Freshman Elections

With posters and fliers hung around campus, it is easy to see that campaigning for freshman class elections have begun. There are currently twenty candidates in the running divided among the three positions available: president, vice president, and activities director.

Freshman election speeches were held Tuesday in Needham Chapel to rally fellow freshman to vote for the ideal candidate. The freshman class awaits anxiously for the revealing of those chosen to represent the freshman class of 2016.

One of the class presidential candidates freshman Gabriel Atkins wants to push the community aspect within the freshman class as well as using the experience for his future aspirations to be a pastor someday.

“I believe I am a leader of my generation and it is my desire to to start a revival in California just by starting and encouraging people around my age to do prayer meetings and bible studies,” Atkins said. “I wanted to do it because…at first I strive to be popular and cool, but I am now running for president because I need to learn the leadership skills that will be required of me to be a pastor and to lead orphanages.”

Atkins is one of nine candidates in the running for freshman class president.

Freshman Candace Henriquez is one of the vice president candidates. She strives to leave a legacy behind as her cousin, Steve Graner from the class of 1975 did when he attended Vanguard.

“My cousin went here in the seventies and he passed away last year…he left his mark here. He has a brick on the walkway to the library and I really want to get one when I graduate,” Henriquez said. “To get involved is my way of trying my hardest to leave my mark here,” she said.

Henriquez is a religion major who desires to become a youth pastor to minister to teens around her.

Candace seeks to leave a legacy behind as she runs for Freshman VP.

Freshman Matthew Martinez is running for Activities Director. He feels his connections to local businesses can benefit the freshman class in future activities.

“I’m connected with companies and small businesses willing to help schools like Vanguard…and I’ve worked with them before,” Martinez said. “I’m the youngest in the whole family…so I had to be creative in entertaining myself because [of the age gap in my family.]”

Matthew is passionate about becoming the Freshman Activities Director for 2012.

Atkins, Henriquez, and Martinez, along with the other candidates have started campaigning around campus with posters, buttons, clothing and even videos promoting themselves as they all work toward winning the votes of the freshman class.