USD Magazine, Fall 2004

Just Three Questions: Q: Who are your heroes in real life? A: My former dance teacher, Mindy, and my grandma. She's been through a lot; she's such a sweetheart, and she's done so much for our family. What natural gift would you like to possess? The ability to be more artistic. I can barely draw stick figures. Q: A:

Hometown: Mukilteo, Wash.

Siblings: One older brother.

Pet: Gonw, the craziest cat at the pound.

Major: Biology.

Q: Which historical figure do you most despise? A: Napoleon. He wanted too much.

Residence hall:

Founders Hall.

rianne Butler packed her whole life in three suit– cases - one for clothes, one for bed and bath supplies, another for miscellaneous items - and flew, by herself, from her small town of Mukilteo, Wash. , to USO, where she didn't know a soul. Despite a bumpy flight and a few butterflies in her belly, Butler, known as "Bri" (pronounced "Bree") to her friends, was more excited than scared about her journey to a new city and a whole new life. "It was always my plan to go away to co llege," Butler says. "I'll miss my friends and family dearly, but I know I'll meet great people here." Noc one to just dip her toe in to test the waters, she plunged head first into her role as college freshman. She became fast friends with her roommates, won $5,000 in funny money during an orientation week Casino Night and applied to be a student ambassador. She quickly filled her schedule with 16 units and a parc-cime work– study job in the housing office. She also plans to try out for cheerleading. A jam-packed schedule is nothing new co Butler. In high school, she was a student government represen– tative, orientation leader, Special Olympics volunteer, a cheerleader and Key Club member, as well as a straight-A student. She also was a dedicated Girl Scout and one of only 25 girls in her state to win a Gold Award, the orga– nization's highest honor. "I can't wait to get involved at USO," says Butler, as she lifts her face toward che sky co soak in the bright sunlight, still a novelty to the recent Washington state transplant, whose small town is only 25 minutes outside Seatcle. "I love the weather, the small class sizes and the proximity to Mexico. l might minor in Spanish, so I wane to find out more abo ut some of USD's border programs. Eventually I'd like to become a dentist, start my own practice and travel to Third-World countries where their sometimes poor nutrition means they have a loc of dental needs."

Fall courses: Christianity and

its Practices, Calculus, Biology,

American Politics, Spanish IY.

Guilty pleasure:

Circus animal cookies.

Can't live without: 'Tm

addicted to my cell phone, I'm on

my computer practically 24-7

and love to shop at the mall."

One-liner: "Life is about

the moments. It isn't about

the breaths we take, it's about

the moments that take our

breath away."

Say what? "I found it

on a Web site, and it's

become my motto for life.

It helps me remember not

to sweat che small stuff"

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FALL 2004