Trust integrity, not the accusations of a blog

John Wooden, legendary UCLA basketball coach once said, "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is who you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

Looking back at this past year, I think it is safe to say that Student Government has continued to make an impact on campus life while serving as the student's representatives to the University and Orlando Community. In the past twelve months alone, the Kilbride/Lochrane Administration has finally launched a late-night bus system called KnightLynx, opened UCF's first 24-Hour study space entitled All Knight Study at the UCF Arena, and received a national award for our "Put Down Ur Cell Fhone" campaign. Our team also worked diligently to secure the lowest student fee increase in the last four years, increase transparency through live streaming of budget meetings, and raise student awareness of services through social media.

In the midst of this success, we have faced some bumps in the road. A certain campus blog has continuously focused more on "creating" news than reporting it. Facts have been manipulated, statements butchered, and people have been personally attacked. Through these politically motivated actions, both myself and Student Government leaders have continued to focus on our character and not our reputation. Rather than be discouraged by these attacks, we have continued to lead and make decisions in the best interest of the Student Body.

Recently, however, a line has been crossed. An individual has attacked my character and made bold accusations based on the manipulated information published by this campus blog. These attacks have been made with the intent of hurting me and the Kilbride/Lochrane Administration, not actually exposing wrongdoings.

If character is who you truly are, I want the students and campus community to know I am a person who leads with integrity and makes informed decisions with no ulterior motives. I am a servant leader, here to serve, ready to act, and prepared to stand by my decisions. More importantly, I have always been open to criticism and open to discussing the choices that I have made.

I know the students of the University of Central Florida see the good we are doing in Student Government. And my message to them is this: I will continue to work hard during my final weeks in office to make my constituents proud. Serving as Student Body President has been an honor I will cherish for the rest of my life. Moreover, I will forever be grateful to the students who have entrusted me with this responsibility.