Annual Student Panel Elections for the CCC

By ANNA BYUN, ANGELA HE, and CHARLOTTE DASSORI

On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Exonians voted to elect the next student voting members of the Community Conduct Committee (CCC). Later that day, at the Student Council meeting, lowers Avery Im, Liv Lang, Joseph Vicente, Kamilah Alabi, Ethan Benenson, Dylan Richardson, Whitney Pickett, and Shaib Abubakar were announced as nominees. Those nominated will advance into the interview stage of the selection process, where, ultimately, four members will be chosen. 

Richardson shared that his hope as a potential CCC student voter is to “make sure students feel heard and understood” and “help Exeter become a more positive environment for young people to grow.” 

Liv Lang, another nominee, affirmed similar beliefs. “I want to make sure that fellow Exonians have a chance to learn and grow from their mistakes. Also, if elected, I hope to be a friendly face on the board - someone the student can look at to breathe and refocus their thoughts. I want them to know I’m there advocating for them.”

In expressing her motivation to join the CCC, Im stated, “I wanted to leave a lasting impact on campus.” The catalyst for her interest in the CCC stemmed from the experiences shared by many of her friends, who recounted negative encounters with disciplinary actions. As a result, they felt isolated and believed that “nobody would understand.” Im’s goal is to “help provide insight to the board to support the student body by working to foster complete equity and fairness.”

Pickett highlighted her connection to and gratitude for the school and its students as her point of candidacy, stating, “I want to give back to the Exeter community! I love this school and the people so much, and playing a role in this crucial but sensitive aspect of PEA would be an honor.”

When asked why she ran, Lang shared, “I’ve always viewed myself as a balanced person and someone who hears out both sides of a story. I am good at coming to a consensus on something and[,] when doing so[,] take all factors into consideration before making my decision.” As a part of her campaign, Lang stressed the importance of figuring out how to help the students in the CCC process, which she had witnessed as a previous member of Student Council. “As a student voter, I would share that there are more than just two sides to a case. It is not a black-and-white decision. I think the role of the CCC is being able to look through all of these factors and figure out, okay, what exactly is our best course of action to figure out how to fix this and prevent it from not happening again?”

Richardson’s decision to run for this role is largely due to the inadequacies in the mental health care provided to students undergoing the CCC process. He explained, “The mental health care provided to students going through the CCC process is currently inadequate. I will, with my [Student Council] background without a doubt, be a part of reform efforts when they begin.” Leveraging experience and insights gained from both [Student Council] and a potential CCC position, Richardson aims to contribute to reforms that prioritize the well-being of students involved in the disciplinary process. 

Nominees also shared examples from their past that demonstrate their commitment to the values upheld by the CCC through past experiences. Lang shared, “I’ve been in student government my whole life[,] and I’ve served as representatives for a multitude of different things, whether that’s fundraising or, you know, being a class rep. I think I have a lot of outreach in this community. ” 

Richardson highlighted his commitment to the values upheld by the CCC through his extensive involvement in the Student Council: “That can be seen in the work I do with the Policy Committee, as a select representative, and now in my campaign for CCC.” Drawing on his experiences, he emphasized the duty of the student council to advocate for and speak alongside the student body. In his words, “The objective in working on all of these issues is not to come to some predetermined goal. It is to take a system, break it down, and figure out what exactly needs to be changed.”

If elected, Richardson promises to promote collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that the CCC treats students with respect during trials. “It must be understood that students are just students. We are real people. Teenagers act impulsively all the time[;] our brains aren’t done growing.” Acknowledging students’ challenges and prioritizing empathy is most important in this decision-making process. 

A similar perspective was shared by Pickett, who emphasized the importance of support and understanding in the CCC: “I perceive the Community Conduct Committee’s main purpose as to decide what would benefit the school, yes, but first and foremost: the student. After a violation, the CCC decides what course of action would best support both our valued Exeter community and the student involved!”

Im expressed her eagerness, stating that her approach centers around offering a fresh perspective rooted in empathy, truth, and justice derived from my personal life experiences. “I am an advocate for equality, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that all opinions are deliberated thoroughly at the table.”

The CCC holds significant importance in the student experience at Exeter. While not a daily concern for many, those facing the Committee may experience significant and life-changing consequences. As we await the election results, the enthusiasm and dedication of these nominees point towards a CCC that prioritizes collaboration, inclusivity, and the well-being of our student community.