Hi batesies!! My name is Ava, and I am SO excited to co-lead Acadia Adventure #1 (Women’s Affinity) with the lovely Katie! I am a rising senior from Sudbury, MA (big time J.O.B. here). I have never been to Acadia, but I have spent my time in Maine in loads of biology and Spanish classes, co-leading Run Club and Environmental Coalition with some of the best people ever, sprawling out with a book or watercolors at the puddle amphitheater, ordering too many lattes at the student-run coffee shop, sledding down Mt David, splashing around intertidals, and learning to surf after chem lab! I am so excited to adventure in Maine with y’all, welcome you to Bates, and get some new music recommendations! Countdown to August starts now!

Hi AESOPers!! My name is Katie H, and I’m so excited to lead Acadia Adventure #1 (Women’s Affinity)! I’m a rising senior here at Bates and hail to the victors from Ann Arbor, MI (go blue!!). I am a Psychology major and Hispanic Studies minor. Outside of academics, I’m one of the captains of the Bates Women’s Club Water Polo Team. I love to ski, swim, hike, listen to Maggie Rogers, play Hayday lolll, and hang out for more time than I should at the Ronj (our student-run campus coffee shop). I’m so excited to lead AESOP with Ava again and head to the GORGEOUS Acadia! It’s going to be a blast!!

Hey team! My name is Amelia (she/her) and I’m a rising sophomore at Bates planning to major in Environmental Studies! I hail from New Jersey, the majestic garden state. I have a puppy named Georgie who is 2% American hairless terrier and four chickens, the loves of my life. One might find me birdwatching around the puddle, taking naps in the sun, looking at moss on Mount David, sporting a pink unicorn hat on the ultimate frisbee field, or doing the stanky leg with Lila (your new favorite person). I am so incredibly stoked to get to know you and share some epic adventures in Acadia! Wishing you sweet dreams of mountains and rocky coastlines.

Hi bobkittens! My name is Lila (she/her) and I am super duper excited to be your AESOP leader this year. I am a sophomore at Bates studying biochemistry and Chinese. At school you might find me playing ultimate frisbee decked out in glitter and a tutu, running the light board for a play, or frolicking in the snow with Amelia (my partner in crime and your new bestie). I’m so stocked to explore the beauty of Maine together and introduce you to the Bates community!! Get excited for an epic adventure. :)

Hey everyone! My name is Wiley and I’m a rising senior and also happen to be finishing my math major, with a minor in Digital and Computational Studies. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s probably that I will absolutely be packing enough apples to feed a small army (or one of me). When I’m not snacking my way through life, I love playing board games (and arguing about the rules), reusing the same 4 jokes until they stop being funny–and then continuing anyway–and spending time outside. I grew up in Upstate New York, where I spent a lot of time swimming and hiking, although I would like to think that my survival skills have improved since then. I’m looking forward to meeting you all, playing games, and seeing how long it takes before someone tells me to stop repeating the same joke. No promises though…

Hey guys! My name is Isabelle and I am a rising senior looking forward to finishing my Math major along with my Hispanic Studies and Physics minors. I grew up in the middle of Washington State (just off the PCT) and one of my passions is convincing everyone that it is a fabulous place to be. My other passions include most types of physical activity (not swimming), playing games (especially if I am good at them), and wearing my many down jackets (puffies). I would say I first found love for the outdoors in preschool when my friends and I would build fairy nests out of moss and twigs and such at the park, or when my parents let me ski in a snowsuit and tutu. It definitely did not come from my Dads mantra of ‘less talking more hiking’ or my brother’s passion of holding tree branches back until he could conveniently let them go and hit me in the face. That being said, I am so excited to meet you all and I promise not to do either of those to any of you (not including Wiley).

Hey bobcats! My name is Ava and I’m so excited to welcome you to Bates! I’m a senior from Katonah, NY, majoring in Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies and minoring in Spanish. I love singing (with my a cappella group and at open mics), skiing with my friends, reading, and listening to music– my current favorite artists are Wilco, Hozier, and Gracie Abrams. Some more things about me are: I have a twin sister, I’ve directed a one-act play at Bates, and my favorite spot in Lewiston is Forage (they have the best breakfast sandwiches!) Emma and I also volunteer together at a local elementary school in our free time! We can’t wait to lead this trip together and meet you all in the fall!

