Dave by the Bell

Dave Blanks from University Communications hosts an orientation edition of Dave by the Bell, where he crashes an ice cream party on Sanford Mall to interview incoming students and their parents about their expectations for the first month of college. Excitement about meeting new people, participating in clubs and sports, and experiencing independence abound! 

TRANSCRIPT

Dave 

Hey folks, how's it going? I'm Dave Blanks from University Communications back with another Dave by the Bell. This is an orientation edition of Dave by the Bell. First day of fall semester is about a month away. August 19th. Students and their families have been hanging out on campus. They got in yesterday and they spent the night in some residence halls, checking things out. So we're going to talk to them a little bit about their experience and also what they're looking forward to, what they're expecting for their first month of their collegiate career. And also hopefully talk to the parents about what they think their first month with their student in school will be like. So that's the plan. Let's do it. Hey, I know that person. That's Sarah Garrow. Hey, Sarah Garrow. How's it going?

Sarah 

It's going so well. We've got ice cream, we've got Inflatable Block A's out here on Sanford Mall, rain free, just enjoying the sun. Got a couple sessions in August, so two in Hickory, August 9th and 14th. And then our final Boone main campus session on Monday, August 12th.

Dave 

Is there going to be ice cream again for that one?

Sarah 

Always. It's not orientation season without ice cream.

Dave 

I feel the same way. Thanks Sarah. I really appreciate it. Yeah, thanks for being here. I'm going to talk to some people.

Trey 

I'm Trey Craven. So once I get my schedule together, which is probably going to be the first week, trying to get that situated, that first month is just going to be getting used to my schedule and getting used to walking around and figuring out when I need to leave my dorm. Just getting used to meeting new people because where I'm from, everyone knows me. I know everyone. It was a very small area outside of Wilmington's where I'm really from.

Dave 

Well represent, where is it?

Trey 

Leland, North Carolina.

Dave 

Leland, shout out. Alright, cool. Hey, did you go to orientation?

Katie 

 I did.

Dave 

Okay. Are you Katie Cooper?

Katie 

Yes, I am. Katie Cooper.

Dave 

Oh hey. How's it going? I don't know how I knew that. Maybe your name tag. So how did orientation go?

Katie 

It was great. I am five hours away, so I was really scared because I only know one person coming here. I did the overnight orientation and last night was a lot of fun. It was also, I'm happy I got to see the dorms because I didn't get to go to open house. So it's like, okay, this is my first experience seeing the dorms. Yeah. But it was a lot of fun doing that and I'm happy I was able to meet people. So now I know. Okay. I have some people I'll know when I come here and I won't be totally alone.

Dave 

Good. So what do you foresee your first month being like?

Katie 

The one thing I'm trying to avoid is feeling like I'm stuck in my dorm. I really don't want to feel like I'm stuck. I want to go to the library, things like that. I am looking forward to just kind of being on my own for a little bit and seeing how that works.

Dave 

You mean away from the fam?

Katie 

Yeah,

Michael 

Right. Yeah. I'm Michael Caro, and this is my son Roman.

Dave 

Roman. What's up man?

Roman 

How you doing?

Dave 

Hey, I'm good. We'll talk to you first and then I want to talk to your dad. So Roman, how was orientation?

Roman 

Orientation was fun. So I did the overnight orientation. When you got there, you had a schedule and out at the courtyard there was all these games and stuff. And all of the sophomores and juniors, they were trying to kind of forcing people to socialize, which is good

Dave 

Because some people need urging.

Roman 

Yeah, I needed urging. It's like once you have one or two friends it's so much easier.

Dave 

So did you know anybody coming here to App?

Roman

No, I'm actually from Pensacola, Florida.

Dave 

Oh Sweet. Good to have you here. What is it you're looking forward to?

Roman 

I'm looking forward to settling in. I'm looking forward to the scenery that App State has. I'm very much an outdoorsy person and I love the mountains more than anything really. But...

Dave 

Even though you grew up in Pensacola,

Roman

Even though I grew up in Pensacola, and if you know anything about Pensacola, it's the most flat place,

Dave 

Not too mountainous.

Roman

I really just came to App State for a big change.

Dave 

Nice! Well, I'm sure your first month is going to go smooth, dad. I hope so. Michael, what do you foresee your first month of Roman being in school like?

Michael

Well, we'll be officially empty nesters, so I'm pretty excited about that.

Dave

Congratulations.

Michael 

I'm really looking forward to his experience here at App State. We're excited to actually spend a lot of time coming to visit him.

Dave 

Oh yeah.

Michael

We told him that you're not coming home for the holidays. We're coming to see you. We're excited to really just enjoy this area as a family vacation spot for the next four or five years.

Dave 

How do you think Roman's going to do?

Michael 

I think this is really going to be a great fit for Roman. He wanted Colorado and I said, no, that's too far. I said, Boone is a great area. Let's see how that goes. And he loved it. We were only here once before and he fell in love, got accepted, and we are here today.

Carlos 

I'm Carlos Villalta .

Dave 

Carlos, who's this right here?

Carlos 

My Mom.

Dave 

Hey. Hey, Carlos's mom. What is your name ma'am?

Ingred 

Ingred Perez.

Dave

So Ingred and Carlos. So Carlos, how was orientation?

Carlos

It was great. I loved it. Got to meet new people. Get a little familiar with the place. I loved it. Yeah, I love the campus, the people. I'm looking forward to getting to know my roommate, get the dorm life setting and then just exploring my classes and campus more.

Dave

Mom, Ingred, if you could give Carlos some advice, what would you tell him to do?

Carlos (translating Ingred's Spanish) 

That I be well behave and I take care of myself.

Dave 

Is he going to do it?

Dave 

That seemed like she said yes. All right, good. Alright.

Olivia

I'm Olivia Sweden.

Dave 

Okay, Olivia, who's this?

Olivia

This is my mom.

Dave

It's your mom. Hello Mom. What's your name?

Marian

Marian Sweden.

Dave

Marianne Sweden, and Olivia Sweden. Nice to meet you. I'm Dave Blanks. How was orientation?

Olivia 

It was good. I got to meet a lot of people. I didn't really know what I was doing and I'm still kind of lost, but I feel more assured.

Dave

A little less lost maybe. Yeah. What's you’re feeling about that first month of school?

Olivia

I feel like it's going to be very nerve wracking. I've never lived with another person before, so it's going to be learning how to share space, how to manage time myself, how long do I sleep, when do I eat? And how do you deal with classes and with your social life being entirely at school, getting out there, meeting people, joining clubs.

Dave 

So mom, what do you envision your month with Olivia here at App State to be like?

Marian 

We'll see, let's see. I am hoping that she'll respond to my text messages so that I know she's alive. Some proof of life, texting and making sure she's got what she needs and that she's doing all those things that she said she's worried about.

Dave 

Absolutely. So what are you doing with her room?

Marian 

Oh, I have three new people moving in. I'm renting it out!

Dave 

Oh, side hustle. Good idea. Olivia, how do you feel about this?

Olivia 

It's basically my dog's room already. So...

Cyrah 

I'm Cyrah Cirineo

Dave 

Cyrah. How's it going?

Cyrah

I'm doing good. How about you?

Dave 

I'm good. I love your name.

Cyrah 

Thank you.

Dave 

Beautiful name. How was orientation?

Cyrah 

It exceeded my expectations. I'm surprised that a lot of people showed up. I really did enjoy my experience here. Pretty good way to meet new people.

Dave 

Excellent. So you made some friends? Yes,

Cyrah

I did. Okay, good. I'm really looking forward to being away from my parents, but also scared of being away from my parents. Okay,

Dave

Alright.

Cyrah

But I think that it's going to be good in the long run.

Dave 

Your App State family's here for you.

Cyrah 

That's right. I'm looking forward to the people here. I would say this is very diverse. There's many people that have many interests that go to App State, so I'm looking forward to that too.

Dave

Good. I was going to try to talk to your dad. Do you think he'd be willing to talk to me? Yeah. Alright, let's try to talk to your dad too.

Cielito 

I'm Cielito Cirineo II.

Dave

So what are you looking forward to for her in her first month at school?

Cielito

Hopefully she's not going to call us. Pick me up. Dad,

Dave 

Are you going to do that?

Cyrah

Maybe. I don't know.

Dave 

Oh No. She said she was looking forward to trying to be on her own and be out, but she was also going to miss y'all.

Cielito

Yeah, of course. Because yeah, absolutely. We're looking forward to this for, she's our first daughter to be in a college. Oh,

Dave 

This is your first time doing this?

Cielito 

First time. Yeah. So yeah, today is overwhelming information for us. But anyway, we will get through it.

Dave

Alright, let's find some other parents and children. Maybe these are some.

Steven

I'm Steven Harris.

Dave 

Alright, Steven. And who is this?

Steven

This is my mother, Hope Harris.

Dave 

Hey Hope Harris. How's it going?

Hope

Doing good.

Dave 

Alright, good. So y'all finished orientation. How was it Steven?

Steven

It was amazing. It was everything I expected and more.

Dave

Aw, that's great hope. Hope, what do you think? What was the experience like?

Hope

It was wonderful. It was a great experience and overall just felt like a home environment.

Dave

Good. So Steven, what are you looking forward to?

Steven

I'm looking forward to just see how big this community actually is. I'm always looking forward for football games and band.

Dave

Are you part of the band?

Steven

I very much am.

Dave 

Sweet. What do you play?

Steven

I play mellophone. I will be on that field marching with the marching mountaineers? Yes.

Dave 

Sweet. Congratulations. North Carolina's Band of Distinction. So Hope, what are you looking forward to for him?

Hope

Just him making new friends and him having the college experience.

