This story was originally published in the June 2025 edition of the ECFS Reporter.
Whether launching student initiatives, sharpening their minds with a chess game in between classes, or developing critical thinking skills in a seminar, the Class of 2025 has made the most of their senior year at ECFS. We followed Fieldston Student Government (FSG) Co-Presidents Ellis LK. ’25 and Clara T. ’25 on a typical day filled with classroom discussions, creative exploration, and developing leadership skills in sports, school, and beyond.
Clara: I love walking into Senior Seminar, a participation-based capstone English class for seniors. We’re encouraged to collaborate and think critically, complete analytical and creative assessments, and take turns leading rigorous and intellectual class discussions on a variety of texts, including “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison, “Labyrinths” by Jorge Luis Borges, and “Counternarratives” by John Keene. We’ve analyzed complex themes through a multitude of lenses, which inspired me to read full texts independently and debate interpretations with peers inside and outside class. Exploring concepts of infinity, learning about poststructuralism, and connecting historical contexts to modes of narration has challenged me in ways I didn’t expect to encounter until college.
Ellis: My first period class is “Silence and Noise: The Politics of Storytelling,” taught by Dr. Brown. In this class, we’ve read “There’s Always This Year” by Hanif Abdurraqib, “dayliGht” by Roya Marsh, “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro, and “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” by Alison Bechdel. Though these books are different genres, we analyze the importance of the stories that they tell. Dr. Brown has pushed me to grow as a reader and writer in a way I haven’t been before.
Another class I have loved having this year is calculus. Not only do I have friends in the class, but Ms. Hanson makes math very engaging, and I’ve enjoyed learning about the concepts and applications of calculus. Having Ms. Hanson as a teacher who encourages mistakes also makes math class a joy.
Clara: I’ve been passionate about filmmaking since middle school, leading me to major in it at Fieldston Upper. The Film Major is an advanced student-driven course that culminates in the creation of a thesis film, showcased at Arts Night and the Fieldston Film Festival at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center.
Our class has become more familiar with sophisticated narrative development, camerawork, and editing. I’ve directed, filmed, and edited two documentaries that won top awards at the New York Alliance Film Festival, including “Plucked,” which won Best Documentary Film in 2024 for exploring an annual turkey harvest in my town, the cycle of life, and the farm-to-table movement. Being a film major has been an invaluable experience, allowing me to express myself creatively and to highlight meaningful community stories.
Ellis: Whenever I have free time, I play chess or study. Studying allows me to get ahead on my work, which is crucial on a tight schedule. My favorite place is the library, where I settle into a study carrel for 30 to 45 minutes of good focus.
If I’m not studying, I am leveling up my chess game. This year, I’ve consistently played or studied chess for an hour each day. I am with my friends if neither of those activities are going on. Balancing social life and academics is key, and having breaks during the day to socialize without focusing on work keeps me going.
Clara: Every Wednesday during lunch, Ellis and I meet with Ms. Ruth Taveras, Dean of Student Engagement, to discuss our agenda and catch up on personal and academic updates. Occasionally, we host an FSG cabinet meeting or meet with Dr. Stacey Bobo, Mr. Kyle Wilkie-Glass, and other faculty about student initiatives.
I ran for FSG to represent students on important issues, gain leadership experience, and strengthen our community. It has allowed me to build relationships with students, faculty, and administration while learning how to improve the student experience through academic resources like a science tutoring center, planning community events, or preparing for presentations. These meetings are a productive way to refocus initiatives, collaborate, hear about others’ perspectives, and form personal connections outside of our work.
Ellis: Each day ends with either a sports practice or a game. In the winter season, that means basketball practice. As team captain this year, I’ve emphasized the importance of details, or “the little things,” such as cutting hard, making clean passes, and high-fiving teammates. When it comes to losses, I find our team’s resilience admirable. I’ll play baseball in the spring, and I’m headed off to Colby College next year to continue my baseball career. While I’m still at Fieldston, I am focused on an important goal — winning our baseball NYSAIS championship.
