I wanted to connect more with my peers by going around campus and asking, “What’s something people would never know about you based on your looks?”
This exercise was to help us discover intriguing and surprising facts about the students we see every day that one may not guess from the surface.
I am a firm believer that beauty is from within, and that your physical body does not define you as a person. To show this, I wanted to capture a picture of each student and have their responses speak for who they are.
Manal Fanik reads “Harry Potter” to keep busy.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Manal Fanik, an undeclared freshman, presents herself as extremely outgoing and as someone who is the life of the party. Despite the fact that she is extroverted, some may not know that she loves sitting quietly with a good book.
“I love reading ‘Harry Potter,’” Fanik said.
Krisha Ravishankar loves studying fashion.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Krisha Ravishankar, a freshman fashion studies major, explained how most parents in Indian culture want their children to grow up to be doctors, or take on a profession surrounding computers.
“Despite that, I wanted to do something that was perfect for me, which was going into fashion studies,” Ravishankar said.
Jannette Fisher is a costume design major.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Jannette Fisher, a senior, revealed that her major is what’s surprising about her.
“Something you might not know about me by looking at me is that I am a costume design major,” Fisher said.
Derek Neal is a chess player.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
I immediately noticed Derek Neal, a senior fashion studies major, and his cool, trendy style.
“I am also a chess player,” Neal said.
The media may not depict chess players as cool or trendy, but Neal certainly breaks that stereotype.
Tyler Granata used to play football before studying film.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Due to “The Sopranos” hat and the “Fantasia” hoodie, it’s obvious junior Tyler Granata is a film major.
“What you might not have been able to guess about me is that I also played football,” Granata said.
Mary Lage trained llamas throughout her younger years.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Mary Lage, a freshman film and television major, probably had the most unique answer of the day.
“All through high school and half of middle school, I was a llama trainer,” Lage said.
Reinaldo (Rei) Rodriguez can solve a Rubik’s cube in a minute.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Rei Rodriguez, a freshman math major, comes off as a relaxed and chill guy. But, just a few seconds later, I got to see his hidden talent.
“I am able to solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute,” Rodriguez said.
Ian Kean is an athlete who is good at impressions.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Ian Kean, an undeclared freshman, was a lacrosse player for all four years of high school. However, he, too, has a secret talent.
“I am really good at impressions,” Kean said. “I have hopes of pursuing a career in television production.”
Amira Badr belly dances in her spare time.
Avery Nixon | The Montclarion
Amira Badr, a freshman exercise science major, might seem shy and quiet on the outside, but she definitely knows how to have fun.
“What people might not know about me is that I like to belly dance,” Badr said.
From this experience, I was able to see that there are so many interesting things about people behind the way they present themselves at first glance. Take some time to get to know your classmates beyond what you see on the surface. You will learn to never judge a book by its cover.
