Two UH students found themselves in the national spotlight when a video of their conversation was selected by voters in the Chevy Aveo Livin’ Large contest to compete nationally with videos of other universities.
Pre-law sophomore Wisam Nahhas and pre-pharmacy freshman Sammy Khayat had just left the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center when they took a ride in the Chevy Aveo Livin’ Large contest’s Aveo 5 College Cab.
A cameraman taped the students’ responses to questions about The Dark Knight, early voting and fishing as they hitched a ride in the College Cab to the parking lot.
"It was quite interesting, like a normal conversation," said kinesiology sophomore Anah Chi Nguyen on the video, which can be viewed at http://www.aveolivinlarge.com/uh.
With the support of Nahhas’ and Khayat’s friends and family, the video received enough votes to enter the final round of the contest. If their video amasses more votes than those of the other universities, Nahhas and Khavat could both become the owners of brand new 2009 Chevy Aveo 5 vehicles.
The contest will cease taking votes at 10:59 p.m. today.
"I definitely could use the extra money," said Nahhas, but he expressed concern about his friend Khavat.
The pre-pharmacy freshman’s automobile was totaled in a car accident and Hurricane Ike sapped his family’s budget for a new car after damaging his Clear Lake home.
Nahhas rallied family and friends across the country to continue voting.
"Three thousand people know because of Facebook," Nahhas said.
Nahhas also sent e-mails to UH President Renu Khator, Student Governing Association President Sam Dike and President of the University of Houston Alumni Association Barry Adams. While he received no response, student leaders at the University have expressed support for the video’s victory.
Voth, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, used his connections to other student leaders on campus to promote the event and bring the University into the national spotlight.
"I voted to beat those other six schools," Voth said.
