THANKS FOR MAKING H.O.P.E. FESTIVAL A SUCCESS

Putting on a large event at the University of Rhode Island is no easy task.
The amount of red tape one has to cut through to accomplish anything
requires scissors six feet long and super sharp. Patience and cooperation
are a must, and some of the people you may encounter on your journey you
just might want to kill. However, a number of people in the Student Senate
and Memorial Union make this frustrating adventure much easier, and I must
give credit where credit is due.

Let me start off with the finance chair Matt Malachowski. He helped
H.O.P.E. (The Hemp Organization for Prohibition Elimination) through every
financial misery we faced while attempting to arrange our hemp festival.
Whether it was a signature, a piece of advice, or an emergency meeting,
Matt exceeded the responsibilities of his position to make sure the event
happened. Without him, the "Fourth Annual Day for H.O.P.E." wouldn't have
been the huge success it was. In this writers mind, this makes Matt a model
politician, a great guy and someone you should be excited to work with if
you are trying to secure funds for anything. Thanks Matt!

Mike Nolfe, Student Activities Coordinator at the university, practically
saved our festival after a number of crises almost caused its cancellation.
Standing by my side for almost an entire afternoon, he assured me that the
dilemmas would be solved in a timely fashion. He stuck to his word, and
sure enough, within a couple of hours the crises had been averted. This
type of dedication is hard to find anywhere, and students involved in
organizations where Mike's help may become necessary, should feel at ease
knowing he's by your side.

Another person in the Union whose help was invaluable to the "Fourth Annual
Day for H.O.P.E." was the head of Student Senate Accounts, Lorrie Olson.
Dealing with the accounts of all the Student Senate organizations cannot be
an easy task. All the numbers forms, and category transfers must be a pain
in the butt. But, Lorrie takes care of it with a helpful attitude and a
smile on her face. Her assistance was certainly an integral part in making
our event happen, and I thank her too.

These three people are an asset to the University of Rhode Island. There
dedication should encourage everyone to get involved in coordinating an
event on campus, for whatever cause.

I must also give 'props' to the guys and gals at S.E.C.; Dee Hoebbel,
secretary of the Student Senate; Bette Harrison, head of scheduling; Bruce
Hamilton, director of the Memorial Union and Student Involvement; Brain
Quinlan, Editor-in-chief of the Cigar, Michael Jordan, former Student
Senate president; and Jesse Whittsit-Lynch; student senator. In addition to
Matt Malachowski, Mike Nolfe and Lorrie Olson, these people genuinely make
the adventure a bit easier.

The red tape will always be there; this I know. But the people I've
mentioned will help you hold those six-foot scissors, they'll help you cut
that tape and this my friends is a good sign...a small victory in "One
Man's War."