Teaching Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: New Peer Leaders Announced

Sixteen Upper School students have been selected to join an impressive roster of past students as ambassadors for the 2025-2026 academic year as part of the prestigious Princeton Peer Leadership Program.

Founded during the 1989-1990 school year, The Princeton Peer Leadership Program has been an integral part of Hamden Hall’s Upper School as the year-long mentoring program encourages members of the freshmen class the opportunity to foster connections with one another and learn more about their school. The students are guided by their elder peers – a specifically selected group of seniors who help them acclimate to the Upper School and build community among one another.

With faculty co-advisors Tricia Dowcett and Jennifer Manley at the helm, the newest Peer Leaders are Ilke Altindas, Andrei Balas, Caden Christopher, Loic Eklund, Raquel Figueroa-Crespo, Alma Goren-Eisenberg, Kiana Jin, Ravindu Karunaratne, Evelyn Liu, Bruno Massaro, Mae McDonnell, Bryann O'Tinger, Matthew Porter, Julia Scalmani, Charlie Sudmyer, and Robin Weiss.

“This year's Peer Leaders are an exceptionally diverse group with a wide variety of leadership experience, both on campus and in their larger communities,” said Ms. Dowcett and Ms. Manley.  “During the interview process, we were especially impressed by their willingness to be open and authentic, qualities that will be super beneficial in their work with the ninth-graders.”

Students are selected for the Peer Leadership program during their junior year following a rigorous application process including a written application, group interviews, and faculty recommendations. The selected group will attend a three-day retreat this August. To kick off the school year, the entire ninth-grade class will participate in Activity Day, which is led by the Peer Leaders.

Throughout the year, each pair of Peer Leaders will meet with their assigned freshman group to carry out community-building activities and exercises. They will also lead conversations on myriad topics including academic pressure, social and emotional issues, friendships, coping with stress, and more. Additionally, the Peer Leaders will undergo leadership training each week as part of their regular coursework.

The second half of the school year for the Peer Leadership groups involves community service projects. The groups are tasked with using the leadership and community-building skills they've acquired thus far to help effect change within the Hamden Hall community and indeed the greater community, if possible.