At New Hampton School, Student Council Class Representative candidates are nominated and then elected after delivering speeches to peers at the beginning of October. This is one of many leadership positions available to students at New Hampton. The term “leadership” brings to mind a variety of images, definitions, and meanings. So, what does it mean to be a student leader in Husky Nation?
Student Perspectives
Two recently elected Student Council Class Presidents and Student Body Co-Presidents (elected each spring for the following academic year), summarized their thoughts for classmates at a recent School Meeting. 2020 Class President Taylor Healey said, “I chose to run for Class President so I could be a part of the New Hampton School community in a way like no other. I wanted to be a leader and role model for other students.” Taking a slightly different perspective, 2019 Class President Kaya Suner explained, “I chose to run for Class President because this school is like a second home to me. I wanted to act as a passageway between my class and the faculty, and be an active member of the community.
New Hampton School students understand that there are many ways to be a leader. Leadership is not about being the best at a certain skill or trade; it’s not about being popular; it’s not about being the loudest or the funniest. Through the Student Life Curriculum and range of opportunities they participate in, students understand that leadership is about being your best self without fear. Any student can do this with appropriate support and guidance and this is a goal of the Student Life Office: to provide support, guidance, programs, and opportunities for students to be their best selves without fear or restraint.
Student Leadership Opportunities
Students learn to choose respect over ridicule, try new activities and endeavors, and take good care of each other when a friend confides about his or her struggles. The activities below are just some of the ways the students are encouraged to step in a positive direction and lead authentically while staying rooted in the school’s core values of respect and responsibility.
- Ten students attended the Second Annual Northern New England Students of Color Conferences at Holderness School in September.
- Alumnus Richard Ryan ’83 recently talked with students as an Alumni in Residence about science and technology and his unprecedented work at NASA.
- Student Leaders will learn from the Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) program their social power to help their peers make positive decisions related to substance use. An FCD speaker will then spend time with the whole student body sharing her own story.
- NHS students will join the Granite State Respect Week program to bring awareness to teen dating violence and promote respect towards others.
- Our GSTA student group is offering awareness activities and events to highlight October as LGBTQ Awareness month.
Whether a student joins Student Council or helps a friend in need through a personal conversation, both actions provide an opportunity for students to be themselves and choose respect for our community. This style of leadership is encouraged and required from everyone in our community.
