Thirteen first-year campaigning for Student Government Association (SGA) officially began Sept. 4, at the candidates meeting in Thornton Administrative Center. The election will be held Sept. 11.
Michael Sugimoto, the student body vice president, offered words of wisdom and encouragement to the candidates. Student Body President Myers Mentzer commended the candidates in the room for their hard work.
“Everyone in this room has a passion for service and leadership and I know each of you will make a positive impact on campus, ” Mentzer noted.
Each candidate laid forth their goals and objectives for the upcoming school year. Every candidate, including presidential candidate Trinity Grigg and senate candidates Luciana Herrera and Chelsea Otto Ferary, shared their goals for making more avenues to build connections and foster meaningful relationship among the first-year students.
Presidential candidate Ricarto Perrea described his message for meaningful first-year relationships as, “advocating for inseparable bonds to last a lifetime.”
Other first-year proposals included senate candidate Jake Shore’s proposal of a chain restaurant on campus, such as Jimmy John’s, and senate candidate Emily Espinosa’s proposal for more opportunities for internships and career preparation activities.
The first-year class representation on SGA will include the senate, consisting of the top three candidates, and the president, who must achieve at least 51% percent of the vote.
Candidates will table at Lower Adamson Plaza on Sept. 9 and 10. Voting opens Sept. 11 through an email from SGA sent to all first-year standing students. If a candidate for president does not achieve the 51% threshold, a runoff election will occur Sept. 18.
The candidates’ excitement was felt throughout the meeting.
“I can’t wait to meet everyone. Let’s craft an amazing year together and make Class of 2028 remarkable,” senate candidate Otto Ferary said.
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Email H.L. McCullough: hubert.mccullough@pepperdine.edu
