Photo By The Sun StaffÂ
By Han Psalma
Associated Student Organization President Leonardo Vanegas has resigned citing stress and a desire to focus on his studies. Vice President Imani Drew assumed the presidency and will complete his term which ends in May.
Vanegas was elected ASO President in May 2022 as the college was in the process of rebuilding follow two years of shutdown and a partial reopening. This fall he and his ASO team had to adjust to the demolition of the Student Center which housed the ASO and campus clubs. It was clubs where Vanegas put much of his time and energy, he said.
“(We) gave clubs an extra $5,000 per semester,” he said. “So instead of $20,000 per semester, it (became) $25,000.”
Vanegas said the project he is most proud of is the fall voter registration and civic engagement project when the ASO registered more than 100 students to vote. He lured prominent elected officials to campus, including Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Congressman Juan Vargas and California Secretary of State Shirley Webber.
Drew said the resignation shook the ASO.
“When he told me…it was a big shock to me and a big shock to all the executives,” she said.
Vanegas said fatigue and stress led to his decision.
“I really got tired when I got to college,” he said. “I have come to realize that I can no longer continue to properly put students first without putting my studies and mental health first.”
Drew said she would miss working with Vanegas.
“I felt disheartened, very heartbroken because (we) have been doing everything (together),” she said. “Leonardo is the reason I ran for vice president and stayed in the ASO.”
Drew pledged to work hard to keep the ASO meaningful and an asset to the student body.
