Springtime is traditionally associated with rebirth, new growth, and fresh starts. At DU, spring quarter brings just that to many of our student-run organizations. The Latine Student Alliance (LSA) was among the first affinity groups to hold new officer elections this quarter and has kicked off this year’s season of rebirth. 

Gathered in a conference room on the ground floor of the Dimond Family Residential Village last Wednesday, the outgoing E-Board members facilitated an evening of speeches to help alliance members gain a complete picture of each candidate. This was conducted in a manner that promoted discussion and participation from all attendees.

Speeches for each position were structured as follows. All but one candidate for a position left the room. The remaining candidate then delivered a roughly two-minute speech highlighting their past experience, connection to LSA, and any other information that proves their worth as a candidate. Following this, E-board members and then audience members had the opportunity to engage in a Q&A for additional or clarifying information that was perhaps not covered in the initial speech. The candidate then left the room, and audience members were invited to voice their support for or reactions to the candidate. This process was repeated for each candidate running for a position. Voting opened after the event concluded and was open until Thursday night.

As opposed to the simpler structure of election many clubs use, wherein candidates typically make speeches and voting occurs almost immediately, this structure emphasized community connections alongside candidates’ previous experience. As an organization that seeks to promote a more interconnected community on campus, this model was a perfect fit for LSA. 

Though some positions were uncontested, some races were much tighter. Then-president Mike Marquez voiced excitement about the choices offered during the election.

“I think it’s honestly a tough race for a couple of the positions,” he said. “I seriously think each of them could do a good job.”

The tighter races included those for the roles of Historian, Secretary, and Treasurer. 

Karina Huerta, who has already received an associate degree in psychology and is now pursuing a bachelor’s with minors in critical race and ethnic studies and marketing, won the election for Historian. She defeated Emely Mier, a political science and international studies major.

Mier also ran for the role of Secretary. However, she was defeated by Gabriela Valles, a biological science major with minors in kinesiology and sports studies as well as leadership studies.

The race for treasurer was perhaps the tightest of all. While all other election results were made public on Friday afternoon, the results of the Treasurer race were deemed inconclusive, and re-election was called.

The positions of Intergroup Liason, Vice President, and President were uncontested. Ironically, however, it seemed that these solitary candidates produced some of the most convincing arguments, according to Marquez.

“I think they had some of the best speeches here, and they’re gonna be great in their positions as well,” he said. “I’m really excited about these candidates, and I’m really excited about the future of LSA.”

The positions of Intergroup Liason, Vice President, and President were secured by Arianna Rojas Ortega, Matthew Valdez, and Eric Alfaro, respectively. Both Alfaro and Valdez have been Enlaces in LSA for the past several months. This program allows newer members to shadow current officers and experience what it is like to run the alliance and put on events. The experience will no doubt aid the two in their new responsibilities. 

Both Alfaro and Valdez plan to hit the ground running in their terms as president and vice president. The pair have big ideas for the future of LSA and hope to take full advantage of their roles. 

“What I am looking forward to is just building la familia aspect–the family aspect–of LSA,” Alfaro said. “I want to be one with my members and my exec board. I’m looking forward to finding inclusivity in each event, and overall bringing the whole community together.”

“At the beginning of the fall quarter, there is usually a big turnout. I’m very excited to be seeing all those new members and all those new faces, and doing our best to try and keep them there and bring them into the community and have them throughout all the events, not just the first few weeks,” said Valdez.

The passion for LSA’s mission and the community it creates was tangible during each candidate’s speech. The energy these new officers bring to LSA is bound to come as a breath of fresh air for the alliance. However, as LSA welcomes its new board, it is important to recognize the blood, sweat and tears put in by the members of the outgoing leadership. Their hard work has provided a solid foundation on which LSA can thrive for years to come.

For updates on future LSA events, be sure to check out its Crimson Connect and Instagram pages.