Owen Evans
My name is Owen Evans and I am looking to run for Freshman representative for the GW College Democrats. One of the most intriguing and unique things that I notice about this organization is its commitment to putting idealism into action. I’m enthralled by the debates, the community service opportunities, and the campaign trips. All of these things connect students to what is truly important in our world. It also allows them to see the impact that they have on other people and our nation’s ongoing dialogue. I have various leadership experiences. I created and ran a cancer charity in my hometown that raised $80,000 over two years for kids with pediatric cancer, I was very active in student government, and I also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout before my eighteenth birthday. I am organized, I am diligent, and I am capable of being a part of this massive organization. I hope that through my tenure, we will expose students to the issues of the day and show them how they can get involved in a proactive and meaningful way.
Tom Guettler
You know you go to GW when you are part of the largest chapter of the college democrats in the country. We all joined this group because we want to be a part of everything that this city and our college has to offer. We are not only in search of opportunities to get involved, but also to gain the first hand experience of working in politics, so that we can have the knowledge necessary to help run this country in the future. We all came to GW for different reasons, but I think that a lot of us came here for its strong political activism. We are sitting in the heart of the nation’s capital and it is up to us to get involved. That is why we’re here, that is why we’re involved in this organization.
My name is Tom Guettler and I want to be a part of this process with you. We only have four years to be a part of this, so let’s not waste our first year. It is my intention, as your freshman representative, to make sure that freshman always have opportunities in this organization. As this position is still somewhat new, I am positive there is room for improvement, room for more activities, and room for more opportunities. Elect me if you think we, as freshmen, can start our college careers in the best way possible. If we came here to be politically active then why wait until we’re upperclassmen? Let’s start right now!
Jamie Kleiner
Hey everyone, my name is Jamie Kleiner and I hope to represent the freshmen class of the Mount Vernon campus. I have come to love our beautiful campus. Yes, waking up itchy from bug bites and having to stand in the hot sweaty vex during rush hour has its moments…but I truly love living here because we get the best of both worlds, a suburban campus within an urban school.
However, living on The Vern does have important tradeoffs. Its no secret that some “Vernies” feel excluded from the Foggy Bottom campus. At times, I have felt this way myself. So, in order fix this problem, I believe The Vern should be more involved in one of GW’s largest political student organizations: The GW Dems. If I am fortunate enough to be elected as freshmen representative of The Vern, I promise that our suburban campus will become very high profile within this organization. For example: Eckles Library has a usable auditorium, Ames Hall has large lecture rooms, and West Hall has open space conference rooms. The GW Democrats should take advantage of this space and invite guest speakers to the Vern. Also, rather than letting our beautiful quad go to waste, the club should use this space for special events geared towards ALL GW freshmen. We can offer the club powerful recruitment potential, service activities and more!
Almost 700 of GW’s freshmen class are residents of The Vern. My goal is for the Vern to have a much higher profile in the GW Democrats as well as within the University as a whole. As freshmen representative of the Mount Vernon campus, I will work in collaboration with the elected Foggy Bottom representative in order to break down the barrier between the two campuses. I hope to win your support!
Rebecca Marx
To my fellow classmates and professors, I am known as “the Bleeding Liberal” which is an identification I take with pride. My beliefs and political opinions are so core to my existence it seeps into my daily conversation. Being a democrat is so important and relevant to the essence of my being, that dating a democrat is more important to me than dating a Jew (which is far more gasping if you knew that my father is a Rabbi).
I grew up in a very liberal house hold, but those ideas have still been shaped by my experiences as a minority and a women. This past year, I worked on a Congressional Campaign for the “Liberal Lion of Pennsylvania” aka the least favorite state senator of Governor Tom Corbett (the worst thing that has happened to PA and we’ve been plagued with Rick Santorum as our official). As well as working for the Liberal Lion, I’ve held an internship with the County Commissioners office who is the first democrat to be the chairman of the county in over 150 years, and will hopefully be representing PA in DC in a few years. Through the work with my internships as well as the other organizations and clubs I have been involved in, being a strong democrat is who I am and what I am known as.
Politics is so synthesized with my everyday conversation and knowledge that if you ever listen to me in class or in a daily conversation, you will hear political references non-stop. Or you could always say something the least bit controversial and enjoy my long winded response as an outgoing, Hillary fanatic, bleeding liberal.
Chelsea Rivera
My name is Chelsea Rivera and I am hoping to serve as your Vern Freshman representative for College Democrats here at GW.
I come from Sparta, a small town in the swamps of Jersey. (If you are a New Jerseyan or maybe just a Bruce fan, you would understand that statement). From the beginning, I always wanted to give back in every way possible. In high school, I served as the President of multiple service clubs including Key Club, where I organized fundraisers and volunteering events such as a Stand Up 2 Cancer Ugly Sweater Fundraiser or the Salvation Army Bell Ringing; VP in our chapter of Operation Smile where we held a “Spin-a-thon” and clothing drive; and VP of our GSA. I even organized three charity birthday parties where I asked for donations to CHABHA Project, SmileTrain, and the Samaritan Inn instead of presents. I also volunteered as a leader in our Therapeutic Riding Program at my stable, and was an active participant in Pass-it-Along. In addition to this, I volunteered to work the phone booths for Cory Booker’s campaign (who cemented my aspirations to be a Senator like him), and even got to meet him!
As your Freshman board member, I will utilize my experience and leadership in community service to voice and press my ideas, and yours as one cohesive Freshman body. As your politically passionate and active representative, it would be an honor to be an ambassador for my Democratic Party and all of its participants. In the efforts to live up to my party, with the help of you, I will be a leader that voices change.
So in the words of Hillary Clinton, “In this world and the world of tomorrow, we must go forward together or not at all.” So who’s with me? Thank you.