I’m Kristen Colabatistto and I am currently a Committee Member in Providence College’s Student Congress.  I’ve been a committee member since freshman year and have loved everything about Student Congress thus far. Unfortunately, as a committee member I am not granted certain responsibilities such as presenting and voting on legislation. For example, last year, when I created legislation about student housing, I needed an elected member to present on my behalf. After a couple of years of experience on Congress I would love to finally gain these responsibilities and have more of a significant role in the club. As Vice President of the class of 2019 my goal for the year would be to initiate more pieces of legislation. I think one of the most important parts of our time here at PC is to make our voices heard and leave an imprint before graduating. I want our class to return for Alumni weekend and be able to tell the undergrads that we were the ones who started a tradition like Friarball or Late Night Madness. I think as an elected member, rather than a committee member, I’ll have a better opportunity to help us do that.

To Whom This May Concern,

I am interested in running fro student congress because I feel as if I am in a perfect positon to change many of the things I have observed hold PC students back from achieving their fullest potential. As a member of BMSA, WE Empowered, the Multicultural Scholarship Program board, and various other clubs, I have been a students, an advisor, and a leader. These positons have allowed me not only to learn a lot about myself, ranging from personal traits to how to work well with people you disagree with, but to also learn about the PC community as a whole. We live in a political environment where two diametrically different view points are being pushed and probed. As a student body Providence College is not much different, socially as well as politically. As a student leader on this campus, I believe I have the will and the motivation to create real social change on this campus, using congress, BMSA, and my positon in various clubs, this will all start with the class of 2019, but I hope this change will also start more formally in the 68^th.

Hi, my name is Brendan Baehl and I am running for class representative. I would like to get more involved here at Providence College and I feel like one of the best ways to do that is to take part in Student Congress. A role in Student Congress is a great way to play a more influential role on PC’s campus. I think that if was elected to this position I would be able relay students’ ideas to Congress, as well as share my own ideas with the committees. By creating this relationship with the committees, I will be able to form a tighter bond between the classes and the committees. I have had experience connecting directly with students during my two years as an RA in Fennell and in Guzman. Both of these residence halls gave me the opportunity to work with upperclassmen as well as freshmen. Student Congress is one step further in making an impact at PC and I hope I have the opportunity to serve as a class representative.

Dear Student Congress Officials and Providence College Class of 2020,

            My name is Julia Gaffney, and I am running for Vice President of the Class of 2020. I have been on Congress for one full year, last year as a Class Representative. I can easily say that running for Class Rep last fall was the best decision that I have made thus far at PC. Congress is an incredible organization in which I have been able to voice my opinions and have an active role in bringing about change for our Class of 2020 and our PC community. I want to further my involvement as a member of Student Congress because I enjoy taking on positions of leadership, and I take pride in being a voice for our class. I have found a family in Congress, and it is because of my great love for this club that I would like the opportunity to continue to serve as a Vice President and grow as a leader of my school. I believe that both the individual leaders in the organization and the Congress as a whole represent what it means to be an active student at PC. It is because of this that I hope to continue to be a voice for the students through my involvement with Student Congress, and to have more of a leadership role as Vice President.

Class of 2021,

 My name is Nolan Greene and it would be my distinct honor to serve as your Freshman Class President. In high school, I served all four years on student congress, and would be humbled to be given the opportunity to continue creating positive changes in our new home.

I am confident that I have the leadership qualities that one needs in order to hold out the duties of this office. Being a natural leader means that I will keep Congress as a working team to promote opportunities and change that will better our future in Friartown. I have the skills to reach out to the student body, ensuring that I am getting appropriate feedback on work that needs to be done.

If elected, I believe that it is my responsibility to create the change that we want. I’m sure many of you have already realized a lack of water fountains in the most important places or the discontent with the toiletries around campus. Let’s ensure you’re getting your tuitions worth, and make our new home a better place!

These are supposed to be the best years of our life after all so let’s make them that way!

Originally born in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, I’ve moved around quite a bit: from Tripoli, Libya, to Madrid, Spain, embracing, understanding, and taking in different cultures has become enjoyable for me. I’ve participated, chaired, and organized Model United Nations conferences. The latter, specifically, has bred in me a passion to speak up, not only for myself, but also specifically for those who cannot. So what are my intentions? They stem from my beliefs:

I believe in a unified community; one that understands differences yet celebrates diversity and character. Including those around me, as well as taking in differing perspectives and experiences is always a priority.

I believe in humanity; the type that shines through our actions.

I believe in empathy; the kind that creates common ground.

