What It Means To Be A House Captain

While wrapping up the first few months of the current school year, this year’s house captains were formally introduced at Ridley’s first full Upper School assembly of the year. Being a house captain at Ridley means performing an important demonstration of leadership, as house captains are the main student representatives of Ridley’s traditional house system and its diverse student body. These Grade 12 students, who can be either boarding or day, are known to be the student leaders of each individual Ridley boarding residence. Prospective house captains are evaluated on their integrity, character, and communication skills before receiving the title, as these students are responsible for leading house meetings, major house events, and positive interactions with other students within their house. Holding the title of house captain truly is a big accomplishment for Ridley students, and the benefits gained from a leadership position while building a deeper connection with other members of the house makes for a rewarding experience.  

Now, we are going to hear from both Rae Dorah ’25 and Carsyn Flint ’25, two grade 12 students belonging to Gooderham East and Leonard House, who were given the honour of representing their respective houses through leadership by being named house captains. Their responses show just how much of an impact house captains leave on their peers within their house and beyond, and they both reflect on the unexpected benefits their positions have brought them.

What are some ways you practice leadership in your house? 

Rae: I’ll admit, as a day student, practicing a leadership role within the house can be difficult. I personally try my best to say “hello” to or smile at the girls in my house as I pass them every day and attempt to be a part of planning significant house events, such as house chapel. 

What is the expected role of house captains within your house?

Carsyn: In Leonard, the expected role of a house captain is more than what happens within meetings and events. I believe that the expected role is about who you are and how you present yourself, whether that is being able to adapt and inspire our housemates or taking initiative and problem-solving within our house. Being a leader at Ridley is about being supportive, considerate, approachable, and responsible, as well as leading and encouraging others.

What is your favourite part about being a house captain? 

Rae: I love that I have the opportunity to collaborate with people that I wouldn’t otherwise. As well, I also get to offer ideas for the house that could give those in younger grades an experience that is more memorable and enhances the overall environment.

What impression did previous house captains leave on you when beginning your Upper School journey at Ridley? 

Carsyn: In previous years, house captains have been huge role models for me in the house. They have pushed me to try new things and go out of my comfort zone. House captains have always been a positive, inclusive, [and] enthusiastic light within the house and have personally helped me with growing relationships and support systems within the dorms and all throughout the school.

What were the reasons why you wanted to become a house captain? 

Rae: As last year was my first year at Ridley, making connections at camp was extremely stressful, but the house captains of last year made me feel like I belonged. That experience made me aspire to do the same for students this year. I want to create an environment in the house where there is no division between social groups, but rather an overall understanding and unbiased care of all individuals in the house.

Carsyn: I remember when I was 12 and moving 3000 miles away from home. I remember how scary and daunting that was for me. Thanks to the amazing leaders and faculty at Ridley, this school has become a second home to me. I want to help new students feel that they are part of a community and part of a family.

Some of the most memorable connections most Ridley students make are with their fellow members of their respective houses, and it's great to know how house captains enrich those relationships. This year’s house captain announcements were a time to highlight each individual leader house and the Grade 12 class. This Ridley tradition continues to carry on successfully, and hopefully, the leadership skills of the current house captains could inspire the fellow upper schoolers to take on this inspiring role of leadership.

Congratulations to all our appointed House Captains for this school year!

Boys Houses:  

Arthur Bishop East -

Gordon Chow

Griffin Collinson

Luca Kucher

Luca (Cheuk Yin) Lai

Matthew Liu

Arthur Bishop West –

Elliot Leal

Felix Gazquez

Noah Topper

Victor Kie 

Eason (Yixuan)  Zhang 

Merritt North –

Daniel Mizener

Kevin (Beining) Hu

Prince Ahiadeke

Quinten Ethier  

Ryan (Pak Yui) Chan 

Toby (Tobias) Martinek

Merritt South –

Rafael Cokcan

Nicholas Nyimbili

David Ekenta-Ifeanyi

Jayden (Haomin) Zhu

Dean’s House –

Roman Sapounzi

Adrian Sapounzi

Folu (Mofoluwaso) Ogunfowora

Buddy (Ryan) English

Jack (Kaile) Shen

Girls Houses:

Gooderham East -

Anna (Annabella)  Molon

Rae (Rachel) Dorah

Amanda Ho

Kachi (Onyedikachi) Obi

Lola Kucher

Reese Mason

Gooderham West –

Rebecca Liu

Sharlize Price

Kiyoko Yonemushi

Chloe Quach

Avery Katzman

Mandeville –

Jade Leblanc

Sydney Charleton

Jade (Jiayi) Li

Maria Groves

Mehri (MehrNisa) Bokhari

Vivian (Ziyan) Xu

Jade Postma

Taylor Insley

Leonard House –

Toni (Oluwatoni) Okegbenro

Daniella Esiri

Cornelia Bulengo

Carsyn Flint

Crystal (Yixuan) Gao

Daria Yeh