Candidates grilled in debate

The Student Government Association held its run-off debates Tuesday in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. Among the candidates were Miss Junior candidates Michelle Anderson and Kenya Warren and Miss Senior finalists Kristen Hardy and Elyssa Lassiter, who offered the audience reasons why they should be elected to represent their respective classes.
Prior to a welcome by Dean of Student Life Robert Bennett, immediate past vice president Stasha Rhodes gave insight to what the candidates could have been feeling.
“Nervous, definitely, ” said the junior political science major from Napoleonville.
“The adrenaline is definitely flowing right now.”
The guidelines to the run-off debate are driven by student questions from the audience, with each debate set—SGA President, Miss Southern and Association for Women Students—standing at the podium and answering individual or general position questions.
Elections commissioner Kristal Walls said she expected the debate to go well.
“I trust the students to ask the important questions. They have created a movement, and the best will make it to the top.”
Class queen candidates once again gave their platforms and reintroduced themselves to the crowd, with Anderson promising to, “work with class presidents and officers,” while Warren claimed she wouldn’t just, “wave and smile; I’ll be a true leader, giving all students what they deserve.”
Both Hardy and Lassiter thanked those in attendance for support, while the former urged the junior class to, “give back, play hard” with the latter promising to, “boost the morale of the student body as a whole,” while pushing health initiatives and class unity.
Ronisha Johnson and Nona Stewart, who were running to become the next president of AWS each greeted the crowd with their campaign slogans, Johnson toting herself as the ‘dedicated candidate,’ while Stewart claimed to be ‘your superwoman,’ drawing on her status as what she deemed ‘nontraditional student.’
DeAnna Blue, a Miss Southern candidate opened with a quote, saying, “Life is a grindstone…Students that love Southern University can change it. I’m more than just a pretty face; I’m self-less, intelligent, a purpose-driven woman; parallel to the title of Miss Southern University.”
Sabrina Whitney, who also was vying for the Miss Southern title, urged potential voters to, “Vote the award-winning choice!”
SGA Presidential candidates took their introductions to another level, with Phillip Wallace telling the audience, “Raise your hand if you care about the university. The decision you make depends on the future of Southern University. Make a conscientious decision when we go out and vote, and I look forward to answering your questions.”
Yielding the podium to opponent Stanley White, whose introduction
speech revisited the general election debate. “The last time I stood before you, many said I had little to say. I have something to say, and I say the day the SGA—the all-exclusive club—has come to an end. Seven-hundred-some-odd votes have spoken, and the politics of the old is now over. I’m still not a politician, I’m not a skilled orator; I am you. You are me.”
Bennett urged the students to feel free to ask questions, but requested they “keep questions to a minimum.”
The first question of the night was aimed at the AWS candidates, who were asked what plans they had for the organization. Each woman responded with a three-point plan surrounding health initiatives, female feedback and skill set growth.
After a slew of questions to all candidates ranging from the laboratory school, volunteer positions and administrative involvement, Bennett thanked and introduced the elections committee, Student Programs and Union employees before allowing candidates to have closing remarks and statements.
For an in-depth version of the 2009 runoff debate, please visit The Southern DIGEST’s podcast at: www.southerndigest.com