Academy Gives Thanks to Senior Class Representatives

As the Class of 2015 departs, its members owe thanks to their officers—Senior Class President Stephanie Chen, Vice President Jad Seligman and Treasurer Paul Lei—who have worked tirelessly to make this year special for the senior class.

The senior class officers act as liaisons between the seniors, faculty and alumni, and also worked to promote class spirit through social events. The three each hold a five-year term, extending after graduation. During that time, the officers are responsible for keeping the class up to date on classmates’ activities after graduation and organizing the traditional five-year reunion.

This year’s senior class officers were especially successful in raising funds. At the beginning of the year, the class was $1600 in debt, but Lei, with the help of Chen and Seligman, managed to raise funds, ending the year with an extra $800. The success of fundraising strategies such as class gear, Exeter/Andover gear and bake sales enabled the officers to fund many events for the senior class.

Among the many senior class activities, there were two senior grill nights, multiple mixers, a faculty/seniors dodgeball game, a survivor game, a senior cookout, a special senior meditation book and a senior beach day. The officers also helped plan the senior/faculty dinner, senior night, prom and graduation.

Chen, Seligman and Lei also worked extensively on the class gift—the Principal Hassan Class of 2015 Prom Fund. The fund will provide students on financial aid the opportunity to attend prom, which is often costly. The gift will benefit the Exeter community long after the senior class has graduated.

“I think it’s fitting that we are trying to emphasize community with our gift, because I think our class has a really strong and distinct sense of community, as well as a bond that ties us together in a way that I’d argue is unique.”

In determining the class gift, the officers sought their peers’ advice. After holding several discussions and debating multiple options, the group decided the prom fund was the best choice.

The fund will help alleviate the burden of prom ticket costs for financial aid students who would otherwise be unable to attend prom, a cherished Academy tradition. This gift will not benefit the Class of 2015, but will benefit future classes. Seligman described the reasoning behind their non sibi class gift and their hopes to honor Principal Tom Hassan.

“The intent was, since our gift is supposed to honor Principal Hassan in his departure, to mirror his love of community and the Exeter community by helping to create one that is more inclusive and allows more students to enjoy a tradition that may not be accessible to them otherwise,” Seligman said.

More than 88 percent of the Class of 2015 participated in the fundraising, placing them among the highest in participation in recent years.

The Class of 2015’s class gift reflects the nature of the class itself. The officers described their class as particularly “inclusive,” and similarly, the gift hopes to create an all-inclusive environment on prom night. Since prom night is one of the last moments the senior classes have together, the officers found it important that everyone in each class be together at the event.

“I think it’s fitting that we are trying to emphasize community with our gift, because I think our class has a really strong and distinct sense of community, as well as a bond that ties us together in a way that I’d argue is unique,” Seligman said.

Lei added that with their senior class gift that serves not their class, but rather future classes, the seniors hope to “leave a legacy imbued with a sense of non-sibi” and “to be remembered as a selfless class.”

Seniors are exuberant with the choice of their class gift, appreciating specifically the gift’s creativity. Senior Margaret Cohen said “I love the senior class gift. It’s kind of a clever way to help students in the future that was thought of ‘outside the box.’ I think it’s a great cause, and I’m so glad we as a class picked it.”

Many seniors appreciated how the senior class officers worked to make their class happy. “They really knew how to create the kinds of events that people actually enjoy. I went to a couple of the senior night events. They all went super well, and I had a great time,” Cohen said.

Each of the officers played an important role in their success as a group. Senior class adviser and science instructor Alison Hobbie commended each for their individual contributions.

“Stephanie is a cheerful, dedicated leader, willing to take on any task and guide others to  helping accomplish what needs to be done. Paul is the money-man, always thinking creatively about how we can increase our resources and use them to create the most  successful events,” Hobbie said. “Jad is an enthusiastic organizer, eager to build interest in the class for participation in every activity, from dodgeball to class gift donation.”

Hobbie added that the “diversity of talents” among the officers complemented each other. The amalgamation of their individual traits created an exceptional chemistry and bond between the three that, in turn, enabled them to create a memorable last year for the seniors. 

Senior class adviser Cheryl Rotondo described the three as a team that “would bounce ideas off each other at the meetings and follow up sometimes amongst themselves.” The officers were always working, often beyond their required time commitment, in hopes of perfecting each event. The three communicated extensively among themselves and with the advisers and the class.

Chen, Seligman and Lei felt honored to serve the Class of 2015. The officers all appreciated the opportunity to give back to the group that shaped their Exeter experience.

“I was honored to be elected as Senior Class President. It has been a pleasure working with Jad and Paul and our class advisors.​ It has truly been a rewarding experience,” Chen said.

Now that the year has to come to an end, the torch will be passed on to the Class of 2016 senior class officers with Kevin Zhen as the new Senior Class President and Levon Brunson and Chudi Ikpeazu as the co-Vice Presidents.

Students and faculty alike have expressed confidence in the new class officers. Senior and Student Council (StuCo) Vice President Robert Connor, having worked alongside Zhen specifically on the StuCo Executive Board, commented that Zhen will make a strong and amicable leader for his class.

“Kevin’s down-to-earth appeal and warmth will serve him very well as Senior Class President. I have no doubt that all of his speeches and events will unite his class and lead to a higher degree of camaraderie,” Connor said.

All three officers believe that they will work well together, each having previous leadership experience. Brunson previewed their plans for the upcoming year, explaining that they hope to positively impact the senior class as well as the general community.

“We have plans to get gear for the class much earlier in the year, properly organize assassin and have at least one major event per term and several smaller budget ones throughout such as gym nights, scavenger hunts and class socials,” Brunson said. “I’d also like to work with StuCo to make some concrete change on the mental health issue on campus and to plan events throughout the year that will help seniors get through the dreaded fall and winter terms.”

The Class of 2015 senior class officers led by example. Undoubtedly, their leadership will inspire following officers to work just as hard. As the senior role is passed down from the Class of 2015 to the Class of 2016, Exonians anticipate that the trend of strong leaders will continue.

While the Academy will miss the Class of 2015 dearly, the community also looks forward to the class’ continued impact on the community and watching the Class of 2016 develop as a senior class under the leadership of Zhen, Brunson and Ikpeazu.