Daniel Kessler/The Falcon

In "Student Spotlight," we approach random students on campus and ask them to share a little about themselves and some of their opinions on recent issues and life at SPU. You could be next!

Freshman Yolanda Vogel

Major: Undeclared

Hometown: Lynden, Wash.

Where do you currently live?
Fourth West Emerson

Why did you choose SPU?

[It was] between three schools: between UW (University of Washington), Western (Washington University, WWU), and SPU. I was accepted to all of them.... UW was just too big...I come from a small town...I just thought it'd be too big for me.... Western is just a half hour away from my house. I thought that would also be a cool option, but I went and visited [Western and SPU] and I really liked the fact that this was a Christian school.... I was just trying to figure out what I wanted to do. When I came and visited this school, I realized that they would be there helping me...and in Western...they help you...but you have to ask for the help and you have to seek it more.... I really like the environment also...the people...I really like the campus. It's really pretty....it was also a good distance away from home....

Did your career plans factor into the decision as well?
I'm undecided...I'm kind of halfway on the pre-med track, but not really....I'm only taking chemistry. I'm not taking biology.... I know I want to work with kids, because I love kids.... I was thinking maybe a teacher, a pediatrician...

Are you a Christian? Do you go to a certain church?
Yes, I am. I usually go to Mars Hill at 9 a.m., Sunday morning. It's nondenominational...I don't really relate myself to a specific denomination.

Do you get out around the city? For what reasons do you go out?
Sometimes...just to go out with my friends. The other day I went and I got a manicure and pedicure for the first time. We went to Northgate mall and we did some shopping...malls and stuff.... Gasworks [Park]. I've been there. And I have a friend at UW, so I go and visit her. Just random stuff.

What's your mode of transportation?
I have a car here. It's a [2005 white Nissan Sentra].

How do you study? Do you have certain habits or techniques?
Well, so far I'm not very good at studying just because I don't manage my time very wisely most of the time.... Usually I just try to go and sit somewhere, like in a little lounge area... I read and just do whatever... Right now I'm reading for psychology and I highlight the book and I do little practice quizzes that are there and sometimes I might take notes...

Do you drink any coffee to help?
I actually don't like coffee very much. I'm more a hot chocolate person, but once in a while I might get something. But I usually don't use it for studying.

Would you be or are you a vegetarian?
I'm not a vegetarian. I like meat too much.

Favorite kind of food?
I love spaghetti. That's my favorite.

Favorite movie(s)?
"50 First Dates." That's the best movie ever...

Favorite musician, composer, band or artists you are currently listening to?
I have a lot. I like The Fray...Shakira...I like Lifehouse. I like the song "No One" by Alicia Keys. The song "Tattoo" by Jordan Sparks... I go more by songs, so it's kind of hard...I like "Journey."

Any hobbies/interests that define you?
I don't know... "define" me? I think you can't really define someone just by their activities....

If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, what would you have to do with your very last day alive?
I would definitely...stay here [and] do something with my friends. Then I would...drive back home and spend time with my family and tell them how much I love them. Just spend time with the people I love and then maybe do one thing that I...always dreamed of doing but I never did it. You know, something kind of crazy.... I don't know exactly what that would be...

Do you think any of the Lifestyle Expectations rules are unnecessary or do you have any conflict with any of them?
I just think it's kind of funny how they put rules on you when you're 18. Personally, for me, I don't have a problem with it just because I don't do most of the stuff that they ask me not to do, but...I can understand other people's point of view when they talk about it.

Are you registered to vote? Do you plan on voting in the election this fall? Do you know whom you would vote for?
Yeah, I am. Yeah. I would vote for the Republican, for sure, just because I'm conservative and I don't believe in abortion and I don't believe in gay marriage. Usually I always go with the Republicans because they stand for those values and my moral values are pretty important to me.