By DeNae Thomas
Assistant Lifestyles Editor
Some people have so much energy and enthusiasm for life that it is hard to imagine when they sleep. Junior Michelle Lydin doesn’t think sleep is as important as taking advantage of all the opportunities available to her.
“We are so incredibly blessed,” Lydin said. “I just look around me every day and am overwhelmed with how beautiful life is.”
Lydin said she is especially blessed by all the people she has gotten to know on campus over her last three years at Pepperdine.
She has been on the swim team since her freshman year and has bonded with her teammates through the grueling daily practices and swimming competitions.
“Although swimming is a real individual sport, knowing that your teammates are right there doing the workouts with you creates a real bond,” Lydin said. “I don’t know what I would do without them.”
As vice president of Foundation for her sorority, a position that coordinates philanthropic efforts for Delta Gamma, she has met an even wider range of students on campus and has become involved in promoting community service.
“My sisters are amazing girls,” Lydin said. “God has really blessed me with some amazing friends.”
Although life has been good to Lydin, she said she has also experienced hardships.
Lydin went to school five minutes away from Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., where 12 students and a teacher were killed when two students hurled bombs and scattered gunfire April 20, 1999.
“It was a really difficult time and to be honest I still don’t think I’m over it,” Lydin said. “But it really taught me to appreciate life more and realize how short it is.”
Lydin was junior class president at the time and spoke at several memorial services that were held on her campus and in the community.
“Being in a leadership position was difficult because I was so worried about everyone else I didn’t get a chance to heal,” Lydin said. “But I can hardly imagine what it was like for the students who actually went to Columbine and were at school when it happened.”
Lydin said she plans on graduating next April with a degree in advertising and is looking forward to a career that will keep her busy.
“I can’t stand to be bored,” Lydin said.
What is your favorite thing about swimming?
I definitely enjoy getting to swim with the girls. I think the team has really developed and blossomed this year. We had a great recruitment and got a lot of fun freshmen. I think that once you are a swimmer, you will always crave the chlorine. You always want to be in the water, even during breaks.
What do you think about when you’re swimming laps?
Everything. You’re underwater and kicking and you can’t hear anything so it’s really quiet and peaceful. Swimming is a team sport, but at the same time it’s really individual because most of the time you’re under the water and it’s just you.
What is your life motto?
Definitely Philippians 4:12-13. Most people have just said verse 13, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength,” but the verse before is crucial because it tells you to be content in times of need and in plenty. Paul is saying he has been in times of need and in times of joy, but he is always content. I’ve also been in both circumstances. Being content and daily realizing the daily blessings God gives you is so important. Learning to be content is something I strive for and realizing the blessings in your life.
What do you want to do when you graduate?
I’m definitely a people person and I want to interact with people, no matter what I do. I have always been a person who is fast-paced and likes doing different things. I don’t like just having one aspect. I don’t like boring, desk-oriented work.
How do you manage your time to stay sane?
A day planner is essential. I am the type of person that, if I don’t have a million different things going on, I will slack off and procrastinate. Having a lot of things going on actually makes me manage my time even better.
What do you miss the most about Heidelberg?
I miss my roommates. Room No. 10 was awesome. Also the opportunity to travel and getting to experience what you always read about in textbooks. When you are actually able to be there, you can smell and touch the place, which is a totally different experience. Also, the unique thing about being over there when Sept. 11 happened was that I was able to see how people from other countries reacted and what their attitude is toward Americans.
If you were an animal, which would you be?
A dolphin. My name in fourth grade was leaping dolphin. I love dolphins and I love swimming butterfly, so it’s perfect.
March 13, 2003
