04/03/14
Jessica Schmidt, Elizabeth, Colo. (80107), freshman, and Cheney Rutherford, Elizabeth, Colo. (80107), sophomore, organized a kitten kissing competition from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 27, in the Fort Hays State University Quad.

Students and faculty paid 50 cents to either kiss one of the cats or give a Hershey kiss to Felix Albl, Amberg, Germany, sophomore and Marketing and Management Association president. The kittens won 53-32.

The competition was a fundraiser for the Marketing and Management Association's annual trip to Washington, D.C., for the DECA International Career Development Conference April 23 through April 26.

"Jessica and I volunteer regularly at the Western Plains Animal Refuge due to our inability to have animals in the dorms on campus," said Rutherford. "It has become a large part of our college lives and brought us closer together as friends."

Chester and Emily, the two kittens, were part of a litter born at the refuge, which is in Ellis, after their pregnant mother was brought in.

Overall, the event raised almost $50 for the trip.