In the few weeks we have spent here, it seems that we have already managed to form a community. You all know, as I do, how the upperclassmen have accepted us into this family. It is because of this inherent respect that I do not hesitate to say that, if elected, I would work to make the voices of first-years heard. We come to Amherst with a uniquely unbiased outlook on the school. I think we should take advantage of all our new ideas and make a positive contribution to this community, which has welcomed us so whole-heartedly.
Nick Avila
I, Nick Avila, class of 2008, hereby state my intention to run for the position of Association of Amherst Students 2004-05 first-year senator. I believe that my experience as an officer in my military high school's battalion staff and the leadership abilities I've gained since would be an asset to the AAS senate. I look forward to a year of progress and change.
Ali Berman
I came here a month ago and immediately got on an Amherst high, because this school gives me so much positive energy. Before coming here, I had very high expectations of college, and was afraid that what I would get could never live up to what I wished for. When I got here, I found out how wrong I was. There is so much offered here, from the amazing people I've met to the academic and extracurricular opportunities. By serving on the senate, I hope to re-pay the school for all it offers me.
Raj Borsellino
Wordup. My name is Raj Borsellino. I hail from the great state of Iowa, and in my spare time I enjoy solving math problems and celebrating diversity. If you elect me as your student senator, I will rule with the iron fist of justice. Why am I running? Because I have no friends and because I want to make this year totally kickin'. I have tons of political experience, including six months on Howard Dean's staff for the Iowa caucuses. Furthermore, I have a chill name. If you vote for me, I'll make all of your wildest dreams come true!
Danielle Brick
I am running for first-year senator in the Association of Amherst Students. In high school, I served as class president as a junior and senior, president of National Honor Society, and also as an officer in both Amnesty International and Christian Outreach. I have experience in organizing and planning events, budgeting, creating new programs, and in acting as a liaison between the administration and my fellow students. I will work hard as a freshman senator to participate in discussions, propose legislation and to actively seek and express the opinions of my fellow classmates.
Ali Khan
My name's Ali. I'm from Bombay, India, and am running to be your senator-your voice in student government. I'm not going to recreate my resume in this statement. Nor am I going to promise a stronger Amherst College, or that hope is on the way. If you're looking for tax cuts, look elsewhere. What I do promise is that I will represent your interests, solve your problems, answer your questions and fulfill your needs. I will be more than an ally to you; I'll be an Ali! Vote for Ali Khan '08, and I will not let you down.
Jeff Mann
My name is Jeff Mann, and I live in the luxurious Waldorf-Astoria. In high school I was the president of my Model UN team, the president of the Council for Liberals and Democrats and a leader on varsity football and baseball. I served on Student Council and All Campus Activities Council. The most important part of representing the student body is listening to your constituents. To facilitate this I set up a Web site (www.the-mann.net), which-if elected-I promise to maintain as a way for you to leave feedback on issues before the AAS.
Mick Montesi
If you feel there can be improvement in the role of the Association of Amherst Students, Mick Montesi is the right candidate for you. If you are completely satisfied with the job that the AAS has done during your time at Amherst, then you should vote for someone else. I am running for freshman senator and am committed to efficiency and better use of our resources. By advocating wiser spending I will make sure your budget is used to best benefit the student body as a whole, leaving more money for the enjoyment of everyone at Amherst.
Alejandro Pacheco
As freshman senator, I will make it my utmost duty to support student opportunity, choice and freedom. Because I believe that we are already a culturally diverse and tolerant community, I will challenge the requirement for future freshman to attend diversity or tolerance workshops and discussions. I also believe that students know more about their eating habits than anybody else and have witnessed many students eating fewer than three meals a day. I would therefore propose that freshmen be given the choice of purchasing the lunch and dinner meal plan rather than be limited to only one full meal plan.
Spencer Robins
If I am elected to the AAS, I will be a machine. I don't want to make decisions in the senate. I want to tell the senate what the first-year class has decided. I'll sit in my common room for an hour each week so first-years can talk to me about issues that concern them. I'll e-mail interested first-years about issues brought up in meetings, and ask them to respond. When I know what you want, I'll argue and vote for it with an enthusiasm that will open your heart to the possibility that machines are people, too.
Brooke Rosenkrantz
I have been here for under a month and I'm obsessed with Amherst. I want be as involved as possible. I want to know the way my school works and I want to assist in the workings. I want to understand the backbone of the Amherst community so that I can be an active and productive member within it. If I don't agree with something that is happening, if my classmates don't agree with something that is happening, I want to try to change it. I want to be able to make changes that will help the student body.
Erika Sams
My name is Erika Sams. I am confident that I will be able to effectively represent my classmates because, in high school, I defended my liberal views in the classroom, at town meetings and in the local paper against the conservative opinions of my community. If I become a senator, my goal will be to actively seek out the opinions of the first-year class and to vocalize these views at meetings. With the help of your vote, I will be active in as many committees of the AAS as I can and make your voice heard.
Josh Stein
A little about myself. I have red hair. My fiery hair color translates into a fiery personality, a characteristic needed for our class to have its issues heard by the big, scary upperclassmen. I have the requisite list of experiences that you might care about: varsity debate captain in high school and senior senator in my high school senate. I am well-versed in "Roberts Rules of Order." I founded a now-national organization for students with Down Syndrome. So, if you want a colorful senator who has the skills needed for the position, I am the candidate for you.
Austin Yim
Hi! My name is Austin Yim. As first-year senator, I pledge to be a fresh, new voice for the class of 2008 and to make positive contributions to the College community. Some goals I hope to achieve are to extend Valentine's dining services between lunch and dinner or have another practical alternative, sponsor activities to make the AAS' presence more visible and to be honest to all of you, fellow Amherst students. I will strive to listen to any issue that you may have as Amherst students and work tirelessly to make the senate more responsive to those concerns.
Daniel de Zeeuw
Things I have that other candidates don't: an uncanny ability to listen to anything you tell me, a broken slinky that's sharp and can be used as a weapon to defend justice and freedom, three years experience allocating hundreds of thousands of dollars for a non-profit organization, a brick to throw at oppressors and tyrants, dedication to act for those who tell me textbooks should be cheaper, the conviction that Valentine should be better and the Campus Center should have DDR, a liberal stance on the slaughter of the innocent, the skill to bring people together and get a job done, cookies.