University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

Page 18 text:

I LmAV RV ot being abI 0 vote doesnt stop Marianna Soares from taking an active interest in politics on campus. Despite having lived in Orlando since December 1996, Soares, cannot vote in Amen'cau elections, she is a Brazjh'an Citizen II dont think noneittzens should be able to vote because thats not a representation of the Citizens vote? the first-year journalism and pohtical science major said Even though she doesnt think non-Citizens should be able to vote, Soares admitted that she sometimes got upset with the attitudes of a few people who were abIe to vote. It was a little frustrating to see people who were just like, ,oh I dont care about the election; or, T II just go vote for whoever I feel hke at the last minute without even bothem'ng to Ieam anything about them when I had a Clear idea of which guy I wanted to vote for and I couldnt do anything about it- I Soares became an active member of pohtical groups on campus. Her activities included attending meetings, waving political signs and attending the Edwards and Bush rth'es held on campus and in Gajhesville. One of the most exciting points for Soares was watching the 2004 election II spent the first few hours of the election in front of the TV getting frustrated at ah the counts and the predictions. We had both pro-Keny and proBush people watching it at the same time, so that was pretty interesting. Then I had an accident and I spent the next five hours in the hospitaf Soares, toe accidentally got slammed in a door, and she had to go to the emergency room for stitches. II found out in the hospital that Bush wonf she said. Brazil requires its Citizens to vote, but since Soares Iives in a City without a Brazilian consulate, so she is allowed to send a letter to excuse herself from voting. II have to send the letter? she said. IIfI was in Brazil or in a City h'ke Miami where there is a consulate, it would be mandatory for me to vote? Soares may be able to vote in a future US. election IIf I get my Armenian Citizenship, then I can vote in the US, but I dont know it Im going to do that yeti she said. -Kz'rsten5chmitt I 'e m . a DonnnantSeniorMollyCox,GatorsforBushChairmanholdsasig e iddle I Tennessee State football game. ; photo by. Cm thja Sandoval Above; Gators for Kerry members give out stickers to passersby before the MTSU game. Bot h Ga tors for Kerry a nd Ga tors for Bush tailgated before each home game 1 photo by. Cinthja Sandoval t

Page 17 text:

mmmn Dominant Studying abroad in Spain provides for a bustling nightlife as Jesse Wright phOtOnghed While studying abroad in Seville. photo hyjesse Wright Above; Sophomore Hunter Williams tfront leftl and International Student Gabriel Reyes tback leftl enjoy Chinese cuisine With a friend before leaving Xian. photos provided by. H on ter Williams t is not an uncommon practice for students Who study abroad to pack a camera and plenty of rolls of film or digital media discs. However most of them dorft end up as published photographers When they come stateside. Jesse Wright spent siX weeks at the beginning of Summer 2004 in Seville, Spain through the Academic Programs International company. In his time touring Seville and other Cities like Toledo and Cadiz, his shutter choked over 500 times, leaving him With quite the collection of photos. Tl submitted a few pictures to them, and they decided to put them in their catalog, Wright said of his photographs of a hotel tfacirig pagel and a bridge in Spain. He was one of 141ucky Winners Who had their photographs chosen. The photographs appeared in the Academic Programs International catalog that could be found at the spring Study Abroad fair on the Reitz Union Collonade. The sophomore has a special connection to Spain and all things Spanish Wright is the president and a founding member of Vuestra Alianza Espafiola or VALE, the first multicultural organization on campus to promote the culture of Spain At the same time, Wrights photography talents also extend beyond distant lands and far off places. The accomplished shutter bug has photographs for sale at the poster shop on the Ground floor of the Reitz Union, Talking Walls. -Leslie Veiga t e t I l'l Student', 1fd lb

Page 19 text:

x . . Some students supported their candidates for different The College Libertarians spread the word about Alacl IU'd Loon 1y SI lent fSteve Oelrich explains why he shou id be reelected at Student Governments Know Your Vote Foru m. reasons. This Gator for Kerry seems to like her party's their Presidential candidate Richard Ba d narik. photo by: lehm Sandovai Vice Presidential candidate for his good hair and Winning PhOfO by: Mar 86f 1y YUhjCO iiJamraCh the Rich, being anxious to reach the City of Political Distinction before nightfalt arrived at a fork of the road and was N Rx O undecided Which branch to follow, so he consulted a Wise- . . w c 9 Looking Person Who sat by the ways1de. A , I Take THAT roadf said the Wise-Looking Person, v v pointing it out; tit is known as the Political Highwayf U -The City ofPolitical Distinction, Aesops Fables Politics Qfampus Students can expect to meet an army of people passing out information any time they travel through Turh'ngton Plaza, but during an election year, the amount of activity increases until some might feel that they are drowning under a flurry of fliers. Aside from the established campus politital organizations, such as College Republicans, College Democrats and College Libertarians, a group of tampaignoriented organizations, like Gators for Kerry and Gators for Bush cropped up. Meeting once a week, these groups aim to gather volunteers for events including passing out fliers, tabling on campus, waving campaign signs on street corners, going door-todoor to Campaign and bringing events to campus. iiOrie of the main goals of our organization is simply making students aware of the importance of this election and their potential contributiorf English sophomore Leah Dietterle, a member of Gators for Kerry, said When theyire not campaigning for their cause, many politically-minded Gators flock to see the speakers Who come to the University of Florida and the Gairiesviile area. Ray McGovern questioned the Iraq War, Ralph N ader reprimanded the two major parties for buying into corporate interests, Michael Moore , John Edwards outh'ned the Views of his and John Kerrys platform George Pataki said that Bush is the only Choice to combat terrorism George W. Bush talked about his stance on the major election issues and countless other speakers articulated their Views to an audience of students and community members. Kirsten Schmitt smile as she holds her sign during a weekly sign waving session. photo by: Margeny Yuhjco Student I, kifd