In centuries past, people solved disputes by dueling with pistols on an abandoned dirt road. Unfortunately, this means of conflict resolution can’t be legally practiced today, but many people have adopted playing “rock, paper, scissors” as a way to resolve simple arguments.

According to the World Rock Paper Scissors Society, the game is a “fun and safe way to resolve disputes.” Their Web site said that the game, which originated in China, has recently been seeing a huge increase in popularity. This increase was the inspiration behind an event that has given one ISU student the opportunity of a lifetime.

After winning a random drawing at the University Book Store, Mandy Conrad, senior in psychology, said she was lucky she had been attending her technical communication class.

“These people came into my class with balloons and a big giant billboard that said ‘Congratulations Mandy Conrad, you get to take someone to New York,'” she said. “They also gave everyone in the class free T-shirts.”

Conrad was one of thousands of students who filled out cards, and entered the drawing while she was waiting in line to purchase her textbooks at the University Book Store last fall. Sponsored by the Nebraska Book Company, the competition will bring together students from across the country to compete in an intense round of “rock, paper, scissors.” Conrad said 95 students will be competing for a $5,000 cash prize.

Conrad will be flying to New York on April 5 and flying back on April 8, competing on April 6 and having the rest of the trip as free time. She said she will be staying in the center of Madison Square Garden and will be given $300 to help with trip expenses.

“I can’t wait to just spend a day in New York,” she said. “My dad wants me to try to get on Dave Letterman.”

Conrad has chosen her friend Gretchen Mapel, senior in psychology, to accompany her on the trip. Mapel was unavailable for comment, but Conrad said that the two have been good friends for a long time.

Conrad’s other friends seem confident that she’ll do well in the competition. Longtime friend Chris Lefleur said he hopes Conrad wins some money.

“After being chosen to represent [Iowa State], all I can say is that she better win,” he said.

If she were to win the competition, Conrad said she would use the money to pay off her credit card bills and to take out her friends. She said she thinks her competitive spirit and determination will take her a long way, and she said she’s got as good a chance of winning as anybody else.

Conrad said she’s been reading up on strategy for the big event.

“They say that each throw has a character,” she said. “Rock is supposedly the most aggressive throw. People use it when they think they’re going to lose and they’re trying to come back at the end.”

She said scissors is the clever throw that people use when they’re feeling confident, and paper is the dignified throw, proving to be a more subtle attack.

Conrad said her research has shown her that the game is a combination of probability and mind reading. She feels she has a good chance of succeeding at the competition since she is a psychology major. She plans to stare her opponent in the eyes to keep them from looking at her hands.

“I was doing some reading and I think a lot of people do the avalanche. They say that if you do three of the same throw in a row, you have a better chance of winning. Three rocks is called an avalanche, and I think I’m planning on doing that,” she said.

Amy DeLashmutt, marketing director for the University Book Store, said that the store is proud to sponsor Conrad and employees wish her all the best.

“We certainly wish her lots of luck and we hope she brings home a victory for Iowa State,” she said.