Hertig Family: My Decision to Run for Student Government

The story behind my decision to run for Vice President of Activities for Southern Utah University Student Association:

I was approached about running for Vice President of Activities the evening before candidacy declaration forms were due. This was not an easy decision for me, and the fast approaching deadline did not help. I had NO experience with student government on the university level. Zip, zilch, nada. The logical part of my mind was screaming DON'T DO IT, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW AND NO ONE WILL VOTE FOR YOU!!! Yet for some reason unknown to me every other part of my mind and body was screaming DO IT, you'll never know what would happen if you don't! So I did as much research as I could, talking to current and past members of the activity branch and received some encouragement and some... "Heidi, it's A LOT of work, it might be better to start out in a smaller position before running for an executive council member" Which only solidified my own doubts about my abilities. So amidst the turmoil I sought out knowledge from the best source. I prayed. After my prayer I listed the pros and cons. It looked something like this:

Pros:
- You might meet your future husband*
- Great opportunity to help serve SUU students
- Good leadership opportunity
- You will learn lifelong lessons
- It will be challenging- but fun for you
- What a great opportunity all around!!!
-You will always wonder what would've happened if you don't run

Cons:
- No previous experience in SUUSA
- Might not get any votes
- People might be mean
- You may feel stupid
- You'll lose money

*I'm not joking when I say the FIRST thing that popped into my head was " You could meet your future husband." That pro actually didn't make it onto the paper because I thought: "how silly, I probably just made that up." I did end up crossing all the cons off the list labeling them irrelevant when I applied one of my favorite scriptures: "I can do all thinks through Christ" Philippians 4:13

I ran for Vice President of Activities. Up to that point in my life it was the hardest thing I had done. Even at a university level it is absolutely mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting to put yourself out there in a political race. Through some gigantic miracle, with the 6 other parties running that year, I won. I felt like my mom must have felt when I made the freshman basketball team. Completely and utterly surprised, feeling that the victory was really beyond my capability.

With the 6 other parties running the only people out of our party to win were Ryan Horlacher (President) and me (Vice President of Activities)

Jeffrey was appointed as the controller for SUUSA. Although it had been months since that blind date he was still on the top of my crush list. I won't lie. When he accepted that position I thought.... maybe my dreams will come true.

I know I was given the courage to run and the miracle of being elected because that was where I was supposed to be that year. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve on the SUUSA activities branch! Not only did it bring me closer to my husband but it was the opportunity of a lifetime. I learned so much and gained many life long friends that year. Here are some pictures because now I'm feeling really sentimental.