Shaping community: A Year of leadership at Cate

By Kaia Coker '29 and Olivia Micheli '29

Leadership positions consume life at Cate. They represent responsibility and collaboration, but behind every role is a Cate student shaped by the challenge that comes with the position, ultimately leading to growth. 

As the school year ends, President Barron Crayton ‘26, Vice President Jen Won ‘26, and Head Prefects Josh Butler ‘26 and Oyin Opawumi ‘26 reflect on the experiences that came with these positions, as well as the lessons and memories that have defined their year of leadership. Although vastly different, the positions of President, Vice President, and Head Prefect all have a real impact on every Cate student, shaping both the people they impact and the leaders themselves. 

Josh and Oyin’s impact on the school did not begin with becoming the head prefects; it began the moment they learned they would become freshman prefects. Oyin describes the day she opened her prefect decision letter as “really nerve-racking” because being a prefect or TA are both positions that you think of your whole time at Cate. Despite the stress of the buildup, both Josh and Oyin said they felt overwhelming joy, positivity, and love as soon as they saw their results. 

Head prefect decisions, however, were much more intense. It took over five hours for the prefects to reach a consensus, but in the end, Josh and Oyin proved the most passionate and collaborative candidates for the position. The fight to become a head prefect is far from unreasonable, because head prefects have several crucial responsibilities, such as serving on the DC committee, organizing prefect meetings, and meeting weekly with Alex Lockett. Oyin described the initial adjustments to the position of “feeling like you had to be in six places at once” as she and Josh balanced college applications, varsity sports, and friendships simultaneously. 

Despite the added pressure of being a freshman prefect, Josh said he “wouldn’t have it any other way,” and Oyin says she “never, ever doubted being a freshman prefect,” even though Oyin expresses feeling doubts about her decision to be head prefect during the adjustment period. As the year progressed and responsibilities began to calm down, both Josh and Oyin said they came to love both positions, particularly because of the number of people they could help and the large impact they could have on both the more administrative parts of the school and the personal lives that they impacted as freshman prefects. 

When asked about advice for the next head prefects, Josh said, “I would tell them not to let the title of head prefect overwhelm them when considering the time commitment and what's at stake; it's really not as bad as it sounds, and there are so many people that will help get you through it.” Oyin said, “I would say set clear boundaries, make sure to prioritize yourself, and remember that you don’t have to change the Cate culture in a matter of months; you can make many small changes that are just as effective and better for your well-being.” 

Overall, the lives that Josh and Oyin have influenced and impacted will continue to carry their legacy far past the day they graduate. When asked about how he wanted to be remembered, Josh said, “I want them to remember how much I care for others and my desire to put others' needs in front of mine, but also just being an overall 'Cate' guy who does so much stuff and brings great energy and all that.” Oyin says, “I hope the freshman class remembers someone they could look at like a big sister. Someone they respected, but also someone they knew they could have fun with and talk to about anything. Just really someone who was there for them no matter what.”

While the Head prefects played a significant role in supporting Cate's student life, Jen and Barron extended that further as President and Vice President. Throughout Jen and Barron’s leadership, they played major roles in school events, the Senate, and little traditions like the kindness jar. However, at a boarding school like Cate, their responsibilities extended beyond being a face for the school. Jen and Barron became influential figures in the community, shaping student life through activities, traditions, and daily interactions. Their leadership helped foster a stronger sense of community and school spirit, unite the student body, and ensure everyone had a voice. They accomplished this all while managing the major responsibilities that came with the title. Both Jen and Barron expressed that what they were truly most proud of was “the impact … we had on the underclassmen on campus.” While much of their work was evident in their public events, announcements, and connections made, many of their major contributions occurred behind the scenes. 

They acted as the students responsible for helping coordinate events and weekly meetings with Ms. Lockett. This year, especially, Jen and Barron have also had to manage the responsibilities that come with the unexpected challenges of boarding life, including scheduling issues, burnout, and a lot of negative feedback about changing rules. The overall effort has created a space where daily life can run smoothly. Jen and Barron's efforts to resolve these issues required significant time and adaptability that the student body may not always see, but were essentially vital to ensuring student representation. Barron explains, “The number of intensive meetings the leadership holds is quite impressive, but goes under the radar. A lot of the work we did this year was focused on admin and on policies and rules for the school, so in the years to come, Cate can be the best place for students.”

Faculty members also recognize the impact of their dedication throughout the past school year. Senate Faculty advisor describes Jen and Barron's time in office as “moving away from acknowledging problems to finding solutions.” Erin Hansen praises the partnership for helping the school become more “Solution Oriented.” Ultimately, their consistent guidance and authority have not only maximized the school's success but also helped the community become more supportive and connected throughout the year.