Reflecting on a year of CGSA leadership

By Charlie Broad ‘25

Tyler George and Erin Chow at the CGS Gala

Courtesy of Tyler George ‘25

 In the spring of 2024, the CGS Upper School students elected the current Catlin Gabel Student Association (CGSA) President and Vice President. Before the next round of CGSA presidential elections gears up, it's crucial to understand the performance of the current administration. The accomplishments, as well as shortcomings, can provide a helpful framework for the next CGSA President and Vice President. 

Seniors President Tyler George and Vice President Erin Chow stepped into their roles last fall with experience and high aspirations for the year. 

In their freshman year, George and Chow shared the responsibilities of co-class presidents, the first stepping stone of their time in the CGSA. Since then, each has spent dutiful time in various roles, such as treasurer and class president, allowing them to take an experienced step into major leadership positions.

“I think my biggest accomplishment,” said George, “is structural.” At the beginning of the school year, George implemented a “subcommittee model” for the CGSA, establishing seven different subcommittee groups. 

Each subcommittee group has a leader and specific members who meet continuously throughout the year. Some groups focus on planning student events, such as dances, while others focus on school spirit and fundraising.  

George believes this change is an improvement as opposed to the old system. In his experience as treasurer and class president in past years, George said, “A few weeks before the winter formal, the president would say ‘Okay, who wants to…be in charge of the winter formal?’” CGSA members were not as receptive to helping during the older, unofficial, and less efficient system as opposed to what George put in place.

Part of the structure that George has been employing aims to create more tradition within the CGSA that carries over from year to year. This goes hand in hand with George’s reinstatement of the ‘Fund Run’ or ‘Tuition on the Track, ’ a community event aimed at combining athletics and school fundraising. 

“Ten years ago [the Tuition on the Track] just sort of petered out because there was no student leadership interest, and I would love if that didn't happen,” said George. During the school year, it has been a focus to build events, like the Fund Run, into the CGSA so that it automatically has a leader. 

For Chow, her focus during the year was more centered on alumni connections. Chow has worked closely with Rebecca Allen, the CGS alumni director, attending alumni council meetings and working on projects.

The biggest accomplishment for Chow was the creation of the alumni catalog, Catlin Gabel Connect, which supports students in gaining contact with CGS alumni in various fields and professions. “I think it will start opening doors for students to take advantage of the alumni resources,” said Chow, hoping to bridge the community between current students and alumni. 

George and Chow have felt strong in their commitment to the promises they made in their initial speeches during the election process. A major point of focus in George’s speech was helping to shape the school’s culture. George acknowledges the duality of the promise, as he said, “[it’s] hard to kind of claim that we as a group have… the moral righteousness to decide what direction the school culture should go in.”

The administration has worked hard to fulfill the promise of shaping the school culture to the best of its ability, and George has claimed that progress is being made. Giving more spotlight to various CGS clubs and sports teams during assemblies is a medium that George has worked on. 

Chow has also worked on creating a system designed to improve school spirit–the class points system. The goal of the system is to incentivize students to attend various school events and activities by way of prizes. Chow hopes to promote the feeling of community, as students will “show up” for each other. 

Not everything George hoped to accomplish has come to fruition, particularly a bridging of communities with Oregon Episcopal School (OES)— the renowned “rival” to CGS. George had communicated with the OES student body president over the summer in hopes of planning a homecoming event that would allow the students to “get to know each other better and interact a little more.” Ultimately, student interest at both schools seemed low, given the competitive nature of homecoming, so George decided to scrap the idea. 

This event did not occur between the schools, leaving George and Chow with a blemish on their aspirations for the school year. 

In a positive light, George has been working actively to create opportunities for volunteering between the two schools, though hasn't yet completed the project. He mentioned this initiative as the biggest thing he would change about the year.

The George and Chow tenure of CGSA President and Vice President catalyzed purposeful structural changes, increased alumni accessibility, and reinforced school traditions. At the same time, some goals have fallen short, like fostering a connection between OES and CGS. As the next election nears, their accomplishments and shortcomings offer valuable lessons for future successors.