“Complicated” -Catherine McDonough ’26, “Disappointed” -Olivia Jones ’25, “Frustrated” -Lyon Hancock ’25, “Chaotic” -Pauline Bounolleau ’26, “Controversial” -Kaitlyn ’27, “Traumatic” -Avery Shorter ’28, “Uninvolved” -Jack Marsini ’25, “Apathetic” -T. Ken Wells
Above are the words that Westtownians gave when asked how they felt after learning the results of the 2024 United States Presidential Election. Today, January 20th, 2025, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America at the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.
Interviews with members of our Westtown community reveal how community members feel this moment will impact both our international and domestic students as well as the rest of the United States.
As an international student at an American boarding school, how do you feel about United States politics and the results of the 2024 Presidential Election?
“As an international student, I think that my politics back home are much simpler and there is less controversy. Here, politics seems to drive people apart instead of bringing them together.” – Rylee Mardon ’25
“I don’t know a lot about politics but I am worried that the results of the election will make it more difficult for new international students to get a visa and start their new lives in the U.S.” – Yeji Shim ’25
“It’s important to keep in mind the international effects.” – Pauline Bounolleau ’26
After hearing about the results of the 2024 Presidential Election, what were you most worried or excited about? What do you remember most about how you felt the days following?
“I’m worried about changes in women’s healthcare and how that will affect me and my family in the future.” – Beatrice Makarushka ’28
“I think I was angry and upset and I was very conscious of that in the conversations I had. I wanted to leave enough space for my emotions but I also have to be respectful. I can’t shut people down who I disagree with. I talked to my roommate and friends and generally people agreed to build resolve instead of using hope as a solution.” – Nick Fabricatore ’25
“We had that meeting for worship after election day…and I remember a lot of girls standing up and wanting to hold women in the light who are denied abortion…I was taken aback by how upset and intense that was.” -Pauline Bounolleau ’26
“I’m most worried about how Donald Trump’s policies will impact immigrants in this country and especially international students at Westtown.” – Melissa Freeman ’26
As a history teacher at Westtown, how did you approach conversation about the election in your classes while remaining impartial?
“In my Cold War and U.S.-China Relations class my students did a presentation on both candidates and, after the election, my U.S. history class talked about the implications of a second Donald Trump presidency. Staying impartial is really hard but I do try my very best to keep my own partisan views out of my teaching.” – T. Dan Burger-Lenehan, History Teacher
“We were talking about emotional resilience when facing a problem that is really hard to tackle for multiple reasons. Partly I invited George Lakey because he is somebody that has continued to fight for an issue even when there’s not alot of political will on any side. He came the week before [the election] and talked to the class about his work and activism. I think that doing activities like that are really beneficial for students.” – T. Lara Freeman, Religion Teacher
