But it has often been your personal leadership we have enjoyed the most, the spirit of this class to support the school and one another. We have admired and trusted the friendship and maturity you demonstrated as dorm proctors and library proctors and as the mentors of younger Exonians. The memory of your personal qualities of leadership will live on after you at Exeter, and these are the qualities that those of us who remain behind as you leave will turn into your legends.

As I sat in my office, signing these diplomas, I had reason to think about each of you. I've known quite a number of you for several years, and I had reason to wonder about the sort of world you were entering and how well Exeter had prepared you for it.

Sarah Zeidel (center) delivers the invocation, while Tanekia Hall (left) and Kris Tillery (right), look on.

Robert L. Stevenson Semper Fi Rob Stevenson contains multitudes. A three-year senior from Newton, MA, with a strong interest in languages, Rob has known since he was 13 years old that he "wanted to serve my country in the armed forces and after that work in the intelligence community." To that end, he spent the spring term of his senior year working in the office of Senator Judd Gregg '65 (R-NH) as part of the Washington Internship Program. Yet this clean-cut 18 year old also fronts a heavy metal band. "Being up on stage provides me with a release I just can't get anywhere else," says Rob, who, true to his Scottish heritage, also plays bagpipes. A well-respected proctor in Soule Hall, he was also a justly feared defenseman on the boys varsity hockey team. With the encouragement of Exeter coach Dana Barbin, Rob will spend next year playing hockey for the Chicago Freeze Junior A Hockey Club, a member of the North American Hockey League. Looking back over your time at the Academy, what experiences do you remember most, and why? This past year has been my most memorable. On September 10, my first night back at the Academy, I learned from my adviser that a good friend (and the brother of my best friend) had died. The sadness of that night was only accentuated by the events that followed the next morning, which also happened to be my 18th birthday. Having to help my best friend through the toughest time in his life while also trying to understand the significance of 9/11 left me with me a lot on my mind. I found two new sources of release: my writing and my band. With the help of my wonderful English teacher Ms. Carbonell, I was able to write a meditation that proved to be a catharsis. With the help of my hard-core bandmates, I was able to release anger and entertain my peers at the same time. The Washington Internship Program was well worth missing senior spring for. When I was accepted at Exeter, I made sure that I met all my requirements so that I would have the opportunity to participate in the program. Interning on Capitol Hill gave me the opportunity to see how the political process works. The most valuable aspect for me was to be able to go to the committee hearings whenever I wanted to. I was able to hear Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld speak about important issues that face our country. The connections made will no doubt prove to be valuable in the years to come. What personal lessons have you learned at Exeter, in class and out? I've learned a lot about the values of friendship. From the Harkness style of teaching, I've learned how important one individual is to the dynamic of a group. The same applies in friendships. I know that all my friends will be there any place, any time, if I need them-and they know the same about me. The importance of remaining steadfast is profound, and Exeter has helped me understand this core value of friendship and life.

Graduation Prizes The Yale Cup, awarded each year to the member of the senior class who best combines the highest standards of character and leadership with excellence in his studies and in athletics: Juan M. Félix, Los Angeles, CA The Ruth and Paul Sadler '23 Cup, awarded each year to that member of the senior class who best combines the highest standards of character and leadership with excellence in her studies and in athletics: Cerin M. Lindgrensavage, Beverly Hills, CA The Perry Cup, given annually to a student who has shown outstanding qualities of leadership and school spirit: Njuguna J. Thiong'o, Milford, NH The Williams Cup, given annually to a student who, having been in the Academy four years, has by personal qualities brought distinction to Phillips Exeter: William P. Deringer, Fly Creek, NY The Eskie Clark Award, given to a student in the graduating class who, through hard work and perseverance, has excelled in both athletics and scholarship: Wyatt F. Golding, Bantam, CT The Thomas Cornell Award, decided by the senior class and given annually to that member in the graduating class who exemplifies the Exeter Spirit typified by Thomas Hilary Cornell of the Class of 1911: Alex M. Solomon, Upper Brookville, NY Cox Medals, awarded each year to the five members of the graduating class who, having been two or more years in the Academy, have attained the highest scholastic rank: Silas A. Culver, Bangor, ME William P. Deringer, Fly Creek, NY Rebecca B. Ettlinger, Virum, Denmark Olga Gorodetsky, Stony Brook, NY Michael B. Katz, Portsmouth, NH Faculty Prize for Excellence, given to that member of the graduating class who, having been two or more years in the Academy, is recognized on the basis of scholarship as holding the first rank: William P. Deringer, Fly Creek, NY