To the Editor:

Although Thursday's primary returns were not what I hoped for, I feel a sense of vindication knowing that participation in student government is alive and well here at Vanderbilt University. There is no point in skirting around the issue; on Thursday, I did face a tremendous personal loss. However, I would like to tell my supporters and the supporters of other defeated candidates that you did not lose. Despite the fact that your candidate or candidates of choice might have lost, you, the student body, are the actual victors in Thursday's elections. Due to your willingness to rally behind a candidate or campaign and go to the polls, you have insured that the issues advocated during the campaign will not disappear from the VSG agenda.

What occurred on Thursday is merely what occurs often in life; sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, and you, the voters, have won. I would like to take this time to congratulate the victors in the multiple primaries and wish them the best of luck as they proceed to campaign up until the general election. As for me, I intend to continue to be active in student government in some capacity or another and to continue to advocate on behalf of certain issues that need to be addressed here on campus. I want to take this time to encourage everyone at Vanderbilt to continue to participate in our student government, and if you haven't done so in the past, now would be a great time to start. I would like to thank all of my supporters and once again congratulate you, the voter, on a job well done.

Zye A. Hooks
Freshman
College of Arts and Science