SU Freshmen campaign for leadership positions

Although their time at Southern has been short lived thus far, some members of the freshman class have already begun taking the next step at Southern by running for office in the 2006 Student Government Association’s fall elections.
“I feel Southern University needs a lot of new things,” said Cleophus Bankston, Jr., a freshman biology major from Baton Rouge running for class president.
The fall elections will be held Monday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. In order to vote, students must have a valid student ID.
“I want to bring something new, but not change the traditional things,” said Bankston. “Anything going on between students and staff, I feel, we should be able to have a say so.”
John Coleman, a freshmen mass communications major from Lake Charles, is also one of the five candidates vying for the presidential title, said his decision to run stems from his desire to promote change.
“My plans are to allow the freshmen class to speak up on their opinions,” Coleman said. “My motivations are the upper classmen who are already in office (who) inspired me to run for freshmen class president.”
Kristen Guidry, a freshman marketing major from Houston, and one of two girls on the president ballot, said, “I want to make a lot of changes.
“Being a student from out of state, it is not easy to find out information about things we need to know,” she said. “I want for all freshmen to find out information more easily than the hard way.”
There are others who feel they can make a great change with the freshmen class also, but not by campaigning for president, they’re vying for the title of Miss Freshman.
Lindsay Sylvester, a freshman marketing major from New Orleans said, “I want to make sure that everyone is aware of volunteerism because most freshmen are unaware that in order to graduate you need 60 hours of volunteered work.
“I feel that we can do something more productive and have fun at the same time,” Sylvester said.
One of Sylvester’s competitors for the crown said she would be a positive role model for her class.
“If I were elected, I would be positive role model by motivating my class to continue to lead and to persevere through all of their academic courses by example,” said Mercy Ukpolo, a freshman business major from Baton Rouge. “I want to promote importance of education.
“I also want to encourage my fellow classmates to interact with each other,” Ukpolo said.
Elections run-offs will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Cotillion Ballroom.
BALLOT: Who is on the ballot for the SGA Fall elections?
Freshman Class PresidentCleophus B. Bankston, Jr.Christie M. CageJohn J. ColemanDarryl J. EdwardsKristen Guidry
Miss FreshmanCharisse T. GibsonLindsay M. SylvesterMercy A. Ukpolo
Freshman Class Senators (Vote for 5)Gabrielle J. AyersAdrienne D. CesarRonisha R. JohnsonElyssa M. LassiterByrhonda G. LyonsLindsey M. ThomasLorenzo J. Turner
Men’s Federation PresidentJerry W. JonesBenjamin E. Terry
Men’s Federation Vice PresidentBrandon L. DixJacques M. GilbertGeorge L. LucasChristopher P. Strozier

Gallery • 2 Photos

Kristen Guidry, Freshmen Class President Candidate