Beyond the Title: Prefects, TAs, and the Future of Cate School

By: Tori Kim '27

Countless shifts washing dishes with the kitchen crew, leading lessons during freshman or sophomore seminar, and all of the other duties that lie in between – all navigated in tandem with the baseline frenzy of being a Cate student – the senior TAs and prefects on the Mesa play a critical role in the student body. In this regard, these leaders are held to a high standard by students and faculty alike. 

Naturally, when leadership applications open in the spring, students, particularly the junior class, find themselves filled with both apprehension and anticipation. However, students report that they feel supported throughout the process. According to Serena Ratcliff ‘26, “I had a really good interviewer who made me feel supported and less nervous. The only thing I found scary was the fishbowl, because you have to speak with every dorm parent and prefect listening.” Sofi Ridgway ‘26 added that the components she had to complete for her application (making TA lesson plans, interviews) were all “very clear.”

Many applicants demonstrate eagerness to make an impact on next year’s underclassmen. “I want to be a TA/prefect because my prefects and TAs have made such a big impact on me and shaped me into the person I am in the community, and I want to do that for someone else,” said Ratcliff. Ridgway agreed, saying how “the [TA] role is important in helping sophomores and freshmen know that they have an upperclassman connection to help guide them through this transitional period in their life.” 

There is clear excitement at the prospect of taking on the duties and opportunities offered by the role of prefect or TA. However, some have found fault in the selection process. According to an anonymous student source, “The TA process definitely favors boarders – which obviously makes sense as they interact more with students – but I think they should allow more day students to be TAs because they have limited opportunities to get leadership positions.”

The leadership selection and screening process for these roles is extensive and, at times, can seem elusive – who reads these applications? What are they looking for? How do you discern a “good” TA or prefect in such a vast and qualified pool of applicants? 

According to longtime member of the leadership selection team and dorm parent, Mr. Dorion, the process is much more effective than it used to be. “The questions that we ask are more targeted [than before] toward behaviors and habits that we believe will make the best group,” he described. When asked about these “behaviors and habits,” he said, “A very simple one is just following the letter and the spirit of the rules – it’s critical because if you are not doing that as a baseline, it sends the wrong message, particularly to younger students.” Mr. Dorion also mentioned the fact that many years ago, there were more prefect positions available than there are today, which led to “unwieldy” and “unproductive” groups. “There is a reason it needs to remain a small group, but there are more qualified candidates than there are spots, which leads to disappointment every year,” he added. 

In the same vein of too many qualified candidates and insufficient positions, current Schoolhouse Prefect Tallulah Bates ‘25 commented, “Everyone who is applying would make wonderful prefects because at Cate, everyone is built up learning to be a great leader. Even as a senior not selected for a prefect/TA role, you can still lead.” 

What does leadership entail at Cate, and how can seniors who aren’t selected as TAs or prefects still be leaders on the Mesa? Nico Huiner ‘25 remarked that he is able to lead at Cate without being a TA/prefect: “I am a Public Service Night head, so I am a leader in service. There are definitely other ways to lead – you can lead in theater, sports, and music. I am in two singing groups, so I lead through that as well.” He added, “Obviously, as a senior you need to be a good role model to everyone.” 

Looking into the spring as students anticipate the reveal of who will be selected to fill the demanding roles of TAs and prefects, there will undoubtedly be sentiments of both triumph and disappointment. Regardless of the outcome, however, one thing is clear: the ability to lead and set an example is embedded into the spirit of this place. Be it becoming a source of quiet strength, bringing eager avidity to those around you, or being a model for others to look up to – in the classroom, on the field, in the dining hall – the opportunities to lead on the Mesa are plentiful. While the positions may be few, the hands that shape the future of Cate are many.