Viveca Stucke ’26
Features Editor
As the fall semester gains momentum, exciting new opportunities are emerging– especially within the Student Government Association (SGA). With the arrival of the Class of 2028, first year students have a unique chance to showcase their leadership abilities through participation in SGA. They were given the opportunity to run for positions on the Class Council, which includes President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer, or seek a seat in the Senate as either a Class of 2028 Senator or a Senator at Large. Voting for these positions opened on Wednesday, September 25th at 12:00pm, and closed on Friday, September 27th at 12:00pm. Students could conveniently cast their votes on myHC, right from their phones!
During the Fall Election, upperclassmen were given the chance to engage with SGA by filling positions that were left available during the Spring Election Cycle. This year, SGA sought out a Vice President for the Class of 2025, a Secretary for the Class of 2026, and five Senator at Large positions. This serves as an excellent opportunity for upperclassmen to enhance their campus experience and step into leadership roles for the new year, paving their growth as student leaders.
Brendan Rogers ‘25 seized the opportunity to run as a Senator at Large for his senior year, reflecting on the importance of student leadership within SGA. He stated “I think the senior class in particular has a lot of leaders and role models that are involved in SGA. When I saw an open position, I figured I may as well throw my hat in the ring and try to work alongside some awesome people. I think I can help be a bridge between the student body and SGA and really help to make sure that concerns and ideas are being voiced.” By offering upperclassmen the chance to run, the SGA elections provide numerous benefits. Rogers added that “A triumph I encountered was definitely being able to make so many new connections with students from all class years who I may not have otherwise been able to get to know. I met so many student leaders, especially from the underclassmen — Holy Cross will be in good hands!” The SGA election highlights the importance of connecting students across various class years, reminding everyone that their voices matter on campus. In a community like Holy Cross, collaboration is key to ensuring that the campus is able to fulfill its mission of being for and with others.
Darshan Prabaharan ‘28 shared this sentiment with his candidacy for Class of 2028 Vice President, expressing, “The entirety of SGA is based on the student body which is something I find motivating, the idea to create a positive and thriving community at Holy Cross is what pushed me to thrive for in-person conferences to voice out concerns and to create a more diversity and inclusive environment by incorporating critical discussions and socially engaging events.” For first year students like Prabaharan, SGA offers a platform to shape a Holy Cross experience that is supportive and community-oriented, fostering confidence among peers. Prabaharan elaborated on his journey, saying, “The election was able to push and bring a sense of determination and commitment for me, I was able to push myself to the limit in order to listen to the concerns the student body voices. The election for SGA is a pivotal moment to showcase my dedication to the student body. I wanted to create change and to motivate students to voice their opinions and ideas.” This opportunity is essential for addressing the needs and aspirations of first-year students, while also providing candidates with valuable experiences that build confidence, determination, and perseverance.
Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross
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