The Basics
Name:Â Becca Blais
Year: Sophomore – Class of 2018
Major: Political Science
Dorm: Farley Hall
Hometown: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Relationship status: Single
Favorite Things
Color: Yellow
Animal: Sloth
Movie: Gladiator
TV Show: The West Wing
Song: “Ain’t No Reason” by Brett Dennen Â
YouTube Video: Buttermilk the baby goat
Quote: “Life is like a piano. The white keys represent happiness and the black keys represent sadness, and as you go through life, you come to realize that the black keys play music too.” -Unknown
Love Thee
Why did you choose Notre Dame?
From the first time I walked around our stunning campus to every encounter with the amazing people associated with our University, Notre Dame didn’t really leave room for other schools to enter my mind.  So, there really was no choice. It was all a matter of following my gut and falling in love with Notre Dame.
What clubs/activities are you involved in on campus?
I’m currently a Resident Counselor for Summer Scholars, a two week summer program, and am also involved in Executive Cabinet in Student Government, tour guiding for the Main Building, the Ireland Inside Track, CUSE, various co-rec sports, and Farley Hall activities.
What is your favorite memory from freshman year?
My favorite memory from last year would have to be the campus-wide snowball fight on South Quad after the first snowfall. I remember walking over with a huge group of friends, slipping in the snow and starting random snowball fights along the way, and then seeing what seemed like the entire school gathered on the quad preparing for an all-out brawl. When the clock struck midnight, we went crazy. It was an amazing night and hopefully one I will never forget.
Who are your best friends and how did you meet them?
My two best friends are Sara and Katie, and they also happen to be my future roommates. I met Sara because she was my roommate for Freshman year and Katie was one of the first people I met during Frosh-O. I like to think I have lots of great friends all over campus though, some I met during my time as a Summer Scholar, many during Frosh-O, and the rest through various clubs, classes, and activities.
Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen?
Be a “yes man.” Even if it sounds crazy, when your friends ask you to do something like join a sand volleyball team with people you don’t know or to attend a club event for something you’ve never heard of, do it. Some of the coolest experiences I’ve had at Notre Dame happened because I just went for it.
Around the World
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You just got back from Sri Lanka; what is your favorite memory from the trip?
Climbing Adam’s Peak was definitely my favorite memory and one of the best experiences I’ve ever enjoyed. I left my hostel in the middle of the night with five other people I barely knew to climb 5,500 steps to the top of a mountain. Adam’s Peak is one of the tallest mountains in Sri Lanka and it took us four excruciating hours of non-stop climbing to make it to the top, but once we stood on the steps of the Buddhist temple that sits on the peak, it was all worth it. We had climbed beyond the clouds and we made it in time to watch the sun rise above them; the view was unbelievably stunning.
What are your travel plans for the rest of the summer?
After I’m done with my three weeks of being a summer camp counselor on campus, I’m heading over to New York City to stay with a friend and run a 5K with my family, and then I’m going to Ireland for a few weeks before returning to Notre Dame for the beginning of term.
Where else do you plan on traveling to in the future and why?
My next trip is Ireland for two weeks of backpacking and one week of a program because I already have my plane tickets for the trip. After that, I have this jumbled list of Central & South American countries, Western & Eastern Europe, and a few more Asian countries (Cambodia, India, Thailand, etc)… It’s a very long list.
Why do you think traveling is important?
Traveling anywhere, especially outside the country, gives you a different and fresh perspective. It really helps you put into focus what is important, acknowledge what you have to be thankful for, and step outside yourself for long enough to realize what is going on in the world around us.
Random Q&A
What’s your biggest fear?
Snakes
Choose three words to describe yourself: Adventurous, happy, & confident
What is your dream job?
U.S. Ambassador
Who is your spirit animal?
I’ve been told it’s an elephant.
UF or FSU?
If I have to pick one, it’s 100% UF.
If you could spend a day with anyone in the world, who would it be?
Probably John Stewart. Â
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Images provided by interviewee