Evelyn

I'm Evelyn Meericle. I'm excited for fall in the mountains. I love fall. I'm nervous about probably just being homesick. I've never been away from home. I honestly just don't know how I will feel. But yeah, I'm also excited for the sports, like intramural sports. Watching sports.

Dave 

Are you going to play intramural?

Evelyn

Yeah, definitely.

Dave

Oh nice. What are you going to play?

Evelyn 

I don't know, there's so many options. I could do basketball, soccer, volleyball, or just trying something completely new.

Dave 

Alright, so mom, when you think about her first month at Appalachian State, what are you looking forward to for her?

Mama 

I'm looking forward to her falling in love with the mountains like her mama.

Dave

Here's a parent and a student. He's a Braves fan.

Henry

I'm Henry Abbott.

Dave 

And Henry, this is your mother?

Carolyn

Yes it is.

Dave 

Hey, Carolyn Abbott.

Carolyn 

That's right.

Dave 

This is the first time I've ever interviewed a big group of people that all had name tags. It makes it very helpful. So Henry, you're done with orientation. What was the experience? How was it?

Henry 

My experience was pretty great. I liked the campus a lot and the tour is really helpful. Yeah, I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of people and joining some clubs.

Dave 

So mom, when you think about Henry's first month at Appalachian State, what do you think it'll be like for him?

Carolyn

Looking forward to him meeting some new people, enjoying this amazing campus and outdoor life.

Dave 

What are you looking forward to now that Henry is going to be at school?

Carolyn

I'm going to be sad.

Dave 

Oh, oh, okay. So it's either...

Carolyn

It's going to be hard.

Dave 

Are you going to be an empty nester?

Carolyn

No. I've got two more at home.

Dave 

Alright, but you're quite fond of Henry you're saying?

Carolyn

Of course, yes.

Kristen 

I'm Kristen Burns.

Dave 

Okay, Kristen. And who is this?

Kevin

Kevin Burns,

Dave

Also known as mom and dad?

Both

Yeah.

Dave

Alright, cool. So who's y'all student?

Kristen 

Megan. Megan Burns.

Dave 

Megan, alright. What are you looking forward to for Megan?

Kristen 

Well, I was actually, I had apprehensions. I was worried that she was going to be homesick and wasn't going to adjust well. But then from this orientation, I see that she has a group of 12 friends. She's having a great time.

Dave

What? She has 12 friends.

Kristen

Yes. So we're just sitting back and watching her thrive and it's just,

Dave 

She's right over there.

Kristen 

It's just amazing. Yeah. So I'm just excited for her.

Dave 

Unbelievable. Alright, so you had some concerns initially, but

Kristen 

They're gone now. So I just am excited for her to get into the college life and get into her classes. She is an excellent student, so I think she's just going to have a great time and get into learning and decide exactly what her major's going to be.

Dave 

Right. She's got time. Dad, what about you?

Kevin 

I'm excited for a lot of opportunity, big change. But my wife said she's adjusting well already and the sky's the limit for her.

Dave 

Alright, so y'all going to come visit? Is she going to come home?

Kevin 

A little bit of both. Yeah,

Kristen 

Probably a little bit of both. All right. We have dogs that she likes a lot. Probably more than us.

Dave 

Right.

Kristen

She's going to come back for the animals.

Dave

She'll come home to see the dogs. I don't want to tear her away from her friends, but Which one? Which?

Kevin 

She's probably the only one with the pants on the colorful pants.

Dave 

Alright, I'm hunting Megan down. Hey Megan. Hey, how's it going? So I know you because I just met your parents. So I will talk to Y'all. I would love to. So Megan, I was talking to your parents about also. Hello y'all. Hello. Greetings. I was talking to your parents about what they're looking forward to for you when you're coming to App in the first month or so. So how was orientation? It

Megan 

Was great. Better than expected?

Dave 

What were you thinking it was going to be like? I

Megan

I thought I would be alone for most of it because I'm kind of shy usually. But it just kind of happened that we met a lot of people and it just

Dave 

Look at you go, oh, good for you. Alright, so what are you looking forward to for your first month or so at App State?

Megan

Honestly, getting back together with the people that I met.

Dave 

Aw, is that true? Yeah. That's so sweet. Sweet.

Megan

I love these people.

Dave 

Oh my gosh. Alright, well I got to talk to some of these people too.

Megan 

Yes you do.

Dave

Megan, thank you very much. So let's talk to you. My

Nicole

My name is Nicole.

Dave

Alright, Nicole, how was orientation?

Nicole 

It was a lot of fun. I had a great tour guide and it was her first tour and she did amazing.

Dave 

Knocked it out of the park.

Nicole 

Shout out to Catherine.

Dave 

What are you looking forward to for your first month or so at App State?

Nicole 

I think it's going to be a lot of getting into a schedule. I'm nervous about if I'm going to like my classes or not, but she said I'm excited to meet everybody back here in three weeks. So I'm also really excited to decorate my dorm and that's my roommate.

Dave 

Oh really? Alright, let's talk to your roommate. Hello roommate. How are you?

Kate 

Hello!

Dave 

What's your name?

Kate

My name is Kate.

Dave 

So Kate, how was orientation?

Kate 

Oh, it was so fun. I had a great time.

Dave 

What did you think it was going to be like?

Kate

I was convinced I was going to be sitting alone in the room talking to nobody, but that didn't happen.

Dave 

No, that's not what high school was like. I'm pretty sure right? That wasn't like that. No, no, no. And college won't be like that either.

Kate 

Okay, Thanks!

Dave

I promise it won't. So Kate, what are you looking forward to most about your first month or so at App State?

Kate 

Well, I'm just excited to obviously get back with them and then meet new people and for the football games, I'm excited for those.

Dave 

Awesome, cool. What is your main concern and how can we solve that now?

Kate 

My main concern is going to class. I'm afraid if I skip one class, I'm afraid I'm going to get in the habit, but I'm really going to try not to. That's my goal is to not skip class.

Dave 

Yeah, you have people to hold you accountable now. Right. Alright, good. And you also hung out with these people, right? Yes I did. So what is your name? I'm

Clara 

Clara.

Dave 

Clara. How are you?

Clara 

I'm doing really good.

Dave

Well, so you heard my question. What do you think? How was orientation?

Clara 

Orientation was a lot of fun. I didn't expect it to be, I was really dreading being by myself all weekend.

Dave

That's exactly what Kate said.

Clara

But as soon as I got here I found myself among 10 other girls and I was like, oh my gosh, this is so cute. And then we hung out with each other basically the whole time and it was nice. I'm looking forward to a lot of the social aspect of being in college, being able to choose where I go and what I do and all the people I hang out with.

Dave

Sweet freedom.

Clara 

Yes exactly.

Dave 

Alright. What are you concerned about?

Clara 

Just like what they said, getting to class. I'm just worried that maybe I won't get along with my professors. They won't be able to. I don't know if I'm going to be in big classes or anything. They won't have a personal relationship with me.

Dave 

Go talk to 'em.

Clara 

Yeah

Dave

That's what you do.

Clara

I know I'm supposed to go to the office hours and everything, do it, but I'm not too worried. I feel pretty good after this weekend.

Dave

Good. Thank you for taking a minute to talk to me. Yeah. Thank you so much. Yeah, have a good day. And yeah, you too. Safe travels back.

Dave

Orientation rules. Everybody had a big old time, people met friends. Parents are sad, parents are excited. Sarah Garros is very confident. Everything went smooth. I almost want to go back to college just so I can participate in orientation. Thank you so much to all the parents and all of the soon to be mountaineers and we can't wait to see you on campus come August. I'm Dave Blanks and this has been Dave by the Bell, Dave by the Bell, D-B-T-B. Hey, if you want to reach out to me, you could email our podcast email address, which is [email protected]. Like subscribe, do all these things. Tell your family, tell your great Aunt Mildred. Thanks so much. Alright, I'm going back to my building.

Dave interviews App State students to discover what their plans are for the summer. Will they study abroad? Will they work retail? Will they go to summer school? There is one sure fire way to find out. Listen to the podcast! 

Transcript:

Dave

Hey, friends, it's me, Dave Blanks, and I'm back with another Day by the Bell. I'm joined by our photographer, Kyla. Hello, Kyla.

Kyla

Hello, Dave.

Dave

And so today what we're going to talk about is, we're going to interview students, asking them, what are you doing this summer? It's reading day. There are students on Sanford Mall, so hopefully we'll find some people to talk to. Let’s do it

Caroline Allred

I’m Caroline Allred. So, when I go home, I'm going to be doing an internship with my church and babysitting and taking some summer classes.

Becky Foley

I'm Becky Foley,

Dave

And who do we have here?

Sean

I'm Sean.

Becky Foley

I'm going to stay in Boone. Go on a couple of vacations and swim in rivers.

Dave

Cool. what about you, Sean?

Sean

Pretty similar.

Dave

Also swim?

Sean

Yeah. Take a summer class.

Dave

You know what you're taking?

Sean

Differential equations.

Dave

All right. Is that something you have to take or something you want to take?

Sean

No. I have to take it. So, yeah.

Dave

Well good luck with differential equations.

Abigail McDonald

I'm Abigail McDonald. I am taking summer classes.

Dave

What!? Are you excited about the classes?

Abigail McDonald

I'm excited to be learning new stuff.

Dave

Cool.

Abigail McDonald

I'm kind of done with the section of classes I'm in.

Abigail McDonald

All right.

Abigail McDonald

I'm ready to pivot and learn new things.

Madison Swink

I'm Madison Swink. I'm going to go to Colorado for a week and then the beach and then just work and some online classes.

Dave

Nice. What about you? Can you tell me your name?

