High School: The Agnes Irwin School
Parent’s Names: Diane and Gene
Prefect job after graduation: Designingrobotic sensors and systems, possibly for surgeries
If you had TIVO in your room, what is the TV show youset it for?
Leverage. And Chuck. When I’m home (andhave free time), I also watch How It’s Made andAce of Cakes.
If Hollywood was making a movie about you, who wouldplay you and what would the name of the movie be?
I would have Leelee Sobieski play me – she was the bestfriend in Never Been Kissed, and my life is basically thesame part. =) I guess the movie could be called Just aSmall-Town Girl, since I went to small a high school and asmall college?
Tattoos?
I don’t have one, but if I were to get one, itwould be on the inside of my left forearm. That way, I could seeit, too – if you’re going to go through something thathurts that much, shouldn’t you be able to enjoy it,too. Then I could still cover it up if needed with longsleeves, and even if the sleeves were too short (as they usuallyare one me) and I had to shake hands, my right arm would beempty.
If you were a superhero, what would your powerbe?
I’d want the power to move things with my mind –then flying would fall under that (I could just move myself!), sothat’s like a 2 for 1!
Your favorite comic book series?
I don’t really read comic books, but I follow the stories.I love spiderman – I have a spiderman toothbrush, piggy bank,dishware set, and blanket. =) I really like howrelatable his story is to everything else – the whole“with great power comes great responsibility” thing,and how he sometimes gets tired of it all and wants a dayoff…man, I’ve been there. Bonus fact: the handmotion he makes to shoot his web is actually sign-language for“I love you”.
What is the last book you read just forfun?
I’m right in the middle of a really really good one:it’s called The Eight.
If you found a magic lantern, complete with magic genie,what would your three wishes be?
I’d wish to trade places with somebody 5’6”,just for one day, so we could each see what it’s like.
I’d wish that the flight between Philly and Pasadena wasonly 2 hours. I like traveling, so I wouldn’t make itinstant, but sometimes I can’t wait to go home!
I’d wish that time would go faster when you’reunhappy, and slower when you’re happy – the fact thatit’s the opposite is the worst!
What is the one invention that you wish you had been theperson to invent?
I wish I had invented a really cool skateboard/snowboard trick.I would do the hardest thing I can manage, and call it “thetwister” - Mine would automatically be perfect, and peoplewould be trying to be like me for years afterwards!
Favorite athlete and why?
I love the American Olympic softball team. They’re SOgood, yet very few people really follow them. That shows that theyplay for love of their sport – not the fame. Of course theyget some time in the spotlight – during the Olympics whenthey CRUSH everybody else! – but most of the time,they’re just doing what they love for the sake ofplaying.
Favorite scientist and why?
I don’t really have one. Mechanical Engineers aren’twhat most people consider scientists. We’re more like kidswho never grew up – we secretly just still love playing withcool toys. =) I met some really cool people at JPL thissummer who I guess would be my favorite scientists – the oneswho work in the machine shop designing the Mars rovers and buildingthem. And then they get to test them in the Mars Yard!
Who is the person in your life that is the mostresponsible for helping you to be who you are today?
A lot of people have given me a lot ofdifferent qualities – most things from my parents (manners,values, humor); my ability to tell a story/joke comes from my Poppy(for better or worse – probably worse); patience andfriendship from my sister; responsibility from teachers andcoaches. . .
Favorite Quote and who said it?
Basketball related: “The idea is not to block every shot,but to make your opponent think you’ll block everyshot.” - Bill Russell
School related: “Stress? What is stress? Stress is whenyou wake up screaming and realize you were neversleeping.” - ?
General: “Fairy tales do not tell children thedragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairytales tell children the dragons can be killed.” – G. K.Chesterton
Why is math or science so you?
My brain seems to work in a way that fits well with engineering.I like to have a very clear, right answer – a sort of“put your left foot here. Now right foot here”assurance. Engineering is the only field that has that. Man, I wishbasketball did, too! It’s also very, satisfyinglylogical.
What is your favorite time period in history andwhy?
The 60s and 70s had the BEST music! Sometimes I wish I could goback. Also, having structured dances with certain steps (likethe Hustle…) would be much easier than dancingnow-a-days. =]
If you could meet anyone (past, present, or future) whowould you want to have coffee with?
Can we chance it to milkshakes? I don’t like coffee, andI’ve taken to using milkshakes to keep myself awakeinstead. =)
I’d love to meet Kip Thorne – he did a lot ofwork with wormholes and time travel. In high school, I had to givea ‘Senior Assembly’ – a 15 minute speech in frontof the entire high school and faculty. I did mine on time travel,and mentioned Kip Thorne a lot. He is actually at Caltech, sohopefully I’ll get the chance to have milkshakes before Igraduate!
Favorite family tradition
Christmas. We have a big, loud Italian family, and when we gettogether there’s always something happening. I still sit atthe kids’ table with my 6 cousins (I’ll never leave!),and we have TONS of fun. My Dad and uncles like to play darts inthe basement, and my grandmother makes the BEST food. I lovehelping – my favorite job is ‘taste tester’.=)
My small family (just my parents and my sister) has a lot ofcool traditions, too – one that I really miss is watchingthunderstorms. We have a big bay window in the dining room, facingthe front yard, and when it rains really hard at home (especiallyif it’s hard enough to knock the power out), we sit on thewindowsill with candles and snacks and watch the rain fall and blowthe trees around. It doesn’t thunderstorm like that inSoCal!
What is the best advice your parents have ever givenyou?
Pick your battles.
Did you have an imaginary friend growing up and if sowhat was your friend’s name?
When I was little, I had an imaginary friend that I named Krissy– and I changed my own name to Allison. Krissy was alwaysgetting in trouble, and I was tired of being her! (See, I wasclever, even then.)
What was your favorite thing to do on the playground inelementary school?
I do remember about 5 months in 3rd grade when my twobest friends (Sarina and Milo) and I would tie our shoelacestogether and walk around like that. We were REALLY good! Weactually managed to go on the swings – and jump off- likethat once!
What is your most favorite Caltech moment todate?
Beating La Sierra. Beating Pomona was really satisfying, but LaSierra was more of a scrappy game – it was pure determinationand grit that got us that win, and an iron conviction that we WOULDwin that game.
Which SCIAC team do you love to play andwhy?
For some reason, frosh year I decided I wanted to beat Whittier.I think we played with them really well the first half of the game,and then lost it in the second. So I love playing them, to worktowards that goal. Also, I love playing Oxy – they reallyrespect us, and they play hard!
