By: Louis Gremillion, UCFY, President
Today, I’m taking a trip down memory lane. It all began in my freshman year of high school. I had recently been elected to serve as the 9th Grade Vice President…almost meaningless now, but it was a big deal then, and I took my new job very seriously.
You see, I had always enjoyed the idea of “Student Council” and I was searching for my niche, but to be completely honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I remember being nervous and awkward (not much has changed). I walked into the classroom where I noticed a group of upperclassmen, including one Helen Frink, gathered around, talking. So here I am, this weird little freshman, walking over to join them. Remember how I said I was awkward?
I walk up to Helen and say, “Whoa, is that the new iPhone? Can I see it?”
Immediately, the group stopped talking and the looks on their faces screamed, loud and clear, that I was not welcome...except for Helen. She laughed and said “I’m Helen. What’s your name?”
She probably doesn't even remember this happened, but I do. She managed to take an extremely painful moment and turn it around. I was pretty embarrassed, yet she made me feel welcome. In fact, Helen became a role model for me. When she graduated and moved on to bigger things, like LSU Student Government, I couldn't help but follow her every move. I wanted to be in her shoes, one day.
Five years later, I found myself in a similar predicament. I had just arrived to LSU’s freshman orientation. My group leader’s name was Wesley Davis. He was a short guy, filled with energy. I couldn’t help but think, “Why is this guy so excited? It’s just orientation, really not that big of a deal.” I hated that I had been separated from my friends, so all I wanted to do was survive the next two days; get my schedule and go home. However, something changed as time progressed. Wesley was very passionate about LSU and how the campus has impacted him. His love and excitement was transmitted into his students, and he managed to turn my misery into one of the best experiences I've had, here at LSU.
When Helen and Wesley invited me to be part of this journey, I was amazed by how great of team they are. They have a way of making people feel significant. I think that’s why the Make It Matter campaign is so unique. It’s because each candidate on this ticket has been instilled with a passion to make a difference, and Helen and Wesley are the ones we have to thank. Here, you won’t find any redundant initiatives or promises that are unattainable, nor will you find candidates that convey themselves as superheroes here to save the day…because, in actuality, we’re only human. Sometimes things work and all is well, but there are also times when everything fails and we’re mad at the world.
What you will find, however, are two ordinary people who are committed to making students the number one priority (after all, that is the mission of Student Government), you will find candidates coming from every corner of campus who accurately represent the diverse talents LSU has to offer, and lastly, you will find a family who is devoted to listening to students’ concerns and making their opinions matter.
Today, I’m taking a trip down memory lane. It all began in my freshman year of high school. I had recently been elected to serve as the 9th Grade Vice President…almost meaningless now, but it was a big deal then, and I took my new job very seriously.
You see, I had always enjoyed the idea of “Student Council” and I was searching for my niche, but to be completely honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I remember being nervous and awkward (not much has changed). I walked into the classroom where I noticed a group of upperclassmen, including one Helen Frink, gathered around, talking. So here I am, this weird little freshman, walking over to join them. Remember how I said I was awkward?
I walk up to Helen and say, “Whoa, is that the new iPhone? Can I see it?”
Immediately, the group stopped talking and the looks on their faces screamed, loud and clear, that I was not welcome...except for Helen. She laughed and said “I’m Helen. What’s your name?”
She probably doesn't even remember this happened, but I do. She managed to take an extremely painful moment and turn it around. I was pretty embarrassed, yet she made me feel welcome. In fact, Helen became a role model for me. When she graduated and moved on to bigger things, like LSU Student Government, I couldn't help but follow her every move. I wanted to be in her shoes, one day.
Five years later, I found myself in a similar predicament. I had just arrived to LSU’s freshman orientation. My group leader’s name was Wesley Davis. He was a short guy, filled with energy. I couldn’t help but think, “Why is this guy so excited? It’s just orientation, really not that big of a deal.” I hated that I had been separated from my friends, so all I wanted to do was survive the next two days; get my schedule and go home. However, something changed as time progressed. Wesley was very passionate about LSU and how the campus has impacted him. His love and excitement was transmitted into his students, and he managed to turn my misery into one of the best experiences I've had, here at LSU.
When Helen and Wesley invited me to be part of this journey, I was amazed by how great of team they are. They have a way of making people feel significant. I think that’s why the Make It Matter campaign is so unique. It’s because each candidate on this ticket has been instilled with a passion to make a difference, and Helen and Wesley are the ones we have to thank. Here, you won’t find any redundant initiatives or promises that are unattainable, nor will you find candidates that convey themselves as superheroes here to save the day…because, in actuality, we’re only human. Sometimes things work and all is well, but there are also times when everything fails and we’re mad at the world.
What you will find, however, are two ordinary people who are committed to making students the number one priority (after all, that is the mission of Student Government), you will find candidates coming from every corner of campus who accurately represent the diverse talents LSU has to offer, and lastly, you will find a family who is devoted to listening to students’ concerns and making their opinions matter.