By Sarah Pye
Assistant Lifestyles Editor
Barrientos. Samantha Barrientos.
You may think you’ve never heard of her — but, if you’re a user of Pepperdine e-mail, you’d better think again.
Barrientos, a freshman, is none other than the author of that now-notorious first reply to the SGA HAWC “requests” survey.
She mistakenly e-mailed the entire Pepperdine population in response to the survey, letting all the world know that she would like “cereal and different fruit” to be available in the HAWC.
And she managed to do this not once, but three times, prompting a frenzy of similar e-mails, as well as angry responses to them.
But don’t be too hard on her. Barrientos, a psychology major with a communications minor, insists that she did not purposely create for herself this claim to fame — in fact, she tries to keep her authorship of the infamous e-mail under wraps.
“I’m so embarrassed!,” Barrientos said. “I try to hide the fact that it was me.”
Furthermore, she thinks everyone ought to lighten up about the e-mails.
“People have got to take it less seriously and just press delete,” she said. “I swear, I just pressed ‘reply’ and not ‘reply all.’ Now people hate me. I had 20 people e-mail me telling me off!”
There’s much more to Barrientos than the e-mail fiasco, however. This Texan is proud of her Texas heritage, even if she’s not the “typical” Texas girl.
Why are there so many Texans at Pepperdine?
They have a lot of college fairs, and Pepperdine was always at them. I came here, and I thought I was going to be all by myself, but it turns out there are a lot of Texas people. It’s kind of comforting.
Do you think you’ll convert into a Californian?
I really like California a lot more than I thought I would. It’s cool to see the things you see on T.V.
What’s the best thing about California?
I’ve never had In ‘N Out Burger, so I can’t say that, so I guess it would have to be the freaks on Third Street (in Santa Monica).
Do you ever wear Wranglers?
Never! Actually, I did wear them once, when I was really young, but I can’t be held accountable for that.
What about a cowboy hat?
No! And I don’t ride a horse to school.
What’s the best thing that ever happened to you at Ralphs?
I saw Jon Lovitz once. I said hi, but he rolled his eyes at me.
Do you like summer or winter better?
Summer, just because my birthday is in the summer, and you don’t have school.
What are your plans for this summer?
This is the first time I’ll have a four-month summer. I’m going to get my driver’s license. Maybe. I always say I’m going to get it every summer, but I never do.
Why no license yet?
Driving just doesn’t look very fun, with road rage and stuff. People never look like they’re enjoying themselves when they’re driving. And I don’t want to go to driver’s ed, with a bunch of 15 year olds.
Do you think you’ll finally get it this year?
Well, probably, because my mom really wants me to get it so I can be a designated driver.
Any brothers or sisters?
No, I’m an only child.
Do you think you have the spoiled only child syndrome?
No, no. I don’t “think.” I know I’m spoiled. There’s no question. But I don’t think that makes me a bratty person, just a spoiled one.
Do you have a favorite cereal?
Sometimes I just like to mix it all together, like Golden Grahams with Lucky Charms, Cap’n Crunch, Life and Chex.
How about a favorite animal?
I like frogs!
How many frogs do you think are in your room?
Twenty and counting, but I have a lot more at home.
February 14, 2002
