Cardigan Announces 2026-27 Student Leaders

Becoming the Role Models for the Next Generation

As a part of the election process, students who receive the most points in the preliminary round of voting are invited to address the community. Before introducing the five candidates, Dean of Student Life Nick Nowak took a moment to thank 2025-2026 School Leader Sosuke Imaizumi ’26 and Assistant School Leader Jinwoo Ham ’26.

While acknowledging their more formal responsibilities––overseeing the Student Senate, guiding the work of the dorm leaders, etc.––Mr. Nowak emphasized the tremendous job these two boys have done stewarding the school’s core values, leading by example, putting others before themselves, and always going out of their way to help others in the community.

“It’s really the way in which they have to lead by example all of the time that is the greatest burden that they have to bear,” Mr. Nowak reflected. “They are always on as representatives of students and of what we stand for as a school.” 

It was a theme that ran throughout the candidates' speeches: those who seek to lead often look up to and emulate the leaders who came before them. Thomas Tanglertsumphun ’27 explained that he is the third member of his family to attend Cardigan, and he has witnessed how the Cardigan way has become an integral part of his brothers and all members of the Cardigan community––and that includes helping the next generation of students to feel at home at Cardigan and come to love the school. 

Benjamin Ficek ’27 also cited his brother (Jaden Ficek ’23) and his dad as role models: “Watching my dad and my brother taught me early on that leadership is not about wearing a letter on your jersey or having an impressive title next to your name. It’s about the little things that people notice every day. It is about being the first one to show up and the last one to quit.”

Jude Afari Mensah ’27 spoke of his admiration for his father during unplanned adversities in their lives. He recalled an unexpected move to a new town and the garden his father enlisted him to help build: “He is the true embodiment of leadership. He never complained about doing what was best for us, no matter how hard it was––not when he had to work for a few years after his retirement, not when we had to relocate, and certainly not when it was hard for him to build a garden because he was old.” Klotey explained his reluctance to help his father with the difficult task but acknowledged that his father worked with him every step of the way, completing the task that Klotey now sees was worth the effort. Clotey understands that as a leader of Cardigan, it means “accompanying others through the difficulties of being a student just like my dad did, making sure everyone has fun doing the hard things.”

Klotey Clottey ’27 also talked about the importance of positivity in his speech: “I always approach with positivity, no matter where I go. A lot of people know me for my smiling face and the energy I bring to the table…I’ve learned that your attitude doesn’t just affect you, but it also influences others around you.” He says it was a lesson he learned from his mother, who emphasized the importance of listening to others; the high standard of leaders, he said, is the blueprint for others to follow.

The last student speaker, Leighton Loomis ’27, cited many recent role models who have helped him in his journey at Cardigan––his advisor, his roommate, and most importantly his floor leader Eason Gu ’26 who made Leighton’s first days on campus easier through his leadership and his ability to include all members of the dorm in each day’s activities: “All of these simple acts were signs of true leadership that left long-lasting impressions.” Leighton continued to define his understanding of leadership, citing the importance of open communication, listening, and providing a bridge between students and faculty.

As these students prepare to take on their leadership roles, they will continue to learn and seek out role models who can help them grow and develop. But perhaps more importantly, they will also become role models for others, taking on the task of defining for their younger peers what it means to be a Cardigan leader. 

Congratulations to the following boys who will be the 2026-2027 leaders of Cardigan. Their titles were announced during an Investiture Ceremony on April 7.

School Leader

Leighton Loomis

Assistant School Leader

Thomas Tanglertsumphun

Academics Assistant

Liam Tith

Athletics Assistant

James Underhill

Brewster I Floor Leader

Jaxon McNamara

Brewster II Floor Leader

Jude Afari Mensah

Chapel Leaders

Jihwan Park and Antonio Quiroga Salgado 

Clark-Morgan Floor Leader

June Kim

Dewar Floor Leader

Cayden LeRoy

Dining Room Head Steward

Luca Carbone

Franklin Floor Leader

Klotey Clottey

French I Floor Leader

Justin Shin

French II Floor Leader

Victor Sweeny

Funnell Floor Leader

Iñigo Castillo

Green Key Leader

Max Mullins

Greenwood Floor Leader 

Jeronimo Castillo

Gregory Hall

Andrew Gochman

Hayward I Floor Leader

Henry Price

Hayward II Floor Leader

Benjamin Ficek

Health Center Assistant

Leo Tao

Hinman I Floor Leader

Junyoung Jang

Hinman II Floor Leader

Omar Kuri Lavalle

International Relations Leader 

Maxwell Gu

Kitchen Head

Shotaro Tsunoi

McCusker I Floor Leader

Poon Promphan

McCusker II Floor Leader

Read Mortimer

Student Activities Assistant

Coleman Martin