As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end, students in the Upper School voted for their top representatives on the Student Government Association (SGA). Juniors Stella Zimmer, Nidhi Bhat, and Cary Duvall were selected by popular vote to be next year’s Speaker, Treasurer, and Secretary, respectively.
With a variety of sub-committees focused on student life, house competitions, homecoming, and other exciting activities, SGA provides students with experience in event-planning and allows these student representatives to work together and build community at the KO Upper School. Leading the SGA is an Executive Committee made up of a Speaker, who hosts assemblies and acts as the connection between Student Government and the student body; a Treasurer, who considers SGA’s priorities and the available budget in major decision-making; and a Secretary, who tracks and organizes SGA meetings and community events.
To hold a position on the Executive Committee, a student must have been on SGA for at least one year with consistent attendance, and by being a part of this process, all three of the new student leaders have exemplified their true passion for working for the KO community. “In my junior year, I was the Secretary, and I got to work alongside [former senior Speaker and Treasurer] Nick [Tippner] and Leo [Zhang],” Stella said. “That inspired me to become Speaker. Through that, I’ve learned a lot and I’m very excited.” Stella plans to use the skills she’s built this past year and implement her own ideas as an Executive next year.
Cary has a similar background to Stella, working as a Senator for the Class of 2025 for two years. “I’ve had a lot of fun,” he said. “I like planning fun events for the kids here, and helping out the school.” A part of the House Competitions Committee, Cary came up with engaging and entertaining ways to fuel camaraderie among the four houses that students are grouped into: Lancaster, Nottingham, Windsor, and York. He learned from student feedback, and will continue to bring the Upper School together in fun ways. “Getting to see people enjoy what you came up with is a good experience,” Cary said.
Nidhi also comes to the Executive Committee with two years of experience as a Class Senator, and was looking for an opportunity to serve the student body better. “I wanted to try a different position and see how that goes,” she said. Nidhi aims to have a productive year as an SGA leader, planning exciting activities for students, whether that be a school dance or other community-building event.
Other recent SGA elections included voting for Class President and Vice President. On Wednesday, May 8 (for Form Five) and Thursday, May 9 (for Forms Three and Four), students heard speeches from candidates, and voting was open until the end of each day. Next year’s sophomore class president will be Ashton Binalla, and vice president was taken by Genesis Frimpong. For rising juniors, Olivia Pilecki represents the class as president, and Jason Chen is the new vice president. Next year’s senior class president is Jenna Kanaan, joined by Leo Sussman as vice president.
At the beginning of next year, each form will choose their Senators, who will work on SGA and with one another to organize class events throughout the year, such as a seasonal breakfast or pre-game tailgate. This voting will happen in the early fall, giving all Upper School students, new and returning, the opportunity to participate in SGA.
Congratulations to all the upcoming SGA leaders! The Upper School student body looks forward to seeing what they and the new Student Government Executive leaders have in store for 2024-25. “We have great people in the Exec group,” Nidhi said, “and good things are coming to Student Government next year!”
