Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: Meaghan Wagner Controversial Presidential Candidate, Kristina Longhitano, is running with a giant refrigerator box for Student Association.

Media Credit: Meaghan Wagner Gianna Sandr, running for Vice President of Administration and Programming (Secretary), addresses the Student Association at their Friday Meeting.

With every spring comes baseball, final exams, and student government elections. This spring is no different as Pace students will be asked to come out to Kessel and vote on April 24 and 25. Last Friday, the hopeful candidates delivered their speeches at the weekly Student Association meeting, each of them trying to convince their peers of their qualifications.

Chief Justice hopeful, sophomore Jaclyn Bunch, kicked off the candidate speeches, stressing that, above all else, she wants to protect the rights of the students. As she noted, she has been present at every Student Association meeting for the past two years, and feels she is well equipped with the knowledge and skills to take on the position. She noted that, if elected, she would "resist administration manipulation," and would serve the students fairly and answer only to them.

Opposing Bunch is freshman Justin Grant, a political science major who hopes to build stronger relationships with both the students and the administration. After working with numerous organizations, such as Residence Hall Association and Freedom Through Knowledge, Grant feels he has the leadership skills necessary to fill the position of Chief Justice. As it reads on his Facebook group, "I want to put myself in a position where I can better represent my fellow students to the administration and help out everyone's respective groups and organizations on a more personal basis."

Next up were the position speeches for Vice President of Administration and Programming, with sophomore Melissa Gandarinho starting it off. Gandarihno suggested that programs and events be improved and updated, to both entertain the students and to keep more people on campus over the weekends, stressing that "new ideas will better the school." She also suggested getting started early, by showing students at orientation a plethora of event and organizational options. She believes this would not only increase students' attention, but will increase student retention.

Also running for VP of Administration and Programming is sophomore Gianna Sandri. Sandri also believes that new and creative events will encourage students to stay at school over the weekends. With an increase in the Student Activity Fee, Sandri believes she will be able to make more happen. She suggests planning school-wide formals and carnivals, which have proven to be successful at other schools. Having been of the Judicial Board already, Sandri believes she has the leadership skills necessary, and her love for Pace will only strengthen that leadership.

Running for the position of Vice President of Finance, sophomore Andreia Branco Moura spoke next. "I feel I have the ability to uphold the values and standards of Pace," the hopeful stated. Despite her not having any previous positions in such a field, Moura believes her personal experience with her own finances has given her the insight necessary to take on the position. In an interview conducted after the meeting, Moura added that despite her lack of experience, she has "the heart, passion, and the drive to fulfill the needs of the students and the school."

Opposite Moura is junior Tahisha Victor, who believes that she has the experience needed to become VP of Finance. As a member of the Budget Allocation Committee, Victor has had experience with the forms, and understands how student organizations can get confused with them. "We must educate each organization so they will be able to understand the process of things," she said. If elected, Victor is willing to meet individually with each treasurer to make sure of their understanding.

Also running for the position of VP of Finance are Brian Bolletieri and Christine Feliciano, neither of whom could make it to the meeting for personal reasons.

Current Vice President of Administration and Programming, Chiara Travia, surprised the room with an unexpected announcement. Travia was running for the position of Executive Vice President, but withdrew her candidacy, noting that she will instead be taking an opportunity to study abroad.

Without any opposition, the position is still open for nominations. By the end of the meeting, junior and current Executive Vice President, Tom Rodriguez, and junior Arleen Fernandez were both nominated for the position. Others can still be nominated at next Friday's meeting.

Running for President of Student Association (SA), sophomore Salvatore Antolos had the podium next. As the current VP of Finance, Antolos is "very confident and passionate in everything" he does. As president, he vows to not make false promises, and will work hard to boost relationships between the students, faculty, and administration. Antolos also wishes to promote diversity, referring to the numerous hate crimes the school has experienced. He suggests running a sort of campaign, where everyone vows not to use a certain negative word or term in their everyday life. "I will create an attitude and atmosphere of professionalism within the students," he said. If elected, Antolos also hopes to promote responsibility among the student body.

Also running for president is sophomore Kristina "Boxy" Longhitano, who is running with a giant box to represent that the position of president is bigger than one student. "Boxy," as Longhitano stated, "is a rallying point for opinions." As she noted, student leaders represent only one part of the university, but with Boxy, other voices, such as those of commuters, can be heard. "My campaign is focused on removing SA from SDCA," she announced. Having had experience as a senator, an Associate Justice, and a member of the Criminal Justice Society, Longhitano believes she has what it takes to get more students involved, and give their voices and ideas a chance to be heard.

Voting will take place on April 24 and 25 in Kessel. As the saying goes, you can't complain if you don't vote, so get out there and cast your vote. One opinion can make all the difference.

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