Suffolk’s Student Government Association’s senate was sworn Sept. 25, marking the start of a new term with newly appointed committee chairs and plans for student initiatives. Following the announcement of the SGA election results, current and newly elected senators were sworn in by Student Affairs vice president Laura Ferrari. The senate took an oath to represent Suffolk’s student body and to uphold SGA’s constitution.
SGA President Charlie Reyna-Demes appointed committee chairs.
“The senate is guided not only by this board and you all, but also our committee chairs,” said Reyna-Demes. “These are very special individuals. People who have shown dedication and hard work…their excellence has brought them to lead a key aspect of our senate.”
The athletics committee will be led by class of 2027 senator Bella Wawrzyniak and class of 2028 senator Tighe Hosman.
“Athletics should be fun,” said Wawrzyniak. “We should want to be supporting our athletes.”
Mona Ammar, newly elected class of 2028 senator, will be leading the public relations committee.
“Us as students have so much passion, so much accomplishments and so much to share,” said Ammar. “We all hold our own story and our one identity and I think as SGA PR chair, I want to share that story and I want to show everyone who we are and what we’re all about.”
Divinety Johnson, newly elected diversity senator-at-large, will be the diversity committee chair.
“I want this to be a safe space where views can be shared openly and heard with an open heart,” said Johnson. “I want to create a place of unity for everyone.”
Abigail Morin, class of 2027 senator remains as the student affairs committee chair.
“Just like last year we focus a lot on community service and community outreach,” said Morin.
The committee hosts events like the blood drive, tutoring students at the Epiphany School and serving Dippin’ Dots on the third floor of the Sawyer building during Tuesday’s activities periods.
The housing committee will be led by Sam Parenteau, class of 2028 senator.
“I’m a big believer in that it’s not just about what we do, it’s about where we do it and that second part about where we do it has been the forefront of our conversations,” said Parenteau. “Bottom line, I want to build a committee that can be able to have those conversations and is full of people that are willing to do what they can in order to make this school a better place for our fellow students.”
Nora Swain, newly elected class of 2026 senator, remains as the dining committee chair. However, due to her graduating early, she will be teaching Zoe Welz, newly elected class of 2028 senator, how to lead the committee in her absence.
“I really hope to go above and beyond with this committee,” said Welz. “We have done a lot in the past, but I’m hoping to keep that consistent and bring new ideas and work with other committees this year.”
Coran Buggy, commuter senator-at-large, will be the chair of the commuter committee.
“Mostly everybody is going to be a commuter or is a commuter, so it affects everybody, so come talk to me and give me your ideas,” said Buggy.
The academics committee will be led by Eliza Bryant, class of 2028 senator.
“Last year, I think we tried to accomplish a lot with academics and met some road blocks,” said Bryant. “At the end of the day, I think we all just deserve a lot more. We pay way too much money to be getting what we’re getting at the moment, but we’re going to work on that this year.”
Reyna-Demes introduced sophomore Juan Gomez as the student opener for headliner A Boogie Wit da Hoodie for SGA’s biannual concert Oct. 23.
“I’m super excited to put my music down on a track for you guys. Let y’all hear me for me,” said Gomez. “This is a big thing that I’ve been working towards since last year…I’m super excited to, like, do this for y’all, and I’m super glad that you guys got to pick me and took me into consideration.”
SGA Vice President Kayleigh Carey appointed senior Alexis Martin for the non-senate Student Judicial Review Board position. The senate was all in favor. SGA Treasurer Frank Ezhan nominated junior Sofia Barboza for the Finance Committee. The senate was all in favor.
Reyna-Demes separated the senate by class to hold a class caucus. The class senators voted on a class speaker, a representative for SJRB and the FinCom.
During open forum, various senators nominated members for general member-at-large.
“We’re trying to step out a little bit more than we did last year,” said general member-at-large Julianna Da Luz. “I think with this new e-board, there’s more of a commitment to the students and wanting to make change. I think that’s pushing the senate to want to make change.”
Joey Pisani, senator-at-large, discussed the idea of SGA hosting weekly “Senator Sit-Down” events in the Samia Cafe. This would allow the student body to directly share their opinions with the SGA senate.
