Connections and Collaboration: 2023-24 Student Government Representative

Recently, Mount Madonna School (MMS) middle and high school students elected peer representatives to the Student Government Association (SGA). Senior Sophia Manzur, who served as an eleventh grade representative, will serve as student body president.

The elected class representatives are: Beatrice Miller and Manzur, grade 12; Amelie Zands and Mordecai Coleman, grade 11; Eden Fisher and Rosemary Konviser, grade 10; Mariska Goldstein and Vaden Barr, grade nine; Lily Mortensen, grade eight; Nolan McKibbin, grade seven; and Anna Wren Quenelle, grade six.  

Middle school grades each chose a single representative; while high school students picked two representatives per grade. All upper school students could vote on the student body president. Student council representatives will serve for the whole school year. At a meeting this week, the council voted Miller as vice president, Konviser as secretary and Zands as treasurer.

“I am so excited this year to be student body president and lead our amazing community,” said Manzur. “Mount Madonna School has given me the opportunity to express my most authentic self without judgment and the space to grow my confidence. I want to give back to the community who gifted me with a learning environment that supported my growth from a child to a young adult. I believe that human connection is one of the most important aspects to life. It gives us happiness, peace and identity. My goal this year as president is for our community to connect and collaborate with each other schoolwide and build relationships with each other.”

Following are reflections from several representatives on their interest in student government. 

“This is my third year as my class representative so I have experience and already know how much I enjoy the position,” commented Konviser. “I love being a part of making things change and improve and having a say in how the school can be made the best fit for my classmates. I will be responsible and take my position seriously and do my best to contribute to the comfort and success of our students in any way I can!”

“I want to make our school a place where everyone feels welcome and supported,” said McKibbin. “I want to make more opportunities for things like Fright Hikes, where we can all have fun. I’ll listen to ideas and work with my class to create a school where we can all thrive.”

“I want to be the sixth grade student government representative because I love the positive energy of every student here already and I think that it will be fun and inspiring to be a part of the student government,” said Quenelle. “I enjoy leadership roles, and I think that the sixth grade has many fun ideas and that our voices deserve to be heard. Mount Madonna is a great school, and as a new student, I am thrilled to be a part of the MMS community. I hope we have a fantastic year with fun events and lots of learning. Go Hawks!”

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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, director of marketing & communications,

Nestled among the redwoods on 380 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a diverse learning community dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believes a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.