From Student to Leader: Erin's Story as STUCO President 

Student leadership is a hallmark of the Upper School at ISP and a vital part of our mission to foster skills of collaboration and empower our students to effect meaningful change within our school community.

To support our students in developing and strengthening their leadership abilities, we invest in opportunities for them to work with outside leadership consultants throughout the year.

Currently, our Upper School Student Council (STUCO) boasts a membership of 45 students, constituting approximately 12% of the Upper School population. With such broad representation, STUCO has successfully accomplished many projects and goals, such as creating a handbook, organising events and planning unique school initiatives. 

Let’s hear from Erin, Grade 11, who served as the STUCO President during the 2023/24 School Year. 

 

Hi Erin. Thanks for chatting with us today. We are looking forward to hearing about your term as STUCO president, what inspired you to pursue leadership at ISP, and your hopes and dreams for the future! 

 

Let’s start with some of the basics! How long have you been at ISP, and what do you appreciate most about the school?

I’ve been at ISP since Grade 8, and my favourite subjects are economics and math. I’ve also been part of the soccer and basketball teams since Middle School. My favorite part of ISP is that students have so many opportunities to participate in different activities: sports, academics, etc. I feel like ISP is more supportive than any other school that I have ever been to.

 

What made you want to be STUCO president?  Have you always been interested in leadership?

Running for STUCO president in Grade 10 was such a hard decision to make, but I wanted to support ISP in having a more student-run environment. I have always been interested in leadership and served in many different positions over the years.  In Korean public school, I was the class president since Grade 3, and when I joined ISP in Grade 8, I was part of MS STUCO.  In Grade 9, I became a STUCO representative and was the community gathering committee leader for two years. 

 

How did you prepare to be the President of STUCO? 

I had the opportunity to participate in a leadership retreat early on in the year, and it was an exceptionally enriching and invigorating experience. The retreat served as a catalyst for forging stronger bonds with my fellow cabinet members, ultimately enhancing our collective potential for positive change.

 

 

What are some highlights from your term as STUCO president?

One of the highlights of my term as President was when my Vice President, Bibi, and I presented our assessment calendar policy to the US faculty. We were so nervous to present in front of all of the teachers, but we knew it was crucial for us to hear their perspectives on assessments and assignments. Another highlight of my term was the STUCO coffee and cookie events where we serve free coffee and cookies to the US community twice a year. This event really bonds STUCO members and also encourages the students to spend time together. 

 

What did you find the most difficult part of being president?

The most difficult part of being President was considering everyone’s opinion when making decisions! I tried my best to make decisions that benefitted the majority of the students, but even that left out a minority of the students, which was a dilemma for me. However, there were always my cabinet members, STUCO advisors, and Dr. Sturm to support my decisions, which I greatly appreciated. 

 

What did you find the most rewarding part of being president?

The most rewarding experience was talking with so many different people in our school—sometimes with Dr. Kimball, the administration office, the advancement office, and Dr. Sturm. Having conversations with these adults helped me broaden my views and goals as President. 

 

What are your plans or hopes for your future?

While I don’t have specific plans for my future yet, one of my goals is to be a ‘true leader’ so that I can positively impact others in the community where I belong. It was such an honour to represent the Upper School during the 2023/24 School Year. This leadership role taught me how to better communicate with others and understand multiple perspectives. I am very grateful for this experience! 

 

What do you think you will remember about ISP after you graduate?

I think I will remember all the teachers and friends that I have been with during my time at ISP. All the teachers here provided so many opportunities and learning experiences, which were invaluable for me. The ISP community will stay in my memory even after I graduate.