The 2024 South Kent School Class President elections marked a significant chapter in the School’s tradition of student governance. While Student Government (SG) has played a key role throughout the School’s history, recent years have seen a renewed emphasis on revitalizing this tradition. This year’s election was the culmination of ongoing efforts to reinvigorate SG, a process that began in earnest under Head of School Lawrence Smith in 2014 and gained momentum in the 2022-2023 school year.
Head of School, Brian Sullivan, who also heavily values SG, asked Jesse Brennan, Dean of 6th Form and Postgraduates, to oversee the process for the ’24-’25 school year. Mr. Brennan has been at the forefront of these efforts, having previously worked closely with students like Graeme Russell to overhaul SG’s structure and election process in ‘22-’23. This year, Mr. Brennan took on the task of overseeing the elections once more, making it a particularly exciting and engaging event for the entire South Kent community.
The elections were not just about electing student leaders; they were a celebration of the values of student participation, leadership, and community. Students enter the race because they are passionate about giving their peers a voice and helping shape their school experience. “I promise to work hard and make your voices heard,” said Alec Johnson, the new 4th Form President, expressing his commitment to serve his classmates. Winners like Alec and the 5th Form’s Patrick Caillendee will not only lead their classes in SG meetings, but are also expected to organize community activities and uphold South Kent’s values.
This year, the election process was made even more exciting by real-time updates from Mr. Brennan, who added an element of fun with “CNN-style election coverage.” The tension was palpable as results came in from various dorms and districts, which are divided by form. Each dorm votes as a unit, and candidates must win a majority of districts within a dorm to secure its electoral votes. This year, new tiebreaker rules even came into play for the first time, making the results all the more suspenseful.
The 4th Form race was particularly competitive. Alec Johnson and Charlie Griffith ran against the incumbent Frank Fan, a student who had earned a reputation for his leadership and initiative. The race saw a mix of grassroots campaigning from Alec and Charlie, who connected with students through personal outreach, while Frank relied on a more strategic approach. In the end, Alec Johnson emerged victorious, securing a win thanks to strong performances in Gilder and several upper-form districts. “I am thrilled and honored to have been elected as your class president!” Johnson said. “I promise to work hard and make your voices heard.”
Meanwhile, in the 5th Form race, incumbent Patrick Caillendee faced off against challengers Julian Vollaro, Alex Mimaud, and Matthew Jankauskas. Despite a strong push from his competitors, Patrick’s wide-reaching popularity, bolstered by his involvement in campus life, led him to a decisive victory. “I promise to work hard and speak up for all students,” Patrick said after his win, expressing his determination to bring positive change for everyone.
The results of the election reflect a growing enthusiasm for student leadership at South Kent. As Mr. Brennan noted, “This year’s election was one of the most exciting I’ve seen, with the level of student participation and energy at an all-time high.”
Final Results:
• 5th Form Class President: Patrick Caillendee, McCoun, Class of 2026
• 4th Form Class President: Alec Johnson, Gilder, Class of 2027
The elections may be over, but the excitement doesn’t stop there. With the new class presidents in place, the students of South Kent are eager to see what the next chapter of student governance will bring.
Stay tuned for more updates as Alec and Patrick take on their responsibilities this coming year.