Elected Student Council 2026-2027 | News | Portsmouth Abbey School, Rhode Island

At Portsmouth Abbey School, students are encouraged to be leaders in all aspects of student life. Leadership is cultivated through everyday experiences, from academics and athletics to House life and student-led programs, encouraging students to lead with purpose and integrity. Inspired by the Abbey’s Benedictine values, students are challenged to grow as thoughtful, compassionate leaders ready to make a meaningful impact. 

It takes courage, support, and a keen vision for students to campaign for their candidacy as Form Officers. Between May 15 and May 18, students presented their speeches to a crowd of their peers and stated their goals and aspirations as student leaders, many of whom shared their steadfast love and dedication to fostering community throughout the student body. 

The ballots have been cast, and the votes are in! Please welcome the elected Head Boy, Head Girl and Form Officers for the 2026-27 school year: 

Student Council Form Officers

Congratulations to the elected Student Council members, and may you all represent your student body in knowledge and grace!

Newly Elected Head Girl and Head Boy

This fall, rising Sixth Formers Daisy Jin and Dylan Hong will assume the roles of Head Girl and Head Boy, stepping into a tradition of student leadership rooted in character, service and community. We recently sat down with Daisy and Dylan to hear more about their experiences at the Abbey and their hopes for the year ahead. 

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

Daisy Jin:

Daisy is a boarding student from Shanghai, China, and the newly elected Head Girl for the upcoming academic school year.

Q. What makes Portsmouth Abbey School special? 

A. I think definitely the community. Stepping onto campus, when I first arrived along with the rest of the student body in the Fall of my Form III year, I immediately felt the warmth of the community unique to the Abbey. I thought it was really special how everyone around campus and in the dorms would go out of their way to say “Hi”. It was overwhelming at first, but it quickly became a source of comfort to feel noticed, to be known. On a separate note, I have found great joy in being a student and learning deeply from the Abbey’s academic curriculum. Even if it wasn’t my favorite subject, I could always take delight and interest in it thanks to my inspiring teachers.   

Q. Why did you run for Head Girl? 

A. I ran for Head Girl because I wanted to make a change in my community and be someone people can turn to. After being class president for the past three years, I recognized the importance of a student leadership role and wanted to continue doing more for the Raven community. As Head Girl, I would have a greater ability to use the position’s influence to enact change and implement student-driven initiatives. I like being there for other people. Additionally, I think it means a lot for a person of color like me to be on stage, to show younger girls and girls my age that we can be successful leaders. Even as an international student, I, too, can put myself out there and be successful.  

Q. What are your goals as Head Girl for this upcoming year? What about personally? 

A. As Head Girl, my primary goal is to serve the student body and create new opportunities for school-wide activities and camaraderie, such as intramural games between the Forms. In addition, I would like to implement an anonymous help line for any student who wants to talk and be heard. The winter months are especially draining, with the brittle cold and the short days, so I believe the line could be a helpful outlet and mode of support. I want every student to feel valued and listened to, with a school experience enriched by meaningful opportunities, strong support, and lasting friendships. Personally, I would like to use the role as an opportunity to meet more people. I love meeting people, so the prospect of being in a position where people can turn to me, and I get to know members of my community on an individual level, is invaluable.  

Q. How would you describe the current student body? What kind of student leaders do they need? 

A. The current student body is excited, engaged and multifaceted. I admire our ability to pursue our diverse passions wholeheartedly, yet we are open to experiencing new opportunities. I believe the Abbey community needs confident student leaders who are willing and able to speak up on behalf of every voice. With this role, I believe it is important to recognize the responsibility that we hold and to be comfortable wielding that accountability to shape positive outcomes. 

Q. Who has influenced your leadership style the most? 

A. I take great inspiration from my past prefects, as they are still people I look up to and admire to this day. As a new student, I was intimidated by navigating the boarding school life, but it was my prefects who made me feel most welcomed and at ease in that transition period. I still fondly remember the letters they wrote to me at the beginning of the year, and the special celebrations they organized for various holidays. Those special moments have inspired me to be that person for the younger generations of Ravens.  

Q. What advice would you give to the younger students? 

A. My advice to the younger students is to put themselves in situations in which they can meet new people and be surrounded by the everyday life of the Abbey. I cannot recommend enough how essential the student center has been for me and building my sense of community. There have been many times in which I’ve been in the student center, not doing anything in particular, but people will come in and strike up a conversation, or we would end up playing board games for hours on end. I believe in the power of being present within your surroundings and how it can create a sense of belonging and long-lasting memories. 

Q. Anything else you would like to add? 

A. I would like to thank my family, specifically my brother, Billy, who graduated this year. I am grateful to have experienced my journey at the Abbey with his support. Despite crying when watching him walk the stage at graduation, I am excited for him and his new life in New York! I am eager to see what’s in store for me, too, and my peers this upcoming year at the Abbey! 

Dylan Hong:

Dylan is a boarding student from Fort Lee, New Jersey, and the newly elected Head Boy for the upcoming academic school year.

Q. What makes Portsmouth Abbey School special? 

A. The first thing I immediately think of is the people. Coming to the Abbey as a new student, you find support everywhere, whether in the classrooms, out on the field, or in the dorms. It’s unconditional support that, to a newcomer, seemingly comes out of nowhere. You don’t expect it, but the compassion and generosity of the Raven community is always there from day one, and it has given me the confidence and support to take risks and branch out. 

Q. Why did you run for Head Boy? 

A. As the previous Fifth Form Class Vice President, I implemented several positive initiatives for my peers, and the natural next step to continue doing more and serving more for the Abbey was to run for Head Boy. My leadership experience gives me insight into the responsibilities and the commitment to integrity that come with a larger role. 

Q. What are your goals as Head Boy for this upcoming year? What about personally? 

A. Considering that we’re stepping into Portsmouth Abbey’s Centennial year, my goal as Head Boy is to highlight all the special qualities that make the Abbey unique and create an anniversary year that is memorable. My goal is to serve the student body, and, alongside the Head Girl, we are stepping into the role with a variety of ideas we hope to implement – including big brother/ sister programs, alumni-student networking opportunities, and student versus faculty intramural games. Personally, I would like to connect more with my peers and be able to put myself in niches that broaden my interests and experiences in my final year at the Abbey. 

Q. How would you describe the current student body? What kind of student leaders do they need? 

A. I would describe the student body as diverse, with our various interests, cultures and backgrounds, yet unified in our diversity. Our student body is built on our shared values, mutual respect, and a strong sense of belonging. This entails having a student leader who is confident, open-minded, and encouraging open dialogue with all students. 

Q. Who has influenced your leadership style the most? 

A. Stepping into the role as Head Boy, I look up to the previous Head Boys and how they managed the leadership role. I take inspiration from the way these student leaders – Bo Hallenstein ’24, Andrew Thibault ’25, Jay Keenan ’26 - interacted with the community, applying the qualities I admire the most, such as Thibault’s playful and outgoing persona, Hallenstein’s discipline and adaptability, and Keenan’s humility and resilience. I would like to honor their legacy as I create my own role. 

Q. What advice would you give to the younger students? 

A. I would advise students to try everything – it is how you discover strengths, passions, and opportunities you never knew you had. As a young student, don’t be afraid to explore unfamiliar interests, because the biggest waste is letting fear and discomfort stop you from reaching your full potential. 

Q. Anything else you would like to add? 

A. Daisy and I are excited and honored by the opportunity to serve as Head Girl and Head Boy next year, and I hope to serve the Ravens well and make next year one we can all be proud of.