Voting For Germantown’s Student Senate Executive Officers

By Nicolle Schorchit

Student Senate executive officers elections are here! April 5th and 6th are the days to vote for the Student Senate executive officers, such as the president and vice president, secretary, and etc…

Here are the candidates’ self-written biographies. Some students did not submit a biography, but their name shall be shown under the position they are running for.  (These biographies have not been edited in any way. These are truly the candidates’ own words.)

President Candidates

Leonardo Sena

Leonardo Sena, the past vice president of NLCS, is currently pursuing a degree of International Studies, and running to be the President of Student Senate at Montgomery College. He is originally from Brazil, but he has been in the United States for the last four years. Leo was the president of the Latino Student Union, and was the vice president of the Photography Club at Montgomery College. Sena is very concerned about the student’s voice, and presently he is in the process of becoming a Student Ambassador, in order to support and guide the new incoming stuents. With a passion for politics and international relations, Leo Sena is working in the U.S. Congressional office of the Congressman John K. Delaney, in which he assists the 6th district constituents, helps assigning immigrantion cases, and helps organizing events and projects. First and foremost, Leo Sena comprehends that it is a privilege and honor to serve the students at Montgomery College, and he hopes to serve his fellow students to the best of his abilities as a President of the Student Senate, making this a productive, successful, satisfying, and enjoyable year.

Aranje Sripanjalingam

My name is Aranje Sripanjalingam and I am an Electrical Engineering Major student running for the President of the Student Senate for the Germantown Campus. As a President I believe you need to have an idea how the Student Senate system works and because I am currently a Senator for the year 2015-16, I have been able to learn and understand the system. This will help increase the productivity of the Student Senate. I am also the Secretary of the Engineering club and also have been part of the Frederick County Association of Student Councils. Experience in handling an important role like President of the Student Senate is key to succeed in this particular role. If I am elected as the President of the Student Senate I will make sure that events on campus throughout the year will be held in order to create an amazing experience here at the Germantown Campus. For example the Winter Ball in the beginning of the Spring Semester which is a very successful college event where students spent time dancing and enjoying their time on campus. I will also work with the Student Senate of year 2016-17 to address all the issues the students face on campus. For example the student space issue on campus is a major problem and the key is to be able to find alternative solutions in the time of constructions. I will also be interacting with the students on campus to understand what the student body would like to see change in the next year on campus. I understand the Germantown Campus very well and I believe I will be able to effectively address the issues of the students due to my knowledge of issues that are already facing the campus. My experience as a leader is a major key to achieve these goals as the President Senate. So kindly request to Vote for me, Aranje Sripanjalingam, as your next President of the Student Senate.

Vice President Candidate

Andrea Nunez

Hi, My name is Andrea Nunez. I am a Life Sciences major and I am running for Vice President. I am currently president of Volunteer club and have participated in many clubs this year. With volunteer club, we raised money for charities, did a Christmas toy drive, and have helped out in many of the student life’s activities and events. Getting involved in student life has definitely made my college experience a lot better than I imagined it would be. Working closely with the student senate helped me better connect with the students and faculty on campus, which also led me to make new friends. Because of all the great experiences I had this year, I decided to become a member of next year’s student senate by running for Vice President. As Vice President, I want to continue doing campus activities and events, and try to make them better. I also want to listen to students concerns on campus and try to do what I can about it. I love this campus and I will work very hard to make it better.

Secretary Candidates

Patrick McKelvey

Evelyn Martinez

Hello, My name is Evelyn Martinez, and I am running for Secretary of Student Senate. I am currently Secretary of Volunteer Club and will be Vice President of Latino Student Union. I am also a contestant on the Raptor Tank at the Rockville campus. I would like to make the information in the Student Senate meetings more accessible to all students if they are not able to  attend. I would also like to help the other officers and Senators address students’ concerns on campus and plan more events. I have enjoyed my time with everyone at Student Life, and I think students should make good college memories that they won’t forget.

Treasurer Candidates

Allison Kraft

My name is Allison Kraft and I am a Nursing major student currently in my second semester at Montgomery College. I am currently running for treasurer because I believe that with the experience and dedication I have, I can help make Montgomery College a better place as the Treasurer of the Student Senate. My experience in leadership roles on campus includes being Vice President of Volunteer Club, the Vice President of Medical Careers Club, a member of the Activities Board on Germantown campus, and, most importantly, I am Senator for the Germantown Student Senate. Being in these roles has not only given me the experience to be a good leader, but has also allowed me to dedicate my time to fundraising for charitable causes, help organize events for the student body, dedicate my time as a volunteer, and learn the skills needed to become a great leader in and outside of school.  I also am active in my community outside of Montgomery College and spend my time volunteering at Shady Grove Hospital, which has helped me earn over 650 SSL (volunteer hours) to improve my community and benefit the people in it. Through this I have proven myself to be an experienced, dedicated, and responsible person and have learned what it takes to become a great leader, and I am ready to apply these skills to be the Student Senate Treasurer of 2016-2017!

Shani Smith-Augustin

My name is Shani Smith-Augustin  and I am running for Treasurer of Montgomery College, Germantown Student Senate. Currently, I am an ACES student in my sophomore year of the Life Science Program here at Montgomery College. I am also an active member of the GT STEP and Future-Link programs. My participation in these programs has helped to develop and understand accountability and responsibility. It has been a fulfilling and rewarding journey, however, I am prepared to share my growth with all of Germantown MC. It is important that You, the students of this fine institution, elect representatives who are prepared to speak on behalf of the students and protect their interests. Being the financially savvy person that I am, it is my mission to properly manage the financial affairs of our school and be a model student representative. The Student Senate is elected For the Students, By the Students. If elected as your treasurer, I am prepared to speak on behalf of the students of MC. In order for me to help the students of Germantown MC, I will need your vote this coming Tuesday and Wednesday. Join me and together we will have a nicely funded 2017 school year.

These are Germantown’s Student Senate Executive Officers candidates. To be able to vote all one has to do is either go to Student Life (SA 186) or the Bookstore Lobby and vote there. Wednesday the 6th is the last day to vote, so vote today! Oh, and did I mention you can get a snack to go if you vote?

This upcoming April 12th and 13th are the student senators elections. Be sure to vote then if you did not or could not vote this time around. The senators candidates’ biographies will be posted soon this week!