Why should members of the school community choose you to represent them on the Faculty-Student Senate? What qualities do you possess that will allow you to be a successful representative of the entire student body?

I would be honored to represent the student body on the Faculty-Student Senate with the support of my peers because I truly care about making sure all voices are heard and respected. I am also not afraid of putting in the hard work behind the scenes on behalf of all students to ensure that operations go smoothly and everyone feels supported.
What excites me most about the Faculty-Student Senate is the chance to help create real dialogue between students and the faculty. As per the job description, Faculty-Student Senate members have the opportunity to help induce policy changes and create discussions about important issues. It is true that this would be my first student government position at Peddie; however, I have adopted several other leadership roles on campus, from Assistant Stage Manager/Prop Manager for the last few Peddie Theatre productions (come see “Our Town” in May!!) to Co-Leader of Peddie’s Medicine Club. These roles have taught me vital skills like communication and responsibility, which will come in handy in Faculty-Student Senate.
While I do not have all the answers and I cannot make wild promises, I am deeply motivated to work hard, ask the right questions, and speak up when it matters. I will bring new voices and otherwise silent opinions to the table, allowing for all students across every faction of our school to feel heard in the important decisions that otherwise seem unreachable. I hope to bring a mix of creativity, responsibility, and respect in hopes of shaping thoughtful changes that benefit the entire Peddie community. Being a part of the Senate would be a privilege, and I am ready to represent and serve to the best of my ability!

What issues do you think the Faculty-Student Senate should address and why?

Before I begin, let me get this straight: I think Peddie is an incredible school. This is a school where students can thrive and grow to become the best versions of themselves. I myself am incredibly grateful for the last three years I have spent here. However, Peddie is not perfect, and it is the responsibility of groups such as Faculty-Student Senate to help the school improve.
One issue I would like Faculty-Student Senate to address is the academic-life balance for students. Often times, the sheer workload students take in combination with conflicting schedules for extra help/clubs and athletics/theatre/extracurriculars become overwhelming, and many may feel stressed or burned out. I think it would be great to reexamine the exam schedule implemented in the weeks prior to finals in the Fall and Winter semester as well as the possibility of more No Homework Nights. It would also be nice to brainstorm changes to club systems so that more work is delegated amongst a group of students, allowing for more time to be dedicated to other tasks.
Another issue I think Faculty-Student Senate should address is bridging the gap between boarders and day students. As someone who has been both, I have both seen and heard from my peers about a gap forming between the two. I would like to collaborate with the Faculty-Student Senate to figure out ways to remedy this, from modifying POCO to creating more effective on-campus events.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like Faculty-Student Senate to address the decrease in campus community spirit. Over the last three years, I have absolutely noticed a lack of school spirit. I want to work with my fellow peers and faculty to figure out solutions that do not feel forced upon students and still improve our school’s campus culture. Solutions could range from student-led initiatives to even school-wide policy changes, but through Faculty-Student Senate, I am positive that I along with the other incredible members can help reform our school’s spirit!