Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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While at the Riley County Democratic headquarters, Melissa Prenger, junior in journalism and mass communications, conducts an interview with Michelle Smith, sophomore in political science. Smith ran for a State Senate position against incumbant Lana Olcen of Manhattan. (Photo by Shane Keyser) SmithpinsupaCinton- Core sign as she sets up the Young Democrats booth at the K-State Union on election day. Friends and family helped Smith torunand promote her campaign by distributing cam• paign materials and setting up speaking engagements. (Photo by Shone Keyser) SMITH l ' OR SCNATt ru 2I

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SEEKING , POWER signs into yards seemed like adirtyprank kidswould play,butforMichelleSmithisopho- more in political science, it was serious business. Asa candidate for the Kansas Senate, Smith used the signs to help promote her political campaign. It was the Democratic Party that asked me to tun, she said. I had done some work on another candidate ' s campaign, and they encouraged me to ma. After accepting the ballot posi- tion, Smith started her political career. With past campaign experi- axe, she understoodhow to handle her own. Change was the driving force behind her campaign against Lana Oleen, It-Manhattan. Smith saw changes in her lifestyle,asshewaschallengedwith the task of striking a balance be- tween working on homework and her campaign. ' There was an OK balance, but it depended on the day. Someday it was easier than others, Smith said. I devoted mornings to classes and school work, and afternoons were filled with campaign work. Friends and family were instru- mental in helping Smith run and promote her campaign. Many of her friends worked with her by handing out campaign materials and planning speaking engage- ments, but her main supporter was her husband. My husband helped a lot. He anangedspeakingengagements,put 20 in Smnt FOR SENATE together and distributed brochures and also put up signs, she said. Everybcdyhad name tags.and thei all agreed that his should say, ' emo- rional support. ' While growing up in Leavenworth, Smith was exposed to the military community as well as the civilian side of life. I think I am tuned in to main- stream society, the said. I grew up in a single-parent home. I ' ve expe- rienced the hardships of divorce on families, but I ' ve seen the positive aspects, too. Duringher four years in the US. Army, Smith learned about gov- ernment and society. She was also exposed to international lifeduring her three-year tour in Germany. I ' vebeen involved in both sides of a mili- tary community. I un- derstand what thesol- diers need and what the civilians need, she said. Plus, I am involved in the K- State community. With this knowledge, I feel that I could best serve the people of this district. The campaign swallowed up much of Smith ' s time during the fall semester, but she said it was worth it. Although she lost the election to Oleen, Smith said she gained knowledge about the US. political system. It was definitely a learning ex- perience, Smithsaid. I woulddefi- nitely make some changes next time, but I learned something and that ' s what matters. Despite her defeat, Smith said the would run for office again. I plan to stay in Kansas and probably in thiscommunity, Smith said. I would run again if I had the chance and the money. Waiting for election results to come in, Smith is comforted by her husband Michael. Smith lost the election to Oleen, but said if she had the chance she would run again. (Photo by Shone Keyser) I want to see significant changes. I want to see a government that is responsive to the needs and wants of the people, Smith said. BY STEPHANIE HOELZEL

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HE ' S GOT try-music singer Garth Brooks stepped on Bramlage Coliseum ' s stage Sept. 12. Brooks performed for a sold-out crowd of 13,300 fans. Afterwitnessingproblemsother states had with crowds waiting in long lines to buy Brooks ' tickets, the Bramlage staff decided to sell the tickets through a mail order and lottery system:11m lottery was forstudentswhodidn ' treceivetick- ets through the mail. It was success- ful, as all 2,800 students who went walked away with a pair of concert tickets. 1 think the lottery system worked extremely well, said Charles Thomas, director of Bramlage Coliseum. Some students managed to buy ticketsascloseasthrixhoursbefore the concert. A section had been reserved for stage equipment, but ended up not being used. Brooks opened the section up to accom- modate an additional 150 fans. IN I A SAS ' We (my roommatesand l) had planned on having a party because none of is had tickets. While we were getting ready, we heard on the radio they were offering behind- the-stage tickets, said joely Callaway,seniorinmarketing. We jumped into the air going 50 mph to Bramlage. l could not believe we got there in one piece and were able to get tickets. A few students had been willing to do almost anything to get tick- ets A Topeka country music radio station, WIBW-FM 973, awarded free tickets to fans who petfonned the craziest acts. Some fans swal- lowed worms and made human sun- daesof themselvestryingtowinthe tickets. Fans were anxious to see Brooks, but be- fore he took thc stage, Martina McBride per- formed the opening act. The crowd passed time between acts by doing the wave. Seeing the wholecoliseumdo- ing the wave really got my blood flowing, said Jennifer Keller, sophomore in journalism and mass communications. It gave the crowd something to do. Continued on page 25 It was a lot of work for my staff. We had enough ticket requests that we could have done three sold-out shows. BY STACI CRANWELL AND KIMBERLY WISHART Paul Streit,sophomore in business, passes out lottery numbers to panieipantsinthetieket lottery at Bramlage Coliseum. Brooks performed Sept. 12 for 13,300 fans. (Photo by Craig Hacker) 22 in BARTH BROOKS