Contestants must prove themselves to the nation. Head-to-head competition tests their rhetoric, policy, and wit while the world watches. All for the chance to win the most coveted award in the world.

Sound like a reality show? Might as well be: it's the 2008 United States presidential election.

Often times, topics of conversations circling this election lead to who isn't the better candidate. While the politicians send out smear advertisements, some students have taken it upon themselves to promote and campaign for each candidate.

"I want to help people know the issues," said senior Timothy Spath.

"It's important for people to be informed about the candidate they want running the country, students especially.

Spath is an active campaigner and can often be seen on the streets of New Haven registering people to vote and handing out pins and pamphlets about his preferred candidate.

"I know people usually just throw them away, but if one person keeps it and turns out to vote because of it, I know I haven't wasted my time."

Similarly, senior Richard Murray, Spath's housemate ,is also campaigning for who he believes is the best candidate. He can be seen on the same streets, on the same days, but at different times than Spath.

Although they are good friends, they are campaigning for different candidates.

"It's fun," said Murray, "You get to meet a lot of people, and hopefully help a lot of people make their decision.

Election Day is getting closer and the attention and tension are mounting. Conversations in the hallways are more and more about politics and the candidates.

Any given day, students can be found discussing recent issues like the economy, healthcare, and the war over their lunch tables.

"I feel like it's all I talk about anymore. It's the most important election in my lifetime, it's hard not to be consumed by it," said senior Christina Klepper, as she sat in the Mahogany Room in front of her computer watching excerpts of debates and speeches from the candidates.

Dr. Gary Rose, professor of political science has also noticed an atmosphere of more aware and informed.

"The high level of enthusiasm is also evident in the extraordinary number of students who have signed up for my department's trip to the presidential inauguration in January," said Rose, "This is the first time that I have chartered two buses."

"In all my years of teaching political science, I have never observed such a high level of interest in a presidential election as that which I currently observe," said Rose.

"This is evident in the high percentage of students who have registered to vote and who express a desire to vote."

As Election Day rapidly approaches, Spath and Murray are doing everything they can to spread the word, and that word is "vote."

"I would rather see people turn out to the voting booths and not vote for my candidate than not turn out at all," said Murray.

"The most important thing is staying involved and aware."