I believe in acknowledging the importance of each one of us as individuals.

Why am I running for president for the Class of 2021? I want to spread the kindness, the empathy; I want to acknowledge you.

I love fried chicken, and I like to dab. I’m a songwriter, and hopefully a future doctor. Normally, these facts wouldn’t be of importance in terms of running for Student Congress, and normally shouldn’t be included in a formal letter of intent. But these are significant in that they are only few of my traits that I believe help make me fit for a class office position, more specifically Freshmen Class President. My uniqueness and different characteristics make me approachable by others and help me have a wider perspective on things and situations. I am enthusiastic to meet all kinds of people through being a part of the Student Congress and to use what I learn from those encounters and all of my experiences to make decisions on behalf of the freshmen class, and hopefully of the PC community as a whole. Through my leadership, individuality, and open mindedness, I aspire to unify my class, bringing ideas to the Student Congress and thus help make the PC experience as fulfilling as it can be.

Thank you and best regards,

Lianne Marelle Hipolito

Hello Class of 2021!

My name is Kevin Michels and I am running for the Vice President position in our class.  It would be an honor and a privilege to dedicate my time and efforts to ensuring future success of the Freshman Class and to help strengthen the bonds that we have so quickly began to form as Friars.  I hope to address the diverse needs and desires present in our developing family by bringing to light the opinions of students and working with the other members of Congress to find solutions.  As a member of Campus Ministry, I Cantori, the Accounting Association, and a Capella, I realize the equal value of each different club and organization and will strive to make sure all clubs are appropriately funded and supported to allow for people to express themselves and utilize their talents.  With a full four years left at PC and the willingness to take advantage of endless opportunities to invoke positive change, I thank you for considering me as a candidate for the Class of 2021’s Vice President position! GO FRIARS!

The reason I am running for vice president of the Class of 2021 is because I can help make our thriving community stronger than it already is. Although I have only been here for a few weeks, I can already sense the strong bond and friendship that every student at Providence College shares. Throughout my life, I have always worked hard to listen to other people and do the best I can to help them with whatever they need. In high school, I enjoyed organizing events to build school pride and I know that I can help do that here at Providence. I love meeting new people within our community every day, and hearing about their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, if I am elected vice president of our class, I promise to talk to as many people as possible to hear their concerns and work with them to find a solution that works for everyone. Thank you to all who helped nominate me for this position; I really appreciate the opportunity to become a part of making Providence College a better place for everyone in the future.

I hope to be the treasurer for the class of 2021 because I am very dedicated to improving the finances of our class. I cannot wait to begin brainstorming new, successful fundraisers to raise money for our grade. Having experience from being on boards of clubs in high school, I am looking forward to working with my classmates and beyond to best represent the Class of 2021.

My name is Chris Iadeluca and I am running for Providence College’s Student Congress for the class of 2021. I am running because I believe that a community can only be as strong as those who feel that they are a part of it, and I will be making it my personal goal to make sure the voice of each and every freshman is heard. I know that sometimes it can feel intimidating when you are in a new school full of people you may not know yet. I want to take that feeling away, so that you never feel alone and always feel like you are part of the Friar Family.

            I would like this opportunity not for the purposes of gaining stature or self-recognition, but for using my position to effect true change into our school and to expand my abilities in leadership, service, and cooperation. Through this opportunity that I hope to be deserving of I shall enact programs and legislation that will benefit the entire class of 2021. I will seek and pursue the vast majority of students who choose not to speak up or do not feel as involved in school matters as they should be. In doing so I will only make certain that the issues I bring to the intention of the Student Congress will truly reflect the entire student body. For as the job for every legislature whether small or large to be a representative not of themselves but of the people, to be a voice to the voiceless, and to be a source of outreach and support for those whom he or she represents. No matter the size or type of position that one holds, everyone has the obligation to make some type of change in the world but this change can only be accomplished through the actions of those willing to ultimately act on those desires for change.

Politics has always been a keen interest of mine. I grew up in a household that depended on the opinions of the community as jobs. My father was a two-time highway superintendent of my town and my mother is a county legislator for my county. So, coming from a politically motivated family I felt that it’s my turn to take the baton and shoot my first shot at PC.

            As a student representative I hope to serve the class of 2021 by helping to make the best decisions on their behalf. My main objectives are to transform PC into a more environmentally conscious campus, make every student feel a sense of community while they’re here, and maybe even elongate the hours of Ray dining hall.

            I hope the freshman at PC will make the right decision and elect me to student congress on Tuesday, September 19^th.