Hi everyone! My name is Emma and I’m from Bethesda, Maryland. I can’t wait to make some art and chill with you guys!! I’m a senior Econ major and Philosophy minor. You can usually can find me tossing the frisbee with ColdFront, the Bates ultimate frisbee team, or lingering in commons. I also love to hike and camp around Maine, have movie marathons, and play lots of board games. I can’t wait to meet you all and enjoy the beautiful Maine weather!

Hiya future batesies! My name is Jackie and I’m a senior French major & Education minor from New York City. I love all things art and music. My co-leader Megan and I are in a band here on campus called Blue Razz Sassafras. We are also both co-leaders of Bates Art Society. We are big enjoyers of chilling, listening to music, and doing art in the company of others. I love acrylic and watercolor painting, drawing, collaging and jewelry making. ArtSOP will be full of art-making both on and off-campus. Maine is beautiful in the summer, and we will surely embrace that by maximizing outdoor time. AESOP is such a special part of the Bates experience, and I would be thrilled to share it with you!

Hello incoming Bates artists, water colorers, scribblers, and art-admirers! I would like to introduce you to the chick with the funkiest earrings in all of Bates-land, Megan. Hailing from North Andover, MA, Megan has embarked on her academic journey to study History and Spanish. When she is not arting, you can find her rollerblading with Jackie on campus (when it’s warm out), playing harmonica, or telling everyone to follow her art account @grapedumdum on instagram and DM for art commissions (wink wink*). Jakeekoo and her have some awesome art activities planned for you darling doodlers!

What’s up class of 29! Super excited to meet y’all, I’m Aarav, a sophomore from New York City, and I use he/him pronouns. I’m likely majoring in Politics, and not sure what I’m minoring in yet. In my spare time on campus, I’m on the Varsity Rowing Team, part of the Presidential Advisory Committee and clubs such as soccer and skiing. Outside of Bates, I love traveling, playing+watching+talking sports, enjoying the outdoors, photography, trying new foods and hanging out with my friends. I’m always happy to chat about any of those things and up for a friendly debate over hot takes. Jack and I met through orientation week activities, and we hope to create a fun, memorable experience for all of you, to start your time off at Bates on the right foot! I personally loved my AESOP, and think that it’s such a cool, unique thing that Batesies get to do, and a great way to kick off freshman year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at aworah@bates.edu if you have any questions, AESOP or non AESOP related, happy to help! We’re so stoked to meet y’all and are looking forward to a great experience!!

Class of 2029! Amped to get to meet you guys. My name is Jack and I’m a sophomore from New Jersey. I use He/Him pronouns and I love dogs. Although it is early to be declaring a major, I have taken a few classes in the econ department and am leaning towards majoring in Economics and minoring in Spanish. Outside of academics, I am a member of the Club Men’s Ice Hockey Team. I love spending a few free minutes skating around at Underhill. I also love taking pictures and running. Maine is such a great place for photography! My favorite ice cream flavor is creamsicle because I think orange and vanilla ice cream look good and taste good together. I’m super excited to be a part of AESOP this year because this trip embodies the culture of Bates. It’s a great way to ease into what can be a very nerve racking and uncertain first few weeks into college. Happy to answer any questions before you sign up for an AESOP regarding anything from AESOP to life at Bates! My email is jryan4@bates.edu.

Hi bobkittens!! My name is Ellen (she/her) and I am BEYOND excited to lead AESOP!! I was born and raised in North Carolina but now my family lives in Western Mass. I absolutely LOVE all things Maine and Bates. I love running, reading, cooking, biking, being outside, eating, hanging out with my friends, and, obviously, I love chilling on the beach!! (Hence the beach chillin.) Fun fact about me: I am extremely obsessed with my cat. I actually met Nat (who you will meet in one sec) on AESOP — Rangeley basecamping — last year!! So we have a tonnn of fun ideas to make AESOP amazing for you guys. We are going to be playing games, talking, hanging out, and making sure you guys have an incredible start to your Bates journey!! I am absolutely hilarious so get ready to laugh and have the best time. Cannot wait to meet everyone!

