ELECTION REPORT · Fall 2025 · Torch: U.S.
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After being nominated by one of their voting delegates, each candidate stepped onto stage to give a brief speech. Candidates gathered at the end of the Nominations Committee Meeting for a brief session to take pictures and answer questions for the Convention Ear, as well as to learn about each other’s campaigns.
All twelve candidates initiated their campaign later that day. Walking from social events and dances to the agora and Certamen, candidates obtained the chance to meet fellow JCLers and sponsors, talking about their campaign, passing out flyers and bracelets, and scanning QR codes that lead to their websites.
On the next day, JCLers interested in learning more about the candidates went to Meet the Candidates in the Armstrong Student Center. Having set up their posters, flyers, and past works, candidates answered questions posed to them by JCLers about their qualifications and platforms before going to General Assembly III. During the assembly, candidates gave their speech to all the convention attendees, reiterating their plans and achievements.
Candidates gathered the next morning for the final event before voting: Candidates’ Open Forum. The candidates first introduced themselves and gave their answer to which character they would be in their favorite movie. Isabella then asked some general questions to each candidate before predecessors came on stage to ask their potential successors two questions – one purposeful and the other creative. Finally, questions from the audience were read aloud to the candidates. Questions included making up a cheer on the spot and singing a favorite amendment to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
Voting fellowship occurred after Candidates’ Open Forum. Each state that sent two delegates to the Nominations Committee Meeting and at least ten percent of its total delegates to the Candidates’ Open Forum received two votes for each office – except for states with only one member, which received only one vote.
Prior to General Assembly IV, candidates gathered with their sponsors in the Millet Arena for the results of the election. Predecessors then announced the 2025-2026 board: Editor Olivia Chen, Historian Aanshi Patel, Communication Coordinator Ameera Ramzan, Second Vice President Sophia Kantsevoy, First Vice President Stella Anderson, and President Reesey Lai. Each successor then received a note from their predecessor before heading out to dinner together in the Garden Dining Hall. During the final general assembly – General Assembly V – the board was officially sworn in and pinned by their predecessors.
Elections for the National Committee and NSCL Board also occurred during the convention. For the National Committee, Trace Turner was elected to serve a second term as publications chair; Jennifer Jordt was re-elected as vice chair; and Todd Wegenhart was re-elected as committee chair.
The 2025-2026 SCL Board consists of Editor Emma Hulse of Louisiana, Historian Hayden Smith of Indiana, Parliamentarian Joe Giambrone of Illinois/California, Treasurer John Harrington of Florida, Secretary Jameson Sheehy of South Carolina, Vice President Jake Presson of Indiana, and President Alden Okoh-Aduako of South Carolina/Connecticut.