TO THE EDITOR:
I want to thank you for running Georgia Cherry's article on student leaders. Many think student leadership is always a fun, easy ride, not realizing that we have to deal with many things. Although we enjoy working for the student body, we must deal with the normal obstacles of student life on top of full-time leadership positions.
We feel frustrated when things don't go according to plan. We feel torn when we have to make tough decisions. We feel ashamed when we make mistakes, knowing it could appear in The Daily Tar Heel. We feel disconnected when we don't have time to spend with friends. We feel afraid when our grades plummet in the face of graduate school. We feel unappreciated and discouraged when we only hear about our failures and shortcomings.
We love what we do. We care about our organizations and constituents with all our hearts. We appreciate the loyalty, dedication and friendship of those who work with us. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our fellow Tar Heels and to defend student governance. But sometimes, we get tired.
I have decided to take a 10-day leave of absence from the Campus Y. For those days, I will catch up on some much-neglected studies, reconnect with friends and family, try to return to a normal sleep cycle and pray for the strength to continue our great work.
I encourage other student leaders to take the time to rest. We need strong leaders, and I don't want to see another person leave office. I love the Campus Y and our University, and I'm going to do whatever I can to make them better.
Derwin DuboseCo-president