Enid Walker

Enid Walker. I'm going to work.

Dave

Where are you working?

Enid Walker

Aerie.

Dave

What is Aerie?

Enid Walker

It's like a women's athleisure store. Yeah.

Dave

Where's that?

Enid Walker

In Raleigh.

Dave

So are you going? Is that where you're from?

Enid Walker

Yes.

Dave

Okay. So you're going back home?

Enid Walker

Yeah. And I think that's all I'm doing. I might go to a concert.

Dave

Just working? Okay. Concert. Do you know what show?

Enid Walker

Hopefully the Pixies/Modest Mouse show. Fingers crossed.

Dave

Oh, that's. That would be amazing. I've seen Modest Mouse, but I've never seen the Pixies. I love the Pixies. Where are they playing?

Enid Walker

I believe Charlotte, my mom told me about it, so.

Dave

Yeah, right. Is your mom a Pixies fan?

Enid Walker

Big time.

Dave

Are you going with her?

Enid Walker

Yes.

Dave

Oh, that's so cool. You got a cool mom.

Enid Walker

Yeah, I do. I have cool parents.I

Katie Rogers

I'm Katie Rogers. I'm working two jobs, so...

Dave

Like, right now while you're in school, you're working two?

Katie Rogers

No. I have two jobs over the summer, so I'll be working at a shoe store and then a local coffee shop.

Dave

Are you doing anything fun over the summer? Because maybe your jobs are cool.

Katie Rogers

I was gonna try to plan to go to the beach with some friends.

Emma Rogers

I'm Emma Rogers. So hopefully a summer internship, and I'm hoping to work for a nonprofit and help with homelessness in Boone as well as food insecurity.

Dave

Nice. So you're staying up here and you're doing some good. Yeah. You know, the internship.

Emma Rogers

At the Hospitality House in Boone.

Mefer Yzaziga

I am Mefer Yzaziga. This summer, I'm going back home for 15 days, and then I'm coming back and I’m going to work in Boone and do some research.

Dave

Nice. Well, where's home?

Mefer Yzaziga

Peru.

Dave

Oh, cool. I've been to Peru.

Mefer Yzaziga

Really?

Dave

Yeah, I've been to Cusco and we went to the top. I went with, the geology department of Geology.

Mefer Yzaziga

Oh that's awesome. I study environmental science and geology.

Dave

Oh, cool.

Mefer Yzaziga

I’m from the capital. So...

Dave

I loved Peru. I thought it was fantastic. So you get to spend 15 days there? Yes.

Dave

Nice.

Xaviera Rodriguez

I'm Xaviera Rodriguez. I'm going back to Charlotte and work and be with my family. Yeah, my plan is to work.

Dave

Nothing fun.

Xaviera Rodriguez

probably.

Dave

Maybe a couple of fun things?

Xaviera Rodriguez

Yeah, yeah.

Dave

Okay, cool. Well, thank you all for your time. I really appreciate it.

Artie Bradley

I'm Artie Bradley. I have a fellowship with Equality NC that I'll be working on. So that's probably mostly what I'll be doing.

Dave

So what does Equality NC do?

Artie Bradley

So, it's an organization based in North Carolina. They’re largely focused on policy work and policy advocacy and education for the LGBTQ plus community in North Carolina. So they do a lot of ground work in that area.

Dave

Right on. Well, it sounds like you have a very effective summer on tap.

Artie Bradley

I hope so, yeah. I hope it works out.

Dave

What are you doing this summer, Kyla.

Kyla

I'm staying here and working.

Dave

Are you doing anything cool?

Kyla

Traveling with the solar vehicle team.

Dave

Well, that's very cool. Where are y'all going this year?

Kyla

We're going to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the track race.

Dave

Okay.

Kyla

And then for the cross-country race, we're going to Nashville, Tennessee, all the way up to Casper, Wyoming.

Dave

Cool.

Kyla

I'm stoked to be gone and doing that for three weeks.

Dave

Where do you find out more information about the Solar Vehicle team at App, Kyla?

Kyla

You could follow @appstatesvt on Instagram.

Dave

All right, do it.

Markell Samuel

My name is Markell Samuel. My plans for the summer is I will have an internship with Watauga Rec Center.

Dave

Nice.

Markell Samuel

And I'll also be doing football. So, I’ll have workouts, player led practices and stuff like that.

Markell Samuel

Do yall workout all summer long?

Markell Samuel

All summer.

Dave

Dang! So, you don't get a break, man.

Markell Samuel

Not really!

Dave

Oh, no. Are you doing anything fun? I mean, Parks and Rec is cool and the internship is cool. Are you going anywhere? Are you traveling anywhere?

Markell Samuel

Not really. I'll just probably go home, see the family right before we get back into the swing of things with football and my internship.

Alexis Chavez Gonzalez

I'm Alexis Chavez Gonzalez. It's mostly work and probably, like, have, like, a little vacation for myself. Maybe go to the beach.

Dave

What beach do you go to?

Alexis Chavez Gonzalez

I'm not really sure. I think my family is planning to go to Florida. I'm not sure where.

Dave

Okay, so you're going with them there?

Alexis Chavez Gonzalez

Yeah.

Dave

Nice. We're going int the library. What floor is the “you can talk on it” floor?

Kyla

First and second.

Dave

Okay.

Audrey Reeb

I'm Audrey Reeb. This summer, I'm probably just going to work a lot. I’m going to work with some kids, and I'm going to go visit my family in California. I work at a preschool. It's in Greenville, South Carolina.

Dave

So you work at a preschool in Greenville, South Carolina, but your family's in California, and you go to school at Appalachian State.

Audrey Reeb

Yeah, yeah, I've moved a lot.

Dave

That’s stressing me out, man!

Audrey Reeb

I know! Yeah. Uh huh. Three different high schools.

Dave

Wow! Geez. Louise.

Emma James

I'm Emma James.

Dave

Emma. James, what year are you?

Emma James

I'm a senior. Just going to work up here, probably in Blowing Rock. I want to go to grad school. I haven't decided if that will be next year or the next. Taking my time.

Dave

What have you been studying?

Emma James

Psychology.

Dave

Okay. Yeah, right. So where do you want to take that?

Emma James

I want to be a school counselor.

Corin Palmer

Corin Palmer, I got a study abroad internship and summer school.

Dave

Where are you studying abroad?

Corin Palmer

Portugal.

Dave

What makes you want to go to Portugal?

Corin Palmer

Sustainable living. Very interested in that.

Dave

Yeah. Okay. You have an internship. Where is that?

Corin Palmer

It's through the UNC system doing PCI security protocols.

Dave

Right on! And then the last thing was, what was the last thing?

Corin Palmer

Summer school.

Dave

Summer school. All right, so, when are you going to graduate? You're going to school in the summer. That must be pretty soon. Feels like.

Corin Palmer

It’s supposed to be December 2025, but I’m double majoring now, so you got to see how that's going to look.

Dave

Okay, so you're a double major, so you're tell me what it is. What are they?

Corin Palmer

Computer information systems and then a bachelor of science in cybersecurity.

Dave

Do you want to keep it in North Carolina? Would you be willing to go anywhere when you graduate? What do you think?

Corin Palmer

I'm just going to go where the money is.

Dave

Yeah, right.

Alex Powers

I'm Alex Powers.

Dave

Okay. So what are you studying for? We're here in the library. I assume that's what you're doing.

Alex Powers

we are currently working on a geography project on the new River Gorge National Park.

Dave

Right. that's the the newest national park in existence, right?

Alex Powers

I believe so.

Dave

Yeah, I was just reading about the new River. It goes so far, it's like 300, and I don't know how many miles, but. Okay, here's a here's the question. What do you do in the summer? You're almost done with the school year. So what you got? What you got coming up?

Alex Powers

I'm going to go kayaking, and I'm going to work.

Dave

Nice. Where where do you want to go kayaking?

Alex Powers

mostly around the new river places in blowing rock.

Dave

That checks out! Yeah.

Angel Dominguez

I'm Angel Dominguez...just working.

Angel Dominguez

That's it?

Angel Dominguez

Just working alot...Yeah.

Dave

That's the only thing?

Angel Dominguez

Yeah. pretty much.

Dave

Angel, you you got to take it easy a little, man. Where are you working?

Angel Dominguez

I work in retail.

Dave

Okay? Are you staying up here in Boone?

Angel Dominguez

No, I'm moving back home.

Dave

Okay. Where's home?

Angel Dominguez

Asheboro.

Ellie Bartis

My name is Ellie Bartis. I am studying abroad in Italy this summer, so I'm really excited about that.

Dave

Yeah. What are you going to study?

Ellie Bartis

I'm studying communications, so I'm an advertising major, and we're studying, basically just international communications. And how they differ from communications within the United States.

Dave

Is this something you have to do or something you just wanted to do?

Ellie Bartis

This is something I just wanted to do for the communications major. You don't have to study abroad. It does count as an elective.

Dave

Nice.

Ellie Bartis

But obviously you don't have to if you don't want to. It is kind of expensive, but I've just really wanted to study abroad my whole college career and now seems like the perfect time.

Alex Brand

I'm Alex Brand. I’m traveling with my mom.

Dave

Cool. Have you ever done that before?

Alex Brand

Oh, yeah. Every summer. Yeah, she takes me out since I was little. We'll go out west and, go to the national parks.

Dave

Nice. What's your favorite national park?

Alex Brand

I'd have to go with Arches. The whole landscape is orange, which is really different from anywhere else that you go. Like, it's just the formations are really, unique and not like, anywhere else. And so I like being there.

Luke Reed

My name is Luke Reed. I'm, senior here at App State. To start off this summer, I'm going on a trip for, I'm going to Alaska for a week. It's like a little abroad thing, and, it counts as three credits for my, electives in, the business school, which is pretty cool.

