Cayden Tran ’28
Contributor
Discussion and Discourse: Loomis on Politics and the Presidential Election

Politics is everywhere: the dreaded conversation at the Thanksgiving table, the Twitter arguments online, and the infinite amount of articles on every breaking news source. But where does politics stand in school, especially during a time of controversy leading up to the Presidential Election?
Many students believe that education on these topics is the best course of action on campus, such as the Shultz Fellowship, a nonpartisan group who meet weekly to discuss current events as controversial, yet relevant, as abortion and the conflict in Gaza. Recently, Shultz held a public screening of the presidential debate between Former President Trump and Vice-President Harris. Because this event was open for all students to attend and not just those in the fellowship, Shutlz was able to successively encourage political education of the student body.
Ollie Iverson ’25, a co-president of the Shultz Fellowship, shared that his passion for politics from a young age brought forth a desire to voice his own opinions.
“It’s really easy in today’s world to see someone as a monster for their beliefs or really villainize someone based on their perspective on certain issues,” Ollie stated.
As Ollie is getting across, we live in times of extreme polarization, making active opinion sharing, open mindedness, and true listening to others’ opinions harder than ever.
Students who advocate for educating others have placed a large emphasis on trying to bridge the polarized gap. Shultz hopes to foster open conversation by creating events like the recent screening of the Presidential debate.
Ollie also commented, “When people are isolated and they’re not in a public space when thinking and discussing politics, it’s easy for people to feel that their beliefs are the only correct ones.”
Because of its naturally controversial nature, one might believe that discussing political opinions can hurt others’ boundaries and self-ideas as well. The belief stems from the idea that discussion of views can create an uncomfortable divide between students and allow personal opinions to become vulnerable.
Some students may flip this idea and argue that while politics may seem like a topic where students can’t find common ground, ignoring these problems and avoiding discussion simply causes more division. One could argue that without proper education, large societal issues become invisible, doing more harm than good.
Sara Feged ’25, the other co-president of the Shultz Fellowship and President of the Student Council, shared that, similar to Ollie, her exposure to politics from a young age led to her devotion in learning new opinions.
“We’ve been taught to separate politics from everything and make sure we don’t hear these things. But I really think it makes you think deeper about life… if you really understand what’s happening in the world,” Sara argued.
Sara emphasizes that discourse extends beyond conversation and argues that it helps students develop informed mindsets on issues as they grow, potentially influencing critical decisions later in life. Advocates for political education hope students broaden their views and take steps toward learning about the people around them.
From a teacher perspective, Catie Collins, faculty of the History, Social Sciences, and Philosophy departments, shared this sentiment: “We should all be seeking engagement and a diversity of opinion and respectful conversation, whether that's in Shultz, in our classrooms, or in other events in our community.”
Additionally, in a recent email to the school community, Head of School Mrs. Soja highlighted the school’s position regarding political issues, affirming that Loomis Chaffee will refrain from taking a public stance on matters not directly tied to the institution. While certain issues or events may be acknowledged, the school aims to focus on supporting students and providing resources rather than making formal statements.
“We want to encourage our students to develop their own opinions based on research and their personal value systems. I cannot, nor should I, speak for an entire diverse community made up of varied perspectives and identities,” Soja explained. This approach, rooted in the school’s original charter, aims to foster a space for the open exchange of diverse beliefs and ideas.
As a reflection of this stance, the school will not make a statement about the anniversary of the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, though it will provide spaces for meditation and offer opportunities for prayer and peace, allowing students to engage voluntarily in marking the day.
In these polarizing times, Loomis Chaffee remains committed to ensuring that students develop their own voices and become thoughtful participants in political discourse, equipped with the skills and understanding needed to engage with the world beyond the Island.