Leaning to the Right

With Election Day quickly approaching, the emphasis on voting’s importance is echoing throughout campus.

To encourage people to register and appear at the polls on Election Day, The University of Tampa proudly supports political groups like The College Republicans.

The current president of The College of Republicans here at UT is Katrina Castillo.

Born and raised as a child whose father was heavily involved in the military, Castillo hails from Las Vegas, Nevada and has since ran the gamut on residences, ranging anywhere from England and Germany to Texas and Arizona.

Castillo, a self-professed “military brat,” thoroughly enjoyed the frequent moves because this gave her different outlooks on life and allowed her to view things in various perspectives.

Along with frequent moves came different atmospheres and education. Castillo attended two different high schools specializing in the flexibility of military life.

Growing up, the constant association with the military and government orders just became an ordinary way of life that she adapted with open arms.

“It just has always been a way of living for me,” she said. ”The military just becomes a part of your life.”

This regular connection with the government and military was the genesis for Castillo’s interest in government, politics and the military.

She based her political views on personal beliefs, but other major influential factors include her parents and grandparents.

“Being mainly raised in the south, I acquired a mainly Republican state of mind,” Castillo explained.

Her drive to spread the importance of understanding politics, especially with the power of voting, helped her work her way to the position of President of the College Republicans here at UT.

The College Republicans group started at UT just before the 2000 election.

The group typically consists of five or ten students gathering periodically in years leading up to elections. However, the group’s real cohesion comes once the campaign season arrives.

Castillo joined when she arrived at UT in 2005. She said the group has a definite purpose, but not the one that most people might immediately think.

“It is mainly about spreading the word to become involved in your future,” Castillo said. “Not about swaying voters to [a] political side.”
In the last few weeks, Katrina and other College Republicans on campus have been pressing students to get their registration forms in the mail immediately.

Thus far, the College Republicans’ success rate has been more than respectable.

Castillo explained that trying to pursue or even discuss Republican view points on a relatively democratic campus can be a bit challenging, but her group continues to press on, giving their best effort at all times.

“This group of people tries extremely hard to … do great things for this campus,” she said, “I greatly appreciate all of their hard work.”

Comments

1 comments

Vincent Castillo

Sun Oct 26 2008 11:47

I am proud of my daughter and her accomplishments. She has endured many trials through her life but that experience has only polished her. To see her now, the young woman she has become we are immensely proud of her and love her very deeply.

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