New Year, New Officers

Headed by Commodore Jasmine Lee-Barber, our new officers are ready to incite change and boost student involvement.

BY ERIN JOHNSON

Annually, during the beginning of fall quarter, the Washington Yacht Club holds elections for the three student-held officer positions within the club: Commodore, Vice Commodore, and Rear Commodore. 

These positions have very distinct responsibilities. The club is lead by the Commodore who is the official representative of the club, and calls and conducts all meetings. Underneath the Commodore, the Vice Commodore organizes the lesson program within the club, and the Rear Commodore is the Club’s liaison and contact point with the Washington Racing Team. 

The results of the 2009 elections bring together officers Jasmine Lee-Barber, Mario Jaspers, and Krysta Bouchard.  These three dedicated WYC sailors each bring exciting ideas about the club and a strong commitment to their new positions. 

Commodore Jasmine Lee- Barber, a biology major and comparative religion minor, grew up sailing and has been very active in the club during her four years as a member. Serving as Rear Commodore last year, Jasmine recognizes the pressing need for creating a fun and accessible environment for students.  “We’re trying to foster a love of sailing.” Jasmine states. “It’s all about making the yacht club more approachable.”

Mario Jaspers, now Vice Commodore, began sailing four years ago when he joined the yacht club. Since then he has become a ratings examiner, laser fleet captain, and a lesson instructor. As Vice Commodore, Mario’s goals are to streamline the lesson sign-up process and create a greater sense of community through lessons. 

As Rear Commodore, Krysta Bouchard has one thing in mind: Racing. Krysta is heading up a Sunday afternoon racing program within the club that targets students who have taken lessons before and are looking for the next step in their sail training. “I want to get… an informal program going for racing,” Krysta says. “I feel like you learn a lot better when you race; you have to learn when it’s fast and you’re on your feet.” Also, as a former member of the Washington Sailing Team, Krysta can use this connection to encourage communication between the two student organizations. 

All three new officers share a love of sailing and of meeting new people within the club. It is this love that fuels their dedication to the WYC and their position responsibilities. Mario says simply, “I think there’s a lot of excitement in the club right by lots of members, and it’s our responsibility to nourish it, and that’s one of our main goals.” They plan to do this by keeping students more active within the club through lessons, racing, and by creating more club events.

This year promises to be one filled with new action and innovation. We have much to look forward to under this passionate trio of student leaders.