The crowd in Greensboro, North Carolina pulls out their cellphones and tablets as Obama walks out on the stage of the Greensboro Colosseum.

Photo by: Tia Dillahunt              Text by: Richie Kamtchoum

Wentworth Brown

The underlying story in regards to Longwood University’s hosting of the vice presidential debate has been the affect it would have on the town. Depending on who is asked, various citizens of the town have strong feeling either way.

Wentworth Brown, a resident of Farmville and an excited registered voter thinks it’s only worked in the town’s favor.

“I feel good, pretty good,” Brown said. “So no I don’t think it’s affected the town any at all, I think this is a good thing for the town.”

Carrying a strong accent, Br”own would go on to reveal his foreign background, which plays a big part in his political outlook. I wasn’t born here, I was born in the Caribbean, moved here and I’m a citizen I’m a registered voter, so I’m looking to what it going on in the states here,” Brown said. “We don’t want anything like what some of the candidates say go on because I think it’d be bad for the country.”

The candidate Brown is referring to is Donald Trump, as he is admittedly a Democrat with a firm stance on which candidate he’ll vote for. Despite such, he is curious to see how Mike Pence and Tim Kaine handle themselves.

“I’m looking to hear a lot of policy in the debate tonight. That hasn’t been talked about between both presidential candidates so I’m looking to hear about policy,” Brown said.

Photo by: Tia Dillahunt             Text by: Anthony Rinaldi

Jason Moore

Although the main attraction for Longwood University’s debate extravaganza is the vice presidential debate itself, some people appreciate the experience just as much if not more.

Sitting next to the water fountain outside of Ruffner Hall, Jacob Moore veered into the crowd as Tim Kaine supporters anxiously cheered for MSNBC. Moore, a former Longwood University student, seemed to be soaking it all in.

“I think its pretty exciting for the town of Farmville and Longwood University,” Moore said. That excitement has brought him to campus with an interest on taking in a once in a lifetime experience.

Not as adversely affected by the debate’s construction and seemingly complete takeover of town, Moore sees it as a necessary evil for a greater benefit. “I think its brought a lot of recognition to the town so I think its definitely been worth it for people knowing about the town,” Moore said.

Moore is probably what the town had in mind as an experience for students and citizens alike. In fact, he may even forego the actual political action associated with a debate. “I’m just interested in learning about it, I don’t really have an opinion too much,” Moore said. “Do I plan on voting? Probably not. This is more so an experience for me.”

Photo by: Tia Dillahunt            Text by: Richie Kamtchoum

Jonathan Bland

On the center of Longwood University’s campus is Stubbs lawn, a central hub for all things student related regarding the vice presidential debate. A large stage, food vendors and students consume the once vacated area.

On Sunday, pop group MKTO performed and the Jubilee gave out 50 tickets for students to watch the debate in Willett Hall. Senior Physics major Jonathan Bland was one of those lucky students and couldn’t be more excited for it.

“I won a ticket, so I get to actually be in the debate hall. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it’s pretty cool,” Bland said. Aside from getting to view the debate live, Bland was fairly positive on Longwood’s role in hosting the event.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Bland said. “Getting around campus has been a little hard trying to navigate, but most of my classes aren’t near the construction.”

Bland also thinks the experience will provide the necessary exposure the school aimed for. In contrast, several students have voiced their discontent with the Longwood’s construction management and overall debate experience.

Although Bland is firmly grounded in his voting stance, he’s voting for Hillary, he’s still anxious to see the two running mates go head to head.

Photo by: Tia Dillahunt             Text by: Richie Kamtchoum

Teana Overton

A criminal justice and psychology major with an eye on criminal justice reform, Teana Overton hasn’t been necessarily pleased with this year’s election campaigns and Longwood’s handling of the vice presidential debate

“It’s a good opportunity for us to have, it’s really cool that its been chosen here,” Overton said. However, she continued deeming the effort gone into the debate as a waste of time. “I don’t mean to sound harsh but it’s the vice presidential debate, I mean it really doesn’t mean as much as we believe. Ask yourself where was the last presidential debate?”

Despite such, it hasn’t stopped Overton from taking advantage of the once in a lifetime opportunity. Currently a volunteer with the secret service, the chance to add those credentials to her resume were too good to pass up.

As far as the debate itself, Overton is intrigued but unsatisfied with the debate format’s shortcomings. Typically a democratic voter, neither candidates have appeased her outlook on criminal justice. “For the Trump-Pence ticket to claim that they’re law and order and yet have no criminal justice reform in their background except for Stop & Frisk, they’re irrelevant,” Overton said. She agrees with Clinton’s reform policy but said wealthy people such as Clinton are the reason for new criminal reform.

“I’m actually voting libertarian this year,” Overton said. “We’re either liberal or conservative, we don’t want to have an in-between but maybe in the future that’ll change. But I’m voting for Gary.”

During the Clinton rally in Greensboro, there were Trump supporters who decided to speak their beliefs during her speech. They help up their signs and made their comments before being escorted out of the rally by security. Photo by: Tia Dillahunt

Once the rally began, everyone was eagerly waiting to see Hillary walk through the doors on her way to the stage. Seconds after the announcer welcomed Hillary, this was the view of the crowd until Hillary began her speech. Photo by: Tia Dillahunt

I attended the GOP office opening in Farmville as an alternative assignment for the VA beach trip. The man pictured above expressed his feelings toward Trump and how he truly believes in his slogan. To show how much he supports him and thinks that he is the best candidate, he placed a Trump pin on the bald eagle. Photo by: Tia Dillahunt

As I was walking around and talking to different people who attended the event, this sticker caught my attention in this lady’s purse. This bumper sticker was very powerful, in my opinion, and it seemed a little off that someone would be hiding this. Photo by: Tia Dillahunt