Dave

Nice. That's really cool. We're in Alaska are you going?

Luke Reed

Anchorage. Anchorage. Yeah.

Dave

So, what are you doing up there?

Luke Reed

So we're going up there as a class, and it's, it's a leadership class where you develop your leadership skills and how you can apply them to real world and the job force and team environments, things of that nature go in with about eight other students, and we're all going up there spending a week and a half up there.

Luke Reed

And so yeah, I'm super excited about that.

Dave

So yeah, that's great.

Jaeda Harris

I'm Jaeda Harris. This summer I will be working here and also training for track season. Cool. Yes. So I’m a athlete here.

Dave

What do you, What what are you working? Where are you working is what I'm trying to say.

Jaeda Harris

To be working with university housing. I'm going to be a conference assistant.

Dave

Okay, cool. So what do you do on the track team?

Jaeda Harris

I'm a thrower on the track and field team.

Dave

Okay. What's your favorite thing to throw?

Jaeda Harris

Hammer throw. That's my favorite.

Dave

Hammer is so cool.

Jaeda Harris

Hammer is cool. It is. The reason why it's my favorite is because it's something that I just learned. I've been doing track since I was three, so it's kind of rare for me to learn something new, and I turned out to be pretty good at it.

Dave

Excellent. Do they have hammer in in, like, high school?

Jaeda Harris

No they don't actually. So I'm from North Carolina. In some places, like in South Carolina, they do have hammer, but unfortunately we don't.

Dave

Awww, man. Well, enjoy your hammer time. Thank you. Is that what you call it?

Jaeda Harris

I mean, I guess you could put it that way.

Dave

Don't. Lets don't. Let's agree not to.

Maggie Slade

I am Maggie Slade. Yeah. So I am going to be working, at Over Yonder restaurant over the summer while I'm applying for some salaried jobs. and kind of just taking a little bit of a break from academics while I kind of replenish, like, my soul a little bit, and then go into the workforce and see how I feel about where I'm working.

Maggie Slade

And if I want to go back to grad school, and possibly try to find a position that might, like, fund grad school for me.

Dave

Cool! Yeah, yeah. So, are you from Boone?

Maggie Slade

I'm not from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dave

You're sticking around and working over yonder? Yes, I am, oh, well, good for you.

Dave

So we got so many good answers. Kyla, don't you agree?

Kyla

I agree, especially that one guy who said he's, interning, studying abroad and then doing summer school. That's a lot.

Dave

And he's. And I was like, where where you hope to take this? And he's like, wherever the money is. So he's got his eye on the prize for sure. But, some exciting summers for all of our mountaineers that we spoke to today. Thanks to everyone. Thanks to Kyla so much for taking pictures. All right. And we'll do it again.

Dave

I'm Dave Blanks and this has been Dave by the Bell! Bye!

Dave

Hey, Kyla!

Kyla

Hello.

Dave

How's it going?

Kyla

Pretty good!

Dave

That’s good. It's a beautiful day, right?

Kyla

Yeah.

Dave

Nice day for a Dave by the Bell. So we're talking to students about what's in and what's out since it's halfway through the semester. And let's talk to this group of people.

Jocelyn

I’m Jocelyn, what's out is those...do you know those like, Lululemon shorts that were, like, really puffy and, like, super high waisted? I hate them. They're out.

Dave

Yes, all right.

Jocelyn

They've been out. It's time to wear shorts again. And those are still they're still not. Okay. And what's in for me is probably I mean, honestly, just like tank tops, like it's time for my body to get some more sun.

Dave

It feels really good today.

Jocelyn

Yeah, it really does.

Anne Carol Sheely

I'm Anne Carol Sheely. What's out is social media TikTok even though I'm still on it. And then the new one this semester is hydration.

Kaleb Neal

I'm Kaleb Neal. Well, I would say I'm trying to change my habits so leaving out old habits and bringing in new ones.

Dave

Nice! Well, so what are the new ones we're bringing in then?

Kaleb Neal

Turning in assignments on time and staying ahead.

Owen Roberson

I'm Owen Roberson. Well, for me I'm trying to get out of being lazy I guess and try to be outside more. The winter season for sure is a bit of like the seasonal depression kind of thing. So trying to get back into being outside, being social a bit more.

Nathan Care

I'm Nathan Care. Caffeine.

Dave

Caffeine is in?

Nathan Care

Yes. Red Bull. Monster.

Dave

Caffeine. Don’t matter.

Dave

So did you did you previously not have caffeine?

Nathan Care

Oh! No.

Dave

Caffeine has been a consistent companion.

Nathan Care

Yes. 

Dave

All right. Well, continue with the caffeine. Thanks, Nathan.

Dave

We got to stop following these babies.

Kyla

You should get the baby.

Dave

We can't interview babies.

Stroller offerer 

Do you want to grab my stroller?

Stroller denier 

He wasn't holding on to the stroller.

Dave

Okay, we got to get away from these babies. Awww no. That one's really upset. It's okay. Little babies.

Abby Van Kula

I'm Abby Van Kula

Dave

Let's start with what's out.

Abby Van Kula

The cold, the snow. I'm over that. I love how everybody's sitting outside.

Dave

I know, Right? So many people on Sanford.

Abby Van Kula

It's nice. What's in? Hanging out outside. Going on hikes. Going to the parkway.

Jack Scales

I'm Jack Scales. What's in?

Jack Scales

Ummm staying hydrated.

Dave

Where's your water, man?

Jack Scales

I got to go get one I guess!

Dave

Hydration…so important, right?

Kyla

Got two water bottles on my desk right now.

Dave

Oh, do you really? Well, you're on it.

Sierra Focazio

I'm Sierra Focazio.

Dave

And what is your name?

Apprecia Lassiter 

Apprecia Lassiter.

Dave

So we'll start with Sierra and then go to Apprecia. What is out and what is in?

Sierra Focazio

Bad weather.

Dave

Yeah ok!

Sierra Focazio

Thirty degrees and wind.

Dave

What is in for you?

Sierra Focazio

This weather. It’s so nice out.

Dave

All right.

Dave

Apprecia, what is out for you?

Apprecia Lassiter 

My peace.

Dave

Your peace is out?!

Apprecia Lassiter 

My peace is out.

Dave

What’s happening to you?

Apprecia Lassiter 

Interior design, major. That's all I got to say about it.

Dave

All right. So was the previous semester peaceful or the previous half was peaceful?

Apprecia Lassiter 

No, but I had my dignity at the very least.

Dave

Oh no! All right, so what's in for you, then?

Apprecia Lassiter 

Hmmm, I guess chaos. We’ll it embrace it.

Dave

I'm hopeful it won't be super chaotic for you, but I don't know.

Apprecia Lassiter 

I don’t know either. I paid for it...so.

Dave

Yeah! You’re the one that came here! This was your idea!

Apprecia Lassiter 

I literally did it to myself. Self inflicted.

Dave

Well, hey, y’all enjoy the weather and have a great day. And good luck.

Arianna Diaz

I'm Arianna Diaz.

Dave

So what is out?

Arianna Diaz

People being mean to me.

Dave

Ok! All right. All right, So you're leaving some some negative people behind.

Arianna Diaz

Yeah.

Dave

So what's in?

Arianna Diaz

Being nice to me.

Dave

People being nice to you is in. You're going to will this and it's going to be so right?

Arianna Diaz

Yes.

Dave

All right. I like it. Get those negative folks out of there.

Kyla

She seemed so sweet.

Dave

I know.

Kyla

I couldn’t imagine anyone being mean to her.

Dave

Why would he be hateful to her?

Emily Daggerhart

I'm Emily Daggerhart.

Dave

Daggerhart! Awww man, that is a cool name! So here's the question, Emily. What is out and what is in.

Emily Daggerhart

Just in general?

Dave

It could be anything.

Emily Daggerhart

Out? social media. I'm so tired of being on my phone all the time. I'm over it. I want to be more present in the next half of the semester. Like, be outside, do things. Not scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. I feel like it takes up a lot of my time and it's not productive.

Dave

So what are you looking to bring in to your life?

Emily Daggerhart

Better grades, better relationships, better attitudes. 

Regan Petto 

I am Reagan Petto.

Dave

What are you going to start with what's out?

Regan Petto 

I'm going to start with what’s in.

Dave

Okay, Reagan, what's in?

Regan Petto 

Snacks.

Dave

Okay. What kind of snacks?

Regan Petto 

Anything mid-day when you're, like, feeling kind of sad and you don't know why.

Dave

Wait, is that eating your feelings. That's not what that is.

Regan Petto 

It’s not. It’s is keeping your body fueled.

Dave

Yeah. All right. I like that. Good. All right. And Reagan, what is out?

Regan Petto 

Crying over your to do list.

Dave

Does it really bring you to tears?

Regan Petto 

Sometimes.

Dave

Awww man.

Dave

Dave

Yeah! Don't do that anymore.

Regan Petto 

No, I won't.

Dave

Maybe eat a snack instead.

Regan Petto 

Yeah, we both should.

Ben Brenner

I am Ben Brenner.

Ben Brenner

Definitely missing class.

Dave

Missing class is out.

Ben Brenner

I could definitely be better about that.

Dave

All right. And what is in?

Ben Brenner

I'd say wearing shorts.

Dave

Shorts are in?

Ben Brenner

Yeah.

Dave

Look he's got shorts.

Lionel West

I’m Lionel West.

Dave

So what's out for you, Lionel?

Lionel West

I'm going to say the snow. I'm ready for the perfect weather.

Dave

The snow is out. All right, So what is in?

Lionel West

Good weather.

