With sweaty palms and jumpy nerves, students anxiously bit nails and paced the lobby of the Memorial Student Union as they awaited the results of the Student Government Association Fall Elections. Yesterday brought closure to some of the vacancies in student government for the 2009-10 school year.

This year, students were given exactly a week to campaign, and there was no shortage of creative marketing strategies or fliers. Sophomore vice presidential candidate Jenard Moore, along with others, had t-shirts printed to help him campaign for his office.

“I want to have an impact on school. Not only do I want to be a voice representing African-American males, but for all sophomores,” said Moore.    Although mostly freshmen made their way to the polls on Tuesday, some upperclassmen faces were seen casting their votes as well. Many of the spots for the upperclassmen had already been filled in the spring 2009 elections.

The Sophomore Class Vice President and Treasurer had to be filled, as well the Senior Class Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Miss Senior. Class officer positions were not the only things that were on the ballot this fall. Numerous senate seats were left vacant from the previous election. Senate has seen a decline in activity over the last two years.

“My friend was running for senate, and the senate represents us and get us what we need. People are quick to complain about what happens on campus but don’t want to vote,” said junior history education major Kelly Byrdson, a native of Chicago, Ill.

According to Lee Morgan, Associate Director of Student Development, the position of Miss Senior and a senator from District 2 had to be vacated due to the representatives being disqualified for undisclosed reasons.

” I’m out to vote for Chelsea,” said Kiana Chrisp, freshman animal science major from Athens, Ga. “She is a smart, intelligent black woman.” Chelsea Smith was a candidate for the freshman class president.

Along with Smith, eight other freshmen hopefuls were campaigning to be the next freshman class president.  Mr. and miss freshman were also two of the more popular positions, but positions such as treasurer, or secretary, only had two or three people campaigning.

“I feel I would be a great representative for my class,” said freshman journalism and mass communications major Catherine Hamlin. Hamlin expressed she wanted the position so she could help her fellow freshmen find community service opportunities. “I’ve volunteered with my mom at a domestic violence shelter in Winston, and I would love to help bring community service opportunities to campus.”

One of the duties of the office of a class queen is that they must implement class community service projects as per the constitution.

“I wasn’t going to vote, but I heard great ideas from candidates,” said freshman nursing major Katerra Holmes.    The polls closed at 6pm on Tuesday, and shortly after the results were announced. While the results were not certified last night, they will be later today. The unofficial winners announced were as follows:

The freshmen class officers are Vice president, , Secretary Jerica Brown,  and Treasurer Brandy Etheridge. There will be a run-off election for the position of Freshman Class President between Jewel Livingston and Allahquan Tate. Also there will be a run-off for Miss Freshman between Ashley Lewis and Jasmine Rivers as well as for Mr. Freshman between Reginald Johnson and Karlton Burnett.

For upperclassmen class positions, Dana McClain is the Treasurer, and there will be a run-off for Sophomore Class Vice-President between Jenard Moore and Ashley Scotland.

For the senior class, Sir Lawerence Conley is Vice- President, and Tearro Nero is secretary. There will be a run-off for Miss Senior between Dominque Donaldson and Bree Pelham.

This years senators include Maurice Scott, Avery McKoy, Augustine Joesph, Raymond Beamon, Brittany Jones, Derrick Pettiford, Raymond Jones,, and Kiana Bryd for District one. Michael Griffin, Trevor Thornton, and Na-im Bulter for District two. JaVon Roninson, Bethany Penn, and Blaire Penn for district three. Bethany Penn, Blayre Penn, and Janay Wilson are for District four. Carla Saunders, Blake Strozier, and Charles Robinson are for district five. Deirdre Pugh is for District six.

The Judicial Committee includes Meshach Jackson, Joy Pitts, and Jazmyne Cosby.The run-off will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 8 in the Memorial Student Union. Positions not filled can be appointed by the presidents. 

• Kelcie McCrae