By Alyssa Schuyler, Staff Writer
Dear Class of 2014,
Phew! One semester down, one more to go until the freshman class can say it has survived the first year at Saint Leo University! This first semester has been full of so many new and exciting experiences. One of the first things the freshmen class decided collectively was who would represent us as our class president and vice president. The votes were tallied and the class of 2014 decided that its president would be Genesis Quintana, and a reelection later in the semester determined that Preston Walsh would serve as the freshman class vice president. The freshman class also voted for those who would represent the class on The Freshman Class Activities Committee. The committee is composed of Ladarian Chester who is serving as the chair person, Mitch Collazo as the secretary, Nelson Blanco as the treasurer, and the historian is Chelsea Hatcher.
The freshman class has been involved with many community service activities. The class of 2014 teamed up with the Saint Leo Cheerleading squad and raised over $210 for the Susan G. Koman Foundation. Pink shirts were sold for awareness of breast cancer and worn by supporters to spread the word. In November, the Student Government Union, Campus Activities Board and the Leadership Minor Program came together and sponsored a trip to Bounce U in Wesley Chapel which the freshman class along with other classes on campus attended to not only enjoy an afternoon of bouncing around with friends but also to create awareness about autism.
“Bounce for Autism was fun. It was a giant two rooms filled with bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, and a basketball court. Awesome,” said freshman Kimber McDaniel.
Also freshmen wrote messages to wounded soldiers in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the Thanksgiving holiday to thank them for their brave service and with hopes they would get well soon.
This coming semester should be full of many more activities sponsored by SGU. freshman class president, Genesis Quintana, is looking forward to two offcampus trips. Along with all the fun the freshman class officers are planning there will also be more community service opportunities that will help involve freshman students in the community to help share the Benedictine values with others.
“I really recommend freshmen to attend our class meetings which we hold once a month in the ‘Lion’s Den’, the lobby between Marmion and Snyder, because I believe that is the best way to get involved. During this meeting freshmen get to find out about upcoming class activities, events, community service projects that you can easily gain community service house for, and class trips,” said freshman class president, Genesis Quintana.
But for now, freshmen are enjoying the end of this first semester and working toward final exams. There have been a lot of fun events this semester and the class officers are excited for the activities planned for next semester. So for now, good luck on final exams and here is looking forward to an exciting spring semester!
