What started as an experiment in social relations ended with two Case Hall residents left to claim a $350 prize Friday.

A week of living in cramped quarters with five other students ended solemnly Friday as James Madison College freshmen Justin Chung and Pakapon Phinyowattanachip awaited the result of the first Case Hall Castaways contest.

Seven students signed up to be locked in a 12-by-12 room in the Case Hall government office to compete for money. The participants could leave for academic or work obligations, bathroom, religious activities and meals. Participants’ biggest complaints during the week were sleeping on the floor, no access to showers and cold temperatures.

The contest is tape-delayed for editing and the winner will be announced to Case Hall residents and castaways at 7 p.m. April 7.

International relations junior and castaway Melissa Mattingly said the key to winning the contest is to be very likable.

“People want friendly people around with them to the end,” she said. “That is what will get you picked to win.

“Everyone got along pretty well, everyone actually had good personalities, so that we could hang out and have fun.”

Although Mattingly was voted out the second night, she said she wants to participate again and win next year.

The popularity of Case Hall Castaways impressed the contestants as well as officials during the last week. Case Hall government representative Derek Wallbank said the reaction from people not involved directly gives him enough incentive to do it again next year. He said more than 650 people attended the challenges and nearly 15 people stopped by the castaway room per hour.

“The true test of our program is the sheer number of people who walk by the office and are sitting there shouting ‘I love the Castaways,’” said the James Madison College freshman. “For the first year we’ve done it, this is about as good anybody could have ever expected. I have this taste for reality television in my mouth for now.”

Wallbank said members of Case Hall government already have plans to repeat the contest, perhaps to the entire campus, next year.

“I knew the game was popular when drunk people crammed in there at two in the morning,” Chung said, “They just talked about it. It was hilarious.”

Phinyowattanachip said there will be a lot of suspense while he and others wait to hear about the winner.

“Justin is totally convinced I am going to win and I think Justin is going to win,” he said. “The vote can go anyway. I don’t think there are any grudges toward anybody. The biggest shock was how close I got to these people after six days. I got pretty close to them and got to know them pretty well.

“I thought people would say ‘Oh, (Castaways) is so stupid,’ but I got a different reaction, like ‘(Castaways) is so awesome, I want to do it’. I was surprised that people actually come down and watch us.”