’m meant to be.

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Loanne Kim

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:18:47 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
I am a head tour guide, head orientation leader, and serve as a member of the ��Ƶ Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Chameleon Chamber Players.

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
I chose ��Ƶ after coming to the Revisit Day. The small class sizes, school buildings that looked like homes, smiles and small waves of students and faculty members whenever I passed by, welcoming school and boarding community, proximity to the town, and the cool and breezy weather were all qualities of a place of belonging that I was looking for. Though I was initially scared to live without my parents for the first time, with the help of my friends, faculty, and housemates, I quickly found a sense of home here at ��Ƶ.

What is your favorite activity at ��Ƶ and why?
Ceramics! Whenever I have too much going on in my mind, sitting down and giving my focus to the clay in my hands helps me pivot my thoughts solely onto the piece I’m working on. The unreliability of what’s going to happen in the kiln also often reminds me that life isn’t meant to be all perfectly planned out.

Favorite class you’ve taken at ��Ƶ and why?
My favorite class has to be 20th Century Race and Revolution. Our semester involved concepts prevalent in many recently decolonized countries, but gave it a modern twist through exploring them alongside modern movies such as Get Out. This truly not only deepened my understanding of history but also taught me that history is enjoyable and, no matter how old historical events are, their impact can be seen in current events.

What is your favorite boarding memory or tradition?
I love house food! House food is a weekly event where the house parents prepare food on Saturday nights for the whole house, and the students from the entire house come down to the common room to feast. When the house gets fragrant with the scent of food and loud with the chattering and shows, it feels like home.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ.
At the beginning of 9th grade here at ��Ƶ, I clogged a toilet in my house, Haines. Not knowing how to unclog it, I was initially scared but felt the necessity to inform our house group chat—and the replies were, rather than expressing disgust, multiples of all-capped “HAHAHAHAHA.” One of my housemates helped me unclog it, and the rest of the house laughed about it for a minute, then forgot about the incident. This is when I knew I belonged: My mistakes were not considered flaws but small events that just happened to happen.

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Caroline Kellett

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:18:28 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
In addition to being a head tour guide, I am a member of the varsity field hockey team and a captain for both the varsity basketball and softball teams. I am also a member of the Athletics Council and a head orientation leader.

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
What stood ��Ƶ apart, for me, was the variety of class possibilities. I specifically loved history (I still do), and seeing the vast number of available courses caught my interest. At ��Ƶ, everyone follows a path that highlights their interests, fostering a community where there is a love of learning. I was also very drawn to the close-knit community of ��Ƶ because it differed greatly from the public middle school that I attended previously. So, the concept of common trust, and seeing teachers at dinner or athletic events, made me excited to experience an environment that cared so deeply about its students.

Advice to prospective students?
Go into everything with an open mind! Whether it be making friends or taking a class that’s outside of your comfort zone, having an open mind is the best way to navigate a new school. Even today, I have found that my favorite classes are ones that I didn’t think I would enjoy. I also started a new sport in my junior year and had so much fun. Don't constrict yourself just because something is unfamiliar.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ.
During January of my 9th-grade year, I remember having a conversation with a junior at the time, whom I had never really talked to before. I do not remember much about the conversation or whether it was about something very deep or meaningful. However, I remember sitting outside on a cold sunny day and feeling a sense of belonging because this girl had taken the time to talk to me. I not only remained friends with her for the rest of my time at ��Ƶ, but it also granted me the courage to branch out. This small interaction is one example of the welcoming community that ��Ƶ has created and continues to foster.

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Davis Keeffe-Jones

Natalie Campbell — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:18:18 +0000

What are you involved in at ��Ƶ?
At ��Ƶ, I am involved in many of our clubs and sports teams. Some of my favorites include the track and field team and our Model UN club.

Why did you choose ��Ƶ?
As someone who wanted to go to a boarding school from a young age, I knew that ��Ƶ was right for me because of the freedom it offers students, especially those in the boarding program. From extended campus to the commuter rail into Boston, I have been able to find myself and my independence. Additionally, ��Ƶ’s wide curriculum offers me a great opportunity to explore my interests and discover new ones.

What is your favorite boarding memory or tradition?
My favorite boarding tradition is monthly birthday cakes in the Stu-Fac. It’s always a nice treat after study hall, and most boarding students attend, making it a fun bonding event for the boarding community.

Advice to prospective students?
Don’t be afraid to take risks and be yourself. As someone who was relatively shy before coming here, I have truly found myself and broken down my walls during my time at ��Ƶ.

Share a moment where you knew you belonged at ��Ƶ.
A moment I knew I belonged at ��Ƶ was during 9th grade fall, when I was talking to my heads of house and found out they both also liked aviation. I got to show them the plane models I had in my room, and it remained a common topic of conversation for the rest of the year. It helped me to realize that there were people who had similar interests.

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Head Tour Guide - ������Ƶ