This fall, the freshman class elected 4 new Student Government representatives and Class Officers. Each student brings individual skills and interests to their positions, as well as projects or goals they hope to accomplish. Student Government reps will meet with other representatives from all upper school grades and discuss issues relating to the entire student body. The students elected by their peers to be Student Government representatives are Lena Piven, Lila Milliken, Nora Colgan, and Dylan Parchman. Class Officers focus more on grade-specific issues and event planning. The elected Class Officers are Maddie Cohen, Avery Rosen, Kayode Ekundare, and Will Matrai.

Student Government Representatives

Lena Piven ‘25

Lena decided to “run for Student Government to be an active part of the upper school community and be able to represent the 9th grade in a positive light to the rest of the Student Government.” Her primary goal is to make new community members’ voices and concerns heard, especially those of the freshman class. Lena is an active listener but also is willing and able to bring her voice and thoughts prominently to a group discussion. She hopes to practice leadership and communication through being a representative. 

Lena is a member of Modern Films Club, Yearbook, and Spirit Club, She is also on the softball and tennis teams. She describes herself as “eager, thoughtful, and capable.” She is also an avid traveler. 

Lila Milliken ‘25

“As someone who is on the quiet side, I wanted to be able to help bring the ideas of people who might not feel comfortable talking to upperclassmen in Student Government,” explains Lila. She brings good organizational and planning skills to the group. She also likes the concepts of working with other grades to make upper-school-wide changes on behalf of her own class, which is what drew her to Student Government.

Lila is a member of the field hockey and basketball teams, along with being in Quake and Environmentalism Club. Outside of school, she participates in aerials and juggling circus with the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Lila describes herself as “curious, adventurous, and quiet.” She has a pet crested gecko. 

The other representatives are Nora Colgan ‘25 and Dylan Parchman ‘25. 

Class Officers

Maddie Cohen ‘25

Maddie decided to run for Class Officer because “[she] thought it would be a good opportunity for [her] and it seemed like something [she] would like to do.” She also mentions how the roles and responsibilities of a class officer fit her personality better than being a Student Government Representative. One of her goals is to accomplish a lot and listen to the input of her peers and fellow classmates. 

Maddie is a member of the field hockey and softball teams at FSS and takes part in Jewish Student Union and Helping Hands. She describes herself as “ambitious, kind, and creative.” Fun fact about Maddie: her name was changed a few weeks after she was born!

Avery Rosen ‘25

Avery decided to run for class officer “so that [he] would have more input into decisions made for [his] grade. [He] also thought it could be fun to plan events for the grade with [his] fellow Class Officers.” Some goals that he hopes to achieve are to get to know the 9th grade better and to help classmates who may be struggling. Avery brings his organizational skills to help plan events and an ability to provide help to classmates based on his own personal experiences. 

Avery manages many sports commitments in and outside of FSS and he works to balance his schedule to make time for his sports, academics, and other activities. He describes himself as “hardworking, energetic, and companionable.” Avery and his family got a puppy over the summer named Tyger.

Kayode Ekundare ‘25

Kayode decided to run for class officer because he “thought it would be fun” and “because [he] wanted to go to meetings.” He brings optimism to his position and is determined to make sure things in the 9th grade stay afloat. 

Kayode describes himself as “intelligent, musical, and magical.” He is also red-green colorblind. 

Will Matrai ‘25

Will decided to run for class officer because “[he] enjoy[s] planning and seeing through large projects.” Though unsure of what it might accomplish, Will brings his vast knowledge of movies to his position.  Will isn’t involved in many extracurriculars and hopes that being a Class Officer will help fill that space. If he had to choose three words to describe himself, he would say “dinosaurs, video games, and movies.” Will can also shake his pupils.