SGA Election Season for 2023-2024 Begins
ABAC’s Student Government Association is entering an era of new officers this semester, with the organization holding an election in only a few short weeks.
For those unfamiliar with the organization, SGA acts as a bridge between the concerns of ABAC’s student body and the school’s higher authorities with the power to address those concerns.
Current-SGA President Caleb Bagley described the organization as a “liaison … acting as a voice for all student concerns.”
Senator of Arts and Sciences Madison Newell seconded this perspective, “we want students to come to us with those problems because that’s what we’re here for,” she said.
“The main benefit is being of being in SGA,” she said, “is being able to serve our community while knowing that we’re part of a positive change, and we don’t want to just serve the community as a whole, but the individual student as well.”
Past examples of SGA’s influence can be seen in the walkways put up between the Alumni House, Lakeside, and the Horticulture Building, as well as their pushing for the finalized termination of a faculty member who had sexually harassed a student.
President Bagley stressed the importance of SGA in serving its target audience. He said, “We go to the students, and without SGA, I feel there would be a gridlock in getting things done in student life.”
SGA’s upcoming election follows the club’s finalizing of its new constitution, the tenants of which overhaul several positions, giving them new responsibilities while also creating a new officer position in the SGA Judiciary.
This new position will serve as a monitor for the organization, with the Judiciary being responsible for identifying any Senators not fulfilling their duties and relaying that information to the club’s advisor so the issue can be resolved.
SGA Senator Newell emphasized the importance of the position, “It’ll keep the student government in check so it can serve the needs of the school and its students,”
Additionally, a new SGA President will be chosen this election, with SGA Senators Brooke Vanzant and Taylor Hill currently running as the primary candidates.
The positions of President and Vice President, however, have also been altered this election cycle as candidates running for said positions will be elected through an electoral college system between both ABAC’s Tifton campus as well Bainbridge, with the number of votes being based on enrollment.
Senator Vanzant expressed high hopes for the upcoming election and SGA’s future in general. Vanzant said, “I hope next year’s team is willing to challenge themselves, and I’m excited to see how SGA grows next year because I feel this election, along with the changes in our constitution, have opened several new opportunities for SGA to serve ABAC’s students.”
She also encouraged students to get involved with SGA, highlighting how her own experience with the organization has allowed her to build a sizeable network while also granting her opportunities like traveling to Georgia’s capital to represent the school.
“I got involved last year after enjoying Student Council in High Council”, she said, “and when I got the position I did, it was a way for me to get out of my shell. Little did I know it would evolve into me running for President the very next year.”
President Bagley and Senator Newell offered similar sentiments, with the latter underlining how SGA is “an opportunity to meet other students and faculty members you never would’ve had the chance to meet otherwise.”
In his closing words, President Bagley provided a piece of insight garnered from his time in SGA, saying “You only have one chance to get involved at college. Don’t make the mistake of staying in your room letting life pass you by.”
“The opportunities that are available at ABAC are innumerable,” he continued, “they’re just waiting for students to take advantage of them.”
ABAC’s Madison Newell and Lauren Brenneman elected to Georgia Association of College Republicans’ Board
Edit: Due to insufficient information, The Stallion failed to originally highlight ABAC student Lauren Brenneman’s accomplishment by being elected to the Georgia Association of College Republican’s Board as Executive Director. Edits have been made by the Editor-in-Chief to reflect this mistake on our staff’s part and accommodate both women’s accomplishments.
Two ABAC students, Lauren Brenneman and Madison Newell, have been elected to the Georgia Association of College Republicans Board at their 2023 convention at the state capital. The Georgia Association of College Republicans is the largest student-led conservative organization in the state. This organization aims to support Republican candidates while providing internship and job opportunities for conservative students across Georgia.
Brenneman, a senior rural community development major has made strides in local and state government to broaden her horizons as a student. This service will only continue as the new Executive Director. As a junior history and government major, Newell is also creating a legacy as an ABAC student before graduation as the GACR’s new Secretary.
The other team members that work alongside the pair represent different campuses under the University System of Georgia, and they aim to spread the importance of their conservative values at their respective campuses. Being members of ABAC Republicans, Newell and Brenneman have created many meaningful connections with the student body and political candidates while spreading conservative values across campus.
Brenneman stated in a Facebook post, “I am incredibly humbled and grateful to be part of such an amazing team. With the newly elected members, I have no doubt that we will do an outstanding job.”
Both Brenneman and Newell are dedicated students involved in many ways across campus. They are both the 2022-2023 Student Government Association Senators for the School of Arts and Sciences and members of this year’s Student Alumni Council.
