 |
|||
As the end of this current school year dawns, the leaders of next year have officially been elected. Jeff Wolanin and Kevin Murphy campaigned with intelligent intensity, and their campaign paid wonderful dividends as they won a decisive victory over Ben Haas and Jim Walter. The Wolanin and Murphy campaign found power in their presentation of themselves as truly members of the student body, not power hungry dictators. Wolanin's brilliant oration to the Ignatian community was punctuated by honest and heartfelt atatements like, "I stand before you not better than you, but as one of you." Wolanin, when not on the political fast track, pauses to remember his inspirations of yore. "When I was a freshman, I saw the candidates running for [Student Senate President.] That's when I really became interested in the process. It interested me and got me thinking about running." Wolanin's career in the Student Senate has not always been filled with the immaculate glory that he and Kevin experienced on a truly Holy Thursday. He suffered demoralizing defeats in earlier years, but he refused to ever say die, and last year he found himself as one of the cabinent's most productive members. This past year has been Wolanin's first on senate; he was appointed as a junior class cabinet member, but in October was promoted to senator status. That was the first step for Wolanin. It is no surprise then that we can see great things from the new leadership. With his new title Wolanin has promised to bring about originality. "...[Student Senate] has been bogged down with tradition; next year you can plan on seeing some new things along with traditional ideas." As we wait for the coming school year to see what some of those ideas might be, it is assured that there will still be coffee houses to come. When asked why he had appointed Evan Sheha and Brian O'Connor as Secretary and Treasurer, " Brian's a really smart guy who just wants to give. He's one of the best people I know and he's dedicated to what he does. Evan also is exceptionally smart. He brings in new ideas and that's important because you can't just have the [Student Senate] thinking one way; he brings other ideas and aspects to the table." Asked if there was one thing he could change in the school Wolanin stated," It would be to not have the students so up on grades. Grades are important but they shouldn't consume our lives. People have gone to St. Ignatius and said it was a great place to be but while they were there they didn't even like it. I just want everyone to step back and enjoy the time they have here." "Personal growth is a delicate thing, it can go either of two ways; for the better or worse, You know this whole process really hasn't changed me too much, I don't have an inflated ego or anything. In my speech I said that I stand before you as one of you and you can plan on seeing that from us next year." Jeff really brings some new ideas to the table and looks to have a very promising senior year. THE EYE wishes Jeff Wolanin and his team the best of luck with the next school year. |
|||
