On Tuesday, Sep. 16, six eager, newly elected Freshman Class Officers were sworn in to the Student Government Association (SGA). Standing tall and looking classy after their induction, Alyssa Wright, Bailey Rice, Kaitlyn Pugh, Sarah Kensy, Dustyn Hall and Michael Moore proceeded to take celebratory pictures marking the occasion.
Since these officers are both new to campus and to SGA, many students may not know much about them. Each come from unique places with different experience levels, but all of them have a passion for serving their community and a desire to be involved on campus.
Wright, freshman class president, is a Liberal Studies major going through the Elementary and Special Education program. She comes from Mechanicsville, VA and doesn’t have any experience participating in Student Government. However, she loved being involved in her high school’s decision-making, so she decided to run for President.
Already, Wright is filled with anticipation of acting with the SGA. She said, “I’m excited to have the opportunity to meet more people and be involved with a group of students who act like a family.” In fact, she feels close to her fellow freshmen officers after less than a week of being brought together.
Rice, freshman class vice president, is an Elementary Education major from Virginia Beach, VA. Rice loved being actively involved in her high school and knew she wanted to become really involved at Longwood, and since she’s been involved in forms of student government since the third grade—quite the veteran—running for office was a clear option. “When I heard there were freshman class elections, I knew I just had to run,” she stated.
After a month of being at Longwood, Rice wanted everyone to know that she loves being a Lancer and feels honored to have been voted into her position. If any students were feeling silenced, luckily Rice has come to the rescue. She loves “the thought of being able to make a difference by taking the opinions of others into consideration and really giving them a voice.”
Next up is the new Freshman Class Treasurer, Pugh, a Communication Sciences and Disorders major from Chesapeake, VA. Having been a Student Government President her senior year in high school and treasurer for several different organizations, she’s familiar with her position as well as how Student Government works. According to Pugh, she believes she has the qualities it takes to be a successful at her position, such as being “very smart and responsible with money, especially when it’s other people’s [money].”
Pugh hopes to make everyone feel important through representation, and hoping to address the needs of those around her. As another young lover of Longwood, she wants to “give back to the school that has already given [her] so much.”
Kensy, freshman class secretary, is another Liberal Studies major who is in the Elementary and Middle School Education program. She’s also from Virginia Beach, VA, and felt that after reading the different officer position descriptions, secretary would match her best. In love with taking part in the community and her school, Kensy considers this a great opportunity. She said, “I think that being a class officer will be the perfect balance of both.” Hall, one of two freshman class senators, comes from Gloucester, VA, and is majoring in English Secondary Education. In high school, Freshman and Sophomore year he served as secretary for his Student Government then as president for Junior and Senior year. Knowing the impact Student Government can have on a school, Hall wants to “make a positive difference and positive change.”
Hall ran for Senator hoping to bring some innovative perspectives to the SGA “I felt I could bring some new ideas and fresh outlooks on college life,” he said.
Moore, the other freshman class senator, is from Henrico County, VA. At the moment, he is undeclared, but exploring his options through Longwood’s Compass Program. The driving force behind Moore’s decision to run was the desire to have an influence within the community. He hopes to meet a lot of people while holding his position.
“Being a part of SGA is very exciting for me because it allows me to work and get to know my fellow students,” Moore said. With a passion for service, original ideas and an already fully blossomed love for Longwood, the new officers will take on their first council meeting where Wright hopes to suggest plans regarding a fundraiser. All signs suggest that if one wishes to raise her voice, at least six pairs of new ears are prepared to listen.
