AAS Candidate Statements for the Class of 2023

On Friday, Sept. 20, the AAS will hold elections for eight senators from the class of 2023. The students below have announced their candidacies for these elections. Students who are interested in hearing from these candidates or are interested in running but were unable to submit a candidate statement should attend Speech Night on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in Kirkpatrick Lecture Hall. In order to run, candidates must bring a petition with 25 signatures from their classmates to Speech Night and prepare a speech. If a candidate cannot attend, they can send a proxy in their place.

Dalya Ackerman: I have only been here for three weeks, but like you, I have already fallen in love with the campus and the amazing people who go to school here. I am beyond excited to get to know more of you and to hopefully serve as your representative to AAS. Come talk to me in Val or stop by Appleton 112 if you have questions or just want to hang out! Don’t forget to vote for me!

Fareeda Adejumo: I am not running to be your senator to check another box on my resume. I am running because I truly love student government (the debate, decorum and the ideas). I am running because the ability to improve someone’s student life makes me smile. I am running because I love the art of arguments. I enjoy listening to different perspectives on an issue and coming to a conclusion. I am running to be YOUR representative.

Javid Alizada: Well, at my former school, I had a position of head of house, which required from me an active involvement in organizing events and making sure the students I am responsible for are fully engaged and cared about. I believe senators should facilitate student life rather than direct it, and I am here to do that. As an international student, I will be the bridge between American and international students and approach issues from different angles to create a healthy environment for all.

Harry Brussel: As a senator for our class, I would work to improve late night dining options, bring local businesses to campus for a free local food night and make voter registration easier than ever. I would also work to launch a department ambassador program to improve academic advising for freshmen and sophomores by designating upperclassmen as advisers for their major. I will work tirelessly to create real, tangible change here at Amherst. I hope I can count on your vote!

Diego Carias: I’m very interested in running for a senator position in the first-year election. I was involved in my high school’s student government and really enjoyed the ability to contribute in making inclusivity a major part of my school. My goals are for first years to have someone who can listen to their needs and work together to come up with a solution.

Trevor Gasgarth: I believe I am fit to be a senator because of my leadership skills and my ability to bring people together. I am a naturally outgoing person, meaning I will have no problem staying in touch with members of my class. As a baseball player, I am in a unique position to help bridge the divide between athletes and non-athletes. Finally, I should be a senator because I am dedicated to improving the college experience for everyone in my class.

Sam Howe: I could tell you that I am the perfect person for the job, that I know best, that I will be the model senator, but the truth is I don’t know. The only truth I know, the only reason to vote for me, is that I want to help, that I see problems I want to solve. I want to motivate change in our community by accelerating the Climate Action Plan and raising awareness around mental health. I want to make financial stability more attainable by formulating a more accessible system of student employment. I won’t be perfect.

James Hulsizer: As freshmen, we have come from across the world to lay the foundation for the rest of our lives. We have chosen Amherst College because we believe it will provide us with opportunities to be our best selves. I believe that this goal requires that we create a strong and inclusive community. With the lessons I have learned working in the U.S. government and local politics, I want to use my experience to work for you — to help build that community and give our class the best four years we can have.

Sydney Ireland: During the past several years, I successfully fought for the inclusion of young women in the Boy Scouts. I was also a congressional intern this past summer with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in Washington, D.C. My past experience with advocacy and leadership has prepared me for this position to be a voice for all of the class of 2023. I will listen and do my best to address all ideas, critiques and concerns to ensure that students feel valued and that our voices are heard.

Sterling Kee: I bring to the table a lot of leadership experience, an enthusiasm to listen and learn and a strong understanding of AAS processes and its constitution. If you elect me, you’ll have a senator who asks questions when things don’t make sense, can take things seriously without being negative or annoying and is willing and excited to meet and talk to everyone.

Faraz Khan: I believe that it is essential to have a voice in one’s community. At my high school, Friends Academy, I represented my peers through our student-faculty board. This organization was responsible for implementing academic and social changes on our campus. The primary missions of the board were to work with administrators to reform school policies, plan school events and manage budgets. Since school is such an essential piece of our lives, it is crucial that everyone feels comfortable in our academic environment and that we work hard to further the growth and happiness of the community at Amherst.

Xinyu Ni: I am greatly honored to be able to run for this position and to reflect my classmates’ interests through working with the AAS committees. Upon arriving at Amherst, I have been told by many that they would appreciate non-exclusionary joint events across all first-year dorms, free printing service at Frost Library and more on-campus jobs made available to first-year students. I aim to constantly address and solve problems and be the voice of my class. I would like to stay connected with faculty, clubs and organizations and ensure a fair distribution of activity fees among clubs. I have made it my goal to improve our campus life and to make Amherst more inclusive towards first-year students.

Lovemore Nyaumwe Jr.: I am from Zimbabwe. That is one more reason to vote for me, because I have a unique approach to problems affecting American campus life since I come from a totally different culture. I represent inclusive diversity. Hence, my first order of business as class senator would be to break the athlete/non-athlete divide. I want to create a more inclusive environment for every freshman by advocating for inclusive parties and mixers. I want to advocate for a wider selection of food at Val in order to include dishes that are representative of different nationalities. Yes! We can all LOVE MORE!!!

Oheoghosa Osaigbovo: I did not know what the AAS was, nor was I aware of the responsibilities of the senate. Regardless, as I was ignorant of the logistics of the organization, I aspired to be a member for one reason: I tacitly understood that the goal of the AAS is to improve campus life for the entire student body. As a freshman, I understand the transition to college is difficult. In my past three weeks at Amherst, I have seen many people struggle in this new environment and I want to cultivate a culture of inclusion in which all students can thrive socially and academically.

Maira Owais: I’m hoping that I can represent all your valuable ideas and concerns to the senate and broader student body. Using my experience in student government and my multifaceted background, I plan on furthering the diversity of thought present on this campus. If elected, I plan to serve on the First-Year Life and Orientation Committee and promote a more integrated community on campus. I believe in the distinct value of every group here at Amherst and would work diligently to advocate for all their goals.

Mason Quintero: I’ve been here for three weeks and I’m already loving it and looking forward to the next four years here. That being said, there are ways that we can improve campus. We should have water filling stations and ice machines in each of the dorms so that we can happily use our refillable water bottles and be more environmentally friendly. I will also listen to all of your voices so that I can best represent you in AAS.

Sam Robin: I believe I am well suited for the senate because I am great at listening to others and settling arguments. In high school, I was involved in community service and thus I feel a need to be involved and connected in my new community. I currently play varsity baseball so I know what it takes to be committed to something. Lastly, I should be a member of the student government because I am outgoing and thoroughly enjoy helping people.

Jack Trent: After only a few weeks here at Amherst, I’ve met so many amazing people with an ardent passion for the school, and I want to translate your ideas into real change. Whether that be through spikeball tournaments on the quad, new options at Val or pushing for more eco-friendly programs on campus, I hope to foster a sense of community and inclusivity in all facets of Amherst. I’m Jack Trent, and Williams College is a terrible college. Tusks up!

Talia Ward: I want to be your first-year senator because I want to make sure your voices are heard. In high school, I was not only in charge of the club and event budgets for students but also worked on changing school policies (like our dress code) with the administration. These experiences as an advocate for equitable spending and student voices makes me want to ensure that we invest our resources into events and programs that the student body, you all, care about and that all Amherst students are listened to.