During a night of reflection and inside jokes, the 2010-2011 Students’ Association executive officers passed the torch to the 2011-2012 SA executive officers in the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony.

SA created a new budget handbook, revised the dancing and chalk policies, gave students more options in dining and had a hand in key events of the year such as speakers Shane Claiborne and Blake Mycowski and FilmFest this year, said SA President, Sam Palomares, senior communications major from Elsa. He thanked departments across campus that helped make these accomplishments possible.

Jared Elk, senior political science major from Savoy, attributed SA’s success to the teamwork and unity exhibited in this year’s SA officers and Congress, referring to the year as one of SA’s most productive.

Awards, both serious and sarcastic, were handed out to members of Congress as well as faculty and parents. The executive secretary, treasurer and president each passed down an object to next year’s executive officers.

SA Secretary Martha Marquez, criminal justice major from Comanche, passed down a calendar to next year’s executive secretary, Katherine Handy, sophomore English major from Plano.

“As secretary, you’re going to need this, and if you lose it, you’re going to go crazy,” Marquez said.

SA Treasurer Chris Shim, senior finance major from Atlanta, passed down a copy of The Wealth of Nations, to Carson Henley, junior biochemistry major from Colleyville and next year’s executive treasurer.

Palomares passed down the SA Bible and president pin to Connor Best, junior political science major from Sacramento, Calif. With the pin, the new executive officers began their term as SA executive cabinet with high hopes.

“I can personally say I’m excited for this executive officer team and the things we’re going to get done next year,” Best said.