“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” 
– F. Scott Fitzgerald

Having already lost three previous bids for lesser posts in the same organization, Logan Nelson nevertheless tossed her hat in the ring last May to become president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at Amarillo College.

And she won, which astonished no one more than, you guessed it, her twin sister Payton Nelson.

“People don’t get that we’re total opposites,” Payton said. “But Logan was the shy one when we came to AC. She’s sure not shy anymore, and when she got elected president I was like ‘this is not my sister.’”

No, Logan is no longer shy, but she is SGA president for 2016-2017, and she credits the family atmosphere that permeates SGA for her transformation from “the quiet one at Bushland High School” to a communicative collegiate leader.

“SGA is not just a club,” Logan said. “It’s an organization with great activities and new friends just waiting to get to know you. It’s just like a family, and everyone is welcome; they made me feel so wanted, and now I want to do that for others.

“I want to show AC students – all of them – that SGA wants them to get involved, and not just in SGA” she said, “I want to show them that SGA fosters a friendly culture, supports other clubs and organizations, and that increased involvement in student activities is something that makes AC a better place.”

A “total opposite” she may be, but Payton concurs with her sister where SGA is concerned; she herself recently was elected to chair the vital SGA committee on community relations, which gives the Nelsons literal twin seats at the helm. The Nelsons and their peers on the SGA leadership team have been hard at work this summer gearing up for an event-filled Fall Semester that begins Aug. 22.

As chair of community relations, Payton will lead discussions about several service projects SGA will undertake in the months ahead – one or two a month, like Habitat for Humanity and Boo at the Zoo, plus “one big one we’re still working on,” she said.

SGA’s theme this year will be Superheroes and the organization’s latest catch phrase is “That’s what we are: not just a team but a family. Superhero-style capes are expected to arrive any day now, attire that SGA members will don to assist with a trio of Badger Bootcamps for incoming freshmen in July and a quartet of New Student Orientations in August.

Then classes start and the fun begins in earnest as SGA will be out to build on its successes from last school year, when AC captured a half-dozen awards for top-three finishes at the highly competitive SGA State Convention in Austin.

The calendar still needs some work, but here are a few of the SGA-sponsored events that have thus far been planned at the Washington Street Campus this fall (you can see all AC events at actx.edu/calendar): 

Aug. 25: Movie Night, 8:30 p.m., at The Pit (east of Music Building)
Aug. 29-30: Club Fair, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., on Oeschger Family Mall
Sept. 1: Acapella Group EH 440, noon, at Badger Den
Sept. 8: K-Love the Poet, noon, at Badger Den
Sept. 12-13: SGA Elections, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Clock Tower
Sept. 19: Constitution Day and Resource Fair, on Oeschger Family Mall
Sept. 22: Fall Fest, Run With It Band, at Clock Tower and on Oeschger Family Mall
Oct. 11: Dr. Justine Shuey, Sexcologist, noon–1 p.m., in CUB Basement

Anyone interested in finding out more about SGA membership or activities can call 371-5259 or simply stop by the Student Life office in the basement of the College Union Building on the Washington Street Campus. Weekly meetings are at noon each Wednesday, and all AC students are invited to attend and find out more. You will be given a superhero’s welcome.

Oh, you noticed that Movie Night on Aug. 25th has yet to list a specific film? Well, “total opposites” cannot be expected to reach an agreement swiftly, except maybe on when it’s best to roll one’s eyes.

So roll ‘em…

“I’m more into real athletics,” says Payton, who snickers and adds, “Logan went to state twice in 4-H shooting.”

“Payton likes bright colors, but I prefer pastels,” comes Logan’s brutally cheeky response.

SGA is sure enough as advertised – just like a family; stay tuned for coming attractions.

June 16, 2016