Thanks for that great intro Ellen! My name is Natalie (she/her) and I am SO excited to lead AESOP! I am a sophomore from Cambridge, Massachusetts, but fun fact, my family is from Lewiston! I have absolutely loved my first year at Bates, and I can’t wait to share this special community with our future AESOPers! I am on the women’s club soccer team here at Bates, and in my free time, I love to read, play tennis, listen to music, hang out with friends, and of course, go to the beach!!! If you’re considering this AESOP, please note Ellen and I have incredible music taste and are dedicated to making this trip full of good tunes. I had an awesome AESOP experience and Ellen and I cannot wait to make this trip special for you Bobkittens!

HI CATS! My name is Clare and I am a rising senior from Berlin, CT. At school, I’m on the lacrosse team and I major in English and Politics. But beyond the basic stuff, I’m an avid podcast consumer and thoroughly enjoy reading. I struggle with being quiet, and strongly advocate for white milk. I’m a veteran Spartan racer and can’t stand using Microsoft Office. But most importantly… I love Maine! Dani and I are so excited to be AESOP leaders and help welcome you to Bates! This trip will TRULY consist of good times and tan lines. We can’t wait to hear all about YOU while we chill out on the beautiful beaches of “Vacationland” :)

HEY BOBKITTENS! I am Dani Adams, from JOB (basic I know…). However, I have slowly but surely become a year-round Mainer, spending my winters at Bates and summers on the beautiful southern Maine coast! Sounds like a dating profile (ew), but my favorite part about Maine are the outstanding sunsets and sunrises along the coast, and Clare and I are so excited to share that experience with y’all on Beach Chillin!!!! I am a Psychology major, Education minor and play on the Women’s Basketball team here at Bates. My Bates life also includes running, trying new bakeries and Commons creating. We are so excited to welcome you into the wonderful next 4 years at Bates!!!!

Picture this: you find yourself traversing one of Maine’s most iconic ridgelines led by one of Bates’ most iconic duos. The better half of this duo is goes by the name Nathaniel. PAUSE Enough with the third person, I, Nathaniel, am super stoked to get to hang out with yall in the Bigelows this fall. I originally have traveled from the Garden State but have called Maine home for many years now. I study sociology and art history, but you don’t care about that. I am at least in the top 2,000 lovers of the outdoors at Bates. I love to surf, ski, climb, hike, you name it I’ll try it (no promises if I can do it). My sense of humor can best be described as missing in action, but do not fright my mad dance skills will bring life to our bigelow’s party. I was once described as “that weird guy who drives the boats” (I was a wakeboard instructor two summers ago). So if you like to get silly in the mountains you found the trip for you.

Hey crewwww! This is Lianna reporting from right next to Nathaniel right now. Despite Nathaniel’s beliefs I am the better half of the duo clearly; smarter, funnier, prettier, etc. I am so excited to meet all of you guys and can’t wait for the best trip ever. I am from the D.C. area (Bethesda, Maryland to be exact) and am a Biology Major and Gender Studies Minor. I am on the Bates Swim and Dive team, but also love to rock climb and have fun outdoors. I love music and would not say I am a singer exactly, but will probably hit a tune or two on our trip. I also love to cook and eat so would love to chat food with anyone who also feels that love. I come from a long line of outdoor enthusiasts, my grandpa sailed with Noah (on his arc, he took care of the animals). Honestly we both are really awesome and cool people so signing up for this trip will be worth your time. If you love the outdoors, but also love to laugh and have a chill time you should come join this boss journey.

Hey there, future AESOPers!! My name is Gail (she/her), and I am a rising Senior from Rockport, Maine. I’m a big fan of spending time outdoors—I love swimming (especially polar plunges), sailing, hiking, camping, and soaking up the sun. I am an English major with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in rhetoric, film, and screen studies. I have on-campus jobs as a Campus Life Social Media Coordinator and a Teaching Assistant. I am also heavily involved in Bates’ literary scene as a managing editor for the Bates Student Newspaper. Max and I are SO STOKED to meet you all in the fall and welcome you to Bates. Do you have any questions about Maine or Bates? Bring ‘em on! Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at gcurtis@bates.edu. I am wishing you all an awesome spring and summer, and I can’t wait to see you all soon!!

