Kerckhoff witnesses cheers, tears

With the moon sitting high Thursday night, students stood in
front of Kerckhoff Hall, awaiting the results of the Undergraduate
Students Association Council elections.

Every year, this ritual occurs in front of Kerckhoff Hall before
the USAC election results are announced.

By 9 p.m., members of Student Power! pushed toward Kerckhoff
Hall, chanting and banging their gongs.

As the Student Power! supporters coalesced upon Kerckhoff
Hall’s steps, members of the Bruins United slate began to
appear. Soon their group was of comparable size to that of Student
Power!

Silhouettes of students in Kerckhoff Hall 417 peered down upon
the shouts, speeches, chants and claps. The sounds of Student
Power! dominated the air, but still Bruins United supporters
socialized.

Bruins United broke into celebration as Alex Gruenberg made his
entrance.

Screams. Songs. Cheers. Both groups continued their push toward
the results. The Elections Board members who make the
announcements, were late by approximately 15 minutes.

As the smell of wet grass permeated the air, Nathan Lam, E-Board
chairman, thanked those involved with the process before reading
the results. As Bruins United candidates took almost every
position, Student Power! silently huddled together with concerned,
determined faces.

Bruins United erupted in joy for every candidate who won from
their slate, until Student Power! finally celebrated their runoff
hopes for Jenny Wood, presidential candidate, and Jeannie Biniek,
external vice president candidate. Both groups resigned to opposite
sides of Kerckhoff’s lawn.

Alex Gruenberg spoke to his slate, commending them for their
work.

Shouting and cursing, Student Power! members rallied their
group, now standing in a large circle on Bruin Walk, and ended
their night in song.

“We are brothers and sisters,” they sang.