By Andrew Mahinay
The 2017-2018 Student Association elections at PUC was one for the records. Every candidate, from president to public relations vice president, ran unopposed, an extremely rare situation. While the odds of obtaining one’s desired position was guaranteed, a few were still nervous, but who wouldn’t be? On Thursday, February 23, each candidate gave a speech for the SA Elections Colloquy to make their case for why they should be elected.
Each candidate has something different to offer PUC students. Megan Weems brings her experience in service. Coming back to the states after serving a year as a student missionary in Fiji inspired Weems to apply all she learned while she was away to being the next SA president. She ended her speech saying, “SA is about the students not the leaders. I ask that you follow me and you follow God to make PUC what we want it to be.”
In addition to being a senator-at-large, incoming executive vice president Alma Musmovi is the current president of Amnesty International, a club that informs students of human rights issues. Musmovi is prepared to handle the task of leading out in Senate. “You have someone who has a passion for change who is willing to have those hard conversations and address the concerns students have,” she said.
Ryan Goldring, soon-to-be financial vice president, is ready to bring his experience in service to PUC students. Goldring spent a year as a missionary in Pompeii. Currently, he is performing cost-benefit analyses, contract negotiations, asset managements, and market research as an intern for Brotemarkle Davis & Co., LLP, an accounting firm in St. Helena which ranks 25th in the nation.
Angel Castillo, a junior who ran for public relations vice president, plans to use Snapchat as a medium to inform students of all SA events.
Knowing he is the next editor-in-chief of the Campus Chronicle, Daniel Grigore began his speech saying, “I am going to be your new Campus Chronicle editor next year,” He continued, “If you have any great stories we’re looking for them,” referring to his team and editors. The crowd began to laugh.
With each candidate proposing new ideas, students attending PUC for the 2017-2018 school year can expect big SA events. One major past event was giving students the opportunity to ride a hot air balloon, which seems possible again with this up-and-coming SA team.
To stay current with the Student Association at PUC, visit their Facebook page. Congratulations to all of the 2017-2018 SA officers—we can’t wait to see what exciting things you will do next year!