HI!!! My name is Max Cory, (he/him) and I’m a rising senior from Dublin, California. I’m a Biochemistry Major/DCS Minor and a member of the Swim and Dive team here at Bates. I spend my summers either in an ambulance or in the lab doing research at Bates, and love talking academia. In my free time I like to lift, play video games with my buddies, and go camping. I can’t wait to explore the beautiful scenery of Camden and meet a bunch of wonderful new people with y’all!

Hey bobcats! I’m Ella, and I’m thrilled to introduce you all to my AMAZING co-leader Isabel! Isabel is a rising senior majoring in history and theater. She calls both Colorado and Maine home (and spent this last semester in New Zealand!). At any given time, Isabel can be found running and hiking around the greater LA area, dazzling audiences in campus theater productions, updating her Goodreads and LetterBoxd, and writing poetry. Together we enjoy hunting down the best diners and swimming holes in the state of Maine – we’re so excited to share our findings with you on our AESOP trip!

What is UP bobkittens?! My name is Isabel, and I’m here to tell you all things Ella Nichol! Ella is a rising senior majoring in environmental studies and minoring in Spanish. She hails from Concord, Mass, but spent the last semester studying abroad in Peru (how awesome is that??). Up in Maine, you can find her running by the ‘scog, line dancing, discovering new eats, and rock climbing. As a team, we excel at spending way too much time in commons and frolicking in the great outdoors. We could not be more excited to meet ya’ll on AESOP!

Hey, y’all, my name is Robbie Washburne, and I am a rising senior hailing from the far away lands of Connecticut, even though you will most likely see me rocking Broncos and Avalanche gear (blame my dad). I am a Politics major and Rhetoric minor, so if you need help with anything STEM, I might not be the person for you. That being said, I love to let loose and have fun, whether that be playing tennis, fishing, or just hanging out and chatting in Commons. You’ll see me on campus always doing something, whether it be running Club Tennis, being a part of student government, or being a Bonner Leader. I also like to think of myself as being an outdoorsy person, but a day watching trashy reality TV never hurts (Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is my go-to right now)! I am so pumped to be leading an AESOP this year. I had a great time on my trip and made so many friends that have lasted my time at Bates! My AESOP leaders were genuinely awesome, and I want to be the same for you all. While we may be sleeping on campus, Ava and I have so many fun plans for you guys! I can’t wait to meet all of you, and we are going to have the best trip! p.s. if Ava says I’m a picky eater, it’s not true…

Hey, class of ‘29! My name is Ava Singh, and I am a rising senior majoring in Sociology and Politics. I was born in Texas, but I am from Westchester, New York, and grew up in Sydney, Australia–so my accent is confused, and I still can’t take American spiders seriously. I spent a semester of my junior year studying abroad in Amsterdam with Robbie, and we were able to travel all over together–though navigating through new cities was significantly easier than navigating Robbie’s picky eating habits (seriously, the struggle was real). When I’m not lifeguarding at Tarbell pool or pulling an all-nighter on a procrastinated paper, I love to go on hikes, thrift for things I absolutely don’t need, soak up the sun on the Quad, and pelt my friends with snowballs the second winter hits. I’m so excited to meet you all and introduce you to everything that makes Bates special! AESOP is the perfect opportunity for you to step out of your comfort zone, make lifelong friends, and kick off your Bates experience with some unforgettable CitySOP adventures. Get ready for an amazing first week with Robbie and I!

Hey guys, my name is Eli and I’m super excited to lead day hiking! I am a senior majoring in History and minoring in rhetoric. I’m from NY, but I love the outdoors and getting to explore the beauty of Maine has been one of the highlights of my time at Bates. In my free time I love to play basketball or spike ball, watch the Mets, and ski with my friends. If you like 70’s rock then you’re gonna have a lot of fun in our van rides. I can’t wait to go out and explore Maine with all of you!

