Brit Sharon / Roundup
Supporters at the Associated Students Organization office began to congratulate Nick Naczinski as he arrived from a late lunch just as final votes were tallied.
Naczinski has won the ASO President candidacy for the 2010-2011 school year with a majority of the votes Friday.
Naczinski accumulated a greater amount of votes with 588.
A big smile bore the face of Naczinski this afternoon as the final votes were counted.
Naczinski promises to create more scholarships, institute a recycling program, and form year-round student jobs.
Kevin Sparks ran against Naczinski for ASO President.
Sparks received 429 votes.
Sparks declined to comment.
Naczinski, who is in his fourth semester at Pierce, grew up down the street from Pierce and promises to properly and passionately represent the students.
In 2008 Naczinski came to Pierce as a Goble Studies major and an English minor.
“I want to go into [Political Science] because I see so much going on in the world that I disagree with or [would] like to see different,” said Naczinski, “It does no good to just sit there and complain about issues going on and not do anything.”
An issue that arose by students during the debate was weather Naczinski would serve his complete term if elected.
“[I] possibly could intern down in South America. I’m trying to see what I can get. I know that there are some business opportunities but I would really like to do something with the U.S. embassy down there,” said Nacsinski.
Simms refused to comment.
Naczinski believes that the ASO presidency, although a small role in the world, is still very much important.
Naczinski ran for president because he believes that students are not being properly represented in the ASO and is excited to change that.
“I saw a lot of things going on in ASO where everyone was just bickering and we weren’t being properly represented on issues that were being addressed,” said Naczinski,
Naczinski believes that he can do a good job as president.
“I only want to benefit the student here at Pierce.” Naczinski said.
Naczinski sees where he can contribute to the ASO and is ready make a change.
Naczinski vows to run the ASO differently then how it is being run by current ASO President Simms.
“I am going to work with the ASO rather then against them,” said Naczinski, “If somebody wants to do something in the ASO and they have a plan that they show me and there’s a good reason to do it, I’m going to be completely supportive of that and try to help them.”
Naczinski main objective is to do everything possible to provide students with the best experience they can get at Pierce.
“I’m not going to try and stand in the way of anybody trying to accomplish something that seems beneficial to the students here at Pierce,” said Naczinski, “Also, I’m going to try and create a less angry environment to work in for the ASO.”
Naczinski key focus is to have scholarships ready for students by mid-Fall semester to be used for the Spring semester.
“I know times are hard and students need all the help they can get. ASO has a budget of $150,000 they divide up and use throughout the year,” Naczinski said, “I want make sure that some of that goes to students.”
As the current ASO Environmental Committee chair, recycling is important to Naczinski.
“Right now ASO doesn’t really enforce a recycling system, but I plan putting recycling bins throughout the campus so that students can do their part in the environment.” said Naczinski.
Naczinski plans on creating year-round student jobs in order to provide students with the opportunity to help pay for school.
“One idea I had was to have someone that went around campus and emptied the recycling bins, even during summer. The recyclables will be profitable and we would be able to pay [salaries] through that,” said Naczinski.
Besides scholarships, recycling, and jobs Naczinski also plans on working with the Rent-a-Book program by expanding it and making it cheaper and by supporting the Library.
“[Naczinski] has a lot of ASO experience and is easy to work with,” said ASO Advisor Brad Saenz, “He is very good at dealing with students and administration. He will make a great ASO President.”
Naczinski hopes to work with his board to expand the ASO and get more students involved.
“I already get along with everyone that has been elected,” said Naczinski, “we’ll get along great and be very productive.”
Naczinski is ready to work with Talia Elma, who is Pierce’s new club council president, on getting Pierce clubs bigger and better and expanding them as well as getting more students involved in order to create more of a community at Pierce.
Last semester he had great events and this year he’s doing something for Earth Day. He’s really dedicated to his position and getting students involved,” said current ASO Club Council President Cindy Gerges.
Gerges believes that Nacinski will bring the same dedication to his new position.
Naczinski came to Pierce in 2008 as a Goble Studies major and an English minor.
Beginning at Pierce Naczinski had no intention of joining ASO until fellow ASO Senate member Ava Badiee and himself decided to start an Environmental Club on campus opportunities began to develop.
Naczinski is the co-founder and vice president of the Environmental Club.
“[Ava and I] found out that there was a student government here at Pierce and they had a committee here for the environment and we decided to join that as well,” said Naczinski, “I liked it and was passionate about [it] and I ran for [the committee chair]—actually Shani [Simms] was trying to take it away, but I lobbied to keep the environmental committee here at Pierce”
Naczinski was elected Environmental Committee chair. He is currently still serving his term.
When Naczinski is not attending Pierce, he can usually be found at the beach, hanging out with friends, or simply reading a book.
Naczinski also has a thrill for travel. He has been to China, South Korea, Italy, Costa Rica and many more.
While growing up in Woodland Hills, Naczinski attended Calabasas High School and graduated in 2008.
At Calabasas High School, Naczinski competed in the Track and Field as a runner but stopped after his Sophomore year to focus on wrestling where he placed in the Marmonte League and went to California Interscholastic Federation, CIF, while on the varsity team during his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year.
“Wrestling was my sport,” said Naczinski, “My dad wrestled, my brother wrestles, and I still go back there and help them out sometimes.”
Although Naczinski was not involved in student government at Calabasas High School, during his senior year he worked with assemblyman Lloyd Levin on a High School Advisory Committee where Naczinski and other high school students gave their opinions on political issues and the effects they had on them.
Naczinski is happy to see that all his hard work has paid off.
“I’m going to work really hard to accomplish everything,” said Naczinski, “This is going to be a great experience for me and hopefully fruitful for the students here at Pierce.
Naczinski would like to thank all of his friends that were out there campaign and his family for their support.
Naczinski currently has a 3.8 grade point average and is planning on applying to UCLA and Berkeley for the Fall 2011 semester as either a Goble Studies major or an English major; one-day he hopes to be an Ambassador for the United States.
For more information on the ASO and the election go to www.Piercecollege.edu.
Nick Naczinski, former ASO Environmental Committee chair, beat out his two opponents for ASO President. (Sayed Balkhi / Roundup )