After Richland’s final Student Government Association election ballots were counted on April 10, results were shared via social media by candidates who won positions. At press time, SGA election results are scheduled to take effect on April 29 after several SGA students return from a state competition in Austin.
Faith Rachel and Dyanna Ortiz won top leadership positions, while currently serving as officers for SGA. Rachel will become the new SGA president for next semester.
Ortiz will serve as vice president. Rachel and Ortiz appear to be in sync as they talk about engagement as a primary goal for their terms.
“My main goal, especially, is to make sure that we have more people getting involved in student government,” Rachel said. Ortiz wants to build on the clubs already associated with SGA and get them to become more active. Before elections ended there was a digital form where students could vote. Representative Ortiz and others were seen asking for students’ voting support during school events in late March and April, including the solar eclipse on April 8.
“This is the best turnout we’ve ever had,” said SGA adviser Kelly Sonnanstine. Overall, Dallas College recorded 847 responses. Richland Campus recorded 527 of them. There will be an official swearing in ceremony and the current officers will remain in office until the end of the spring semester and act as mentors to help guide members in their new positions.
Some other students who won positions include Malak Elkady, editor at large of the Richland Chronicle, who held her seat as senator at large of community. Eliwinjuka Mwakajumba won the position of senator at large of early college high school. Also, Jason Tejeda was elected treasurer and Brook Tilahun won the secretary position.
Of the 16 candidates who ran, five came up short in getting a new position. Sonnanstine said “It’s not all a bad thing if you lost this time. Even if they don’t win, it’s still good experience,” Sonnanstine said, adding that candidates who ran campaigns win or lose, learn the ups and downs.
