Decision 2015: Presidential Election Guide
Name: Everett McNair
Hometown: Schodack Landing, NY
High School: Home Schooled
Major: Engineering Science
Name: Chad Jefferson Albright
Hometown: Albany, New York
High School: Shaker High School
Major: Biological Sciences
Name: X-Avier T. Miller
Hometown: Southend, Albany, New York
High School: Green Tech High Charter School
Major: Liberal Arts and Honors (Biology concentration)
Why are you running for this position?
Everett: I would like to plan energizing events that help establish a dynamic atmosphere of camaraderie on the Hudson Valley campus.
What are your experiences that qualify you as a good candidate?
Everett: I have served two semesters on the Student Senate in addition to two semesters as Freshman Class President. I have had the opportunity to serve in the Empire State Youth Orchestra as Co-Timpanist and Co-Principal Percussionist for two years. I have been swimming competitively for six years, culminating in competing at four Speedo Sectional meets, where I medaled twice.
How would you use your position to improve student life at Hudson Valley?
Everett: I would build on the work of previous Senates and introduce new stimulating activities that inspire, challenge and educate students; bringing us together as a school.
What are some specific goals or initiatives that you will pursue if elected?
Everett: I would continue working to maximize the food and clothing pantries, strive to make campus life energetic with live music, develop a dynamic team of leaders in the Student Senate, continue the all clubs tradition bringing leaders of our college together and create activities based on what students want.
Student Senate leadership positions require the ability to effectively handle challenges. What is an example of you doing this in the past?
Everett: The rigorous day in, day out training to compete with the fastest-swimming athletes in the Northeast has prepared me for the challenges of the Presidential office. My leadership position in music has taught me how to bring a group of musicians from different backgrounds together for a common goal. My experience performing in high-pressure concerts at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Skidmore’s Zankel Hall, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, RPI’s EMPAC and Proctor’s Theatre before audiences of up to 2,500 people has taught me how to be creative and effective while under pressure.
What are your plans after leaving Hudson Valley?
Everett: After HVCC I would like to study engineering at RPI, qualify for USA Nationals and Olympic Trials in swimming and climb the forty-six high peaks of the Adirondacks.
Why are you running for this position?
Chad: I am running for president of Student Senate to improve the overall quality of our school, and to better prepare our student body for the future years ahead.
What are your experiences that qualify you as a good candidate?
Chad: Currently a senator of the Student Senate, I have had an integral role in discussions and votes regarding budgetary decisions about clubs and scholarships, as well as decision-making about upcoming events on campus. As the current president of the Viking Party, I meet with fellow students to collaborate ideas on how to enhance student activities here at Hudson Valley Community College. Lastly, I believe that my characteristics suit me well for this position. I am approachable, truthful, and committed to the future of our school. I will support ideas that are morally right and fair. I am also a very creative person. I can form original ideas by putting my imagination to work. I believe this school needs a leader who is innovative, collaborative, and hard-working.
How would you use your position to improve student life at Hudson Valley?
Chad: As president I will seek to unlock the full potential of our student body. Student activities are the key to maintaining our school’s status as one of the best community colleges in the country. To accomplish this, we need an innovative student government—a diverse group of students who apply creative thinking to find new approaches with the goal to improve the overall quality of student activities. As president of the senate, I will make sure that our school will continue to remain the best community college in the United States.
What are some specific goals or initiatives that you will pursue if elected?
Chad: Every full-time student in our school has paid a $128 records and activities fee. If elected, I will encourage the senate to effectively allocate our resources for the purpose of improving the quality of our clubs and activities on campus. I will encourage the senate to become more innovative with our budget. My agenda includes funding the radio club so that we may have our own radio station, as well as connecting the students with volunteering opportunities that relate to their degree programs.
Student Senate leadership positions require the ability to effectively handle challenges. What is an example of you doing this in the past?
Together we can face any challenge. As long as we maintain a positive mental attitude and consistently strive to give our best effort, we will overcome any immediate obstacle. My experiences have proved to me that with a good support system, along with a positive mental attitude, we can accomplish the even the most difficult of tasks.
What are your plans after leaving Hudson Valley?
Chad: I want to leave Hudson Valley with pride, knowing that we have accomplished a lasting achievement for the future student body to enjoy. Even after we leave this school, I want a positive impact to remain for future generations to come.
Why are you running for this position?
X-avier: I believe I have some genuinely interesting ideas to implement, and I can be an inspiring example of leadership for the HVCC community.
What are your experiences that qualify you as a good candidate?
X-avier: I was the first President of my high school as well as the graduating class. I was also my class speaker. I helped implement a service learning program within my school and was actively involved in footwork. I’m an effective communicator with over 500 hours of service in multiple facets, alumni member of Albany Youth common council, first class Boy Scout, community mentor, familiar with grant writing and effective fundraising and have above-average problem-solving skills. I’ve been through a lot of hard times which have rendered me to mostly learn the hard way, shaping me into a mentally stronger individual and morally stout young man. My trials have helped me to learn to bounce back and become malleable and resilient. My life has allowed for me to adopt multiple perspectives, and proliferate my thought patterns to truly understand and match the focal depth and emotional resonance that an individual is conveying.
How would you use your position to improve student life at Hudson Valley?
X-avier: I would actually implement the school’s constitution and help shape an overall community to further define campus; I have fresh ideas that are great!
What are some specific goals or initiatives that you will pursue if elected?
X-avier: Club regulation, idea fruition, composing a shared robust community of scholars.
Student Senate leadership positions require the ability to effectively handle challenges. What is an example of you doing this in the past?
X-avier: I was school president for my high school where I helped create two self-sustaining programs. These programs are still active today. I was also captain of my high school weightlifting team. With my influence and positive leadership style, we were able to win several accolades and gain the school some exposure.
What are your plans after leaving Hudson Valley?
X-avier: I plan on getting a job to pay back my pre-existing student loans. Then after that, the sky is the limit. I’m going to take a road trip through the United States, and travel a few countries; climb several mountains, go somewhere and lose myself, go to another place and find myself, spend some time with myself, get to know me a little better, and redefine myself. Progress, after HVCC I’m going to be on my Excelsior.