Julian Drake: a 15 year-old sophomore at St. Eligius School, from suburban Washington, new to the school, and discontent
Ryan Williams: boarding student from New Jersey, Julian’s first friend at St. E; a junior and prefect, and gifted member of the crew
Hieu Nguyen: Vietnamese boarding student, senior, a tech wiz
Tess Darlay: Scottish boarding student, sophomore, a coxswain and newspaper staffer
Ms. Sayer: the school chaplain, fortunately learned in Latin.
Mr. Perry: the Dean of Students, responsible for discipline
Dr. Ernest Drake: Julian’s deceased great-grandfather, former history master
Dr. Stephens: Headmaster
Ms. Yates: crew coach
Ms. Paulette: English master
Mr. Baker: history master
Mrs. Bibfeldt: librarian
Mrs. Ackermann: newspaper sponsor, science master
Mr. Stryker: new board of governors member