The sharp crack of ball meeting racket echoes across the green, concrete courts. Under the spring’s scorching sun, girls’ and boys’ varsity tennis teams practice tirelessly, propelling the ball to the other side of the court with all their strength. Their hard work has paid off; this season has been an impressive one for both teams.

On Saturday, April 19, nearly 500 residents, students, and people from neighboring towns gathered outside the Exeter Town Hall for the “No Kings in America” protest. Organized by the Exeter Democratic Town Committee and Greater Seacoast NH Indivisible, the event aimed to call attention to concerns about democratic backsliding as well as growing fears of autocratic leadership in the U.S.

Amidst a spring night behind Hoyt Hall, a circle of girls leaned in around the cackling fire pit, balancing marshmallows on crooked branches, laughing when one caught fire or sagged into the flames.