New SGA Lays Out Goals for 2025-2026 School Year
By Jack Butterworth ‘26
In the oak-paneled basement conference room of Straus Library, on May 22, Milton’s 2025-26 Self-Governing Association (SGA) began its term with a focus on building a more connected Milton student body. Though the setting, with its grand shelves of old books, framed maps, and antique pots, evoked tradition, the meeting—open to all students—was both lively and informal.
As members eased into their office chairs, the Head Monitors, Patrycja Pogorzelska ‘26 and Nehemiah Sanon ‘26, opened with a “rose, bud, thorn” activity. The conversation flowed with laughter. One member joked about a fire alarm set off by crepe-making in French class, while another’s excitement over a good grade drew widespread support. This cohesion, already present just weeks into their term, is what the SGA hopes to cultivate campus-wide with a closer student body. Building on this sense of connection, each SGA pair summarized their goals for the upcoming school year:
The Head Monitors outlined several initiatives, starting with their proposal for “second advisory” groups, adding that a formal name for the project is forthcoming. These groups would consist of 8-12 students of varied grades and boarding/day statuses, with two faculty members from diverse roles. The plan aims to create discussion-based, biweekly meetings for guidance and cross-community bonding. “Monday meetings might seem like community building, but they’re really not,” Sanon said, sharing that he and Pogorzelska believe the “second advisory” system will better use that time to connect students. “Our strength is in diversity, but if you don’t know each other, that strength is not there,” Pogorzelska added. The Head Monitors also discussed integrating HS&R more fully into Class IV health classes, launching an ISL Head Monitor conference, and amending parts of the SGA constitution.
Boarding Monitors Jacob Matalon ‘26 and Jennifer Li ‘26 shared plans for a field day between dorms in the fall. “Having an activity at the start of the year for new boarding students will help build community from the beginning,” Matalon said. Li also proposed starting a shuttle system to Boston and changing unclear boarding rules. “I’ve heard that long before I came to Milton, the boarding community and faculty were closer because there was always stuff to do on campus,” Matalon said. The Boarding Monitors’ objective is to host more events, rebuilding that sense of closeness.
Day Monitors Haley Medley ‘26 and Avaneesh Siruvuri ‘26 discussed forming a Day Council, improving communication to students and advisors surrounding discipline, and extending Reach to day students. “Having relationships with people that are older than you and have been through it is actually really beneficial,” Medley told The Milton Paper, remarking that she and Siruvuri intend to expand mentorship opportunities among day students.
Class I Reps Gustavo dos Reis ‘26 and Chloe Yeo ‘26 are keeping some of their ideas as surprises, but they shared a strong sense of the overarching values they bring to their jobs. “One of my goals is creating a space for reflection on our childhoods,” Yeo said. “As seniors, we are coming into adulthood, and with the college application process narrowing us into a few essays, reflecting is the best way to process.” Dos Reis continued, “I want us to have closure as we graduate. I value coming together as a class and spending time together. Although Senior Year is a really stressful year, I want to create time for us to come together, make memories, and be happy.” The two have already begun planning classic senior events like Senior Sunrise and Skip Day, with surprise plans in the works as well.
Class II Reps Indra Li ‘27 and Preston Tsang ‘27 shared their short- and long-term goals for the 2025-26 school year, including a class-wide spikeball tournament. The pair also hopes to host a relaxed outdoor class meeting. Looking ahead, they seek to address the often-ignored divide between boarding and day students. “Junior year is a time to go through trial and error and to try new things,” Li noted, emphasizing his and his partner’s commitment to experimentation and growth.
Class III Reps Max Pasciucco ‘28 and Gabi Ramos ‘28 are determined to bring energy and fun to every class meeting. They particularly want to limit meeting announcements, with Pasciucco joking, “Vermont is the best state because they don’t allow billboards.” Their plans also include launching a TikTok account, organizing a spikeball tournament, and incorporating games into their class meetings.
SGA Secretary Kaysia Maddix ‘26 plans on working closely with the Head Monitors, taking meeting notes. She will be running a ‘Kaci’s Kitchen’ column in the Milton Measure and organizing the Upper School Meeting slides. She described her role as both essential and evolving. Maddix, who is not elected but appointed, believes she will benefit the community more broadly than just by taking notes and arranging slides.
As the SGA begins its new term, its members share a vision to build a more connected, inclusive, and energized Milton. When classes restart in the fall, all thirteen new members hope to funnel their present momentum toward a year of impactful change.