Two SKS seniors delved deeply into the subject of Leadership with students from other independent schools when they traveled to meet Headmaster Jonathan Lamb at the NYSAIS (New York Association of Independent Schools) 2019 Headmaster’s Conference held at the Mohonk Mountain House from Wednesday, November 6, through Friday, November 8, 2019.

Student Council President Heying Helen Shen ’20 and Senior Class President Pierce Pramuka ’20 were called to represent Storm King at the Student Leader “Fishbowl”– a morning during the conference where students from some of New York State’s most prestigious boarding and day schools participated in a roundtable discussion on student leadership and its implications for both students and Heads of School. Other participating institutions included The Emma Willard School, Masters School, Millbrook Academy, Riverdale School, Trinity-Pawling School, Woodstock Day School, and Poughkeepsie Day School.

The fishbowl was moderated by New York Times best-selling author Irshad Manji. Ms. Manji is a fellow with Oxford University’s Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights, and in partnership with the Oxford Initiative, she is founding the Moral Courage Academy in Hawaii, a studio and sanctuary to develop teachers as high-impact leaders. Throughout the morning, the group shared ideas about their responsibilities as Student Leaders and Heads of School and ways they can help to support and inspire their communities to make positive changes toward their missions and goals.

 

 

Headmaster Lamb commended the students for their participation in the conference: “Both Pierce and Helen represented Storm King in the best possible way, shared interesting ideas and commentary with the students and Heads from the other schools, and received helpful feedback they can apply here at SKS. It was a great experience and a win-win situation for all involved.”

Pierce and Helen agreed that the “fishbowl” was a positive learning experience that will help them as leaders of Storm King’s Student Council. “We were able to share ideas with students from other schools like ours, and get their feedback in a non-judgmental atmosphere. They have similar problems and ideas, so it was great to be able to listen and talk about things at the same level,” commented Helen upon her return. “Finding ways to engage and motivate our students here at Storm King is something I always try to do. Listening to what other student government leaders do at other schools was very helpful for me. I plan to use some of their suggestions in the coming months,” explained Pierce.