Hi everyone!! I’m Marin, and I use she/her pronouns. I am SO excited to meet and welcome y’all to Bates! I’m a senior studying politics and Latin American studies. I grew up in New York, unfortunately not the city. The past year, I was sadly not on Bates campus ( the quad squirrels, puddle ducks, and Sunday Sundae were missed), however, I did get the amazing opportunity to study abroad in both South America and Europe! You will probably notice quickly I love talking about travel and food that I came across on my travels! With that, I truly missed the Bates community! Usually, if you don’t catch me romanticizing my walks in Quad and Alumni then you will for sure see me in Ladd Library hosting Tea club, or dancing in Merrill gym. I can’t wait to see you guys in the fall to have the BEST AESOP trip ever!!

Hey y’all, my name’s Ben (he/him) and I’m a rising junior from Micanopy, Florida. I love doing all things active and am super excited to race up some walls with y’all! When I’m not in the pool at practice or in the classroom trying to be an academic weapon, you’ll likely find me trying to avoid injury on the basketball court (my other favorite sport). I’m a bit of a STEM fanatic and am working on my degree in biomedical engineering through Bates’ 3-2 engineering program. I’m a huge dog person and avid enjoyer of philosophical discussions—I can’t wait to meet you and to set off for what’s going to be an incredible trip!!

Hey all! My names Elena (she/her) and I’m so stoked to lead EVO Climbing with my Southern pal, Ben this fall! When Ben and I aren’t on the Tarbell pool deck, you can find me chompin’ away at Commons or yappin’ con mi amigos in Ladd. I’m a rising sophomore at Bates and an Environmental and Hispanic Studies enthusiast. I live 40 minutes down the road in Bath, Maine and cannot wait for you all to join Vacation-Land! Enjoy the rest of your summer, see you soon AESOPers!

Hi Aesopers! My name is Gemma (she/her) and I’m from Santa Monica California. I am a senior majoring in Biology and minoring in education. In my free time, I enjoy reading (especially fantasy and science fiction) and talking about books on the WRBC radio show I host with two of my friends (tune in to Hot Girls Read!). I am part of the Cold Front frisbee team on campus and love to throw around discs. My favorite animals are sea turtles and I love mint chocolate chip ice cream (basic, I know). I am pumped to explore Flagstaff Lake with all of you!

Hey everyone! My name is Shenandoah Waugh but most people call me Shenny and I use they/them pronouns. I am originally from Lyons, Colorado and I LOVE being outside! On campus, I’m a Chemistry and German double major and European Studies minor. Aside from studying, you’ll also see me leading trips with the Bates Outing Club, tossing a frisbee with Cold Front, or playing guitar at JSU. Fun Fact – I’m also a Registered Maine Guide! This means I can identify a ton of different species and lead all types of outdoor trips. I love exploring different places in Maine, which is why I love AESOP! I’m so excited to meet all the new first years and canoe the majestic Flagstaff Lake!

Hiiii!!! My name is Erin and I’m so excited to be a part of your AESOP experience! I’m a rising sophomore from Harding NJ, and my major is currently undecided, potentially economics or DCS. Additionally, I am on the swim team with my co-leader Matt! I really enjoy playing the guitar, reading, hanging out with friends, and going on long drives while blasting music. I’m so stoked to meet you all and have an awesome time exploring Maine while also giving back to the community!

Hey y’all!!! My name is Matt and I’m a rising senior this year double majoring in Psychology and Philosophy and am a distance swimmer on the swim team. I’m from central Jersey and love exploring everything Maine has to offer. I can’t wait to go on this adventure with all of you and Erin!!!!

If I was given the chance to write a biography on Trinity, I would, and it still wouldn’t live up to the wonderful person she is. But it’ll start with something like this:
Trinity Poon is a rising senior from Sandwich, Massachusetts. Majoring in English and French, She has quite a way with words. To me, she is an OG friend, and I am so lucky to have her company for all of college— a companionship that I have the honor of sharing with you all. She is compassionate, understanding, and especially accommodating to the flaws of her fellow AESOP leader because I simply cannot stand writing about myself. She is an academic, whose intellectual prowess is humbling yet embracing. She is a staunch bastion of journalistic freedom and integrity, and you can spot the traces of her hard work all over the Bates Student— and hopefully soon on the New York Times (or other publications of such caliber). Under the name of “bounty”, she is a disc tosser, a quicker picker upper, for Cold Front, Bates’ Women’s, Non-Binary & Gender Non-Conforming Ultimate Frisbee Team. She has raised the bar of girlhood tremendously by claiming to be “just a girl” while also one of the strongest, most capable woman I know. Honest, intelligent, and funny is the trinity that makes Trinity. We are perhaps two of the most intense chillers, chillest tryhards at Bates, and we will stop at NOTHING to make these three days the best start to your college career.

