by Bridget M. Rohrer
Staff Writer
As the semester nears an end, the Associated Student Federation (ASF) Forum now is now complete. Julie Eklund, freshman, is the ASF secretary after a number of interviews and voting processes. Rich Quesada, sophomore, is the last ASF Forum Member.
“I wanted to become more involved in school,” said Quesada. “Last year I just kind of sat here.”
“I was excited [to become secretary],” said Eklund. “Getting the position as a freshman gives me a good feeling.”
The ASF Forum took applications for a week after Aaron Kiel resigned due to personal reasons and narrowed the prospects to four candidates. According to Chris Braunstein, ASF president, there were a number of interviews that each candidate went through until only two candidates remained.
Braunstein tried something different this year. Instead of just appointing a secretary, as has been the case in years past, he talked it over with Rose Mangahis, vice president, and decided everyone on the Forum has to work with the secretary; therefore, they should have a say in who they work with.
“I like Julie,” said Braunstein. “She is very eager to work beyond the secretarial position that she was elected for and be a part of the other committees that make up ASF. That is what we were looking for.”
In Walnut High School, Eklund was the student representative to the Board of Trustees for ASB, participated in a number of other school clubs as well as the captain of the color guard. She was also a cabinet member of the key club and organized activities for the club.
“I enjoyed high school because I was so involved,” said Eklund. “When you’re involved in a number of activities, it gives you a link to your school. I like organizing and seeing how it [student government] all works from the inside.”
Eklund understood that each school is different and that it’ll take a while to get accustomed. However, this transitional period hasn’t discouraged this freshman. She looks at it as a way to better understand the school.
“Because I am a freshman, it might take a while to get used to the way things are done. I am confident that the others on the Forum will help me, though.”
“Julie’s a real fun person and will bring new ideas to the way we do things here at ULV,” said Braunstein.
Just after Quesada was elected, he became a co-chair of the Christmas Dinner and assisted in the planning. Along with that, he is also planning other activities such as an all-school lock in.
“I think that Rich is going to be an extra valuable asset because he has shown a great deal of enthusiasm,” said Braunstein. “He did a great job with the Christmas Dinner and I think he is ready to have a good time.”
While at Damien High School, Quesada was the commissioner all four years, played football and wrestled. He feels that his past experience in high school will help the transition to college activities much easier.
Braunstein acknowledges that he is anxious for the upcoming months when the Forum will be able to work together as a complete team.
