Ivy Song ‘26
In the past week, I had the chance to interview the monitors for the 2024-2025 academic year. The eight monitors are the student leaders who help connect the students to the faculty and represent the school to the world outside of St. Mark’s. I asked them questions about themselves and their hopes for the year ahead.
The following interviews have been edited and excerpted for length and clarity.
Karry Kim
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
My favorite tradition is the dinner before Groton Night. I remember my freshman year, when everyone chanted so loud that the windows and the ground were shaking. I could really feel how enthusiastic and proud everyone was to be a part of the school.
What inspired you to become a student monitor?
This past year, I worked as a co-head of ASEA, where I planned lots of celebrations for Southeast and East Asian students. I had so much fun planning these events, but I also felt so happy, knowing that I contributed to creating happy memories for all the students who participated. I wanted to do this not only for the Southeast and East Asian students but also for everyone at this school.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I ever received was: Accept whatever comes to you woven in the pattern of your destiny, for what could more aptly fit your needs? I learned to accept whatever.
Divi Bhaireddy
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
Going to the quads after dinner in the springtime
Who was a monitor in your St. Mark’s career that greatly impacted you?
Jackie Zatsiorsky was such a well-rounded student, she had a lot on her plate and responsibilities and she handled them really well.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you're doing something that feels right to you and makes you happy at that moment, then its the right thing to do.
What’s one thing you hope to accomplish by the end of next school year?
I hope I make friends and be a friendly face to all grades.
Ife Lawore
What are you most excited about in the year ahead?
The monitor group as a whole has a lot of good ideas to work together as a group and everyone is very involved.
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
Songfest, a time for everyone to connect with their dorms. A chance to get to know the people in the dorm more.
If you could change one thing about the school, what would it be?
There's no time in the schedule to do anything. A lack of motivation to do things because everyone is too tired after their commitments.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If something doesn't happen, it is God's plan for you. If something doesn't work out, know that something better will come, and it will all work out.
Meredith Dane
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
The Southborough Tea at the end of the school year has always been my favorite school tradition. I love hearing from the seniors and it is always such a wholesome and fun time. I also love all the pastries and chocolate-covered strawberries!!!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Everyone else is too busy worrying about what others think of them, just like I am. Therefore, no one is actually judging or even looking at you because everyone else is just as self-conscious. So there is no need to get preoccupied with how you look or act because no one cares!
What’s one thing you hope to accomplish by the end of next school year?
Leaving a positive and memorable mark on St. Mark's while helping the adjustment between Dr. Hills and the school community run smoothly.
Drew Carr
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
My favorite school event is the coffee house. It’s one of the only events where the atmosphere feels like a lively community. It’s also an event where everyone feels comfortable performing in front of a group of people.
If you could change one thing about the school, what would it be?
Make driving rules more lenient for boarders and day students.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Everything you want is on the other side of hard - Coach Corazzinni
What’s one thing you hope to accomplish by the end of next school year?
I want all students to have more freedom in their lives. We need to trust our students more and not force them to do things such as study hall every night.
Diego Bass
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
My favorite school event is probably the student-faculty basketball game because it brings the whole school community together.
Who was a monitor in your st mark’s career that has had a big impact on you?
Calvin Beard has made a big impact on me. We connected during my freshman year, and I have turned to him for guidance over the years.
What’s one thing you hope to accomplish by the end of next school year?
I hope to not miss opportunities and leave without regrets.
Charlie Shifrin
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
There will never be anything here that trumps Groton night, but on a smaller scale, I think coffee house/open mic is one of the best events on campus as it brings us all together and allows everyone to showcase their hidden talents.
If you could change one thing about the school, what would it be?
I would like to see the school come together and work hard to succeed as a group. I think so much of our community right now is divided into many small groups, so it will be fun to work toward militating the walls between groups.
What’s one thing you hope to accomplish by the end of next school year?
I hope to leave this place leaving an impact on as many people as possible and fostering the desired togetherness throughout the entire community.
Jared Brown
What's your favorite school event or tradition, and what makes it special to you?
I enjoy the staff vs. student basketball game because it causes absolute mayhem in MFAC in the best way possible, and everyone enjoys playing or watching.
Who was a monitor in your st mark’s career that has had a big impact on you?
Darius Wagner for the effort he put in while he was a monitor. I respected him for never showing signs of fatigue. He gave it all he had.
What’s a hidden talent or interesting fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
I am an avid anime watcher.