WNCC elections: Just in case you missed them

Western Nevada College students were able to vote May 1-5 for the students they would like to represent them in student council for the next year.

The results are in and WNCC will definitely have leadership that we can all support. Our new President is one Dennis Menkle and his vice president goes by the name of David George.

You may know Dennis from around campus as he helps countless people study for success in and out of the classroom. Dennis was willing to share some insights on his experience concerning student government.

"I started two-and-a-half years ago because of the paper towel dispensers," he said. "I'm disabled, I can't lift both of my arms. The paper towels in the men's restroom were a two-handed affair where you had to grab the paper towel from both sides and pull it down evenly for the paper towel to come down.

"Because of this I kept wrecking the towels. The handles were even made only for a person who had use of their right hand. So I actually got frustrated and started searching around for someone to complain to. This led me to someone from student government at the time. So I started coming two and a half years ago just to be involved and that is how it all started".

Dennis has all the qualities necessary to complete his responsibilities. There is no reason to doubt his dedication or his passion to help create a better school than we have seen in the past.

"I meet a lot of students that way and my classmates know that I take my classes seriously. If you walk by me you can ask me questions, do you know where your tuition money is going, and do you know the basics about student government?"

This is a man who is ready to serve the students through our community. For those students who are still skeptical of how student government can affect lives of normal students, take some wise words from fellow student and new promotions and publicity senator, Kari Locket.

"I was recommended because someone noticed that I would benefit from the skills that I would learn, so here I am in all my glory running for office," she said. "It's strength to me to see this group of students band together for the good of all the students. I think that I can draw the most attention possible for the future events that we put on for the students."

This snowboarding senator is ready for action so expect a lot more juiced-up activities that will improve our campus.

I was very lucky to sit with our new vice president and gain his insights into the election and government processes.

"The strength of our group is the ability to pull together a large body of activities with a good degree of quality for the students," Dennis said. "We are strong in working together in committees and dealing with the day to day rigors of government."

He related the goals of the new administration as he knows them.

"We want to improve the cost of living portion for the students who are doing so much for their fellow students," he said. "Next is bringing the group together in a more structured way. We want things like two senators working on our student activities to give the events more direction. And lastly I would like to see more ethnic diversity propagated on campus. It is a lot more than just tolerance, we are looking to expand the minds of the student body as they go into our community."

• Jeffrey Rogers is a 22-year-old student at Western Nevada Community College. He plans to attend Brigham Young University in Rexburg, Idaho, in the fall and pursue a bachelor's degree in communications.