Meeting the Officers: SGA Elections

In a year where everything has been different from what we would normally expect, SGA elections have come and gone again with some notable additions to the Student Government Association. According to some of this year’s victors, as unorthodox as this year’s election experience may have been, it’s still going to be something that they remember for a long time.
The freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes all welcomed new members to their class leadership hierarchy, with the freshman class welcoming a new President in Sydney Lafleur, a chemistry major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“It is now our time to learn and thrive together. We have a very important election coming up. I will concentrate my efforts on getting out to vote. Our lives here and beyond depend upon our civic engagement. I expect that this new role will both humble and allow me to grow as a servant leader.,” said LeFleur when asked what she hopes to accomplish during this unusual fall semester. According to LeFleur, she hopes to make a tangible difference on the Bluff as we get closer to the November Presidential Election.
One of two new class senators taking office this semester, sophomore psychology major Ballard Mouton from Lake Charles reflected on his experience throughout this election process and what he hopes to accomplish as a class officer. “This election season was a challenge due to the new protocols, but it has inspired me to do phenomenal things this semester.” said Mouton when asked about his experience with the new election regulations and what his expectations are for himself to start his term.
When asked what his message would be to his class, he had this to say to the members of his class: “As we move forward Class of SU23, I assure you all that I will provide the proper resources and channels for the Campus to function in a positive light, and protect the bluff from adversity….I will champion this!,” said Mouton.
Additionally, the junior class welcomed it’s new class senator in Lealer Sims, a junior mass communications major from Houston, Texas.
“The election this year was extremely different from the past, all because of COVID-19. I could not campaign on campus at all! It was strictly social media based. When you think of elections you think of tables with treats, and people campaigning on pretty Wednesday. All of the candidates had to get creative this year because it was not traditional. We really had to make sure our campaign was seen and not just scrolled past.” said Sims in regard to the unique campaign experience due the circumstances related to COVID-19.
Given the state of things on campus at the moment, the role of student leaders has taken a different meaning this semester as alluded to by Sims. “I will do my best to keep everyone updated with what’s going on around campus and keep us united during this tough times. I am praying that this pandemic ends soon so we can return to normalcy.” said Sims when asked what she hopes to accomplish during the initial days of her term.
While the student experience has been anything but orthodox during these initial months of the Fall semester, all of the aforementioned candidates noted how they are ready to embrace their roles as student leaders despite the circumstances.