STEPHANIE NORDSTROM
Staff Writer
Pepperdine administrators try to admit well-rounded students with a range of areas of expertise. It is no wonder Admissions wanted Brigette Olmos-Arreola to be part of the student body.
This history nut loves everything from theater and costume designing to cooking and World War II. Her favorite music includes 80s, Frank Sinatra, Cold Play, Sting, Swing, Weezer and Latin.
Sophomore Olmos-Arreola is a self-described girly girl whose interests range through all areas of fashion. In fact, she wants to be a costume designer. When she is not designing costumes, she can be found watching movies or playing ping-pong.
What are some things that you love?
I love cooking. I am obsessed with “Paula Dean,” a cooking show on the Food Network. I like to cook for my friends, but I don’t really eat my own cooking. I like to try baking, cooking Italian and making different ethnic foods. My greatest achievement is mastering the art of crepes.
I love holidays. My favorite holidays are Christmas and Halloween. I like Christmas because of the music. I listen to Christmas music all the time.
I love Halloween because it is spooky, and I love being freaked out. It makes me really nostalgic because I think of trick-or-treating and my childhood back home. I also love Halloween because we get to wear fun costumes, and I love costumes.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Cambria. It’s a small town outside of San Luis Obispo with only 6,000 people. It was great growing up there because the town is so artsy and it’s safe to ride your bike down the street.
How is Cambria different from Pepperdine?
It’s different from Pepperdine because people at Pepperdine are a lot more conservative than they are in Cambria. Cambria is a really liberal town. There is also less to do in Cambria. You can’t just go out to a club or go dancing in Cambria.
What made you decide to leave Cambria and come to Pepperdine?
The campus. I came to visit and took a tour during Spring Break. It was really quiet because all of the students were gone. I sat in the chapel and walked around campus and I felt like I had to come here. So I applied, and got in. I feel like it was God’s way of telling me that I needed to go to Pepperdine.
What is something you’ve always wanted to do?
I’ve always wanted to be in the movies. I watched a lot of movies growing up and I wanted to be like Audrey Hepburn. I think that’s why I chose my major. I am a liberal arts major with an emphasis in costume design. I like art and I am interested in the historical aspects of movies. I can research a decade to design a costume and tell a story through the actors’ clothes. I love movies and costumes because it allows history to be revealed.
What activities do you participate in on campus?
I am a member of the Latino Student Association. I also work at the scene shop. I am interested in costume design, but didn’t know how to sew. So, I had to start in the scene shop. I am such a girly girl, but I’ve been forced to learn to use tools. I think it’s made me more independent because I can fix things now. I love working there because it has a fun environment. I went to London last semester and met a lot of my friends. A lot of my friends from London are my friends at the scene shop. So, I’m really glad I work there.
If you could have any super power what would it be?
I’d like flight and invisibility. Do I have to pick just one? I’m going to choose two.
I’d like to fly because that way I wouldn’t have to drive or even walk anywhere. I would want to be able to carry someone on my back and fly them around like Superman, with my arms out.
I’d want to be invisible because then I could get around to places without anyone seeing me. I can also see and listen to what other people are talking about.
03-16-2006