Wild, Wild West

By: David Cordill

Posted: 2/18/08

UMKC students will be asked to vote for their 2008 courtwarming king and queen from Feb. 25-29. Coronation will take place at halftime during the UMKC versus Oakland University basketball game March 1 at Municipal Auditorium.

More than a mere status symbol, elected royalty in this year's Wild, Wild West-themed program are expected to represent the university as ambassadors to new incoming students, as well as performing in several other capacities. A Mr. And Ms. Congeniality will be chosen as well and will serve in the role as backups should the king or queen be unable to attend an event. This year, seven candidates are vying for the respective titles.
dcordill@unews.com

Tara Kloeppel

Wanting to "truly represent every student on campus," UMKC sophomore english major Tara Kloeppel especially wants to use her role as courtwarming queen as a means of encouraging new UMKC students. She wants them to know the value of participation outside the classroom.

"I want incoming freshmen to immediately have the knowledge of how to become connected to our campus," Kloeppel said. "UMKC houses a broad array of students with various interests and abilities, and my hope is to encourage everyone to exercise those talents towards the betterment of our campus through getting involved."

Kloeppel's?community service and leadership roles are varied and numerous. Included in her résumé are involvement and positions in the following:

UMKC SGA Executive Vice President: Liaison between students and administration; Women's Center Advisory Board Student Representative; Miller Nichols Library Building Advisory Committee Student Representative; Alpha Delta Pi Panhellenic Delegate: Liaison between Panhellenic and Alpha; and Sigma Epsilon Teeter for Tots in 2006-07.

Kloeppel said a vote for her is a vote for "a brighter UMKC." She said her concern and her versatility are main assets, and that is why student voters should choose her for courtwarming queen.

"UMKC houses a diverse student body that can only be?adequately?represented by someone just as diverse as the campus," she said. "Our campus contains a progressive atmosphere and needs a representative who is passionate about improving the quality and unity of our campus. I feel I am the best candidate for this position."

Amanda Schwartz

(Not available for comment - Information obtained from UMKC Activity and Program Council Web site.)

Schwartz is a 21-year- old Nursing major from Jefferson City, Mo. She enjoys Mexican food, tater tots, long walks on the beach and her favorite color is yellow.

In her APC profile, Schwartz explained why she wants to be UMKC's 2008 courtwarming queen.

"I love attending UMKC and also being very active in the organizations that we have on campus" she said. "I am running for courtwarming queen 2008 to get more students actively involved and make sure everyone has an amazing college experience."

Trisha James

Trisha James said she was impressed when she met the courtwarming king in her freshman year during an orientation trolley ride. She liked the way he connected with the younger students and felt like it was something she'd like to try. Now in her senior year, the psychology and communications studies major is throwing her hat into the ring.

Believing she can identify with new students while also recognizing the special needs of urban university scholars, James feels she's the right person for the job.

"I want to represent UMKC to the next freshman class," James said. "I think that I represent the non-traditional student population well. I have never lived in the dorms and I have commuted 20 miles to school every day for three years. Most students at UMKC do not live in the dorms and I feel their pain when they have to leave their house an hour before their first class in order to get to campus on time and search for a parking spot."

Some of the activities James is involved in at UMKC include serving as fundraising secretary for Psi Chi, involvement in the Delta Rho sorority (philanthropy & Greek Week chairs), and membership in the Mercury Association, a club for communication studies majors.

James' community service includes volunteer efforts with Relay for Life and Lambda Chi Alpha's Watermelon Fest event for Harvesters.

James said a vote for her is "a vote for Jesse James!" then further explained her answer.

"It is so cool that the most famous American outlaw rode through this area back in the 1800s," James said. "The theme of courtwarming is Wild, Wild West, so why not vote for the most themed candidate. James is my name!"

Jessica Fenger

Nominated by her sorority Chi Omega to run for the crown, Fenger, a sophomore sociology major, desires to show all UMKC students the best of what their university has to offer. She was initially impressed with zealous guidance of previous courtwarming royalty Brian Gettinger and Julia Engleman during her freshman orientation at UMKC. Fenger feels her work ethic and social skills qualify her for the position. For this, she gives credit to the university.

"Due to the amazing work-study program here at UMKC called Jumpstart, I have been given so many opportunities to get involved in the community," Fenger said. "Through the program, I have been able to work at the Ronald McDonald House, Harvesters, Wonderscope Children's Museum, and several other organizations."

Fenger said a vote for her is a vote for "everyone on campus, who I hope to be able to represent." She stressed student involvement in her appeal to voters in the upcoming ballot.

"For those who are reading this with no intention of voting, I ask you, please don't think that your vote won't make a difference," Fenger said. "It takes only a moment to do and can really make a difference for the upcoming year. I would love to represent this school and would be honored to be called UMKC's courtwarming queen."

Ahmed Shalabi

(Not available for comment - Information obtained from UMKC Activity and Program Council Web site.)

Shalabi is a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and is an amateur Mixed Martial Arts fighter in his spare time. He also practices stand up comedy, a skill the UMKC student said comes naturally.

"I don't like to toot my own horn but I'm kind of a funny guy," Shalabi said in his APC profile.

Here, the self described outgoing, spontaneous and fun Shalabi said "I'm just a loveable guy looking for you support. Holla!"

Spencer Williams

Williams was chosen to run through his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, because of his on-campus experience and his support of UMKC Athletics. Serving in a leadership role within the university Peer Coaching Program, Williams is also a UMKC Campus Ambassador, a UMKC Summer Orientation Leader, and a member of numerous student panels and advisory boards. He has participated in a number of campus-wide volunteer programs, most notably as a Sigma Alpha Epsilon associate last fall in a charity date auction which raised $1200 for the Children's Miracle Network.

Williams, a junior at UMKC, expressed eagerness at the prospect of becoming a courtwarming king.

"Through all my positions on campus I have been required to represent my school in the most positive light I possibly can, something that isn't hard to do with our great university," Williams said. "I would bring that same enthusiasm to a courtwarming royalty position, and with all my experience being viewed as a leader on campus, I know I have the best qualities to serve as royalty."

Williams maintains that a vote for him is a vote for "Spencer Theodore Williams, a disease-free gentleman," He said a student ballot counts, "…as long as you vote for me."

Robbie Young, Jr.

Studio art major Robbie Young, Jr. says he always wanted to be homecoming or prom king in high school, but his shyness always got in the way. Presently, as a junior at UMKC, Young has seemingly lost his former timidity.

"When I came to college, I came out of my shell and have tried stuff I would normally have never done," he said. "So now it is time for me to make a dream come true."

Young said he has tried a lot of different things at UMKC and now wants to share his experiences with everyone and have new memories.

The Festus, Mo. native boasts a broad resume that includes being the Sigma Phi Epsilon President from November?2006-August 2007, serving as an Alpha Xi Founding Father and President from November 2007-present and participating in Sigma Phi Epsilon Hoops 4 Hope in April of 2007, and Alpha Xi Roses for Hearts this February.

Unabashed about his appeal as a candidate, Young wants his public to know a vote for him is a "vote for bringing sexy back."

He is also forthright in his message to UMKC student voters.

"I am the most clear cut, unaffiliated and genuine candidate for king," Young said.