Meet our Campus Cutie this week, Demi Oba! Chances are, if you go to Laurier, you recognize this guy’s charming face. From Residence Life, to the SBESS, and BU111/121 TA-ing, there’s barely anything he isn’t involved in on campus. We got a chance to catch up with Demi and see what he’s been up to this term.
Name: Demi Oba
Program: Double Degree Business and Financial Math
Age: 21
Year: 5th
Hometown: Waterloo
Relationship Status: “It’s complicated” with Wilf’s and in multiple bromances. Would that be brolygamy?
Guilty pleasure: Superhero movies… and soon Clash of Clans
What quote do you live by?
“That’s the endgame. How were you guys planning on beating that?” – Iron Man“Together.” – Captain America“We’ll lose.” – Iron Man“Then we’ll do that together too.” – Captain America
Tell me that quote doesn’t give you chills?!
What have you been involved with during your time at Laurier?Since starting here a Laurier, I’ve been a Residence Life Don four times (LP, KSR, Willison, and Little House) and a Campus Council Advisor, which gave me the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing students this campus has to offer. I’ve also enjoyed being a member of Laurier’s 6 for 6 JDC team for the past two years with some of the smartest people I’ve ever met. I’ve been privileged to be a BU111 and BU121 Teaching Assistant and to be a tutor for a few SOS courses. I currently play Intramural Softball, Flag Football, and Frisbee, and I also coach the RAC Dodgeball team (there is nothing in this world as competitive as residence dodgeball). I also work part time for Kik, which is where I did my last co-op term, but my friends joke that I just go in for the free food!
What inspires you?
Besides Captain America, I’d have to say the community here at Laurier, and I know that sounds super cliché but hear me out! In the past year I’ve seen students that I’ve donned and TA’d become Icebreakers, Head Icebreakers, Dons, TA’s, take on positions within the Union, and a million other leadership positions on campus. I met these people when they couldn’t tell you where the concourse was, how spin dip tastes, or why you shouldn’t walk on the hawk. Then, after a year or two on campus, they’re walking around Laurier like they own the place. That, to me, is extremely inspiring.
If you could give one piece of advice to your fellow Golden Hawks, what would it be?
Two things that I read somewhere and found hilarious:“If Internet explorer is brave enough to ask to be your default browser, you’re brave enough to ask that girl/guy out.”“Pain is temporary; GPA is forever.”
What will you miss most when you graduate from Laurier this year?
Definitely the campus atmosphere. Walking around a place where everyone is so friendly and knows everyone is pretty sweet! We’ve got a good thing going here and I’ll miss that a lot.
In what outfit do you feel most comfortable?
Well, a couple years ago, one of my friends got me this shirt with a massive, open mouth grizzly bear on it for Secret Santa, and that has to be my favorite shirt to date. It also goes down to my knees so that’s pretty awesome!
What is something that people would be surprised to find out about you?
People usually don’t guess that my favourite subject is actually biology.
What’s your favourite place in Waterloo?
Funny story actually: when I was in high school, some friends and I tried to come up with the 7 wonders of KW. I’m not sure if we ever completed the list, but there’s a vending machine in downtown Kitchener that gives you any drink for 50 cents. Also, a house in my old neighborhood has the most senselessly elaborate Christmas lights every year, and the Grand River because, y’know, nature. So I guess those would be my favorites!
What are you listening to right now?
Well, because I’m studying, it’s usually instrumental Disney soundtracks from 8tracks. #StraightBangers #TurnDownForSimba
What has been your greatest accomplishment this year?
That’s easy; for a couple of months last year, I was tied for number one receiver in the intramural flag football league. As a kid, you always dream about that kind of recognition, but you never think it will actually happen. It just goes to show that if you put in the hours (actually just one hour every week), you can achieve anything. I haven’t heard from the varsity team yet, but there are rumours that an offer might be in the works.
If you had to drop the hottest mixtape of 2015, what would you call it?
That’s a tough one. It’d be a game time decision between ObaDose and Demilition.
Demi, we wish you all the best in your final year at Laurier and we cannot wait to see what you have in store!