Senior prefects: Title or responsibility?

Photo courtesy of Mr. Kirk Uejio

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Courtney Ochi
September 30, 2009
Filed under Features

This year’s senior prefects are composed of 24 seniors who were either voted in by their classmates or grandfathered in by virtue of their position (which includes the three proconsuls, student body treasurer, senior class president, yearbook editor-in-chiefs, and Imua editor-in-chief).  But, is being a prefect just another honor to add to a college resume, or is there significance and impact that come along with the title?

Over the Labor Day weekend, the prefects had a sleepover in Seto Hall, but spent the majority of the day around town performing community service.  The annual prefect sleepover is meant to unite the group and to get the ball rolling on “hot button issues” that need to be discussed in order to improve the school.

After a long day of cleaning up the Hawaii Nature Center and scavenger hunting throughout Waikiki, the prefects discussed important ‘Iolani issues.  Currently, a lot of students are bothered by the new dress code standards being enforced by teachers.  But, there are also smaller problems that need to be acknowledged.  For example, should students be required to buy their own textbooks? Or would it be beneficial for ninth to twelfth grade students to also have the two-tests per day policy?

Over the course of the year, the prefects will gather information and decide which issues need reconstruction.   They will then organize a proposed solution that will be presented to administrators including headmaster, Dr. Val Iwashita.

“The big thing that prefects do is make ‘Iolani a better place,” said Mr. Kirk Uejio, Director of Student Activities and advisor to the prefects.  ”It’s up to the group what they want to do.”  Some of the prefects were involved in the hiring process of Assistant Dean, Ms. Lily Driskill.  A group of students interviewed four potential candidates for the job and their input was taken into account when hiring her.  ”When the administration has a question, they start by asking the prefects,” he said.

And on a lighter note, the prefects are currently in the process of planning fun and exciting spirit days.  Their job is to set an example by being a positive asset to the ‘Iolani community.

So, even though the role of the seniors prefects commonly goes unnoticed, they are making a valuable contribution to ‘Iolani’s community by trying to improve policies that need fixing, and making the overall environment a little more Raiderrific.