SGA a family thing

  Marshall University's Student Government Association is a family affair for Student Body President Sean Hornbuckle and his younger sister, Kara Hornbuckle, current member of the Freshman Council and newly elected SGA senator.

Sean Hornbuckle's long history of involvement in student government at Marshall ends when he receives his master's degree in business administration on May 10. However, Sean is leaving a little piece of himself with Marshall and the SGA in the person of his younger sister. Sean said Kara will be an asset to SGA and the university.

"At the end of the day, my little sister may even be smarter than me," Sean said.  "I   feel that Kara is on a good team in student government, that she is ready for it and definitely capable.  I believe she will make a big impact on the university."

The children of Patricia and Moses Hornbuckle were influenced by their parents' interest in current events and the high expectations they had for their children.  Kara said not attending college was simply never an option in their family.  Sean said success is important to his entire family.
  
"Our family is really tight-knit," he said.  "Most of our cousins are more like sisters and brothers, and most of our family has excelled."

 Sean and Kara have a normal brother-sister relationship.  They enjoy watching sports together and hanging out.  There is good-natured teasing between them and a friendly sibling rivalry, but these two are firmly in each other's corners. 
  
The passing of their father altered the dynamic of their relationship in that Kara looks to Sean for somewhat fatherly advice and Sean strives to fulfill that role and set a good example.  Sean said that the true basis of their relationship is that they are just great friends.
  
Sean is a typical big brother, giving advice, looking out for his little sister and taking great pride in her accomplishments.  Kara, on the other hand, looks up to Sean and said she is enormously proud of him and strives to emulate his success.
  
She is also very outspoken in saying that she wants to be known as more than just Sean Hornbuckle's little sister.
  
"My brother is great at everything, so I try to be just like him," Kara said.  "But I want to succeed in my own way, of course."
  
Sean said the best advice he can leave with his sister concerns working hard and being mindful of how her actions are perceived.       
  
"The best advice I can offer to Kara is to constantly be conscious of how you portray yourself and to realize that somebody is always watching you," Sean said.  "Also, be sure to give 110 percent.  If someone else is going the extra mile, then you need to go two miles."
  
Sean said his time in student government translates into contacts and skills that will be a great asset to him as he begins his career, and he believes his sister's involvement in the SGA will be of great help to her as well.

Alyssa Salyers can be contacted at salyers@marshall.edu.