Kirkwood determined to win

Sophomore Bill Gray, the Kirkwood ticket candidate for student body president, has never been involved in IUSA but he refuses to let that get the best of him.\n"I am not your traditional candidate. I refuse to accept the status quo and will fight as hard as I can to make IU a better place," Gray said.\nPart of this inspiration derives from the support of his parents, Steve and Debbie Gray, who Gray cites as his role models. \n"My parents taught me that anything in this world is possible to achieve. Everything that they have and their happiness is due to their own hard work and determination," he said. "They tell me every day that if I want something, it is up to me to go out there and get it."\nGray said that he and a few friends, who now reside with him on the Kirkwood ticket, initially went to an all-candidate meeting to join another ticket in order to run for office. \n"But when we got there," he said, "we were disgusted because they were interested in every single thing we said and idea we had. They would have done anything to get our support. \n"That said something to us, and forced us to question what the other two tickets had gotten done in office," Gray said. "I am running because they failed to do their jobs and all indications inevitably lead us to believe that they will continue to disappoint the student body," Gray said.\nAnd so, the "work hard, play hard" party was formed with hopes of keeping future tuition costs level, re-distributing the IU budget to benefit students, raising academic standards and putting an end to the "unreasonable" alcohol policy.\nAlthough he is only a sophomore Gray said his age is only a positive factor in his campaign to represent IU students.\n"Because we are the youngest ticket running, we definitely have invested interest in what happens here in the next two years. We can see the effects of what we've done," Gray said.\nGray said the biggest problem at IU that his ticket intends to tackle is that the University seems to be trying to be parents to the students.\n"The University is worrying too much about where you are at night, and not enough with where your degree will take you tomorrow," he said.\nA year and half after making Bloomington his new home, Gray said he sincerely wants to make a difference.\n"I am running for president because I honestly think I am the best candidate for the job, otherwise, I wouldn't run," Gray said.\nAnd friends of Gray agree.\n"Basically I support him because I think it's a big turning point right now for the Greek system and he seems so enthusiastic and really willing to help students out and figure out where the future of the Greek system is headed," said junior Chris Martellotti and president of Pi Kappa Phi.\n"Many members of the Greek community are really frustrated right now due to changes IU is making, changes that are being made nationally and stereotypes that are forming. Bill has dealt with these first hand and knows what's going on."\nMelissa Paukstis, sophomore, said that Gray is not your stereotypical frat boy, and if anything, he should only be labeled as an all around good guy.\n"His character is just amazing and he is such a nice guy…very hardworking. I had a class with him last semester and everything that he does he puts 100% into," she said. "I just know he will be so dedicated and work hard for the student body." \nFor more information about Bill Gray and the Kirkwood ticket, see www.votekirkwood.com.