Tapping in the FAMU Politics of Sophomore Class President and Vice President Candidate, Jonathan Sanders and Paris Ellis.
February, the month of roses, chocolate turtles, dashikis, African drums, groundhogs and the occasional leap year. Through love and black heritage, the shortest month of the year has a significant impact on the lives of the young and old. However, here at Florida A&M University, all of the “I love you’s,” and National Negro Anthems do not compare to the most anticipated week, filled with flyers and free t-shirts…Campaign Week.
The 2014 Spring Campaign Season has stirred up a lot of conversation and hullabaloo, even before the clock struck seven and the first poster was placed on February 19th. The anticipation in the voices of the candidates could be heard in their speechs they gave before the posters struck the walls. Domination and allusions to Scandal can be heard quiet frequently via Twitter, Instagram, or even the loud shouts across the Quad.
Earlier this week, I was able to interview Jonathan Sanders and Paris Ellis, the only Freshman candidates running for Sophmore Class President and Vice President. The two candidates opened up about their personal views on leadership, their first bonding experience with one another, and their views on FAMU politics.
Name: Jonathan SandersMajor: Business AdministrationHometown: Tampa, FloridaCampus Involvements: Mr. 1908, Mr. Escort University Pageant, Orientation Leader Candidate, Faces Modeling Troupe CandidateSocial Media: J_Sand18 (Instagram)
Name: Paris EllisMajor: Broadcast JournalismHometown: Atlanta, Georgia byway of Fort Myers, FloridaCampus Involvements: 2014-2015 Orientation Leader Candidate, BSLS, Atlanta Club, currently running for Sophomore Class Vice PresidentSocial Media: Super_Redd (Instagram and Twitter)
How does it feel running unopposed? Do you feel like you have to work just as hard as other candidacies?
JS: I don’t feel like it’s any different if their was any competiton and I am still going to treat this as if I had competition. I still go out of my way to meet people, I still explain my platform points, and I make it known how much I love my HBCU.
PE: It’s actually nerve-wracking. It’s like you want to run your campaign like there is five other people running against you, but as it gets harder and more stressful, you tend to not think about it that much and you go “Well, forget it, I’m running unopposed so I don’t have to work that hard.” So it is kind of a hard two-way street.
How well do you and your running mate get along?
JS: Speaking that Paris and I just met, I say we get along pretty well. We’re pretty compatible. My biggest thing is communication, as along as we communicate, we’ll always get along.
PE: We are currently growing together. I first met Jonathan when finding out that we were both Orientation Leader Candidates. As time as grown we have seen that we often butt heads, but we are going to have to find a way to work that out between us. They way our paths are seeming to mix through this campaign and Orientation Leader candiancy we will definetly better our relationship.
What made you two decide to run together?
JS: I approached Paris a week or two before Campaign week. This was after I previously met her at Orientation Leader Training. When I first meeting Paris, I noticed how driven and motivated she was, and I knew that I really needed someone like that running beside me. I have a huge vision and I can not accomplish that vision without a like-minded individual with me. That being said, I told myself “I refuse to run with anyone but Paris.” Thats what I told her and I refused to take no for an answer.
PE: I was thinking about it, but I decided not to make any moves. Then one day Jonatan sat me down and asked me if I wanted to run with him to be is Vice President for our class and I said yes.
Well, the first day of campaigning is done. You can kind of breathe a little bit. Can you tell us the run down of how your day went?
JS: To be honest, I am not quite satisfied. I wasn’t out and about, talking to people as much as I wanted to.
PE: Very tiring. I only got two hours of sleep. I woke up at five in the morning. Some of the team members also woke up very early to put up posters. I had to walk around in heels all day. Then my heel broke, so I ended up switching into flats. You very rarely have time to eat. And wit tat,h its very hard sometimes to keep a smile on your face and continue to talk to people, not only for myself but for people that are running for other positions.
Paris, this question is specifically for you. You ran for Freshman senator in the beginning of Fall Semester, but did not win the position. So how do you feel about getting yourself back in the game again? Would you say that you’re afraid?
PE: I am not afraid by any means. FAMU does not scare me. The Students at FAMU do not scare me. I have big dreams and plan to reach all of my dreams. I’m much excited because I do have a great future ahead of me. I’ve planned out my next years here at FAMU, and this campaign is one of the keys I need to help unlock all of the dreams I wish to accomplish.
What’s a daily quote you could live by?
JS: “What’s success when you can’t share it with others?”
PE: “When you believe in yourself, anything is possible.”
What are some encouraging words you could give to your fellow Class?
JS: Be prideful When I say that I mean by everything you do. If you want to do something, be the best at it. From something simple as raising your hand and to ask a question, to going out and seeking a leadership position on campus. Whatever you do, be the best at it.
PE: Be Great! Be great in everything you do, and in every area of life you live. Just be the best you can be, be encouraged, be motivated, because there are people out there who are willing to work ten times harder to get where you are. So always be great.
Would you consider yourself and introvert or extrovert?
JS: Mainly an extrovert. But I do have introvert qualities.
PE: Definitely Extrovert.
Are you what your horoscope says?
JS: I really don’t follow Horoscopes, to be honest.
PE: Yes! I am an Aries all day every day.
Soon enough, we will have our First Female President being sworn in. How do you feel about being a part of that history?
JS: It feels great. This is a great institution, but at times I feel like it’s slipping through the cracks. It’s time for a new leadership. I’m looking forward to what this President as to offer. Females definitely have different ideals than males. Her different point of view would be a positive one for this campus.
PE: I love it. I love making history so being a part of history and being able to lie in is amazing. My kids will be able to look back in newspapers and books and ask me “Mom, didn’t you go to FAMU in 2014 when this happened?” And I can say yes, I did experience this, she was my president. I like to see women do great things. I think she has great plans in store for us to put FAMU back on top.
If you were given the opportunity to refine Webster’s Definition of a “Leader,” what would you say?
JS: A true leader is one of the people. Not someone who tells you what to do and just watches you, but someone telling you what to do and then showing you. Someone who has a goal in mind and goes out and achieves it.
PE: [Laughs] Wow. That’s a good question. Hardworking. Dedicated. Motivated. Strong. Very headstrong. A good mix of an introvert and extrovert. And at the bottom it would probably say Paris Ellis.