Response to Controversy Stirs Up Executive Elections

VICTORIA GAVIA
Copy Editor
JOHNNY HUYNH
Staff Writer
There are several aspects of extracurricular involvement that reflect mainstream society; one of which is the Associated Student Body (ASB) consisting of three branches: Executive, Legislature and Class Councils. At the top of the chain, the Executive branch is a matter of focus.
From Jan. 11-13, the Sophomore Council sat in the Quad during lunch as students voted for the members of spring Executive.
In contrast to low voter turnouts in past elections, this year, according to Spanish teacher and election manager Teresa Diaz, the amount of voters was especially high. This could be attributed to the increased competition surrounding this year’s election.
“This year we had around 550 people [voting]. There was [more] competition and more positions that had incumbents […] including the position of President,” said Diaz.
In addition to some new candidates, all members of the fall 2010 board were participating in the ballots. However, controversy had arisen regarding the current state of the ASB.
“There [were] concerns that some students [had] more advantages than others, [that] one side [thought] their opponents [were] given more advantages than themselves,” said Diaz.
In fact, these concerns led to infractions being reported on current Executive members and opposing candidates who were a part of United Through Our Diversity (UTOD), a group that sought to give support to those wishing to take on a role in ASB.
These infractions, such as seeking help from faculty and external campaigning, were filed and addressed by Principal Brad Walsh and Vice Principal of Business and Activities Jeremy Infranca. However, disciplinary action was taken in regards to the issues, particularly towards the existing Executive members.
“[Regarding the complaints] we did the best we could to make it as fair as we could,” said Infranca.
Despite talk of this election being racially motivated, both Diaz and Infranca attributed much of the opposition to the fact that ASB positions were being challenged and, like in any real election, campaigning became more forceful. Much of the drive behind the controversy is being held confidential by overseeing faculty, but contesting operations reveal sides to addressing the issue.
“There have been claims that UTOD was a radical Hispanic faction out to take over a school […], that we were fueled mainly by the issue of race,” said ASB presidential candidate Roman Jaramillo. “It is easy to reduce our motives to a matter of race, but what really troubles me is the reaction to our campaigns. When an underrepresented majority decides to stop ‘sitting around,’ we are met with hostility and prejudice, despite the challenge set forth.”