Students gathered in the Wilkinson Student Center to meet the candidates running for BYUSA president and executive vice president on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
From 6-9 p.m., three different campaign rallies took place in separate rooms, each offering students a chance to interact with candidates, learn about their platforms and enjoy live entertainment. The event aimed to help students make informed decisions before election day on Feb. 27.
Caleb Rogers and Ella Paligo, campaigning for BYUSA president and executive vice president, welcomed students with live music, a soda bar and professional headshots.
Students mingled at the event while coloring “This is Our Y” handouts and listening to Just Khakis’ jazz tunes. Paligo and Rogers introduced themselves at the event and promoted their goals to anyone stopping by.
“For tonight, I am just really excited about students being able to get to know us better,” Paligo said. “I’m hoping that they leave knowing more about our platform, our initiatives and our excitement to get involved on campus.”
Down the hall, another campaign rally was in full swing. With live music, a Mario Kart tournament and a raffle, Chloee Uluave and Cameron Jenkins engaged students in a lively atmosphere.
Uluave, who is running for BYUSA president with Jenkins, emphasized the importance of making genuine connections.
“We are just here to show people that we are real and authentic and that we like to have fun with people,” Uluave said. “We want people to know that BYUSA is a really fun organization where you can make good friends and connections.”
Students who attended Uluave and Jenkins’ rally noticed the welcoming environment. When asked if the event influenced their voting decisions, attendees eagerly shared their support for different campaigns.
“BYUSA is all about service and being willing to put in that time,” Liz Beckwith, BYU student and rally attendee, said. “I feel like Chloee perfectly exemplifies that.”
Another rally on Wednesday night focused on showcasing student talent while highlighting the values of BYUSA. Musical artists and performers took the stage as Jacob Leavitt, a BYUSA presidential candidate, and Janalyn Finnie, running for executive vice president, connected with students.
Sticking with their motto, “A Light to All the World,” Finnie and Leavitt’s rally encouraged students to serve by writing Valentine’s Day cards for children’s hospital patients and residents of Ashford Assisted Living. As students wrote kind messages, they enjoyed nachos, kettle corn and soda.
Finnie and Leavitt’s efforts to foster a sense of inclusion resonated with attendees.
“Janalyn and Jacob are very inclusive,” BYU student and rally attendee Kate Harkness said. “I just feel like they want everyone to feel happy and included.”
With election day approaching on Feb. 27, the rallies provided students with an opportunity to engage with candidates and gain a deeper understanding of their platforms. Whether through music, games or service, each campaign brought a unique vision to the race, setting the stage for the upcoming vote.