Prefect Council went on their annual retreat to Big Bear Lake from Aug. 14-16 to prepare for the upcoming year after their weeklong leadership intensive at the school.
Junior Prefect Charlotte Im ’27 said the purpose of the retreat is to get to know the other prefects to ensure strong teamwork in the upcoming school year.
“The purpose of the retreat is to help us grow closer as a group,” Im said. “We have sophomores who are still new to the upper school as well as newly elected members, and with an important year ahead of us that will require us to work closely together, it is the perfect opportunity to start building that bond.”
The three-day excursion involved an overnight stay at Big Bear, a bake-off and bowling.
Head Prefect Robby Louie ’26 said he enjoyed the car ride back from retreat because he felt that the entire Council had gotten friendlier with each other.
“The drive back from Big Bear was very memorable for me this year,” Louie said. “We had all gotten really close at that point, so it was just a great time. The drive is normally three to four hours, but it flew by because we were blasting music, playing games and having great conversations.”
Sophomore Prefect Miro Katan ’28 said the retreat helped him connect with other prefects, as this is his first year on the council.
“At first, I was excited but also nervous about spending two nights with people that I’ve never really met, but by the second day, I realized how sweet, supportive and funny everyone was,” Katan said. “[The trip] was very successful in its goal of making sure that we view each other not just as people we work together with, but as friends.”
Louie said teamwork is the driving force behind many of the Council’s projects..
“Teamwork is a crucial aspect of Prefect Council,” Louie said. “In order to effectively and efficiently carry out all of our responsibilities, we are always working with each other and dividing up the work.”
Im said going to the lake was her favorite part of the trip.
“The most memorable part of the retreat was definitely our trip to the lake,” Im said. “Even though the water was too cold to swim in, we spent a long time in the sun just talking and connecting with each other.”
Katan said he is looking forward to the new year and pitching new ideas for the student body.
“Since this is my first time in student leadership at Harvard-Westlake, I’m excited to grow as a person and learn with my fellow prefects, who I’ve become friendly with this past week,” Katan said. “However, I’m most looking forward to serve the student body by introducing my ideas to the rest of Prefect Council. This will be a great year for Harvard-Westlake, and I’m really excited for what’s in store.”
