Student Government Association elections will be tomorrow, and the candidates have spent the better part of this month on the campaign trail.
Voting will take place online and last from 8 a.m. on April 1 until 8 a.m. on April 2.
Thirty-eight candidates began the official 2009-2010 student elections campaign season, delivering speeches to the student body in the Thompson Center on March 16. Students and teachers packed the Thompson Center leaving standing room only, as they listened to the candidates’ arguments.
“The speeches were very persuasive,” said Rudy Jones, a senior from Dover, Del.
“The candidates were charismatic, but it really takes more than just a speech to be a leader. It should be natural.”
This election year, the candidates’ approaches varied. Some sang, others presented slide shows and even encouraged students to visit their Web sites.
Slogans like “Check the Box for Jalessa Cox” and “Give Change a Chance,” were a few of the mottos.
Candidates for the Royal Court, including Mr. Ram and Miss WSSU, also spoke.
Davril Massey, a candidate for Mr. Ram, began his speech with slight humor and wit, poking fun at his hometown, Waxsaw, a small town near Charlotte.
Massey also talked about his leadership and experience, including being captain of the track team and singing in the University choir.
The roster for Miss WSSU is loaded with six candidates: Ebony S. Denman, Courtney DuBose, Starus Dyson, Jessica James, Diedra Midgett, and Shatina Morgan. Each young woman delivered speeches about her different qualities to bring to the university as Miss WSSU.
“I am here to promote self-motivation, school pride, self-confidence and educational awareness,” Dyson said.
James gave spunk and attitude in her speech with an excerpt from the poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou.
“The speeches went well,” said Terri Williams, a senior marketing major.
“I don’t believe anyone stood out. It will be a close competition. The people that stay consistent will win,” Williams said.
“This is an exciting time for all students, but we can’t vote by popularity but by who will get the job done the best.”
Candidates for SGA President, Whitney N. McCoy and Derwin L. Montgomery vowed for change for the student body.
Each expressed concerns for financial aid office hospitality, better academic advisement for students and more participation from the students.
“I want to be your SGA President not to hold an office but to stimulate the student populations to realize their true potential on this campus,” Montgomery said.
Both received a standing ovation after their speeches on March 16. The two also competed in a heated debate on March 25.
The candidates answered prepared questions, engaged in rebuttals and fielded questions on the fly from students.
The debate played out eerily similar to last spring’s contest between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
McCoy, who has served on the SGA since her freshman year, touted her experience while Montgomery closely followed Obama’s platform.
“They said Barack Obama didn’t have experience [to become president]. They said JFK didn’t have experience,” Montgomery said.
“I voted for Barack Obama. I’ve seen him on TV,” McCoy said. “Derwin Montgomery is no Barack Obama.”