Midway through their well-deserved spring break, fifth formers received the results of selection for the prefect program, to which more than half the class applied. Rising student leaders possessing the qualities of a good prefect — trustworthiness, capability to handle tough situations, and good communication skills — have been selected year after year for the program since its establishment.
For this year’s applicant pool there was a 53% acceptance rate, with 156 applicants for 82 total prefect positions. “There have been around 150 applicants for a number of years now, and a great portion of the junior class applies,” said Ms. Mary Liz Williamson, Director of Day Students, noting that the number of prefect applications this year was over double the number of positions available. “It was surprising to see so many new juniors apply for prefect positions, as well as returning fifth formers,” commented Mr. Michael Velez, Dean of Fifth Form Boys.
A prefect’s role includes ensuring that the students they have been assigned to — either boarders or day students — are happy, healthy, and safe at all times. In particular, prefects of freshmen must help the new students adjust well to life at Choate in the fall term. The day student prefects meet weekly with third form deans and bi-weekly with Ms. Williamson to discuss any issues surrounding the third form day students or the form as a whole. Prefects must also work hard to enforce school rules, functioning as a liaison between students and faculty.
“They are prefects first and friends second. If a situation ever arises in which a student’s safety is an issue, and if there is discipline involved, the prefect has to make a judgement call on the basis of safety and fulfill his or her duties,” Ms. DeStefano said.
All juniors interested in becoming prefects attended one of three information sessions held in Elman Auditorium on January 12, 15, and 16, after which they were eligible to apply. Students were sent an application electronically that contained questions about themselves as people, how they would handle a leadership role, who their role models are in the senior class, and what qualities they have that would enable them to be good role models to their prefectees. Nandini Erodula ’18, who was selected as a day student prefect, said, “The questions on the application made me think about my time at Choate, especially being a day student here. It made me reflect on what I want to do next year to help freshmen adjust. I want to make a difference in their lives.”
Some boarding student applicants met with the advisers of the dorms that they desired to prefect in. Mr. Velez, as well as Dean of Fifth Form Girls Ms. Nancy Miller, provided the heads of the prefect program with a little bit of background on each applicant. The application also required a recommendation from the student’s adviser.
The Heads of the Prefect Program, Mr. Jake Dellorco, Ms. Courtney DeStefano, and Ms. Williamson, thoroughly examined each application to determine which students were right for the position. “Every application gets multiple reads. That is sort of similar to applying to Choate, as then it is not just one person’s decision of whether it is a good or bad application,” Ms. DeStefano said.
They also collect references from various people on campus such as coaches, deans, students, and teachers to gather a sense of the applicant’s character. “We are looking for students who want to be looked up to by the younger students as role models, and be under a sort of microscope in that everyone is watching and seeing what a prefect does,” Ms. Williamson said.
Madison Sakheim ’18, another rising day student prefect, commented, “I hope to be a reliable and friendly face for my prefectees to turn to as they adjust to a new school, and I hope to keep up communication with the advisers. It’s important to make sure that my prefectees know that they are well supported by both me and the faculty.”
Those selected as prefects will attend orientation programs in the coming months before assuming their roles as leaders of the school next fall.
