Head to Head: Francene Young ’71 and Zuri K. '26
Student leadership has long been woven into the fabric of the Westover experience, shaping both individual growth and the life of the community. In this feature, two Second Heads reflect on their time in the role through a parallel interview, offering perspectives across generations. Together, their insights reveal how leadership at Westover has evolved—and what enduring qualities continue to define it.
West or Over?
Francene: WEST
Zuri: West
Hometown?
Francene: Cleveland. Ohio moved to Houston in 1982
Zuri: New York City
Zuri: New York City
Favorite tradition?
Francene: The Lantern Ceremony
Zuri: Lantern
Zuri: Lantern
Favorite spot on campus?
Francene: The Sallyport
Zuri: Common Room
Zuri: Common Room
What first inspired you to step into a leadership role?
Francene: I was encouraged by a mentor/friend
Zuri: What inspired me to step into a leadership role was the upperclassmen above me whose impact I experienced because of their leadership. I just remember wanting to have the same effect on others.
Francene: I was encouraged by a mentor/friend
Zuri: What inspired me to step into a leadership role was the upperclassmen above me whose impact I experienced because of their leadership. I just remember wanting to have the same effect on others.
Did you always see yourself as a leader?
Francene: I never saw myself as a "leader" as I had no immediate role models, and women were just starting to raise their voices about equality in the workplace.
Zuri: I did not always consider myself a leader because, at one point, I was not confident in advocating for myself. But over time, I found my voice and started to realize how much my voice matters and how to utilize it, which helped me to see myself as a leader.
Francene: I never saw myself as a "leader" as I had no immediate role models, and women were just starting to raise their voices about equality in the workplace.
Zuri: I did not always consider myself a leader because, at one point, I was not confident in advocating for myself. But over time, I found my voice and started to realize how much my voice matters and how to utilize it, which helped me to see myself as a leader.
What was a defining moment during your time as Second Head of School?
Francene: In my senior year(1970-1971), the school was in turmoil. I quickly learned it was important to be a peacemaker in the midst of uncertainty.
Zuri: A defining moment during my time as Second Head of School was having other student leaders come to me with their concerns to not only advocate for their peers but also try to help find solutions. I was glad that they felt comfortable coming to me, and from this, I learned that sometimes leadership looks like listening and making room for others to contribute their ideas.
Francene: In my senior year(1970-1971), the school was in turmoil. I quickly learned it was important to be a peacemaker in the midst of uncertainty.
Zuri: A defining moment during my time as Second Head of School was having other student leaders come to me with their concerns to not only advocate for their peers but also try to help find solutions. I was glad that they felt comfortable coming to me, and from this, I learned that sometimes leadership looks like listening and making room for others to contribute their ideas.
When did you feel most proud in your role?
Francene: When I received the Integrity award at graduation.
Zuri: I feel proud right now in my role, seeing how much my leadership skills have developed from the beginning of the year to now.
Francene: When I received the Integrity award at graduation.
Zuri: I feel proud right now in my role, seeing how much my leadership skills have developed from the beginning of the year to now.
How did leadership shape your sense of belonging?
Francene: I learned that if you wish to "belong" you have to show up. One cannot always wait to be invited.
Zuri: Leadership has shown me how important a sense of belonging is and how, as a leader, I have to take the first step to make people feel welcomed.
Francene: I learned that if you wish to "belong" you have to show up. One cannot always wait to be invited.
Zuri: Leadership has shown me how important a sense of belonging is and how, as a leader, I have to take the first step to make people feel welcomed.
What surprised you most about being the Second Head of School?
Francene: The amount of support I received from my classmates.
Zuri: What surprised me the most about being Second Head of School was how visible the leadership position makes you. And how this visibility leads to people listening to what I have to say.
Francene: The amount of support I received from my classmates.
Zuri: What surprised me the most about being Second Head of School was how visible the leadership position makes you. And how this visibility leads to people listening to what I have to say.
What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?
Francene: LISTEN, then act. Pay attention to those you lead and create co-leaders; not just followers.
Zuri: Advice I would give to the next generation of leaders is to be open-minded in learning from each other.
Francene: LISTEN, then act. Pay attention to those you lead and create co-leaders; not just followers.
Zuri: Advice I would give to the next generation of leaders is to be open-minded in learning from each other.
What is a song that would be included in the soundtrack to your senior year?
Francene: The Temptations, “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” and Imagine by John Lennon released in October 1971, after graduation.
Zuri: Sunshine by Steve Lacy
Francene: The Temptations, “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” and Imagine by John Lennon released in October 1971, after graduation.
Zuri: Sunshine by Steve Lacy
One word that sums up your Westover leadership experience?
Francene: Collaborative
Zuri: Rewarding
Francene: Collaborative
Zuri: Rewarding
What is one thing you never want to forget about your time at Westover?
Francene: Girls education is crucial.
Zuri: I never want to forget the people that I was able to meet here and how happy they make me feel.
Francene: Girls education is crucial.
Zuri: I never want to forget the people that I was able to meet here and how happy they make me feel.
Be Boldly You
Westover School admits students of any race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. As a gender-diverse girls school, Westover welcomes applicants and students who are assigned female at birth and/or identify as girls. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions and financial aid policies, and athletic or other school-administered programs.