Name: Chris Stevens
Year: Senior
Major: Economics and Marketing
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Q. What position did you win in the November elections?
A. I won a position on the Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor Board for Watauga County.
Q. What made you decide to get involved?
A. I did some research on the position after seeing that it was write-ins only on the ballot. It appeared as though there was no one campaigning strongly for the position. I’ve always been interested in helping to better the community I live in and I felt that this was a way in which I could do that.
Q. How did you convince voters to write your name in on the ballots?
A. I went to the polling area on Election Day with a friend and we talked with voters about the position. I explained how it’s a non-partisan position and that no one was really stepping up to the plate to take on the position, but I was a candidate very much willing to do that; I was confident that I could use my leadership ability to learn quickly and grow into the position. I think many of the younger voters were also excited to see a student becoming involved in the community.
Q. How did you react when you found out you had won a position? Were you surprised?
A. I was told that I probably needed about 50 votes to get the position, I was fairly certain I had gotten at least that many based on the number of people I talked to on Election day, so I wasn’t necessarily surprised. Still, I showed up at the courthouse on Canvas day (the day they announced who won) and was very excited to hear my name announced. Many of my family and friends were also waiting in anticipation so I texted them as soon as I found out and they were all just as excited as me.
Q. What are your responsibilities with your new role?
A. My first responsibility is to go to the meetings. The board meets once a month, usually on the last Wednesday of every month. First, let me say that the other members of the board, as well as the Soil and Water Conservation staff, are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They are incredibly knowledgeable, genuinely care about this community, and welcomed me warmly once they realized I was there to help them and do the best that I could. On the board we do things like fund and plan projects for farmers who are looking to improve their farms by implementing things like erosion control methods, we help with creek restoration projects, and we also look to educate people on agricultural and environmental issues.
One thing we’d like to do is become more involved with Appalachian State. We recognize and appreciate the progress it has made as a leader among Universities in sustainability, and the members on the board have some good ideas as to how Appalachian can further improve its standing as a leader in this field. We also have access to resources that can help. I’m also looking to get a more hands-on type agricultural project going for Watauga High School that I believe will really enrich the education experience for those who participate. Overall, I’m very excited for the opportunity I have been given, it’s been a unique and interesting experience and I believe it will be something I can look back on and be proud of.