Dave

All right. Yeah, It's a lot of people have answered that because, I mean, it's such a beautiful day.

Lionel West

Exactly!

Dave

So I'm noticing that you have one of these water bottles that I feel like is kind of in. Is that particular water bottle in?

Lionel West

Yes, they're called Owala. Like everyone has them.

Dave

Okay. All right. So what's out?

Lionel West

Maybe Hydro Flask?

Dave

See you later, Hydro Flask. Owala for life. All right, cool. Lionel, thanks for your answer. I appreciate you very much. Can you tell me your name? Hello. How's it going?

La'guyia Carver

Good. My name's La’guyia Carver.

Dave

So can you tell me what is out for you, La’guyia?

La'guyia Carver

Mean spiritedness, hate, jealousy. All the negativity is gone. I don't want it anymore. I'm a being of light now. Peace. Prosperity.

Dave

As of today.

La'guyia Carver

Yes. As of today. It's so sunny I’ve been improved!

Dave

Starting now! Yeah. The weather helps, right?

La'guyia Carver

Yeah, for sure.

Dave

Okay, so what is in for you?

La'guyia Carver

Well, off the bat, sunscreen. You need that also because I do have a tattoo that is healing and I did forget it. So there's that.

Dave

But you're in the shade.

La'guyia Carver

Yeah. Quickly came over here. I'm also staying hydrated. Water bottles of course. I have my Nalgene actually, that's going to be my baby for life. But I do...I am a sheep. I do want an Owala so bad. All right, But the Nalgene is here to say.

Jackson Winther

I'm Jackson Winther. AirPods are in...walking around campus. What's out, I would say, is sweat pants. It's getting hot.

Dave

Sweat pants are out.

Paige Kaine

I am Paige Kaine.

Dave

All right. I'm just going to just lay it out there.

Paige Kaine

All right.

Dave

What's in? What's out?

Paige Kaine

What's in: being nice to people, hanging out outside, cats.

Dave

Cats are in.

Paige Kaine

What's out: Any winter clothes, being inside and skipping class.

Taneille Jordan

I'm Taneille Jordan. My grades.

Dave

Your grades are in?

Taneille Jordan

Yes.

Dave

Oh, Like a focus on them?

Taneille Jordan

No, My grades are going to be in for next semester.

Dave

Okay, that's true.

Taneille Jordan

And out? Well, I can't say procrastination, because then I'd be lying.

Dave

Thank you for your honesty.

Taneille Jordan

Old notes.

Dave

Old notes? You're getting rid of them.

Taneille Jordan

Well, I don't use them.

Kiera Williamson

My name is Kiera Williamson.

Dave

What's in and what's out?

Kiera Williamson

We're going to bring in time management, and we're going to leave out bad time management and no sleeping.

Dave

Yeah. Did you get sleep last night?

Kiera Williamson

I did, actually.

Dave

Awesome. Okay, you're on a great start. Okay, cool.

Grace Cannone

My name is Grace Cannone. Ohhh! Ins and outs. What's in is gospel from the 1930s. What's out...sitting in your room and sulking.

Dave

Is that something that you've been doing? Because I don't think you have.

Grace Cannone

If I'm going to be honest...yes.

Dave

You have?! Over what?

Grace Cannone

Seasonal depression. It's real.

Dave

Yeah, it is a real thing. All right. Thank you for your answers.

Grace Cannone

Of course! 

Dave

I really appreciate you. Okay. Tell me your name.

Sasha Fuellhart

Hi. My name is Sasha Fuellhart.

Dave

So, Sasha, what is in? What is out?

Sasha Fuellhart

Okay, I actually have a really extensive list.

Dave

You have a list of what's in and out?

Sasha Fuellhart

Talking to random people in public.

Dave

So that's in? Oh! Okay. All right. That’s in.

Sasha Fuellhart

Red wine is in and fish.

Dave

Red wine and fish and talking to people in public.

Sasha Fuellhart

Honestly, I don't have anything that's out.

Dave

Okay.

Sasha Fuellhart

Except for sulking. I'm done with sulking. Go play outside. I love playing with my friends outside. That's in.

Dave

Is that what you're doing right now?

Sasha Fuellhart

Yeah. Honestly, we're just. We're kind of, like, just waiting and then I'm going to walk to my car and we're going to do homework.

Dave

But that doesn't sound fun at all.

Sasha Fuellhart

We're standing outside.

Dave

That's true.

Sasha Fuellhart

...so I guess it is like playing outside.

Dave

I will count it in your win column. In your in column. Thank you for your answers, y’all. I really appreciate.

Grace Cannone

Is a beautiful Monday in Boone.

Sasha Fuellhart

It is a beautiful Monday in Boone.

Dave

It is.

Grace Cannone

It's a beautiful Monday to be alive.

Grace Cannone

It is!

Dave

Kyla, I think we found a lot of what's in and what's out. So what is the one what's in that sticks with you the most?

Kyla

Probably everyone's focus with being better, with their schoolwork.

Dave

....and 1930s Gospel music.

Kyla

1930s, gospel music.

Dave

Thank you. Thank you for hanging out with me. I appreciate the pictures very much.

Kyla

Of course!

Dave

We’ll do it again, hopefully on as beautiful a day as this. I'm Dave Blanks. This has been Dave by the Bell. Thanks Kyla!

Kyla

You’re welcome.

Dave

Bye.

Dave and App State's social media manager Ginny Scheer roam about Sanford Mall interviewing App State students to find out what they wish they had known way back when they were applying to college. Maybe don't procrastinate but chill out and follow your heart while not stressing...something along those lines anyway.  

Transcript:

Dave fumbles about campus somehow managing to find a bunch of seniors who are about to graduate. Dave grills them on their plans for the future! It's every new graduate's dream come true!

Transcript: 

Dave Blanks:

Hey friends, on this Dave by the Bell, I'm going to talk to seniors who are graduating and ask them what the heck they got planned next. Stick around, won't you?

Jenna Michalski:

I'm Jenna Michalski.

Dave Blanks:

You're graduating, correct?

Jenna Michalski:

Yes.

Dave Blanks:

Congratulations.

Jenna Michalski:

Thank you.

Dave Blanks:

What have you been studying here at Appalachian State?

Jenna Michalski:

Commercial Photography Minor in English.

Dave Blanks:

Cool. So what do you plan to do with that? Be very creative, I would assume.

Jenna Michalski:

I'm trying to get paired with a video production company.

Dave Blanks:

Cool.

Jenna Michalski:

Either start off as an editor or some sort of an assistant.

Dave Blanks:

What are you doing on campus?

Jenna Michalski:

I have a final in about 30 minutes.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, snap. Are you ready for it?

Jenna Michalski:

Yeah, it's my last one so it's getting real.

Dave Blanks:

Is it sad?

Jenna Michalski:

A little bit.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, you liked App?

Jenna Michalski:

Yeah, I did.

Dave Blanks:

You could still be here. You could study more.

Jenna Michalski:

I'm good on that.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Well, you can at least come back and visit?

Jenna Michalski:

Yes, absolutely.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, please do that. All right. What about girl with a dog? Do you think she's a senior? Hey, excuse me. Are you a senior graduating?

Girl with a dog:

No.

Dave Blanks:

Do you have a dog? Hello, dog. Oh, my gosh. What a nice puppy you have. Well, have a good day.

Girl with a dog:

Thank you.

Dave Blanks:

All right, bye. That was a friendly dog. Anyway, still heading down toward the sign Founders Plaza. I see some people. There are people getting pictures over here. I knew it. You look like you're graduating.

Val Moscoso:

I am.

Dave Blanks:

All right, cool. What's your name?

Val Moscoso:

Well, I'm Val Moscoso. I'm graduating with Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. I'm taking a gap year, but I will go into occupational therapy school.

Dave Blanks:

So what are you doing with your gap year?

Val Moscoso:

I think the goal is definitely to explore a little bit.

Dave Blanks:

Cool. Are we talking worldwide or are we talking US?

Val Moscoso:

Definitely worldwide. But I mean, I'll definitely start out slow with the US something.

Dave Blanks:

Sure.

Val Moscoso:

But yeah, I definitely want to go backpacking in Europe or something like that.

Dave Blanks:

Nice. I was going to say, what's one place that you've never been, that you're sure you'll go specifically.

Val Moscoso:

I definitely want to go to Italy at some point.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, all right.

Val Moscoso:

For sure though.

Dave Blanks:

I love it. All right. Well, Val, the sky's the limit and congratulations.

Val Moscoso:

Thank you so much.

Aru Hopper:

I'm Arou Hopper. I want to go to PA school, and I have to get a bunch of clinical hours for that. So I have a job lined up for me as a CNA, and I'll be working either in Charlotte or in Boone. I'm trying to figure out which one.

Dave Blanks:

Thank you for your time and congratulations. And you have a friend here as well. So what is your name?

Morgan Smith:

Morgan Smith.

Dave Blanks:

So Morgan, you're also graduating?

Morgan Smith:

I am.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Excellent. What are you graduating with a degree in?

Morgan Smith:

Exercise Science.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Same as this. Cool. Are you all headed like to ...

Morgan Smith:

We're heading to the same exam actually.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, no, wait. All right. Okay. When do you have to be there? How much time do you have?

Morgan Smith:

20 minutes.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. All right. You're good. All right. All right. So Morgan, what's next for you?

Morgan Smith:

Same thing, just working to get clinical hours after I graduate.

Dave Blanks:

Do you know where you're doing in your clinicals?

Morgan Smith:

I'm heading back home to do a CNA clinical back home. Kind of want to travel a little bit, so we'll see.

Dave Blanks:

Excellent. Well, you all, thank you so much.

Aru Hopper:

Thank you so much.

