Loyola’s Student Government Association held an inauguration ceremony to swear in the Cabinet and Senate into their new positions.
The ceremony was an open to the public event at Holy Name of Jesus Church on Sept 1st.
SGA President Makayla Hawkins said the ceremony was a success this year and stood true to the purpose of swearing in members as well as getting them excited for their new position.
Although this is the main purpose, Hawkins said she felt as though this year held other successes.
“It’s also a way for us to celebrate them. They work really really hard throughout the semester so it’s good to just have one day where it’s like congratulations and soak in what you’re taking before they actually start working,” Hawkins said.
This event, according to Hawkins, also allowed each member the opportunity to have a moment to shine while also bringing them together.
“It’s honestly just a big welcome to SGA so we can all feel like a big family,” she said.
Criminology and English junior Mia Vitello was sworn in as Chief of Staff. She said she believes everyone had a great time but this ceremony was especially special for her.
“Personally, it was a really great moment for me because I got to have a very nice moment where my boss was able to swear me in and she means a lot to me,” she said. “I was very happy with that moment.”
The entire cabinet was able to attend, although not just in the traditional face to face way. Dixon Diamond, new Director of Finance, had to get sworn in on FaceTime through an iPad due to being too sick to attend.
Being able to have everyone there, even virtually like Dixon, was something Junior public relations student and current Director of Communications Laci Barrow was happy to see.
“I was so happy to see the entire cabinet there,” Barrow said, “They’re so dedicated.”
Now that every member is officially sworn in, SGA is officially ready to “hit the ground running,” according to Hawkins.
In her new position, Vitello hopes to use her role as chief of staff, who she said is there as the president’s “right hand man,” to help the cabinet in whatever they need.
“I’m looking forward to being able to implement more aspects of cabinet care into my position. I really want to focus my position in on the cabinet rather than being all over the place in a bunch of different areas in SGA. I really want to focus in on how I can help the cabinet achieve what they need to achieve,” Vitello said.
Barrow plans to use her role to help expand SGA and to improve the organization for students who are considering joining.
“My plan with SGA is to make it a really positive environment for students that want to get involved and bring positivity through everything I do,” Barrow said.
With the cabinet and senate inaugurated, Hawkins said she is excited for this next year in SGA.
“I feel really really good,” she said. “I’m excited for us to start our cabinet meetings and just be able to start the work we ran on for the student body.”
