Deja Davis
Managing Editor
The campaigns of Jordan Jefferson and Kolby Woods prevailed as the 2019-2020 President and Vice President of Jackson State University’s Student Government Association.
Jordan stated, “The election process for me was very emotional because I wanted this position since I first stepped foot on campus. I’ve been in SGA for three years and now I get to make it a fourth.”
Jefferson credits mentoring by former 2016-2017 SGA President Kendall Bunch for guiding him consistently in his decision to lead the student body.
He added, “I feel excited that I was given this position, but now it is time to work. I’m about to officially start getting my board and cabinet together for next year because I can enjoy today, but it starts now.”
The energy on campus was incredibly intense during this election season as candidates campaigned for one of the Student Government Association (SGA) titles.
Banners and posters circulated throughout the campus yard, dorms, and walkways.
Campaign week took off with full force and featured all kinds of fun activities and events that were planned by the candidates.
Day parties on the Student Center patio, meet and greets, food trucks, crawfish boils on the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway and more.
Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat were also overflowing with eye-catching flyers, creative videos, and filters within every hour encouraging students to participate in the vote.
The competition was real as the candidates fought hard for the students’ attention.
Students had from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to cast their ballots and gathered afterwards to wait anxiously for the results to be announced.
The three contestants campaigning for the crown of Miss JSU were Alia Hall, Naysa Lynch, and Madison Lockett, but only one could win the crown.
Along with the women, Ashton Gage, Gaybriel Payton and Grant Broadway competed all week for Mister JSU.
When the results came in, Lynch was elected as the 80thMiss Jackson State University alongside the 3rdMister Jackson State University, Grant Broadway.
Lynch was emotional after the victory and shared how grateful she was for the opportunity to hold such a title.
“I’m feeling very ecstatic right now. I’m so grateful for this opportunity, even being able to run for this position and to now actually have it. I had so many emotions leading up to this from the beginning to now and all I can say is I’m grateful to God to be given this title,” said Lynch.
She continued, “I also want to thank the students for voting for me and trusting me with this position.”
Broadway also expressed his gratitude after what he described as difficult campaign season.
“Campaign season has been long and stressful but I am so grateful for everyone that supported me and very humble because it could have easily been the other way,” said Broadway.
He finished with thanks, “I thank everybody that came out and now that I have won this position, it is time to do the work. Continuing the things I have been doing but putting it on another level.”
Bryan Wilson, a senior special education major from Chicago, Ill., looks forward to the reign of Broadway.
“I think Grant will do a great job upholding and continuing the legacy of the last two Mister JSU’s. He has been doing great things since he began attending Jackson State. He always planned events for students, especially young men, and just making a name for himself in the beginning. He showed me early on why I should choose him,” said Wilson.
Mark Carter, a junior therapeutic recreation major from Clarksdale, Miss., was pleased with all the candidates who ran for the positions.
“I loved the creativity that they all brought for election week and I feel like students that ran for these positions are really brave. There are so many students on campus that want to do these types of things but do not have the courage to do so because they may feel like they won’t win,” said Carter.
He added, “All of the participants showed their confidence no matter who was running and put up a good fight. This year was a great feeling overall and I am super thrilled to see what they have coming up for us in the fall.”
