School President Election at Middlesex

Get a sneak peek into the upcoming school president election and learn why one candidate stands out!

When seated in the rink on family weekend, were you impressed by Therese and Ty, effortlessly addressing hundreds of people under the bright spotlight? Or were you moved by their leadership, secretly resolving to one day embody such confidence and charisma?

As presidents, they bear the responsibility of organizing assemblies, setting the senate agenda, participating in the Disciplinary Committee, delivering speeches, and, crucially, facilitating student input in administration through regular leadership meetings with the Deans and Mr. Harris. In essence, school presidents serve as the voice of our student body, bridging the gap between students and faculty, and embodying Middlesex's culture and values.

As the school year progresses, questions inevitably arise about who will step into Therese and Ty’s vital leadership roles. Amidst uncertainty, especially with Lila, one of the junior class presidents, being out for the semester, my vote is already committed to Kwame Addison. As the 23-24 junior class president, Kwame exemplifies the qualities desired by both students and faculty in a school president.

From Therese's perspective, the success of school presidents hinges greatly on their ability to listen. Charged with representing students’ voices, school presidents must heed their peers’ opinions and work to translate them into action. As Therese wisely states, presidents are essentially “a reflection of the people [they] represent.” Ty and Therese, for instance, successfully implemented Sky Zone, an activity long yearned for, during their tenure as junior class presidents.

For the broader student body, it's imperative that school presidents remain approachable leaders willing to broaden their social circles. To truly represent the student body, school presidents should not confine themselves to any particular social group but rather strive to foster connections with everyone in the school. According to one junior, the ideal president is someone with whom every student feels comfortable discussing their concerns.

In the eyes of faculty members, the most valued quality in school presidents is their ability to communicate effectively with adults. As Mr. Mac, the junior class faculty advisor, suggests, “School presidents should not only be open to communicating with faculty but should also find it natural to do so.” Indeed, the responsibilities of school presidents entail daily interactions with faculty, making communication skills essential for conveying students’ suggestions.

Kwame has demonstrated proficiency in all three aspects of an ideal president. He consistently translates students’ ideas into reality, incorporating feasible suggestions into well-received junior class activities. Known for his amiability and willingness to expand social circles, Kwame is approachable to all. A junior comments that Kwame’s “good sense of humor combined with friendliness” makes everyone inclined to talk to him. Additionally, by organizing major events such as St. George's Day T-shirts, MLK Day Student Panels, and Valentine's Day flowers, Kwame exhibits adeptness in communicating with adults, leveraging their resources and insights to engineer engaging and well-executed events.

In addition to Kwame’s individual qualities, Middlesex has a tradition of electing former junior class presidents and class presidents. Given that junior class presidents naturally surpass their peers in the number of school-wide activities organized, the student body tends to favor candidates with experience. For these reasons, I am confident that Kwame will be one of the school presidents for 2024-2025.

Regardless of who you consider the ideal candidate, I urge you to engage in the election process by familiarizing yourself with the candidates, asking questions, and, above all, voting. Let's work together to elect school presidents who will enhance the entire school community.

Gina Zhao