Asonye elected trustee

"I haven't been this nervous in a while," said Chris Yoon, a freshman candidate running for the SORF Board.

All the candidates sat impatiently and waited for the student election results to be read in Room 2 of the Education Building. Candidates used a variety of campaign strategies from chalking the sidewalks to Facebook groups in this years race.

Perhaps it was the increased campaigning that brought in a record-setting number of votes.

This year's election turnout was the second highest in school history with 9,674 students casting votes. The increase shows it is obvious that the University student body is ready for a change, said Sam Lee, law student and the chairwoman for the student election commission.

Do you support the creation of a refundable $5 student fee to help establish a sustainable campus environment by financing initiatives such as green buildings, engagement of the university community, recycling, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible purchasing? Apparently, as almost 7,000 students voted yes to the sustainability-fee referendum.

The candidates then awaited the results that would define their hard work and dedication to see who would go on and lead into the next year and who would have to go back to the drawing board.

Student trustee was announced first with Chime Asonye being the winner. Known unofficially as the "Ralph Nader" candidate, Asonye was almost certain he wasn't going to win.

"Things like this don't happen to me," Asonye said while still in disbelief. "I started with the Christian groups, and from there I was embraced by the Illini. I'm glad they want change. Now that I'm elected, my mission begins today."

Lastly, the new student senators were announced. An ecstatic Zenobia Ravji grabbed one of the open seats for an LAS senator.

"I lost last year, so this year I put my everything into this," she said. "In something like the student elections, everything else gets neglected."

After the results were read, tears and cheers were in the air as those who didn't win were congratulating the winners.

"It's great to see the students take it so seriously," said Scott Bieniek, vice chairperson of the Student Election Committee.

Lee was also happy to see students' involvement in the elections.

"It's important to them, and the votes proves that it's important to the student body, which is great," she said.

With the election over, the winners will be tested to keep their word.

Pat Sykes, new Engineering student senator, says it's time to deliver.

"I didn't think I was going to lose, but I was worried," he said. "Now it's time to make it happen."