Meet the 2023-24 Prefects

“Prefects,” or V Formers selected to serve as Upperclassmen leaders in II, III, and IV Form housing, are the campus’ most compassionate and enthusiastic residents. Instead of living with their V Form peers in senior housing, they choose to return to their respective Circle or Crescent Houses or head back to the Raymond or Dawes House. Prefect-ing is a unique facet of boarding school, particularly in relation to Lawrenceville’s House System. Our community is built upon relationships and camaraderie, and the House System and its prefects essentially to facilitate those missions. After undergoing a rigorous week of prefect training, prefects are prepared to deal with a variety of social and academic situations, enabling them to balance a delicate line between an upperclassmen, a friend, and a mentor. Lawrenceville’s unique House system provides II, III, and IV Form students with the opportunity to befriend and learn from Lawrentians with more years of experience. 

Noah George ’24

Noah George ’24, more casually known as “No-Jo”, is a prefect in the Dickinson House. As Captain of the Boys’ Varsity Squash Team, a Ropes Course Instructor, and a retired soccer and golf player, George is an active member of the Lawrenceville community. George visions the Dickinson House as a larger connected community, not a group of scattered cliques. As a prefect, he facilitates a more cohesive House environment by being present and taking initiative to support his underformers. To George, ensuring his prefectees are well-cared for and on the right path is an important component of his job. George strives to “be a big brother figure to support [his] boys.” A fun fact about “No-Jo” is that he was hospitalized after running into a glass wall he thought was open, but clearly wasn’t, showing that even the wisest Lawrentains have their fair share of blunders moments. He was eight, by the way. 

Sameer Menghani ’24 

Sameer Menghani ’24 currently serves as a prefect in Boys’ Lower. He leads a busy schedule as a Hutchins Science Scholar, Co-Head Actor of the Periwig Club, and leader of the Religious Life Council, Hindu Student Organization, the Larries (acapella group,) and the Big Data & AI Research Club. Menghani is invested in building a stronger Lawrenceville community and frequently referenced how his prefect training centered around conversation of building a better future for the school. He is excited to lead the II Formers through the complex challenges they have and will face on campus. Menghani does acknowledges the challenge of balancing life outside and inside the House, highlighting that “prefecting is not a one-person job,” and that “teamwork is absolutely the most important skill.” Ironically, in the II Form, Menghani said he’d never want to be a lower prefect—clearly that idea did not age accordingly! 

Maryam Mian ’24

In addition to her role as a prefect in Kirby House, Maryam Mian ’24 also spends her time as  the Co-Captain of the Girls’ Varsity Squash Team, an avid cross country runner, and a leader of the Religious Life Council and the Muslim Student Organization. Mian eagerly awaits this year in the Crescent. While she looks forward to befriending the new members of the House, she is conscious about her position as a role model to the younger students. Along with her  fellow prefects, Miam aims to give gentle reminders to “do the right thing.”  Mian believes that patience is key to being respected by her prefectees. A fun fact is Maryam has three brothers ages five to twenty-two. 

Jillian Retzler ’24

Jillian Retzler ’24 is a prefect in the McClellan House. Taking on the role of managing football, diving, track and field, and leading the CPR Training Club, Retzler wanted to be a prefect to spend more time in the house and make a bigger impact in her House community. As a new IV Former, Jillian vividly recounts the rewarding and memorable process of her integration into the House, which she wants to emulate for her new House members. She envisions a house culture where everyone can “talk as normal people, not just acquaintances” making the House  “feel  like home.” Well-equipped to handle a variety of obstacles, Ritzler is eagerly anticipating the Winter Term that can often feel dreary and long-lasting. As a prefect, Retzler has learned that she does not always have an answer to the girls’ questions.  She hopes her vulnerability with her housemates will develop a house culture that will grow trust and unity. Jillian’s fun fact is she has four dogs and a cat who are Lawrentians in spirit!