Walking through Clifton Park Center may feel more like going to the zoo to see the chimpanzees as eight local college students compete for the title of radio station Fly 92’s Last Student Standing.
The students will live in a makeshift dorm at the mall, enclosed in a storefront, where mall visitors can watch their every move.
People gathered, gawked and giggled Tuesday, July 22, as they watched the students throw around a beach ball in an attempt to save themselves from boredom.
The students have also kicked the boredom by playing Twister and building a card house.
I think it’s cooler in the dorm room, said Taylor Legnard, 17, who watched the students from the window.
Last year, students spent five weeks on a bus to win a $10,000 tuition reimbursement. Legnard’s cousin was one of the contestants and said the atmosphere on the bus was dark and dank compared to the stark, bright dorm room at Clifton Park Center.
`That’s all they have to do is win,` Legnard said. `They’re having fun.`
One of this year’s contestants, `Joyridin’` Julie, as she is known, said in her Fly blog, `Personally I am having an amazing time already. I am so happy to be here and love all the support we are getting here from visitors in person here at the Clifton Park Center.`
These ambitious students will compete in challenges every Wednesday morning in the hope of winning a $10,000 college scholarship, a 2008 Honda Civic from Mohawk Honda, a year of rent-free living at Colonie East, a Tag Heuer watch from Hannoush Jewelers and a year’s supply of Vitamin Water.
Each week, students will be voted off until there is one student standing Friday, Aug. 22.
The roster includes four boys and four girls with different backgrounds, but similar goals.
Known only by their nicknames, the students sacrificed their summers for a chance to win big.
`Abstinence` Adam, 20, of Ganesvoort, will be attending Nyack College in the fall. He said he hopes to become an overseas missionary.
Hudson Valley Community College graduate `All Out` Alyssa, 20, of Clifton Park, said she hopes to serve as a role model for younger girls. Alyssa served as the president of student senate, vice president of Circle K and captain of the soccer team at Hudson Valley. She recently lost her mother to cancer and plans to attend the University at Albany in the fall.
Clifton Park resident `Hair Frostin’` Austin, 19, attends the Orlo School and said he aspires to be an awesome hairstylist. He is not afraid to speak his mind, which could cause a little controversy in the dorm.
`Go Big` Brian, 19, of Guilderland, has an outgoing personality and loves to have a good time, according to his bio on Fly 92’s Web site. He is a student at SUNY Plattsburgh and hopes to one day own a bar.
Sage of Albany student, 20-year-old `Chaotic` Christina, of Niskayuna recently completed rehab and is a recovering alcoholic. She hopes to be an accountant and is a self-proclaimed math wiz.
`Joyridin’` Julie, 19, of Gloversville, would like a job as a tour manager in the music industry. She attends SUNY Oneonta and loves to travel.
Under the constant watch of her military parents, `Restricted` Rachel, 19, of Clifton Park has had little time to goof off, with a strictly enforced curfew. She hopes to be a high school Spanish teacher after completing her degree at The College of Saint Rose.
`Flirtatious` Taz, 19, of Colonie, an avid writer, said his people skills will one day make him a millionaire. He attends the University of Tampa in Florida.
On Tuesday afternoon, July 22, students boasted about winning their first team challenge, which entailed answering personal questions about their fellow students.
For winning their challenge, the students were awarded two hours of prime-time television.
`I’ve been having fun,` said Alyssa. `The setup is really nice.`
The dorm is equipped with a dinner table, two couches, a single bed, a pool table and television.
With eight students, that leaves several of them fending for themselves as far as sleeping arrangements.
Although Last Student Standing is a reality radio show, a 24-hour web cam hosted by Time Warner Cable and student blogs on www.fly92.com supplements the airtime.“