College sophomore Preston Hershorn is something of a student government impresario, lending a hand as Social Planning and Events Committee (SPEC) Music Director and as member of the Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC). The Kansas (yes, Kansas!) native can also add employee of tennis star Martina Navratilova and Real World expert to his already impressive resume.
Street: If the NEC and SPEC were to engage in a duel. who would win?
Preston Hershorn: NEC would take an early lead, SPEC would catch things up and then we'd both realize we could unite together and kick those pansy UA kids' asses.
Street: Would you ever go into politics of the real people (not student) variety?
PH: I don't see that happening, but I'm not ruling anything out quite yet.
Street: What is your dream Fling line-up?
PH: I would say a dual-headlining bill with Dispatch and either Journey or Bon Jovi. But honestly, I just want Kelly Clarkson to play so we can meet and fall in love.
Street: Beer pong or beirut?
PH: I'm from the Midwest so it's definitely beer pong and please don't find me and give me some b.s. lecture about how beer pong uses paddles. I really don't care.
Street: What about Penn makes you realize you aren't in Kansas anymore?
PH: Well luckily, people remind me every 15 seconds. But even if they didn't, the lack of pick-up trucks, country music and pregnant 18-year-olds might tip me off. And I asked a kid on my hall from Jersey for a pop last year and he though I was soliciting drugs.
Street: If you were a soft drink, which one would you be and why?
PH: I would probably be Diet Cherry Superchill because I'm skinny, fruity and pretty damn cheap.
Street: Who is the coolest person you have ever met?
PH: I was pretty stoked when I got to meet Andrew McMahon from Something Corporate a few years ago, but I think that's just because I'm a 15-year-old girl trapped in a 19-year-old guy's body.
Street: What are three things you cannot live without?
PH: My planner because I'm an OCD freak, Red Bull because time management has not been my thing this semester, flip-flops because my club foot prevents me from wearing real shoes.
Street: What is the most overrated thing about Penn? Most underrated?
PH: Overrated: Beijing. Underrated: New Number One.
Street: Tell us about Martina. But, really.
PH: Martina is awesome and has some pretty damn good stories to tell. Very interesting lady. But I'm a little scared of her too because if I screw up she could definitely beat me up.
Street: What is the best thing about being a sophomore?
PH: Preying on freshmen.
Street: Why is Monty Python and the Holy Grail your favorite movie of all time?
PH: Killer rabbits, crazy Frenchmen, English K-nigits, coconuts, swallows and shrubberies.
Street: What is the best Real World season?
PH: Obviously it's Real World: New Orleans. Kelly was hot. Danny was hot. Melissa was nuts. Julie was Mormon. David sang really absurd songs. It's so good that the last time they had a Real World: New Orleans marathon, I stayed up all day and all night so I could watch the entire thing.
Street: There are two kinds of people at Penn...
PH: Those who are from Jersey and those who aren't.
Street: What is the most ridiculous elections infraction you have seen so far?
PH: Most kids are pretty good about not breaking the rules. I'm sorta secretly hoping someone does something really good down the line just for the NEC's entertainment.
Street: Mac or PC?
PH: Have a PC. Want a Mac.
Street: Where do you see yourself in five years? 15 years?
PH: Are there Penn kids that don't see themselves in NYC doing consulting or i-banking in five years? In 15 years, hopefully being really successful working in the entertainment industry.