Hellllooo AESOPers! You don’t know just how lucky you are to have an AESOP leader like Will, here, who would win gold for every event in the Chill Olympics. This extraordinary bobcat, however, is too humble to be able to write his own bio, so I have the pleasure of capturing his awesomeness for you. The first thing you should know is that Will, a rising senior from Shanghai, China, is the epitome of the liberal arts education, majoring in both Biology and English. If you’re looking for someone to talk cells or post-modern American fiction, Will is your guy. But, don’t let his academic prowess fool you: Will is also deeply knowledgeable on the South Park and Rick and Morty storylines and will not hesitate to make you watch his favorite cartoons. In between being a poet and a scholar, Will can be found on the Coram steps learning a new skateboard skill or in the gym doing whatever it is that he does there. Above all, Will’s favorite thing to do is probably to talk with people and make new friends— whether that’s over a Commons meal or hanging out on the beach with his AESOPers. Will couldn’t be more excited (seriously I have never seen him so giddy) to welcome you to campus and chill at some lakes!

Hey! I’m Ariya, and I’m going to be a senior at Bates. I am studying Chinese and Neuroscience, and I’m on the premed track. I love drawing, painting, and hanging out(hence the chillinnnn). AESOP has been a wonderful experience for me and helped me foster new friendships as well as meet lots of amazing people. Super excited to meet you all! Feel free to each out to me at atayal@bates.edu with any questions.

Hey everyone, super excited to meet you all, and welcome to Bates class of ’29. My name is Johnny and I am a Senior from New York, New York majoring in Economics and minoring in Digital Computational Science. At Bates, I am a part of the lacrosse team here on campus, have a radio show, and participate in community engagement with various partners with Bates. I have personally built a ton of friendships through AESOP whether that be leading or participating. Me and Ariya became great friends because of the AESOP and we hope to create the same relationship for all of you. You can reach me at jnunez@bates.edu if you want to talk or if you have any questions. Once again super excited to meet and get to know you all!

Hello AESOPers! My name is Samuel Cockerham (He/Him) and I am from Kingfield, Maine (which is cooler than Naples Maine)! I am super pumped to be taking all you on the canoe adventure of a life time with my friend Campbell. I am one of the co-presidents of the Bates Fly Fishing Club as well as current member of Bates Club Soccer. I’m currently studying Bio here at Bates. When I’m not studying or doing club related things you can find me on the quad playing with a hacky sack and listening to music. Some other things I love include farming, canoeing, and snowboarding. I love frogs and I dislike asparagus. I can’t wait to meet all of you!

Hey Everybody! My name is Campbell (She/Her) and I’m from Naples, Maine (about an hour from Bates)! I’m so excited to be leading canoeing this year with my friend Sam and getting to know all of you. I’m on the track team here, and you might have seen me before on the Bates Instagram or TikTok making videos for the school (I’m usually the one going “hey guys! It’s Campbell”). When I’m not in class or on the track I am usually spending time with my friends or participating in a riveting game of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. I love thrifting, reading, and music. I’ve been listening to a lot of Caamp, Mt. Joy, Treaty Oak Revival, and Cameron Whitcomb recently! I’m so excited to meet all of you and have a great time!

What is up party people! Liz and I are super excited to be AESOP leaders this coming fall. I’m a rising senior from Reading, Massachusetts (#JOB!). I’m an Earth and Climate Sciences and Dance double major, thank you liberal arts college, and a passionate lover of rocking out in all forms. I am happiest when I am in or on a body of water, and I cannot wait to explore Mooselookmeguntic Lake with you all. Some rapid fire facts about me- I work at my family’s bookstore (@whitelambooks :)), I make a mean cheddar chive scone, and I have been abroad in New Zealand this semester. Our trip will be filled with card games and tea and joy and we are so pumped to get to know the class of ’29.

