Tallahassee natives Tonnette Graham and Ronnie Mackey Jr. were announced as the Student Government Association president and vice president for the upcoming academic year late Tuesday night.
Dozens of students filled the Hansel E. Tookes Sr. Student Recreation Center to hear the results of the campus elections, which concluded Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Graham, who currently serves as senate president, and Mackey, who currently serves as Mr. Florida A&M University, received 1,335 votes, won by more than 200 votes.
Graham said she is happy to serve the university in another capacity.
“I’m still in shock, to be honest,” Graham said. “And I’m very humbled.
“To me, this victory means that FAMU is headed in the right direction. Everything we do is driven by the student body, and hopefully we have encouraged students to step outside the box and effect change.”
Dominique James was elected as the next Miss FAMU, receiving 1,461 votes. Andre Bridges, who is currently a Royal Court escort, was elected to serve as Mr. FAMU with 1,399 votes.
Dre Sheppard and Kionna Randall were elected King and Queen of Orange and Green with 1,397 and 1,569 votes, respectively.
Electoral Commissioner Tamieka Atkinson said she was satisfied with the completed election season.
“The candidates, from my opinion, genuinely aspired to run a clean race this season, and that speaks volumes to all of the candidates’ characters,” Atkinson said. “Their effort to adhere to the rules washed a huge smudge off of the image of FAMU elections.”
Atkinson said this campaign season was the first time the candidates’ debate could be accessed live on FAMcast and the pageant on FAMU’s TV-20.
Maurice Jackson, a fourth-year business student from Miami, wished there were more candidates.
“I expected more students to come out and go for these positions to help continue moving FAMU forward,” Jackson said. “Yet, all in all, we had qualified candidates come out, and FAMU will be in good hands.”
Eight junior senators were elected: Tia Coleman, Akayja Barthelemy, Victor Chrispin, Derek Keaton, Perrell Mitchell, Jillian Sanders, Kordell Wilson and Jernice Woodberry.
Aaliyah Barrington and Brandon Smith ran unopposed. Barrington will be the new sophomore attendant and Smith will serve as electoral commissioner.
There will be a run-off between Jasmyne Williams and Aria Reeves for Junior Attendant.
Runoffs will take place on Thursday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Students can vote in their perspective precincts.