Morgan Smith:

Thank you.

Dave Blanks:

Very much. And please come back and visit us.

Morgan Smith:

Thank you.

Aru Hopper:

[inaudible 00:03:33].

Morgan Smith:

Appreciate it.

Dave Blanks:

All right. See you later. Are you a senior maybe?

Freshman:

Huh?

Dave Blanks:

Are you a senior?

Freshman:

I'm freshman.

Dave Blanks:

All right, man. Keep at it. He seemed like a freshman. We're in the student union now, looking for seniors. Is either one of yall a senior?

Foster:

We are.

Dave Blanks:

Can I ask you a question for my podcast?

Foster:

Of course.

Dave Blanks:

Real lighthearted. Okay, cool. Who are you, sir?

Foster:

My name's Foster.

Dave Blanks:

Cool.

Foster:

Like the beer or the child.

Dave Blanks:

And what is your name?

McKenzie:

McKenzie.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. So Foster and McKenzie. So Foster, what have you been studying here at App?

Foster:

I'm a Sociology major.

Dave Blanks:

Where's the next step for you? Where are you going with this?

Foster:

Oh, that's a great question. I'm actually doing an internship this summer with the courthouse, so we'll see if maybe local governments-

Dave Blanks:

Here in Watauga?

Foster:

Yep, absolutely. Here in Watauga.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, nice one. Cool. Well, thanks Foster. Hopefully we'll see you under good circumstances at the courthouse.

Foster:

Fingers crossed.

Dave Blanks:

Hope so. And what is your name again? I'm sorry.

McKenzie:

McKenzie.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, McKenzie. So what have you been studying? Also Sociology?

McKenzie:

Also sociology.

Dave Blanks:

I could have guessed. Where are you going after this?

McKenzie:

I enjoy that Sociology is very broad.

Dave Blanks:

It is.

McKenzie:

You know what I mean? So I feel like I can go into a bunch of different things.

Dave Blanks:

Right.

McKenzie:

But I do think HR is pretty interesting.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. I can't go into Crossroads because they're cranking music. I can't afford to pay for all that Dua Lipa. Excuse me, are you a senior by any chance?

Jana Bowman:

I am.

Dave Blanks:

You are?

Jana Bowman:

I'm Jana Bowman.

Dave Blanks:

Jana, how's it going?

Jana Bowman:

Good, how are you?

Dave Blanks:

I'm good. Where did you ... Did you get some at Cascades?

Jana Bowman:

No, I was coming from the Office of Community Engaged Leadership.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. Is that what you do at App when you're not studying things?

Jana Bowman:

Yeah, I hang out there all the time. I work there. I volunteer. It's just a great place to be. I always pitch it as like, if you care about anything, our office is a great place to be.

Dave Blanks:

If you care about anything.

Jana Bowman:

Anything at all. We do everything from voter engagement to environmental justice to volunteering with nonprofits in the community, leadership.

Dave Blanks:

What if you care about animals?

Jana Bowman:

Animals? We I'm pretty sure just did a day of service to the local animal shelter.

Dave Blanks:

Oh really? Oh, that's cool. I thought I was going to get you because you're naming all people stuff but yeah yeah.

Jana Bowman:

No, it's like I said. If you care about anything, our office is a really great place to be.

Dave Blanks:

All right. How do we find out more?

Jana Bowman:

The best ways to go to our office, which is I believe PSU 138. It's all the way at the end of the Union on the first floor.

Dave Blanks:

All right, cool. Well, thank you very much. So here's my actual question. So, you're graduating. What did you study here at App?

Jana Bowman:

I studied Sustainable Development.

Dave Blanks:

Do you feel like you've learned a lot?

Jana Bowman:

Yeah, definitely. I think specifically within my major, it shifted my entire mindset of how everything is connected. Because I think beforehand you just think about one problem and then another problem. But then within the Sustainable Development major, you kind of learn how everything is a feedback loop and how everything's connected and there are drivers and symptoms of problems, and that really helps you to understand how to fix the overall issue.

Dave Blanks:

Right, cool. What is next for you?

Jana Bowman:

I have a job actually working at a nonprofit in the triangle called The Hunt Institute. It's a nonprofit and they basically advocate for just really progressive public policy agendas for K through 12 education in North Carolina and nationally.

Dave Blanks:

Nice.

Jana Bowman:

I'm connecting policy makers and leaders in education and really just trying to get the conversations about how we can help schools and teachers and communities and kids.

Dave Blanks:

What a great mountaineer you are.

Jana Bowman:

Thank you.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, keep at it.

Jana Bowman:

Thank you.

Dave Blanks:

Man, I'm sure you'll do great things. I appreciate your time. And congratulations.

LA McGee:

I am LA McGee.

Dave Blanks:

LA, What did you study here at Appalachian State?

LA McGee:

Exercise Science. I'm actually moving to Wisconsin to work at an adventure resort as a raft guide.

Dave Blanks:

That sounds so cool. So what's the river that you'll be on?

LA McGee:

I honestly can't remember what it's called.

Dave Blanks:

No, shameful. How did you even get the gig? How did you get the job?

LA McGee:

I found it on a website called Cool Works.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Cool works with a C? Not like so cool that they have to spell it with a K.

LA McGee:

I know, they should do it that way honestly.

Dave Blanks:

Come on. Cool works. Let's listen to LA here. All right. So cool. So do you know anybody out there?

LA McGee:

I do not.

Dave Blanks:

Wow. Are you nervous?

LA McGee:

I am very nervous. I leave in three days.

Dave Blanks:

Oh my gosh. Have you finished all your exams?

LA McGee:

I'm actually about to finish one now.

Dave Blanks:

Good luck.

LA McGee:

Thank you.

Dave Blanks:

And we'll see you on the river.

LA McGee:

Perfect.

Dave Blanks:

All right, thanks. Well, I've actually managed to find a pretty good number of seniors. Hey, excuse me. Hey, are any of you all seniors who are about to graduate? You are? Can I ask you a question for my podcast?

Ivy Crist:

Okay.

Dave Blanks:

Is that okay?

Ivy Crist:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

All right, cool. So where are we? I'm in Club Hub. So what is this place?

Ivy Crist:

So Club Hub is a resource for clubs and organizations on campus. We have physical resources like outdoor games, board games. Then we also do funding for clubs through Club Council.

Dave Blanks:

Cool. Who are you? You're so informative.

Ivy Crist:

I'm Ivy Crist.

Dave Blanks:

All right, Ivy. So are you graduating? Thank you for that information about Club Hub. I appreciate that.

Ivy Crist:

I work here.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, all right. It makes sense that you're in here. What are you graduating with a degree in. What did you study here at App?

Ivy Crist:

Political science.

Dave Blanks:

So what does the future hold for you, Ivy?

Ivy Crist:

So I'm not entirely sure yet, but I would love to work for a non-profit. Not a specific mission, more just like advocacy.

Dave Blanks:

A voice for people who maybe aren't being heard.

Ivy Crist:

Yes.

Dave Blanks:

So do you know geographically where that might occur?

Ivy Crist:

Probably to start somewhere in North Carolina or close.

Dave Blanks:

Keep it here. All right. Keep it in the state. Well, Ivy, thanks for your information. Thanks for your time, and congratulations on graduating.

Ivy Crist:

Yeah, of course. Thank you.

Dave Blanks:

I don't know why I'm in the student union. Most of the time I'm outside for these. Only in the student union when it's raining, but it's actually a really pretty day so maybe I'll just go back outside.

Excuse me. Are you a senior here at App by chance?

A Faculty Member:

No, I'm a faculty member.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, are you? For real? Oh, right. Well, I've been, most of the time when people say no, that means they're younger. So I'm like, well hang in there. But I mean, hang in there if you're grading stuff maybe.

A Faculty Member:

Grading, yeah.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Hang in there. I mean, a pretty good number of seniors. Right? A lot of me babbling to myself too. There's like a weird dinosaur shrine out here. Sort of weird. Looking for seniors. Maybe this is one. You know people ask me, Dave? No, they don't. Just kidding.

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

I'm Lauren Niedzwiecki.

Dave Blanks:

You're graduating?

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

Yes, I am.

Dave Blanks:

What have you been studying?

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science.

Dave Blanks:

Cool. All right. So what has been the most memorable part of Biology here at Appalachian State?

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

Probably just the field work. I really love doing field work and being outside. That's really heightened my passion.

Dave Blanks:

Did you have a wow moment when you went out anywhere up here.

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

Probably just the New River. It's so abundant in species.

Dave Blanks:

Can you tell me where you're headed next?

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

I'm going to be working with the Watauga Riverkeeper.

Dave Blanks:

Nice.

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

So I'm very excited about that. And then I think the possibilities are endless from there.

Dave Blanks:

Absolutely. So are you from the area originally?

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

No, I'm from Pilot Mountain, North Carolina.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, all right. But you're sticking around here to work for Watauga Riverkeeper?

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

I am, yes.

Dave Blanks:

Cool. Well, we're happy you're staying.

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

Oh, thank you. I appreciate that.

Dave Blanks:

Absolutely. And congratulations.

Lauren Niedzwiecki:

Thank you. Yep.

Dave Blanks:

Gross. There's somebody's handkerchief. What an old time-y word. Hanky. All right, Yosef statue, don't let me down. I mean, where else? There's the Appalachian sign and the Yosef statue, right? Peacock traffic circle. Nobody's at Yosef.

Going through. Echo-ey tunnel. Now I'm sweating. There's a person I can ask. Let's ask them. I see you have a name tag, Emily Pittman. So I'm Dave Blanks here. You can see on my name tag.

Emily Pittman:

I see it, yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Hey, nice to meet you too. So you're graduating as a grad student.