Their dedication to the school does not end as student body representatives. Brenneman was a part of the Ms. ABAC 2022 pageant where she placed as third-runner up as the ABAC Republicans’ representative. When she is not working on her schoolwork, Newell also serves as a Chairwomen of the ABAC Republicans.
Brenneman’s 2022 summer internship involved diligent work in Governor Brian Kemp’s office. Since the internship, Brenneman has attended events at the Georgia State Capital and implemented her newfound knowledge on campus.
While involvement in many ABAC-affiliated clubs provides ample professional opportunity, being history and government or rural community development majors is terrific because it provides many opportunities for students interested in being community leaders. Newell said, “I am appreciative of ABAC for providing the resources for these opportunities throughout my college years that will allow me to accomplish and carry out the goals that I set for myself in the future.”
These two students have shown perserverance and dedication in their schoolwork and community since they began attending ABAC. Their election to the state board is only one accomplishment in their list of many to come. Brenneman and Newell be a campus representative and spread the conservative message she stands for. Government is a daily aspect in society, making the need for earnest and zealous students even more prominent.
ABAC’s commitment to create well-rounded, motivated individuals can be seen on and off campus with students like Brenneman and Newell. As the college grows, so does the amount of leaders with ABAC values guiding their professional paths.
April Fools’ Day: OHGOD Erases April Fools’ Day
April Fools’ Day is a holiday many know well. Some eagerly await the designated day of the year to prank their friends and family, while some anxiously dread the jokes and gags that will inevitably come their way. However, oddly unbeknownst by many, this year will be the final officially recognized celebration of the holiday.
Due to the increasing severity of pranks committed by people around the world, the Official Holiday and Games Operating Directory, otherwise known as OHGOD, has made an executive decision to hereby expunge this holiday from all calendars. In addition to this, if any pranks are reported on subsequent April 1st’s, the perpetrator(s) will face heavy fines and possibly even jailtime.
Despite this groundbreaking decision, there has been little to no media coverage whatsoever. While it could be possible that the general public sees no real downside to this decision, there could be a deeper meaning behind it.
It is possible that OHGOD had the intention of making this decision as quietly as possible in order to punish the more nefarious pranksters and rascals that so ardently revel in the chaos of this most silly holiday next year.
Putting these rogues behind bars could be bringing our society one step closer to peace… or perhaps OHGOD simply wants to snuff out the mischievousness that many hold dearly in their hearts. While no one can say for certain, it is important to know that any tomfoolery next April 1st could bring punishment your way. Stay safe out there.
This article is an April Fools’ Day Joke. OHGOD is not a real organization and April Fools’ Day still exists. Always be mindful of your pranks!
April Fools’ Day: Top Ten Things to Do On a First Date
- Take your shoes off and prop your feet on the table. Men love dogs! If your feet smell like Fritos, he won’t mind because they’re a popular chip brand for a reason. Remember to take your socks off too.
- Ask him if he wants to duel with you to assert dominance in the relationship. If you win, you automatically get to demand a second date with your newfound dominance. If he wins, block him, and never go on another date. You can never take an L this way.
- When the bill comes, crumple it up and put it in your mouth so no one must go through the awkwardness of deciding who will pay. You can eat it if you would like, but for legal reasons, that is not suggested. If the waiter brings out another bill, just pretend to go to the bathroom but leave and never come back.
- Lay across the table and take a nap; the longer, the better. He will realize how tired you were and would love to see how well-rested you are. After you wake up, just act like nothing happened to get back to the date ASAP.
- Blow their phone up if they don’t text or call you after the date. If you have to send 100+ calls and texts, then do it! He will love that you’re taking the time out of your day to devote all your attention to him. If he never ends up answering, show up at his house. Men love independent women that will take the initiative!
- Flirt with the waiter. Men love a little competition to establish dominance, and this is the perfect scenario for it! Here are a few suggestions for what to say to the waiter:
“So…do you come here often?”
“Would you like to pull up a chair and join us?”
- Bring your pet and let it sit on the table. He will see your love for animals. If the animal tries to eat his food, even better! They will just make him even happier to be feeding a hungry animal.
- If you lurked on their socials before, ask about what you saw! He will love that you were so interested in him that you know his address on Zillow, all his Venmo transactions, and every friend he’s had since middle school.
- Being late will make him want you even more; never let a man know your first move. The longer you make him wait, the better! He will be anticipating how good you’re going to look.
- Talk a mile a minute, and NEVER let him get a word in. He is on a date with you and wants to hear about you, which will make him even more eager to see your amazing conversational skills!
This article is an April Fools’ Day joke. Do not do these on a first date.