This interview was conducted at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 9 in the Ohrstrom Library.
Ryan Murphy: Hi everybody, this Ryan Murphy with The Partisan sitting down with Andrew Fleischner, one of our top ten Student Council Sixth Form Officer Finalists. Andrew, thank you for being here.
Andrew Fleischner: Pleasure being with you, Ryan.
RM: First things first, big congratulations on making the top ten...
AF: Thank you.
RM: ...that's a huge honor.
AF: Thank you very much.
RM: How are you?
AF: I'm pretty good... Yeah.
RM: Good. Good.
AF: Excited to have made it this far.
RM: Well, we're excited to have you here. I'm going to dive right in. So, the first question that I've been asking is: If you were to choose one thing that you would want the voters — or just our form, obviously — to know about you, either going into this process or just as a person, what would that one thing be?
AF: I'm a very dedicated person. I persevere to get things done, and when there's a goal I want to achieve, I'll work my hardest to attain it. So, as an SFO, I would take all of the input and advocate for the form. I think that's what one of the biggest positions of what an SFO is — to be an advocate for the form, to hear their ideas. But it's also to be an advocate for the community. I would bring what the school wants to the administration, and I would work hard to make sure, and try my best to get things done to be as effective as possible.
RM: So, to the point of getting things done and being effective, you were Fifth Form Rep this past year. How was that experience for you?
AF: ... Honestly...
RM: ...And if that's too broad I can narrow it down for you.
AF: No, I think that Eden and I were successful as Fifth Form Reps this year. I believe that we did get things done for the form. We had form feeds, we got form wear, we had a great turnout for the first round — the second round struggled a little bit. But we presented to our form what the form wanted. So we did what we could. We pushed for later check, and I feel like it was a success, and it was overall a really great experience. Yeah.
RM: So, do you think it's prepared you at all for a greater role, if you will, as an SFO?
AF: I think it has prepared me. I have experience in this position talking to the deans or reaching out to the form, or giving announcements in Chapel. I've put lots of time into being a fifth form rep, and while not all of that is seen, I know that that still makes an impact, and I will still bring that impact and still put in the work, even if all the results... Not everything will be seen — what the SFOs do — but I will still work my hardest and try my best for the form.
RM: Alright. So, let's say you are elected to StudCo, right?
AF: [Nods] Uh-huh.
RM: Let's say you're in that seat. What is one goal you would have for next year? And you can take your time to think about that, because that is a broad question, and I do understand... [Laughing]
AF: Yeah...
RM: But just one.
AF: Okay... I think that the goals that I have are impacted by whatever restrictions we might have. This year we've had COVID restrictions, and I want to make sure that next year we can have the best year possible. The goals that I have... I would work with the COVID regulations to make sure that we're able to do form events, and to make sure that we can enjoy our senior year after missing fourth form spring — just make sure that we can have the best time at St. Paul's on this beautiful campus with our form and great people.
RM: Okay, I think that's a really good answer. We've been asking all the candidates about COVID, right...
AF: [Nods] Uh-huh.
RM: ...It's a big thing. So I wanted to ask you how you think COVID has impacted the school...
AF: [Nods] Uh-huh.
RM: ...But I think that's also a little obvious, right? [Laughing]
AF: Yeah.
RM: It's been affecting us in a lot of ways... How do you think we come back from that next year? And what do you think that the roles of the SFOs are in terms of leading us back from what we've lost? Because we have lost quite a bit, although we are thankful to be here.
AF: Yes, of course. Totally thankful to be on campus. I think that COVID... Like you said, the obvious things are maybe unity within the school, and unity within the student body. So as an SFO, I believe that I can set an example for incoming students by... Leading by example is obviously what the goal of what an SFO needs to be able to do — they need to be able to just make sure that the students are heard, and that the students understand the little things in our community, like saying "hi" on the paths, or just the special things that really make St. Paul's unity. And so, as an SFO, I'd remind the whole school to say "hi" on the paths. Obviously that's a small example, but I feel like that has a big impact on people, because I know that people feel...not hurt, but not great when someone doesn't say "hi" to them on the path. I think that our campus can be really positive, and that it's the little things. So I'd want to make sure everyone feels included, that they understand the little things. I feel like that way, with COVID, we can have the best experience.
RM: So you talk about leading by example. And this is a really broad question, but what does leading by example look like for you on a daily basis? Or on a not so daily basis, I guess? [Laughing]
AF: To me, when I was an underformer, I looked up to the LinC Leaders, the Prefects, and the SFOs. I felt like those students... My friends who were in those positions — I looked up to them, because I saw the work they put in, and I saw how dedicated they were. So leading by example for me is showing that you really care — it's showing that you know how to take action, and to address people. I think that communication is really important, and so being able to communicate with the administration and with other students is a way to lead by example. And hard work and also normal traits like... Excuse, me not normal, but...
RM: [Laughing]
AF: ...kindness and inclusivity — just those attributes that a leader should have and should demonstrate. And I believe that I would bring those as an SFO.
RM: Good. Let me just check the time here... I think we have another minute or two. So you talk about communication...
AF: [Nods] Uh-huh.
RM: ...What do you think the relationship between Student Council and the students should look like? And Student Council and adults? Because it's a two-way street, and StudCo is kind of in the middle with the communication piece. So what do you think that looks like?
AF: Yeah, I totally think that StudCo is the bridge. There's one side, the students, and the other side is the adults. On the student side, the sixth formers and the SFOs have been at the school the longest, so they can communicate with the students... There's someone like the form reps or the dorm reps to look up to and to be able to go back to if they need help. There's someone that...they're approachable, and they could be stopped anytime and asked a question, and are able to help the students. And then for the adults, they are able to obviously communicate the students' opinions, and they're able to be the voice for the school... Yeah, just work with the adults to represent the student body.
RM: So, we'll end here. I'm close to time...
AF: Okay...
RM: It's a little bit of a lighter question...
AF: Okay...[Laughing]
RM: ...compared to all of the other deep stuff we've talked about...
AF: [Laughing] Yeah.
RM: ...It's still pretty broad, though — it's lighter, but it's not that easy.
AF: [Nods] Uh-huh.
RM: So when you graduate, and when you look back... So far in your St. Paul's experience, how do you think the school's Impacted you the most? What's one lesson you feel like you can take away from your St. Paul's experience so far?
AF: That's a good question...
RM: [Laughing]
AF: I have definitely learned... I have learned so many lessons at this school — I'm trying to think...
RM: Yeah, you have time.
AF: ...of the best example... Could you clarify if it's positive...
RM: Anything.
AF: Anything?
RM: Could be positive, but if you want it to be negative...[Laughing]
AF: Well... I think that is a lesson that I learned. Relating to positivity and negativity, I think that this is such an academically rigorous school, and I know that people tend to hide their feelings, and not be superficial, but not necessarily... It's high school — it's hard...
RM: [Laughing]
AF: It's hard to be dealing with this school and with stress and social life. So I think that's the lesson I've learned — is that even from the hard times, like failing a test or just having a bad day, not getting enough sleep, and then falling asleep in classes...
RM: [Laughing]
AF: ...That's okay, and that's going to happen. That's just a part of the St. Paul's experience. But in the overall picture, I found so many joyful moments, and it's been really special.
RM: I think that's a really good note to end on. Thank you for doing this.
AF: Yeah.
RM: Thank you for toughing it out through the questions...[Laughing]
AF: [Laughing]
RM: We really appreciate it.
AF: Yeah, no problem.
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