Women's Rugby Football Club Patrice Rankine

By Ashley Armato, Arts and Living Editor, Issue 8, 11/22/2005

I see that you're an '06E. What did you do during your semester off?

Well, I spent a lot of time grifting, and you know, selling cars for their parts. Actually, I was in Spain, working at an AIDS clinic in Barcelona. I also took some classes at the University and learned to make paella.

Do you know what you'll be doing after graduation?

I'm applying to medical school, and I am planning to do some sort of AIDS-related hospital work until I matriculate. But if things don't work out, it'll be back to grifting. Good old grifting.

Where are you from originally? It is similar to Amherst?

I'm from Texas, which is pretty much dissimilar to everywhere.

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I have two sisters and a brother. They're all about 1,000 years older than me.

As a child, what was your favorite TV show and why?

Hm, I don't know. It's a toss-up between "Sesame Street" and "Murder, She Wrote." I mean, "Sesame Street" has the Cookie Monster and Elmo, but "Murder, She Wrote" has Angela Lansbury. And nobody on planet Earth solves homicides when only given about 44 minutes to do so better than she does. Except for Mariska Hargitay of "Law & Order: SVU" fame.

What do you think you'll miss the most about the College?

I think I'll miss my friends and playing rugby the most, but who knows? I might get a sentimental hankering for the PVTA come January as well. Oh, and Valentine's scrod. I'll probably miss that one of these days too.

From all the courses you've taken, which has been your favorite?

I think my favorite course at Amherst was American Studies 11: The One and the Many. I took it during my first semester of college with Professor [of History and American Studies N. Gordon] Levin. What we discussed in that class about race relations and America's continually shifting social mores has remained pretty relevant.

Do you have a favorite professor?

My favorite professor is my former advisor, [Assistant Professor of Religion] Maria Heim. She's currently on leave, and I miss getting to pop in to talk with her during her office hours.

How about a favorite celebrity?

Well, when I was in seventh grade, my favorite was Claire Danes. You know, the whole "My So-Called Life" thing. But now, it's probably Mariah Carey. Anyone who has the gall to pseudo-strip for Carson Daly is someone that I want to meet.

Did you party hard Homecoming weekend?

Homecoming was created for hard partying, and I acted accordingly, as a lady should.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

The key to my college experience has been finding amazing friends, playing an amazing sport, remaining a lady and always stopping, asking and clarifying. All in all, I'd say it's been a pretty good four years.