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Taking a Break with Lauren Toole

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Ally Bruschi
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Caroline Black
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Kenyon chapter.


Full Name: Lauren Marie Ghianni Toole
Major: English with a concentration in Islamic Studies
Class: 2014
Hometown: Belmont, North Carolina  

What is it like being a southern belle at Kenyon?
It’s really different because at home I was the most liberal out of all my friends—just because I was generally surrounded by conservatives and I would vote Obama or whatever—and then coming here I don’t even think I make it onto the liberal scale.

How about in terms of the way you interact with people?
It’s really funny I’ll say some things here and people will just look at me like “what are you even saying?”
 
For example?
In the South there’s a saying: “Southern ladies don’t sweat, they glisten.” Whenever I’ve said that here people tend to think I’m crazy.

What culture-shocked you the most upon your arrival at Kenyon?
Sydney Jill Watnick.
 
Speaking of which, your room has become pretty famous…both you and your roommate Sydney Jill Watnick have now both been interviewed for HerCampus. How does it feel to be a celebrity?
Obviously it’s great to be noticed at such a big school like Kenyon! But actually, it’s pretty amazing that I get to share that experience with Sydney. However, I would like to make a name for myself here apart from my super famous roommate!
 
Wow, how profound.
No, I’m kidding. I feel so blessed to have all these fans?…Yeah, let’s go with that as my answer.

Do you like living in Bushnell? 
Love it. It’s the sorority house.

Would you ever have joined an actual sorority?
At Kenyon or in real life?
 
Outside of Kenyon.
Probably not…well, only if all the girls of KKG/Bushnell could be in it.
 
You’re so involved! Why don’t you clue in our dear readers to all the fun organizations you’re involved in on campus?
Oh wow, ok, what do I do here…I’m part of Sophomore Class Council, I volunteer at Wiggins Street Elementary School, I’m an Archon, a regular contributor for the Thrill, and I run Features for the Collegian. The most fun and exciting has been the Thrill, though, because it’s an opportunity that I might not have taken advantage of if I’d not come to Kenyon. It’s great to have a new outlet that can fill people in or make them laugh—or in my case, sometimes cry—and I’m glad to have been given this opportunity to develop my voice against criticism.  

Word on the street is that you just got a promotion of sorts at the Kenyon Collegian, congrats!
(Blushes)

What’s your official new position title?
I will be the News Editor for the Collegian (well, co-editor with Rosie Aquila who’s also ’14). I’ve never done News before, so that’s really exciting. Hopefully we’ll do a good job.
 
And what does this mean for you in terms of next year? How will your life be different?
In one word…busy. I already spend a majority of my week in the Collegian office, but with news you have to be able to make yourself available on the drop of a hat.
 
On the subject of next year—what excites you most about studying abroad in Ireland?
Saint Patrick’s Day. (Laughs) Also, I’m obsessed with the movie P.S. I Love You and I plan on visiting all the places they went in the movie. No. I’m serious.
 
Most exciting thing served at Peirce?
Squash soup!!!! It’s so good. Oh and the pretzel rods!
 
They have those in Peirce?
Last semester they had them three times, it was great. Huge vats of pretzel rods at various stations, free pretzels!

Thoughts about the upcoming receiving of lottery numbers and housing lottery (Wednesday April 4th and Saturday April 14th, respectively)?
Oh god. I can’t even.
 
If you only had one word to describe it?
Toby…
 
Speaking of the lottery…what’s your dream place to live on campus?
A 6-person new apt…crossing my fingers for this fall. Please toby, please, it’s all we ask for, they’re not even that glamorous.
 
Hunger Games or Twilight?
What, why?? Don’t make me pick!
 
You have to.
Ok, I did just see The Hunger Games in theaters last night so…let’s say that’s my newest favorite. But Twilight is my oldest favorite. Team Jacob since middle school.
 
You just totally cheated my whole “you have to pick” deal.
I just can’t pick, they’re so different.
 
Fair. Event you’re most looking forward to in the near future?
Umm…Breaking Dawn Part Two.
 
Of course.
Sydney Jill Watnick: That’s awkward.
 
Great party theme idea?
I would have a party where they only play ABBA. It would be just like Mamma Mia! (the movie, not the play), and Meryl Streep would not be allowed to come because I don’t want her there. But Pierce Brosnan would definitely be there.  
 
What would people wear?
Togas. No that’s overdone. Tie-dye. And glitter.

 
If you could be doing anything right now besides sitting on the floor in your room while I hastily interview you, what would you be doing?
Umm…what would you do?
 
Way to reverse the question.
I think I’d be horseback riding….
 
What?
Actually I don’t think I’ve ridden a horse in 5 years. Ok, I’d be in Antigua.

With Sydney?
Yes, with Sydney.
 
Sydney Jill Watnick: Why Antigua?
Because its tropical.

Sydney Jill Watnick: I wouldn’t wanna be there, I’m just letting you know.
Fine, you’re uninvited.

Sydney Jill Watnick: I hate horses.
We know, the hating all animals thing is pretty unanimously understood by now.
 
Any shameless promotion you’d like to offer?
Come to the Archons all-campus Friday!
 
Why should we come?
Because I’ll be wearing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. muscle tee. And because Archons rule.

Any closing remarks?
I wish we had a Goldfish factory.

Don’t we all.

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Ally Bruschi is a senior political science major at Kenyon College. She spent this past summer interning as a writer with both The Daily Meal, a digital media group  dedicated to "all things food and drink" and The Borgen Project, a non-profit organization that partners with U.S. policymakers to alleviate global poverty. Before entering the "real world" of jobs, however, Ally spent many summers as a counselor at an all-girls summer camp in Vermont, aka the most wonderful place on earth. A good book, a jar of peanut butter, a well-crafted Spotify playlist, and a lazy dog could get her through even the worst of days.
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Caroline Black is a senior Drama major at Kenyon College. In addition to co-founding and writing for her school's HC branch, Caroline is co-president of Beer and Sex, Kenyon's student-run freshman orientation program (and she enjoys making jokes about that title as much as you do). When she's not doing hippy-dippy acting warm-ups or volunteering with her service organization, The Archon Society, Caroline enjoys watching "Parks and Recreation" and dismaying her friends with terrible puns.