The newly-elected All Student Body (ASB) officers for the 2026-27 school year aim to blend collaboration with open-mindedness and fun, bringing a new style to Chadwick’s highest student leadership group.
Incoming ASB President Landon Park ’27 is fond of quoting famous people. This quirk is especially expressed when Park describes leadership as his way to contribute to the school he’s been part of for 13 years. Citing a quote often attributed to Winston Churchill, Park says: “‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’ And I want to make my life about giving back to the community that’s given me so much.”
Parker Leshney ’27, already well-known throughout the school for his musical performances, steps into the ASB Vice President position prepared to listen. Since his sophomore year, he has served as his grade’s Vice President. “Some people take leadership as ‘I get to tell people what to do and boss them around.’ And I think that’s a completely wrong way to be a leader,” says Leshney. “As a leader, you are what the group you’re representing wants.”
For Aaron Kim ’27, being elected Social Chair is a promise to support the community and gather feedback for events. His perspective as a new member of the Student Council and participant in Wick Media means he is uniquely tuned in to what the community is like. “I love socializing,” explains Kim. “I also like helping people out…in my grade and people younger than me… Talking to them about things is just something I enjoy. If you ever need someone to talk to, [you] can come to me and any of our boys.”
Harry Lai ’27 served as Vice Class President his freshman year, pivoting to serve on the MUN Board starting sophomore year, and is now back as ASB Treasurer. “I’d like to support the Student Council as any other member would,” Lai says. “I am very lucky to have this opportunity.”
Incumbent Tallis Westernoff ’27 ran unopposed for All-Upper School Honor Council Representative and is now ready for another year of balancing fairness and compassion.
Each ASB position is charged with a variety of responsibilities, from overseeing the entire Student Council, to supporting grade-level representatives to leading assemblies to planning the highly anticipated Homecoming Week.
For seniors, especially, there is the expectation that they will be looked to as role models within Student Council, but also outside of it.
“The name ASB stands for ‘all student body,’” Park explains. “So given that title and given the requirements of this role, we have to be the representatives that satisfy… [the] all student body. The term represents the commitment of this role to serving the broader high school.”
Park sums up: “[ASB] is responsible for [deciding]… the culture that the high school experience is really going to embody.”
Thus, what can the student body expect from their newly elected representatives?
Transparency is paramount. In addition to strong ideals about community and responsibility, the new ASB is motivated by its specific promises.
“A great idea would be to send out a report ahead of time for any Upper School event that involves money, detailing exactly everything and why a ticket price is that ticket price,” Lai explains.
Kim says: “One of my main campaign promises was [sending out] a Google form before major events—Homecoming, Winter Week—so the community can actually vote on the features and the venue they want. Opening that direct communication will help us finalize decisions in a way that is more open and inclusive towards the community.”
What if an event doesn’t quite go the way it was planned? “Criticism isn’t bad,” says Park. “I’m not upset with people for not enjoying it. I’m upset at myself for not helping them enjoy it.
“Don’t be afraid to call us out,” adds Leshney. “If you feel like something’s wrong, if you feel like things should not be this way, and that something is unjust in a way… don’t feel that fear because that is the whole point we have this.”
The new ASB emphasizes that they want to hear what the community thinks and give feedback based on the given advice. This idea of being open ties into the new Student Council’s desire to build a stronger sense of community through open conversation.
“I feel like anybody should be able to come to anybody and talk and not feel like there’s some crazy power dynamic,” says Leshney. “You can text me anytime. You can email me anytime. If you have any ideas, if you have any concerns, comments, questions… And if people feel like they’re not going to be heard, then what am I doing wrong as a leader?”
However, none of these goals, processes, and discussions will come at the cost of having fun—a goal especially emphasized by Park.
“Fun to me is about setting an ‘opt-in’ precedent… I want to go out there,” shares Park, “during assemblies, or during any time, and really put myself out there so people can feel comfortable to do the same, because once everyone can participate, that’s when we’re able to have the most fun.”
“We want to bring a stronger sense of closeness within the grades,” explains Kim. “Usually, the assembly is an example of where we can feel less separated by grades… If you just look at the first couple of assemblies we’ve had, they’re light, they’re fun, and they’re always engaging.”
Perhaps this emphasis on community reflects the ASB’s own camaraderie—their banter during assemblies, the attention they give to each other, the effortlessness they exhibit when they share their ideas, and even their insistence on a group interview for The Mainsheet all show that the new incumbency brings their own flair to Student Council.
“At the end of the day,” Park concludes, “these are my boys. I love these guys to death. [And] I can’t thank them enough.”
