Grambling State University’s election season kicked off with a parade down Main Street Monday afternoon. The contestants for the 2010-2011 Royal Court also participated.
Student Kimberly Miles-Lawson said that she hopes Miss Sophomore is beautiful, smart and can represent the class well.
Voting is exclusive to undergraduate students and is online only. Students receive ballots in their individual GSU e-mail accounts.The debate allowed Student Government Association candidates to not only present their platforms to students but allowed students to challenge the contenders’ ideas and see how they respond under pressure.
Senior class president candidates presented their views.
Jessieca Gafford sought to bring vision to the Senior Class, while current Junior Class President Jamarious Andrews hoped to bring more involvement in the student body.
The lack of involvement was apparent as many of the SGA class officers ran unopposed.
The liveliest debates were between the SGA Vice Presidential candidates William Burge and Glynn Price and Presidential candidates Cameron Butler and Lamark Hughes.
The floor was open to questions from attendees and screened by current SGA President Steven Jackson, who was also the moderator for the event.
Much to the dismay of many students not all questions were addressed.
It wasn’t until dealing with the issue of active SGA members that the gloves really came off.
Hard hitting Hughes demanded accountability from administration and unproductive students in the SGA. Butler suggested a three strikes rule to handle the situation if it occurred.
Other concerns that were addressed ranged from reform of the Rising Junior Exam, retention rates working with current administrators, accreditation and a proposal of a student assessed fee to build a new library.
Jackson asked presidential candidates if they could be a pencil or a pen which they’d choose.
Butler said that he would be a pen hoping to leave a permanent mark on Grambling State University.
Hughes said he’d be a pencil and if better ideas are presented he can quickly erase the errors and make proper changes.
A showcase of campus beauties vying to be on the Royal Court also happened later that night to a standing room only crowd in the Black and Gold Room of the Favrot Student Union.
The current Miss GSU Ahvery Thomas opened the event allowing for the audience to get to view each candidate in her splendor.
Before introducing the candidates in swimwear student Salea Hayes preformed a ballad, student Shannon Henderson performed works from her book “Two Sides to Every Story” and Entourage showed off their musical talents.
Each campus beauty contestant told the audience a platform which they will carry out if elected to Royal Court.
The multiplicity of topics ranged from increasing the amount of writing labs available a proposal made by Robyn Cole, a contestant for Miss Sophomore, to mentorship programs by passing on wisdom to freshman to raising awareness and involvement among the students.
Each contestant was asked while displaying formal wear a question pertaining to how they would handle their duties of the court.
Wednesday’s activities allowed the candidates to come directly to the students by hosting a booster event on the yard.
Candidates used colorful signs, slogans and even pitched food to potential voters along with informing them of what sorts of activities they hope to accomplish if elected.
Students hurried to the Quad area to support their candidates and see what goodies they could get from others. Others went looking to see what candidates had to offer.
Many students agreed with Sharlene Cassius’ ideal leader .
“I want a candidate to represent overall GSU not just into opportunities for themselves or friends but the whole community and can educate us on issues dealing with financial aid, leadership and help us (students) get an education.