Emily Pittman:

Mmm-hmm.

Dave Blanks:

So what have you been studying here at App?

Emily Pittman:

Social Work.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, all right. So what part of society do you want to work with?

Emily Pittman:

I want to work with students.

Dave Blanks:

Okay.

Emily Pittman:

I really like working with other college students, so I'm excited to do that after graduation.

Dave Blanks:

Nice. Do you know where you're going to do it?

Emily Pittman:

Yes, I'm going to Elon University to work as an academic advisor.

Dave Blanks:

Well, Emily, thank you very much for your answer. I really appreciate it, and congrats on graduating.

Emily Pittman:

Thank you so much.

Dave Blanks:

Thanks, Emily. Oh, thank God. All right, I found the last one. I don't know why that had to be the last one, but mostly just because I'm tired of talking and walking. Congratulations seniors. We're proud of you. You'll always be mountaineers. You'll always have a place up here with us. Come back for homecoming. Come back for 4th of July, for whatever holiday, for all the holidays. I'm Dave Blanks. This has been Dave by the Bell. Bye.

 In this Valentine’s Day edition of Dave by the Bell, Dave and University Communications intern Madi chat it up with friendly passersby to get at the heart of this question — “What is the most romantic place on campus?”

Dave Blanks:

Hello, friends. I'm Dave Blanks from University Communications, and I was going to talk today about Valentine's Day. What we're going to do is ask students what the most romantic place in all of campus is. I was going to go see if Madi , our intern, wanted to come along. So, let's go do that.

Hello.

Madi:

So, jacket?

Dave Blanks:

I'm not wearing a jacket, based on what you said. You said you got hot.

Madi:

Fine. We won't wear jackets.

Dave Blanks:

Madi , no jackets for this one. There are romantic places on campus. We're walking right now by the-

Madi:

By the hand statue.

Dave Blanks:

...church hand statue thing with the wheelbarrow. I don't think that's a place.

Eliza:

My name's Eliza.

Dave Blanks:

So Eliza, Valentine's is coming up. Did you know?

Eliza:

Yes, it is.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, it is. Is that an exciting thing for you? A positive thing?

Eliza:

It is exciting.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah?

Eliza:

We're going to go up here.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, let's go up here.

Eliza:

I got my first boyfriend a couple months ago, so this will be... We're going to go this way?

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, let's go this way.

Eliza:

This will be my first Valentine's Day with someone.

Dave Blanks:

Very sweet.

Eliza:

So it'll be fun.

Dave Blanks:

Cool. Yeah, yeah. Are you a freshman at App?

Eliza:

Yes, I am.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Excellent. You're doing the whole college experience thing.

Eliza:

Yes, I am.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. Good for you. Okay, so if you had to spend it on campus somewhere, where's the most romantic place?

Eliza:

I really like the duck pond.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah.

Eliza:

That little shelter.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, yeah.

Eliza:

I think that's fun.

Dave Blanks:

All right.

Eliza:

Get bagels or something.

Dave:

Dude…the duck pond!

Savannah:

Savannah.

Dave Blanks:

If you had to pick one?

Savannah:

The duck pond.

Dave Blanks:

The duck pond?

Savannah:

I think it's cute.

Dave Blanks:

You think the duck pond?

Savannah:

Could be kind of cute. Yeah, you could do a little picnic or something.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, okay. That's good. That was a good answer.

Jacob:

I'm Jacob. The solarium, maybe.

Dave Blanks:

You think the solarium?

Jacob:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Why the solarium?

Jacob:

There are a lot of plants and sunlight, I guess.

Dave Blanks:

Right?

Jacob:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

What about outside?

Jacob:

It's cold.

Derek Carter:

I'm Derek Carter. A romantic place on campus?

Dave Blanks:

Right.

Derek Carter:

I'd probably just take her to my job, the cafe. Cascades.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Cool. Right on.

Derek Carter:

They have a Valentine's Day drink, so I'll probably give that.

Dave Blanks:

What's the Valentine's Day drink?

Derek Carter:

It's like chocolate and strawberry.

Dave Blanks:

That sounds good. Is it expensive?

Derek Carter:

It's like $6.

Dave Blanks:

College student can swing that for Valentine's Day, right?

Derek Carter:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

All right. All right. Excellent.

Evan Rice:

I am Evan Rice. Okay. This is a curve-ball. Me and my girlfriend just broke up a week ago.

Dave Blanks:

Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.

Evan Rice:

I'll probably just go for a picnic. I'd start here.

Dave Blanks:

We're on Sanford right now.

Evan Rice:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Okay.

Evan Rice:

Maybe a walk on the trail back there. End up at the baseball field.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. Yeah.

Evan Rice:

What have other people said?

Dave Blanks:

Duck pond. How do you feel about duck pond?

Evan Rice:

That’s gross. Like you just get like wafts of smell. Does Gastown...

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. Go to Gastown, dude.

Evan Rice:

Yeah, I'd probably stack up on some stuff there. Right?

Dave Blanks:

Excellent. Yeah. Slim Jims, Munchos.

Sam Vanderkin:

Sam Vanderkin. Maybe over by the bell.

Dave Blanks:

Durham Park there.

Sam Vanderkin:

Yeah, there's cute picnic areas. Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. That's cool.

Sam Vanderkin:

Pimento cheese sandwiches-

Dave Blanks:

Yes.

Sam Vanderkin:

...cut into little triangles.

Madi:

Pimento cheese sandwiches in triangles?

Dave Blanks:

Little triangle pimento cheeses.

Anthony Coriali:

I'm Anthony Coriali. Ooh, that's a tough one. I might just hang out in the solarium student union. Peaceful atmosphere, running water.

Dave Blanks:

Nice.

Anthony Coriali:

Yep.

Marissa:

I'm Marissa.

Dave Blanks:

Hey, Marissa. How are you doing?

Marissa:

I'm exhausted.

Dave Blanks:

Oh no. What's going on in your life?

Marissa:

Homework.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, that's the worst. You'll get through it.

Marissa:

Thank you for empathizing.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, I feel for you. So Valentine's is coming up, right?

Marissa:

Oh God.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah.

Marissa:

I can't.

Dave Blanks:

Valentine's is coming up.

Marissa:

Yes.

Dave Blanks:

So if you had to pick a spot on this very campus here where you attend school to have a romantic Valentine's Day experience, where would you pick? Where's the most romantic place on campus?

Marissa:

The study room by yourself, because you should focus on your grades and not boys so you can make your own money.

Dave Blanks:

Nice.

Marissa:

Or with your friends.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Study room with friends.

Marissa:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Thank you for your answer. Have a good day.

Diana Cooper:

Diana Cooper. Does none of the above count?

Dave Blanks:

You have to pick somewhere.

Brandon Wayne:

I'm Brandon Wayne. The duck pond, probably.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. Okay. All right.

Brandon Wayne:

I'd feed them grapes.

Dave Blanks:

Yes.

Brandon Wayne:

I'd feed the ducks grapes.

Dave Blanks:

I was picturing that your person that you were spending the time with, you were feeding them grapes.

Brandon Wayne:

No, all those grapes got to go to the ducks.

Dave Blanks:

Right. The ducks need the grapes. Yeah.

Hadley Siefert:

I'm Hadley Seifert. Sanford.

Dave Blanks:

Sanford? Yeah. Yeah. We're at Sanford right now. So what would your romantic Sanford date be?

Hadley Siefert:

A picnic.

Dave Blanks:

What kind of food are you serving at your picnic?

Hadley Siefert:

Grilled cheese.

Dave Blanks:

Cheese, excellent. What kind of cheese?

Hadley Siefert:

American. Maybe some strawberries.

Nikki Coddle:

I'm Nikki Coddle. I'd like to say something nice outside, but it's a bit too cold for that.

Dave Blanks:

Let's assume the weather's going to be nice.

Nikki Coddle:

Okay.

Dave Blanks:

All right.

Nikki Coddle:

Then maybe a little picnic outside on Stanford. I think that'd be really cute and romantic. I like to bake, so maybe I could bring the baked goods, the sweets, and then they could bring whatever the savory option is.

Dave Blanks:

Nobody said Crossroads. What if we went into Crossroads? Do you think people would say, "I'd come to Crossroads."

Madi:

It's nice in here.

Dave Blanks:

I know. I like Crossroads. We could ask her.

Katie Carpenter:

Hi, I'm Katie Carpenter. I don't know. I feel like Sanford Mall would be kind of cool.

Dave Blanks:

Sanford.

Katie Carpenter:

Have a little picnic.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah.

Katie Carpenter:

That'd be cute.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. Yeah. What would you bring on your picnic?

Katie Carpenter:

I don't know. Little sandwiches, some sparkling cider.

Dave Blanks:

Oh.

Katie Carpenter:

Yeah, I get fancy.

Dave Blanks:

Let me ask this. What's on your sandwich?

Katie Carpenter:

I like chicken salad.

Dave Blanks:

All right.

Katie Carpenter:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

That's the first meaty protein we've had. Everybody's going with cheese.

Katie Carpenter:

Ew. No.

Dave Blanks:

Is cheese romantic to you?

Katie Carpenter:

I don't like cheese that much.

Dave Blanks:

Is chicken more romantic than cheese?

Katie Carpenter:

Yes.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah? You think?

Katie Carpenter:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

All right.

Emma:

My name's Emma. I would say maybe the solarium or if it's nice outside, Durham Park.

Yeah, I think a little picnic. Maybe take a book, read a little bit. Maybe paint. I don't know. I don't know.

Dave Blanks:

Wow, that's cool. All right. Yeah, that's very active. I like that.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. Who am I speaking with?

Steven:

Steven.