Hey there future Aesopers, I am beyond excited to be an Aesop leader this fall with my dear friend Lucy! I am a rising senior from Needham, MA, majoring in Politics and Dance (go dancing! everyone take a dance class I dare you). I love the outdoors especially when it includes a body of water and I am ecstatic to canoe through the Mooselookmeguntic waters with all of you lovely people. Some essential facts about me are I love to chat and snack, I build a mean campfire which we will gather round each night of AESOP, and nothing makes me happier than a glizzy,. Lucy and I are literally jumping for joy thinking about meeting all of you and having a grand old time up in Mooselookmeguntic Lake!

Hi baby bobcats!! I’m Sarah (she/her) and I’m a senior history major and education minor from the Chicago suburbs. When I’m not hitting the books, I love hanging out with my friends, listening to music, and making tiktoks of Bates. I also write for the school paper, I am on the board of the Jewish Student Union, and I work for Bates Alumni with their social media. Portland is one of my favorite cities and I am so excited to show you the best spots! Can’t wait to see you all around campus this Fall :)

Hey everyone! I’m Lucy Green (she/her) from Southern California! On campus, I work for the Office of Admissions as a tour guide, serve as the managing editor of our student newspaper’s sports section, and volunteer with the Maine Lawyer Volunteer Program. During the Winter ’25 semester, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Milan, Italy. In my free time, I love running, traveling, and spending time with friends. Can’t wait to meet you all, feel free to reach out with any questions lgreen2@bates.edu , or if you just want to say hi! go Cats!

HELLOOO BOBKITTENS, let me introduce you to the Marvelous Misses Maddie (she/her). Addicted to matcha, stacking gold jewelry and hot yoga, Maddie is a prime example of your classic outdoorsy granola girl !! Driving all the way up from no man’s land (aka New Hampshire), Maddie’s New Englanderness shows through her kindness, sunshine energy, and incorrect pronunciation of words.
Although she can still pass as a high schooler, you will never meet someone more motherly. Whether you need gum, a bandaid, a snack, or a dance floor partner Maddie has it all. Maddie’s impeccable planning talents ensure the BEST trip itineraries and only ever-so-slight peevishness when things don’t go her way. Some of her other passions include attending every obscure event on campus, her constant bowel issues, turning a deep red when embarrassed (take THAT), being left-handed, and shopping on Depop.
Her narcissism may lead her to only like guys that look like her but you will never meet someone so considerate of others. She will comfort you after any messy night, make sure you are always heard, and lend you a shoulder to cry on or a really cute top to cheer yourself up! Being a Neuro major means Maddie can pick at anyone’s brain; she’s ever so attentive about someone’s mood and mannerisms, ensuring you feel comfortable in all situations <3 (Unless of course you find her after commons digested the wrong way).

Class of 2029, meet lovely Natalie!!! Natalie (she/her) is a sophomore who grew up in Chicago and now lives in Georgia. Although not the most accustomed to the Maine winters (just bought her first-ever pair of snow pants and has owned many different jackets), this gal adores Bates and we adore her! Natalie is an Environmental Science major and is involved as the Community Liaison of the Environmental Coalition and the Social Media Manager of Raices Unidas at Bates. Natalie’s hobbies include cheffing up another incredible Commons Creation meal (Natalie is the Vegan Bar’s number one fan), purchasing another (is this the eighth one this week?) delicious coffee at Bates’ Coffee Shop, the Ronj, emoting mid-convo, sending many smiley face texts :), revealing her incredible music taste, content-creating aesthetic Instagram stories, turning just a tad bit red when embarrassed, and crafting cute DIY gifts for friends.
Natalie is truly the sweetest soul and a lovely presence to be around. She is the best listener ever and is always down to chat about anything and everything. AESOP with Natalie is sure to have lots of laughter and amazing guidance and advice for your time at Bates. Be warned, you will never be able to casually walk by her on campus – she is guaranteed to erupt into smiles and waves!

