Senior marketing and economics major Christopher Stevens was sworn in as the Watauga County soil and water conservation district specialist Monday, Dec. 3.
“No one was actually running for the position, really, so I decided I wanted to take the opportunity myself and do it,” Stevens said. “So I started a little write-in campaign and it ended up working.”
Stevens received approximately 179 votes and said that second place received approximately 57 votes during the November election.
Stevens had not planned to run for this position, but he has always been interested in environmental issues, he said. Stevens’ biggest goal as soil and water conservation district specialist is to get more education involved.
“First of all, I want to get more involved with Appalachian, which they aren’t at all right now, so I want to open up dialogue with them, see what we can do with the office of sustainability,” Stevens said. “And then, another big thing I would like to do is get in contact with the elementary and middle schools around the county and see if we can’t get something going with them to get the kids involved as far as having outdoor programs with them so they can learn about farming and environmental information.”
Stevens has met with the members of the board at their last meeting. He said they are all really nice and glad to have him.
Stevens said he was really excited about the opportunity.
“This is an opportunity to serve the community and do something good and make a difference,” he said.
Story: LINDSAY BOOKOUT, News Reporter
Photo: JOEY JOHNSON, Photographer