Student body elections are in full swing and candidates are campaigning on campus March 3. Finalists for primary elections were announced, and voting for general elections begins March 16 at noon and closes March 18 at 1 p.m. Photos by Breanna Biorato.
The votes are in for the 2021-22 student body elections and the finalists are:
- Penny Mills, a senior communication studies major from Orem, and Deven Osborne, a senior business administration major from Los Angeles, for student body president.
- Ryan Hafen, a sophomore general studies major from Southfield, Michigan, and Cesar Ruiz, a sophomore English major from Littlefield, Arizona, for vice president of clubs and organizations.
- Katie Sanders, a junior biology major from St. George, who is running unopposed for vice president of academics.
Voting for general elections begins March 16 at noon and closes March 18 at 1 p.m.
The winners will be announced March 18 after 1:30 p.m.
The finalists are feeling honored and thrilled for the opportunity to continue in the election season.
Mills said her goals moving forward are inclusivity, informing students of the resources available to them, and having fun.
She said she is honored to have gotten to know all the candidates better and is proud of everyone’s hard work.
“It hasn’t been easy for anyone and every candidate was supportive of each other,” Mills said. “They all had great campaigns and fantastic ideas.”
Sanders said she has enjoyed getting to know each of the candidates and her plan moving forward is to continue speaking with students to understand what they would like to see from her so she can best represent them next year.
“I would like to say that everyone worked so hard and put their heart and soul into this election,” Sanders said. “You were seen and are loved.”
Osborne said he is thankful for all the students who voted for him and for the support from his family, friends and football teammates.
He said his goal is to finish the job he started.
“[All the candidates] are great people and I hope they continue to do great things as they already are,” Osborne said. “I wish them nothing but the best.”
One eliminated candidate is feeling disappointed but proud and extends the best of luck to the finalists.
Cory O’Bray, a senior design major from Ivins, who was running for student body president, said he wouldn’t change anything about the way he campaigned and he’s grateful for the opportunity to meet and get to know students around campus.
“Those connections that I made mean so much more than a simple campaign ever will,” O’Bray said.
O’Bray is not planning on running again in the future since he will be graduating in December.
“To the finalists, I’d like to say … please amplify the voices of the students and be a true advocate for them,” O’Bray said. “You should be so proud of yourselves.”
Efforts to contact the remainder of the candidates were unsuccessful.