Hi everyone! My name is Mya, and I’m a senior majoring in politics. I am actually from Rangeley, so I CAN’T WAIT for all of us to explore together during this AESOP. My favorite outside activities are hiking, skiing, and getting out on the water, canoeing or kayaking! Some more about me is that I studied abroad in Milan, Italy, I am a secretary on the Student Government (BCSG), and I love the gym, music, hanging with friends, and most importantly BATES. Eloise and I were neighbors on the first floor of Rand Hall freshman year, and have been besties ever since! We can’t wait to tell you all about Bates, and start off your experiences as Bobcats with this AWESOME FUN SUPER COOL TRIP. I can’t wait to meet you all!!!

HEY GUYS! My name is Eloise Wyatt, and I am a senior majoring in history and politics. I am from the great state of New Jersey and can’t wait to go on this adventure with all of you. I’m gonna copy Mya and list my favorite things to do outside: skiing, hiking, and canoeing. I love to travel, waste time in commons, hang out with my friends, take photos, and explore Maine. More— I studied abroad in Prague last year, I might have already met you because I’m a tour guide, I have a dog named June, and I work in the Bates Advancement Office. Mya and I have been so excited about this AESOP forever and are wishing you a warm welcome to Bates! :)

Hey everyone, my name is Peter and I am so excited to be co-leading Rangeley Basecamping 3 along with Sam Perozek. I am a rising Sophomore from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Some of my passions are being outdoors with my dad and brother along with rowing, hanging out with friends, and the cereal bar in commons. I had such an awesome experience last year on my Grafton Backpacking AESOP and I am so excited to be a leader this fall and give you guys the experience I had. AESOP is a great way to get to know Bates and meet some fellow freshman. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer and I can’t wait to meet you all soon!

Hey everyone! My name is Sam Perozek and I absolutely can’t wait to lead Rangeley basecamping 3 with Peter. I’m a rising sophomore from Wellesley, Mass and I plan on majoring in Philosophy/Economics. In my free time I like to spend time with my dog, watch the Celtics, eat, and play pickle ball. I can’t wait to meet all of you!

Hi! I am also Lexi (she/her) and I am a senior from Yarmouth Maine! I am studying biochemistry and education. I love sumo oranges, peanut butter and iced lattes. I am a part of Takenote- an amazing a cappella group here at Bates! I am so excited to lead the surf trip and spread love for Bates and Maine with all you surfer people on Lexi-Sop!

HI! I’m also Lexi (she/her) & I’m from the suburbs of NY and I’m soooo excited to meet you all!!! Aesop was one of my favorite parts of freshman year and I can’t wait to give you all that experience too. At Bates I study Psychology and have a GEC in film and media studies. I love hosting on the radio, making films, and exploring Maine! Full disclosure Lexi Inger is a much better surfer than I am BUT I will be the best cheerleader ever. Get ready for the best time ever—- YAY!!!

Hey everyone! I’m Henry Ehrlich. I’m a senior here at Bates and am majoring in Economics with a minor in Anthropology. I also compete for the men’s golf team. I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon and love spending time outdoors. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, honing my carpentry skills, operating agricultural machinery, and watching basketball. We can’t wait to meet you all and for you to begin your Bobcat experience!

Hi everyone! My name is Jack Margiloff, and I’m a senior from Rye, NY. A few fun facts about me: I studied abroad in Amsterdam last fall, I’m a member of the Bates Baseball team, and In my free time I love to ski. Henry and I are so excited to meet you all and create a fantastic environment to introduce you to Bates. Wishing you a great senior year—see you soon!

What’s up AESOPers! My name is Kailer (pronounced Ky-ler) and I’m from San Francisco, California. I’ve been surfing for 4 years and I’m hyped to be leading “Wool and Waves”! A little bit about me: My favorite animal is a shark and my favorite color is green. I am on the swim team with my co-leader Taylor. I’m looking forward to having some fun in the sun and leading the best AESOP trip ever!

Hi AESOPers! My name is Taylor and I’m from Piedmont, California. I’m a rising sophomore and planning to major in Psychology. In my free time, you can find me at the pool since I’m a part of the swim team here at Bates! Otherwise, you can find me in Olin crafting artwork, sitting on the swing in the quad, watching Gossip Girl, or eating a Sunday Sundae. My favorite animal is a dog as I have a miniature schnauzer myself! I’m so excited to have fun with all of you and Kailer!