By Janea Brown
Lifestyles Editor
Faith permeates the life of junior business administration major Breton Phillips.
He was prepared for his college education at Good Pasture Christian High school in Nashville, Tenn., but coming to Pepperdine was not a shock.
Growing up in Santa Barbara with a mom and sister who both graduated from Pepperdine was enough influence for Phillips.
Phillips works as an encouragement team intern in the Student Ministries office, where he is responsible for planning visits to people in the hospital, or praying for people in need.
It would seem that balancing work along with school and his fraternity Psi Upsilon is not an easy task. Yet Phillips still finds time to take one “hard” class every semester, just out of a desire to be challenged.
Phillips has a guitar, which he doesn’t really play, and a love for golf, which he only does when school is not in session. But reading classic novels and exercising keeps him occupied.
Phillips’ Spring Break will be spent snow skiing with friends, and he hopes not to repeat one of his most embarrassing moments. When Phillips was in kindergarten, he wet his pants on a ski lift and then fell off, leaving a trail of yellow snow.
What books have you read lately?
“Catcher in the Rye,” “Emma” and “Great Expectations.”
What is your favorite book?
Classics that have withstood the test of time like “Lord of the Rings” and “Grapes of Wrath.” I also like reading popular books like “Harry Potter” because it gives you something to talk about.
If Superman and Batman got in a fight, who would win?
Superman, because when his parents knew they were in trouble, they sent him away to save him, so he has love on his side.
What do you order at Starbucks?
I don’t touch caffeine because it stunts your growth. I’m a waffle house kind of guy. I always order a patty melt covered and smothered (hash browns with cheese and onions), grilled cheese, hot chocolate and maybe a waffle afterwards.
What is your favorite drink?
A virgin strawberry daiquiri from the Plantation Golf Course in Maui at sunset.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cotton candy or superman. You can only get it in Nova Scotia.
If you were an animal, what would it be?
I am an animal. Just kidding. I guess a teddy bear so I could cuddle.
What is your favorite movie?
“It’s a Wonderful Life” because it shows how one person can make a difference. And “Casablanca” because it has a lot of great quotes.
What do you want to name your children?
I used to like names like Bianka and Sky, but I think I’ll go with a family name like Kathy or Jennifer. I guess I’ll let my wife choose as long as it’s not something like Poo. If it’s a boy, it has to be Breton III.
What is the best summer job you’ve ever had?
I worked at a car shop, changing oil and stuff, but the people that I worked with were just great. I don’t want to say country bumpkins, but you know the type.
“Rug Rats” or “Bugs Bunny?”
I’m definitely a “Bugs Bunny” fan, but “The Simpsons” is my favorite cartoon. It’s a great parody on American life.
Did you play sports in high school?
Yeah, I played volleyball and I ran track and cross country.
What one item of clothing do you refuse to part with?
Well, it’s not really an item of clothing, but my mom made me this blanket/quilt out of my old team T-shirts and I would never give that up.
Have you ever been out of the country?
I went to Nassau in the Bahamas. It was so different from here, the people were very poor. They were going to the bathroom in pots and pans on the street.
Britney Spears or Christian Aguilera?
Britney Spears, especially with her new image. She is trying to be more modest. But what is important to me is a girl who is really on fire for God, so until Britney Spears gets to that point, she will have to wait.
What is your motto in life?
In junior high it was “integrity,” in high school it was “enough to get by” and now it is “umm humm, it’s all good.”
Pet peeves?
Not being honest. I think any major problem can be solved if people just talk about it.
What characteristics do you like?
I like seeing a sad person get happy. When someone comes in contact with me I want them to be a better person because of it.
What major things have you learned in life?
There are so many. Everybody has feelings, real families don’t turn their back, all work is honorable from a garbage man to a software engineer.
February 21, 2002
