“I’ve been able to make so many friends, regardless of what grade students are in because we have sophomores through seniors in the dorm.”

We recently caught up with senior Eli Somberg, who says one of his favorite parts about being at Loomis Chaffee is his role as a resident assistant (RA) in Culbert Hall. “I’ve been able to make so many friends, regardless of what grade students are in because we have sophomores through seniors in the dorm,” Eli says.

Being an RA is about making a trustful connection, Eli says. Some of that comes from hanging out one-on-one, some from being together in the common room, Eli says. He was a prefect in Carter Hall as a junior.

In the fall Eli will attend George Washington University. “George Washington has a strong emphasis on using your voice and has a strong community like you find at Loomis, and I want to get into international work.”
 

Year: Senior

Hometown: South Glastonbury, Conn.

Clubs/activities: In addition to being an RA in Culbert Hall, Eli is a member of varsity ski team, an editor of the STEM magazine, a member of the STEP team, and president of the Photography Club.

On skiing: The home mountain for the co-ed alpine team is Ski Sundown in New Hartford, Connecticut, which is where Eli learned to ski at the age of 4. When not racing, he and his friends also ski at various places in New England for fun. Eli says he enjoys the “freedom” of skiing. “I’ve always been kind of a daredevil,” he says, and he challenges himself to “see how much I can do without getting scared.”

Favorite meal: His mom’s homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese.

Favorite subject or project: A research project for College-Level History Seminar: Topics in Modern East Asian History. He chose as his topic Faye Wong, a renowned Chinese singer/songwriter/actress. History, says Eli, always has been his favorite subject.

Favorite place on campus: The library. “I come here to get homework done. Sometimes I order food with friends, and we go eat in the dining hall, and come back. It’s kind of a home base on campus for my friends and [me].” Favorite things to order out: “Bubble tea in the go-to drink.” And food from McDonald’s “because it comes quickly.”

What is one thing people might not know about you? “I’m into gardening. I don't talk about it that much, but if you come to my room [at home], it’s pretty apparent with all the plants. My parents like to call [the room] a jungle.” He helps his mom in the summer in the home garden, which has vegetables such as tomatoes, kale or lettuce, carrots, and radishes. They like to pickle the latter two.

If you could live in the past or future, which would it be? “I think the future,’” he says with a laugh, “to see if everything worked out in life.”

If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be? “My grandma. I’ve always enjoyed having lunch or dinner with her. We have good conversations.”

How he spent the snow day on January 26: Slept in, got lunch with friends, took his skis out to the Meadows with some friends, and played Uno in the Culbert common room after dinner.