The candidates for the 2004-2005 elections spoke, and the students have responded. After weeks of posting flyers, handing out candy, and sporting their campaign T-shirts, the moment of truth has finally arrived for the homecoming and SGA candidates. Now, the students have choosen their new kings, queens, and SGA officers.
On Monday night, an open forum was held so that all of the students who were running in the elections would have an opportunity to take their case before the student body. Surprisingly, after giving their speeches, most of the candidates did not seem to be nervous about the outcome of the election.
“I’m not at all nervous,” said Crystal Cross, a candidate for freshman homecoming queen. “I have a lot of friends who are voting for me. I’m just kind of anxious to see who’s gonna win.”
During the forum, many of the candidates seemed to be offering the same types of promises to the student body, such as representing their classes well, being excellent students, and being good role models for others. So it was the subtle differences that the candidates hoped would sway the voters.
“Basically, I want to show the positive aspects of the freshman class,” said Antonio Barnes, a candidate for freshman king. “And I want to show the people here at Prairie View that we are productive, responsible, and success driven.”
While some candidates feel that they have the experience to be a leader, others simply feel that they were born to be leaders.
“I have great interpersonal communication skills,” said Kendrick Hayes, a candidate for freshman president. “Plus, I am a natural born leader. I’m very determined, and I always try my best.”
Despite some of the good qualities that candidates have, some voters questioned if they really had what it takes to be a leader.
“They need to have a drive to help their class,” said Tracie Calloway, vice president of the SGA, which governs over all student body officers. “They also have to be responsible, and they need to have ideas in order to bring their class to a higher level of excellence.” In the end, will it be the leadership qualities that sway the voters, or will it be the quality of their campaigns?
Each student, had his/her own criteria as to what a candidate needs to be a good leader. “I was looking for a candidate with confidence, ambition, and leadership,” said Nick Brown, a senior. “Because I think that is just the standard that everyone should look for in a leader. But ultimately, I voted because a couple of my friends were running, and also it was who I saw campaigning the most.”
Like Nick, many students knew who they were going vote for long before the polls were even open.
“I voted mainly because my friend was running,” said Meosha Lewis, a senior who is also a senator in the SGA.
However, while some students voted for the candidate who was a friend, others took the voting process a little more seriously. “I wanted to choose the best person for the job,” said freshman Shaunte Deckard. “I believe that good leadership is important, because if one of us can become a proven leader, then the rest of us will follow.”
It is hoped that the students’ turnout can be repeated in the upcoming national elections.