News > April 3, 2008

By Haowei Tong | Staff writer

The Wake Forest Students for Barack Obama group is in full force with a jam-packed agenda. Senior Kyle Haney and sophomore Randy Paris pilot the organization, which currently has 140 members.

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Students and staff attended an organizational meeting for Barack Obama’s campaign March 27. (Haowei Tong/Old Gold & Black)

Last week, several attended a packed organizational meeting for Forsyth County.

They held a kickoff meeting in Annenburg Forum in Carswell Hall on April 2.

They were joined by official Obama campaign staff and Professor Jennifer Collins, who attended law school with Obama.

“The abundance of Obama-related events is very encouraging. This group’s proximity to official Obama campaign staff allows us to participate fully,” freshman Aaron Williams-Simmons said.

Haney is particularly enthused about the potential of Forsyth County, asserting that Obama’s campaign here is completely grassroots and meticulously organized.

His enthusiasm about the growth of Students for Barack Obama matched his excitement about the general campaign.

“Obama’s campaign methods are revolutionary in Winston-Salem and nationwide. His solid platform, nonpartisanship and hope are so promising. Not just people in power are approached by the staff. Literally everyone has the opportunity to make a change,” Haney said.

Other students expressed similar sentiments.

“At the Forsyth County rally, the energy was epidemic. I was impressed by the turnout, and I’m definitely motivated about the events to come,” freshman Jessica Dupont said.

Paris created the campus’ Students for Barack Obama group and also conveyed immense enthusiasm about its growth. Initially, approximately thirty members convened weekly to discuss the election.

They twice sent 10 students to South Carolina for its primary.

All deemed this experience intensely gratifying.

When attention shifted to the North Carolina primary, students began signing up in much higher numbers.

Students for Barack Obama are now registering voters.

An out-of-state student can register in N.C. and vote in the May 6 primary if he/she did not vote in his/her home state primary. The group, fueled by its campaign, is driven to spread such information. Haney reported that the voter registration drive is the campaign’s top priority, alongside educating voters. As most university students will be occupied with exams on May 6, Students for Barack Obama is promoting early voting. It begins on April 17 and ends on May 3. Forsyth County will open nine locations, including the Board of Elections on April 17 and the Polo Park Recreation Center, the location closest to campus, on April 28.

“On April 17, Obama supporters across the county will march from Winston-Salem State to Salem College,” Haney said.

“We’ll continue to register voters, appeal for votes and have activities. We’re showing Obama that this local campaign is completely fired up.”

“Young people are getting involved in an unprecedented way, and they’ve been a key part of the broad coalition of support that Senator Obama has attracted,” said State Director Craig Schirmer.

There’s a plethora of volunteer opportunities and events throughout the rest of the school year, according to Haney and Paris.

In coordinating activities, they have formed alliances with other Obama campaigners, including NCSA senior Will French.

“An Autopassion concert will be at the Werehouse on April 10,” French said.

“It’s a last push for registration and will be a spark of our push for early voting.

“I hope to see the Werehouse at maximum capacity.”

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and last until midnight.

The Werehouse, at 211 East Third, is a popular indie venue and hosts Krankie’s Coffee. Rumors of a techno dance party for Barack Obama at the Millenium Center have been circulating. Wake Students for Barack Obama is a charged group.