Meet Connor Leoni: Class President of the Class of 2019
Hillsborough High School’s (HHS) class of 2019 received their diplomas a little over a month ago. Traditionally, the class president gives a speech at graduation that motivates the graduating class and honors them for their accomplishment. This year’s class president speech was delivered by Connor Leoni, Class of 2019’s class president of the last four years.
Leoni’s high school career didn’t just revolve around being class president though, he also played for the football team, was involved in student council, and worked at Smoothie King on top of taking classes. Come the fall, he will be attending the University of South Carolina (USC) as an economics major. We sat down with Leoni to talk about his roles in student government and football, his hopes for his college career, and what he will miss about Hillsborough.
Leoni said he became involved with student government because his mom did it when she was in high school. Leoni’s mom has attended the Leadership Training Conference, run by the New Jersey Association of Student Councils, since she was in high school and Leoni himself has been going since he was in seventh grade. At the camp, they gather different teachers, business people, and past campers together to learn about various leadership skills. Leoni will be attending the camp yet again this summer, but this time as a camp counselor.
Photo Courtesy Connor Leoni
Leoni’s class president position was part of HHS’s class cabinet system. He said the two biggest responsibilities for his position were leading Spirit Night and organizing Prom. Leoni emphasized the importance of Spirit Night and how all the different aspects of it really brought the class together.
“What I like most about it [spirit night] is how theres different events for different strengths,” he said. “ I tried to make sure to hear different voices from the class not only because it includes everyone, which is an obvious goal, but also because there are so many kids in Hillsborough and there are so many voices, that you have to think you can get so many ideas.”
Other than the two main events, Leoni said class cabinet was a decently informal environment. Because of the informal environment, Leoni was also able to participate in student council at the high school. He said student council was more focused on service projects, such as a senior citizen dinner before the spring musical and a Christmas party for victims of domestic abuse that they were connected to through Safe and Sound. Leoni said that party was his favorite event because he got to spend time with the people from Safe and Sound and show them a good time.
Aside from student government, Leoni was a quarterback for the HHS football team. His freshman year, he played football and basketball, but decided to focus on football going forward because of how demanding it was.
Photo Courtesy Connor Leoni
“I’d say I put a lot of time into football, probably a little more than I should have between academics and stuff because of that constant want to get better,” he said. “I wish I had put more into school, but at the same time, I’m happy where I am now because I know I have that drive and I can use it for school now. And that's my primary goal of course.”
Leoni has a position with the football team at USC as a student manager starting this summer. He said he will be helping out with equipment, helping on the sidelines at games, and doing laundry, among other things. He said he wanted to contribute to a college team after spending so much time on football in high school. Leoni said the intensity of HHS football helped him prepare for this new position.
“It’s about doing your job and making sure to help those around you. Football is a game of will. If you have the will to do something and you persevere, then you do it,” he said.
He said there’s so many ways to get involved at HHS that it was easy to branch out and join something in college. He said his parents influenced him with the idea that if there is something you want to do, go for it, but you have to work for it.
“I completely understand the concerns parents have when it comes to football with all the head injuries that happen, but the lessons and traits I have learned just growing up through football and going through what I have, I think has made me 100% stronger,” he said.
Photo Courtesy Connor Leoni
Leoni was born and raised in Hillsborough and both of his parents are from the surrounding area. His father worked for UPS for 25 years and his Mom was a teacher in the district for 31 years. He said with both of his parents working in the town, he has had the opportunity to get to know a lot of people. Despite his deep roots here, both him and his twin sister are going down south for college and his parents have intentions to move down there eventually.
Leoni said he has a lot of pride for Hillsborough and New Jersey, especially when he’s down in South Carolina. He said he is especially thankful for how close his graduating class is and for how well they all get along.
“I’m really happy to have that type of people. Just nice people that also want to achieve something and work to get there,” he said. “Of course I don’t know exactly what I love about Hillsborough until I’m going to leave because this is all I know, but seeing friendly faces all around is just great.”