Senior prefect tells CGA students they should celebrate every goal achieved

Third-rotation Senior Prefect Lexi Aker told Culver Girls Academy students that she wants to work to create an environment where every student feels seen, heard and valued, adopting a theme of: “Every win count, every step matters.”

“This isn’t just a phrase – it’s a mindset. Every challenge we overcome, every goal we achieve and every bit of effort we put in, no matter how small, adds up to something greater,” Aker said at the CGA Transition Ceremony on Feb. 19. 

Aker's journey to leadership is one deeply intertwined with her lifelong connection to Culver. Growing up in Plymouth, about 15 miles north of Culver, and visiting her grandparents' house on Lake Maxinkuckee, she always knew Culver would be a part of her story. What she didn’t know was how profoundly the prefect system would shape her understanding of leadership. 

“Freshman year, you learn to follow. Sophomore year, you experiment with the kind of leader you want to be. By junior year, you’re swimming into the lake of responsibility. And senior year? You’re fully immersed—helping students, keeping things running, and ensuring the ship stays steady,” she said in her finalist speech. 

Her vision for the third rotation centers on her “every win counts, every step matters” belief. She wants students to recognize that progress is not just about monumental victories but also about the small, everyday moments of perseverance and resilience.  

“When one of us succeeds, it doesn’t mean someone else has failed. We should uplift and empower each other, celebrating every step forward, whether it’s ours or someone else’s.” 

Aker follows in the footsteps of second rotation Senior Prefect Ale Gutierrez, whose goal for the second rotation was personal development and empowerment of others. In Gutierrez’s last speech to CGA, she emphasized that each girl at CGA has the power to create change. She encouraged students to speak up, take action, and understand that true leadership transcends the titles and nametags.  

“True leadership isn’t about the awards or the position—it’s about the impact you leave behind, the people you uplift, and the perspectives you challenge,” she said. 

Gutierrez's rotation was marked by her belief in collaborative leadership and the importance of personal growth and empowerment. She drove home the message that CGA’s strength lies in its community and that by fostering a culture of encouragement, each student could play a role in making themselves and the community better. 

Master Counselor Beth Schmiedlin also shared her wisdom, reminding students of the importance of curiosity over judgment. She encouraged the CGA community to approach differences with an open mind rather than dismissing people based on surface-level perceptions. “You shouldn’t write people off just because they are different from you. Instead, be curious,” she said. 

Her message resonated with Aker's leadership philosophy—one that prioritizes inclusivity, understanding, and the willingness to sit down with someone new and ask, “Hey, how are you? What do you need?”—and actually mean it. 

Aker's rotation is not about standing above others but standing with them.

She sees CGA as sisterhood where we have “spontaneous dance parties, order kitty cocktails from Papas and lift each other up. We celebrate wins and tackle challenges together.” 

As the third rotation begins, Aker steps into her role with a clear mission: to ensure that every student feels valued, heard and supported.

“Leadership—like sisterhood—isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present,” she said. 

With a firm belief that CGA is about the people, not just the place, Aker is ready to lead, uplift, and make the final months of the school year unforgettable.