Candidates: Prove your pride
Letter to the Editor
Last Saturday the Belle's Basketball team won its first game. I was proud to share in this moment as they celebrated to "Hallelujah!" They played with their hearts and the crowd knew how much this meant to them. As the clock ticked, the crowd became louder chanting "defense" along with the bench. It may have seemed minor to the students seated next to me that we begin to bellow out a cheer, but as an athlete myself, I know that each chant, clap or spectator means a great deal.
In the midst of all the excitement I looked around and was stunned! Why? Simply that Saint Mary's is in a period right now that everything is based upon "Pride." Admissions on how wonderful a community we have, athletics on how the "pride is on the rise" and mostly this year's student body election platforms. Each platform focused on building "Pride" in some way on campus. They need to begin with things that exist. The issue? There is no "real Pride" on this campus. When you are proud of something, it isn't conditional; pride is a feeling, not an expression of how you feel.
Most of the student fans on our side were close friends and fellow athletes. But among the crowd where were, those candidates want to bring "pride" to us. There were three of the six candidates in attendance: Renner, Nagle and Koelsch. I'd like to see support or evidence for your claims. I know there are three candidates who are ready to support their "pride" platform, and I know that another two, whom I witnessed when I returned from the game, were more concerned about sliding campaign materials under resident's doors. Take an hour or two and go support your student body!
As student body president and vise president, you represent us. As athletes, we represent Saint Mary's College every time we partake in an event whether at home or away. So why should I care about your election if you do not care enough about a large number of us on this campus who represent not only the students but the College as a whole? It's depressing to look into the stands during a competition and see the visiting team with more fans!
I ask you, how long does it take to walk over to Angela? How much does it hurt for athletes to ask that you take a minute away from that Saturday afternoon Lifetime Special to share in our triumphs and losses? To not only say you have Saint Mary's Pride, but to have it and feel it. I did! I felt proud to be a classmate of these women and part of Saint Mary's at a time when I was wondering why I came here.
To the entire Saint Mary's community — I challenge you. When you preach of "pride" at Saint Mary's, you better mean it. As athletes, we are only as good as what we put into practicing. What is it to say this doesn't apply to everyone. If I'm going to say I'm the best swimmer on the team, I better be able to prove it.
So if you say you are the candidate with the most pride, you better be able to prove it!
Janel Miller
Sophomore
LeMans Hall
January 30, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, February 1, 2000