Dave Blanks:

Steven. Hello. I've interviewed you for Dave by the Bell before.

Steven:

Yes, you have.

Dave Blanks:

What question did I ask you?

Steven:

I think it was about Thanksgiving. It was around that time. What are you thankful for?

Dave Blanks:

And I was taking a knee and it looked like I was proposing to you in the picture. Yeah, yeah. But you didn't accept. That's all right. We can still move on with our lives. So where's your spot?

Steven:

It's not part of App State's campus, but it still feels very App State.

Dave Blanks:

Maybe I'll allow it. We'll hear it.

Steven:

I'm trying to think of somewhere on campus, and it's just not coming to me right now.

Dave Blanks:

I know. It's challenging.

Steven:

But somewhere on the parkway. I know that's kind of basic, but it is very nice.

Dave Blanks:

No, it's incredible. It's epic.

Steven:

I'm trying to think of on campus, and-

Dave Blanks:

You got to do it. A beautiful spot here.

Steven:

A sunset at the stadium.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah.

Steven:

While it's completely empty. That'd be really nice. Hanging out with friends and stuff.

Dave Blanks:

That's like the end of a romantic movie right there.

Steven:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, yeah.

Steven:

Very much.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. That was a good answer. Excellent.

Conner Higgins:

I am Conner Higgins. Personally, I've never really liked Valentine's Day just because I feel like it's a weak excuse to have to do something for your partner when you should just do that whenever. That and I know it puts a bunch of single people down, which I don't know. I feel like Valentine's Day should be a day to celebrate being single.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah.

Conner Higgins:

You should be like, "Absolutely. I'm living my life and I'm free."

Dave Blanks:

I like that.

Conner Higgins:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Cool. All right. Well, if you were going to celebrate being single on campus, where would you go and what would you do?

Conner Higgins:

I'd say if you're single and you're either trying to look to meet people, I know the student union's always great, the mall always has a ton of people out there, and I met my girlfriend freshman year in the dining hall, so honestly, even there you could find a little romance in the dining hall.

Dave Blanks:

Awesome, man.

DJ:

I'm DJ. If it's warm out, I'll probably say Sanford Mall, a little picnic. I just feel like that's cute, you can people watch a little bit.

Madi:

So the moral of the story, there's going to be picnics all over campus.

Dave Blanks:

Dude, the picnic business is exploding.

Madi:

The picnic business is booming.

Dave Blanks:

Put your money in picnics right now.

Madi:

Invest in picnics.

Dave Blanks:

Invest. Buy, buy, buy!

Well Madi , thanks for coming along with me for this Valentine's Dave by the Bell.

Madi:

Thanks for having me.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, I don't know. Yeah. You said solarium, right?

Madi:

Yeah. A little coffee date in the solarium.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. I like that.

Madi:

Maybe pick up coffee from Crossroads.

Dave Blanks:

Then go to the solarium.

Madi:

But then take it to the solarium.

Dave Blanks:

Madi , I hope you have a fantastic Valentine's Day.

Madi:

Thanks. I hope you have a great Valentine's Day as well.

Dave Blanks:

Thank you very much. I hope I do too. I'm Dave Blanks. This has been Dave by the Bell. Bye.

In this only just barely adjacent to homecoming edition of Dave by the Bell, Dave and University Communications intern Madi chat it up with almost always friendly passersby and pose the question, "If you could live anywhere on campus that was not a residence hall, where would you live?"   

Transcript:

Dave Blanks:

Madi, you're our intern.

Madi:

I am.

Dave Blanks:

And we're going to do a Dave by the Bell.

Madi:

We are.

Dave Blanks:

What are we talking about?

Madi:

Well, did we decide what we're talking about?

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, yeah. I think we finally landed on an idea.

Madi:

Did we land on the roommate idea?

Dave Blanks:

No, we're not doing the roommate idea.

Madi:

Oh.

Dave Blanks:

But we will do that one in the future.

Madi:

Okay.

Dave Blanks:

No, no, no. We're not going to do the roommate. We're going to do-

Madi:

If you could live anywhere on campus.

Dave Blanks:

Yes.

Madi:

That's not your residence hall/dorm room...

Dave Blanks:

Right.

Madi:

...where would you live and why?

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, that was it. Good job. Perfect. So, yeah. Do you want to go to Sanford Mall?

Madi:

I sure do.

Dave Blanks:

Okay, let's do that.

I usually just find a person and go, "Hey, excuse me." Like this guy.

Madi:

Hey, you want to be in our podcast?

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

No, that's okay.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, come on man. Do you want to hear the question and then say yes or no.

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

Okay.

Dave Blanks:

All right. All right. So the question is, if you could live somewhere on campus, where would it be and why? So is there a little spot that's your spot? That's your go-to?

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

Oh, God. The Solarium.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah. Okay.

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

I love that.

Dave Blanks:

Why would you live in the Solarium?

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

It's very peaceful.

Dave Blanks:

Right?

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

I really like it.

Dave Blanks:

Right.

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

It's very calming.

Dave Blanks:

It's like the opposite of this moment.

Anonymous Solarium Lover:

Yes, exactly.

Quin Hernandez:

I'm Quinn Hernandez. There's a little lookout up by Greenwood.

Dave Blanks:

Okay.

Quin Hernandez:

I like looking over it, specifically in the wintertime, because the snow makes it really bright and you can ... The stadium lights up everything.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. All right. You would live up there?

Quin Hernandez:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Because it's beautiful.

Quin Hernandez:

Yeah, it's really pretty up there.

Madi:

What a lovely answer.

Dave Blanks:

I know. That was so good.

Madi:

She was ready.

Andrea Martinez:

I'm Andrea Martinez. Ooh. I would probably live at Walmart.

Dave Blanks:

Wait, wait, wait. That's not on campus. Andrea.

Andrea Martinez:

Technically it's not, but it is

Dave Blanks:

It's on the Appalcart stop.

Andrea Martinez:

Yes.

Dave Blanks:

So in that respect, I mean, it is definitely a part of your student life, right?

Andrea Martinez:

Yeah, definitely.

Dave Blanks:

Okay. But with all the options, explain to me why you would live at Walmart.

Andrea Martinez:

Well, I mean, it's just a place I frequent a lot.

Dave Blanks:

Okay.

Andrea Martinez:

But it's also got everything.

Dave Blanks:

Okay.

Andrea Martinez:

You've got a TV.

Dave Blanks:

Yes.

Andrea Martinez:

You've got blankets, you've got food. It's the perfect place.

Dave Blanks:

I knew you were thinking like that. It's very practical of you. All right. Well, thank you for your answer and have a great day. Are you headed ... Where you headed?

Andrea Martinez:

I'm heading to the bus stop, actually.

Dave Blanks:

Are you going to Walmart?

Andrea Martinez:

I am going to Walmart.

Dave Blanks:

No way. Oh, my. That's funny.

Phillip Lavey:

I'm Phillip Leavy. Chapel Wilson, second floor, I guess. That's where the theater department kids seem to hang out. That's most of my friends here at App State, so.

Dave Blanks:

Right on.

Phillip Lavey:

All the professors are super welcoming. All the students, it's like a big happy family there.

Dave Blanks:

Nice, man.

Phillip Lavey:

Yeah, so.

Dave Blanks:

Well, good.

Phillip Lavey:

Without a doubt. Plus the benches are pretty nice to sleep on. Pretty comfy. So, yeah.

Dave Blanks:

From personal experience?

Phillip Lavey:

Personal experience, yeah.

Dave Blanks:

All right.

Meredith Kaiser:

I'm Meredith Kaiser. Okay. I'm honestly going to go with living in the library.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah.

Meredith Kaiser:

Low key, because there's a coffee shop in there.

Dave Blanks:

Right.

Meredith Kaiser:

There's a lot of good study spaces.

Dave Blanks:

Right.

Meredith Kaiser:

There's books. There's a lot of just cool things in there. So, yeah.

Dave Blanks:

What floor in particular? Any ideas?

Meredith Kaiser:

Definitely not the second, because it's kind of loud.

Dave Blanks:

Okay.

Meredith Kaiser:

Probably the third.

Dave Blanks:

All right. Peaceful.

Meredith Kaiser:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah.

Meredith Kaiser:

Very peaceful. Yeah.

Billy:

Oh, man. That's a tough one. Probably up there in that tower right up there.

Dave Blanks:

What? You'd live in the Steam Tower?

Billy:

Oh, is that a steam tower?

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, dude. I don't know if you want to live in the-

Billy:

What's at the very top though?

Dave Blanks:

Steam. Just steam.

Billy:

No, it's not. It looks like somebody out there right now, kind of.

Dave Blanks:

Whoa. Are you for real?

Billy:

It looks like a lookout post.

Dave Blanks:

Oh, my gosh.

Billy:

Is it not? Is it not?

Dave Blanks:

No, it's a steam-

Billy:

You can't get up there?

Dave Blanks:

We call it the Steam Tower. Yeah, you can get up there.

Billy:

Well, I don't know.

Dave Blanks:

I mean, not you.

Billy:

I kind of want to live up there. Maybe the room below it, but that'd be my upstairs deck.

Dave Blanks:

That would be super cool. Do you think people would come visit you if you lived in-

Billy:

No. People don't come visit me anyway.

Dave Blanks:

But if you lived in the Steam Tower, they might be like, Come on, let's go to Billy's house, man.

Billy:

You know what? You know what? Being right here, people would come visit. Because I'd be right here.

Dave Blanks:

Yeah, I think they would. Great idea.

Billy:

Yeah.

Dave Blanks:

Thanks for your answer, man.

Billy:

That's it?

Dave Blanks:

That was it. That was all.

Billy:

Did I pass?