The ballots are in and Dana Lezama, with 55 percent of the vote, is the newly-elected President of Student Government, Inc. In fact, Lezama’s entire S.E.R.V.I.C.E. ticket swept the elections.
A remarkable 1,277 students voted in this year’s election, which were held on March 17-18- more than double last year’s turnout of 633. S.E.R.V.I.C.E. ticket winners include President Lezama, Vice President John Kelly, Secretary Dominic Baccala, Treasurer Patrick McBurney, and senators Jessica Lazlo, Yvette Clairjeane, and Tucker Adams.
“It’s been a hectic four weeks,” Lezama said. “We were really working hard to increase voter turnout.”
The candidates campaigned heavily outside of Montgoris dining hall and in front of St. Augustine Hall. All morning and afternoon on Monday and Tuesday, both the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. and R.I.S.E. candidates urged students on campus to vote for them.
“I’m very happy that the voter turnout increased,” said Daphne Pierre, the Presidential candidate for the R.I.S.E. ticket. “I think it was our Web site and the high-spirited election.”
Lezama is now the first Caribbean female student to serve as president of S.G.I.
“I’m proud to be serving a committed person like Dana,” said newly-elected Senior Senator Jessica Lazlo. “It’s not about her being black or a woman. She is a capable leader.”
The newly-elected students of the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. ticket seemed extremely happy and enthusiastic over the results. Newly-elected Vice President John Kelly said, “It’s been an exciting and historic election to be a part of. Students are finally becoming aware of what S.G.I. is and does.”
Fellow S.E.R.V.I.C.E. team member Dominic Baccala had similar sentiments, and was excited that his entire ticket was able to win.
“We are a team that brings together experiences from a wide variety of organizations,” Baccala said. “We will be able to handle any issue that awaits.”
Lezama said that one of her first actions as S.G.I. president will be to reach out to all other organizations and let them know that S.E.R.V.I.C.E. will stand by its commitments and pledge.
This year’s President, Larry King, was thrilled to see the voter turnout increase. “I’m very happy we’re headed in the right direction,” King said. “It’s a big step and good sign for government.”
