By Sarah Carrillo–News Assistant &
Maya Minwary–Assistant Lifestyles
Most students come to college to gain life experience. Freshman Athena Asklipiadis, however, already has more experience than most people will ever have.
Growing up in the Crenshaw neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles, Asklipiadis has gained a tough exterior.
“L.A. has made me have a harder shell,” she said. “I grew up with the riots right outside my window. My neighbors were out looting. It’s made me tougher. I can get through hard times with less emotion.”
While she may have a hard shell, Asklipiadis also has a sensitive side.
“My family life has influenced who I am,” she said. “My dad is very old-fashioned and demanding and growing up with that has made me want to please people. I am also really sensitive to other people and things that are helpless.”
College is also a time to learn about other cultures, but Asklipiadis has encountered diversity her entire life from her family to her neighborhood and high school. Her father is part Greek, Armenian, Egyptian and Italian and her mother is Japanese. As a result, Asklipiadis said she is very open-minded about other cultures. In her neighborhood she became friends with many people of Latino and black heritages and at her private high school in Santa Monica where she was surrounded primarily by white students.
“I never cling to one ethnic group,” she said. “It is difficult finding my own identity, though. I don’t have many Asian friends because I always feel like I have to prove myself. Most of the time I’m too white for the Asian kids and too Asian for the white kids.”
Growing up, Asklipiadis said she was mostly drawn to people from ethnicities different than her own.
“With the guys I date and my friends, they are usually cultures that aren’t mine because I don’t have to try and identify with them,” she said. “I don’t feel judged around other cultures.”
Coming to Pepperdine was a big change from her home, but Asklipiadis said she was prepared.
“Malibu is different, the people are generally more well-off than in Crenshaw, but I’m used to that from the private school I went to,” she said.
One of the reasons Asklipiadis said she is at Pepperdine is to find her identity beyond her ethnicity. In high school, she tried many different activities in search for her niche, including cheerleading, softball, theater, campus ministry, student government and journalism. Currently, she is a telecom major working on the graphics of the Newswaves program, but has a dream of being in front of a camera one day.
“I like the glamour aspect of being in front of a camera, but I’m thinking about print journalism too,” she said. “It’s easy for me to write and convey my feelings. I’m not sure what career that could turn into however.”
Was your dad at all like the father in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding?”
Yeah, pretty much. People ask me that question all the time. The father in that movie is like my dad. There’s a scene in the movie where the father was driving his daughter (Toula Portokalos) and her friends and he started asking them questions about Greek words. I experienced the same exact scenario. My dad used to make my friends read Greek words and Greek mythology.
So what did you think of that?
Growing up I thought my dad was weird or something because he is so gung-ho about our nationality. But I’ve realized that Greek people are just like that.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I used to want to be an actress, but I came to realize that it’s such a hard field to get into. I still don’t know if I want to get into print or broadcast news, but definitely in the media field and doing something that’s successful. I don’t have to be making millions as long as I’m happy with whatever I do.
Did you act in high school?
I did one real play in high school called “Caucasian Chalk Circle” (by Bertolt Brecht). I regret not doing more. I’m too shy when it comes to doing auditions but when it comes down to actually doing a play, I know that I can do it.
Speaking of plays, what’s your favorite?
I don’t really have a favorite, but I like “Fiddler on the Roof.” I’d rather perform in a play.
What’s your favorite music and band?
I’m a total pop girl and I used to be obsessed with N*Sync. Everyone used to call me the N*Sync girl, even my dentist and (optometrist). My friends and I were total groupies. The girls you see screaming on TV, they were probably us. Sometimes during one of (N*Sync’s) concerts, they would look as us weird because they probably recognize us from going to their concerts so many times.
My mom’s friend works for BMG record and she got a hold of their schedule for us. So we used to follow them and take pictures.
So who is your favorite N*Sync boy?
J.C. I like the whole dark hair and light eyes and I love his voice. His talent is probably the reason why I like him the best, rather than his looks. He’s a great dancer and I’ve always felt like he’s the only one that could make it solo.
If you could be any animal what would you be?
I think I’d be a cat because it’s my favorite animal. I could live with a family and I wouldn’t just be confined to living in the back yard. I would still have my independence, but I would still be domesticated.
What’s your favorite TV show of all times?
“Saved by the Bell.” I always watch it even thought I’ve seen the episodes several times. I was also in love with Zack Morris.
What’s something quirky about you?
Most people, when they first meet me, think that I’m quiet. But they don’t know half as much as my friends back home. I don’t know why, but we have our own lingo be. We make up a new word every month.
November 07, 2002