Leadership

Whether guiding their peers down a mountain trail, welcoming new and returning students to campus, or coming up with community building initiatives, OVS students have many opportunities to develop leadership skills and make a positive contribution to the school community.

One way to obtain a student leadership position is to be elected as representative by your peers for the Student Council. At the Lower Campus, the Student Council is composed of representatives from grades 3-8. At the Upper Campus, the Student Council is composed of representatives from grades 9-12. Both councils create a positive school climate, and students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills by facilitating meetings, managing events, and organizing community service projects. Students have the opportunity to run for various leadership positions, including president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and class representatives.

All resident students on both campuses have opportunities for student leadership through the prefect system. Prefects serve as role models and assist resident counselors in daily dorm duties. They are responsible for checking to see that crew jobs are done; they monitor the dorm during study hall; and they help plan dorm activities. Prefect applications are reviewed by the faculty team overseeing these positions.

At the Upper Campus, all students can also apply to be appointed into a leadership position by a group of teachers who facilitate the leadership program. After undergoing both a group and individual interview, the selected leaders for that academic year become part of a powerhouse team that collaborates to foster a sense of belonging, act as liaisons for all students, undergo leadership skill building, and think creatively on how to maintain a lively and enthusiastic school community. Some student leader initiatives and responsibilities include evening tutoring, a mentorship program, holding office hours, providing opportunities for games and activities during free time, and helping to provide tours for prospective students.

Student leadership lives throughout the OVS community. Additional opportunities include serving as an editor of the yearbook or the student newspaper, leading sports teams, or creating new clubs and opportunities for student engagement on both campuses.