Student Leadership Team Ready for Exciting Year

One factor that sets boarding school apart from other varieties of high school is the opportunity for students to lead. Living, studying, and playing together in a small community opens many avenues for students to take on real-world responsibility.

At Millbrook, student leaders are invaluable to life on campus. They bridge the gap between faculty and the student body as prefects, ensure all students are known and needed as dorm leaders and peer supporters, and so much more. Last week, student leaders returned to campus early to complete a rigorous training program in preparation for the challenges they’ll face in the coming school year.

To kick off the training, Head of School Jonathan Downs ’98 gathered the leaders in the Chelsea Morrison Theater to impart his expectations and advice. “What you’re about to do this year in your various roles truly is a service to the school, and it will make or break the year,” he noted. “You have that ability, you have that possibility in front of you, to make this the most exciting school year you’ve ever been a part of.”

Mr. Downs shared that he believes the students chosen to lead their peers were picked because they’re the best listeners and most observant students on campus. He advised them to use these skills to pull peers from the margins into their social circles. Conversely, he reminded students to be self-aware, learning when to slow down and take care of themselves so they can be at their best for others.

Finally, he asked the group to think of Millbrook student leaders who have impacted them, shouting the names out as they came to mind. After the names of leaders past and present rained down from the seats, Mr. Downs gave them a profound purpose for the year:

“My hope for you is that when I’m standing here next year and the year after and the year after, somebody says your name. That’s your goal.”