The end of the term brings the heightened intensity of final exams. Library hours are extended, and the place is packed during study hours. Evening extra help sessions are formalized. Signs posted in hallways tell us to be quiet. Students show up at exam sites 30 or 40 minutes early to review notes and lab reports.

 




The difference, however, is a matter of degree. After all, academic intensity has been sustained over ten weeks, and--during exams--life goes on. Polar swimmers still plunge into Elbow Pond at 6:30 AM; optional practices are offered for winter varsities, and assemblies offer the usual hilarious student announcements and videos. The Chiefs of Proctor Academy Fire Department praised kids in Thoreau House for dialing 911 when smoke filled the commons room. It turns out Phil forgot to add water to Ramen noodles on the stove....

 

Before their exam, students in Honors Biology shared a laugh over frozen mice Alan thawed before feeding the local python.

 

So, the community feels 100% Proctor while coping with end-of-term realities.

 




Final exams didn't preclude girls' varsity soccer from competing in the NEPSAC Class C quarterfinal tournament Wednesday, and while they came up a goal short, the entire community is proud of these young women, and the concept of TEAM that they embodied over ten terrific weeks. Below, they cheer on a field hockey practice at the start of the school year:

 

Congratulations on a great season!