Better Know A Classmate: Millie

Welcome to yet another in-depth look at the life of a classmate. Millie, Nebraskan and beloved daughter of our superintendent, took time out to answer all of my questions. You'll be happy to find that the benefits of a unicameral legislature did not come up.

It's Millie Time!

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I'm sorry to say I don't recall any of your valedictorian speech, and the only thing I remember from Nathan's salutatorian speech is a Hamlet quote. How much of your speech do you remember? How would it be different if you wrote it in the present day, and then time-travelled back to deliver it?

I don't remember my speech except that I gave it too rapidly, and my grandma was upset that I didn't give it at the actual graduation which she came down from Nebraska to attend. I do remember parts of my Benedictine valedictorian speech; I talked about how good the chicken fried steak in the cafe was, and that it was a glimpse of the perfection that Benedictine should try to achieve.

We did some Scholar's Bowl / Quiz Bowl tournaments together. When you first joined up with Shawn, Nathan, Tim, me, etc., were you surprised by how much contempt we felt toward the nerds on rival teams? What was it like being (practically) the only BC girl at those events?

I believe I WAS the only girl until Junior or Senior year. I don't remember contempt toward other teams, but I do remember being chastized by my dad for not taking SB more seriously. I enjoyed being accepted by Shawn, Tim, Nathan, Dan, etc. since I really didn't have many other friends.

Take Scholar's Bowl more seriously? It's Trivial Pursuit, for God's sake! Did he want you memorize Genus 5 or something?

Yes, something like that would have been more acceptable. He felt we were representing the school and should have done better (A 3rd place at State wasn't good enough).

You went off to college in Atchison and hooked yourself a mate. How were you courted?

Chuck was a junior when I was a freshman; he came over to our dorm room, called often, offered to take me out to Mexican, and when I continued being clueless as to his intentions, finally said "I am interested in you in a more than platonic friendship. Would you like to be my girlfriend?" At which point I said no, which was reversed two months later. After his senior year we broke up when he went to Virginia for grad school, only to start dating when he came home a semester later. He proposed to me after the wedding of some friends in Newton, and then left one month later to be a missionary in Belize. We were married 6 months after he returned to the States.

After you became an item, your then-future husband placed you into an intensive Rock appreciation course that stretched from the evolutionary stylings of Jimi Hendrix to the heavy metal thunder of Metallica. Tell me about that experience, and name the favorite song or album that Chuck exposed you to.

I can't say I have developed an appreciation for Metallica, but I have grown to like U2 and Rush under his tutelage. Chuck has made me tapes incorporating several of his favorite bands or songs (such as the Hendrix mentioned above, or Stevie Ray Vaughn, or Everclear), had me sit down and listen to specific songs, or told me about whatever album he was listening to as he graded tests. I listen to U2 most extensively, but Hendrix and Vaughn are also favorites. This summer we borrowed books and albums by/about the Beatles from the library, so my favorite song currently is either Norwegian Wood or Two of Us by the Beatles.

Oh, Millie. Rush sucks so much worse than Metallica. And do you know what "Norwegian Wood" is about? I was clueless for a very long time...

I like "Free Will" and "Xanadu" and the Bitor songs by Rush. I like the intellectual side to the music. Yes, I read the Beatles Anthology this summer and learned all about Norweigan Wood. I still don't see how he lit fire to her apartment based on the song, though.

How is the family?

Charlie is 3 1/2, almost potty trained (about 75% of the time), loves to build roads and read stories.

Chuck teaches at Bishop Carroll (6th year now), Physics and Physical Science. He does lots of cool labs, and has all of Mr. Seiler's toys.

Your brother recently recorded perfect ACT and SAT scores. Were you surprised more by the achievement itself, or by the far-reaching media coverage?

My brother studies an insane amount, which, added to his natural intelligence, makes it no surprise that he achieved his goals of perfect scores. We were more surprised by the media coverage, especially the call from the Ellen Degeneres show. It's all over now, so he's back to studying, applying for scholarships, and hogging the computer.

Millie's bro Jakub. Also pictured: the mother of God.

Slightly related: your brother was quoted as considering Notre Dame and Princeton. I've noticed some ND's athletes with Eastern European names (Samardzija, et al), and I believe your family is Czech. What's the deal with Eastern Europe and Notre Dame?

I believe the sisters/brothers that founded Notre Dame were from Eastern Europe; Jake is interested in a college that will challenge him.

I talked to Jake about the Notre Dame-Eastern European connection, and he said that Eastern Europeans were traditionally Catholic, and Notre Dame is a well known traditionally Catholic school, so the two go together like peas and carrots.

I hate peas and carrots.

What about wheat and wheaties? or corn and cornflakes? or potatoes and gravy?

How would you prepare and enjoy the perfect margarita?

Gosh, I don't think I've ever made a margarita. You'd be better off asking my husband that question.

I just meant, like, how do you take it? Rocks? Frozen? Salt? I seem to recall you enjoyed a nice margie...

I don't recall many margaritas in my life. I like amaretto and tea, or irish cream in coke, or Kahlua in anything right now. Or a nice fruit wine.

I guess I must be thinking of a different, tequila-guzzling Voboril. My bad. What is your favorite piece to play on the piano? Are you still giving lessons?

I currently enjoy Clair de Lune by Debussy or Prelude in G sharp minor by Rachmaninoff. I have 4 piano students, and I play for two parishes.

What have you been reading?

Outbound Flight (Star Wars novel), Religious Potential of the Child (Sofia Cavaletti, religion program for 3-6 year olds), A Modern Instance (W.D. Howells, for class), Martha Stewart magazines, Book of Lost Tales (JRR Tolkien), and whatever I find around the house. Yes, at the same time period.

What classes are you taking? What degree are you seeking?

My current classes are En 800 (Intro to Graduate Studies--basically methods of Literary Criticism) and En 822 (American Literature II). I'm pursuing a Masters in English

What is your favorite word?

multivalent, apropos

What is your favorite curse word?

I make every effort not to curse; probably my most current anger word is "goodness" or "gosh"

Please reconsider - you must favor one...

I really, really try very hard not to curse, so I can't give you one.

What sound or noise do you love?

chimes or the Nazard 2 2/3 stop on an organ or my niece laughing

What was your favorite class at BC?

I really enjoyed and still use my notes from Fr. Orr's Christian Vocations class. I also liked my math classes with Nathan because we taught each other the assignments and ignored the teacher.

Is there anything you would have done differently in your time at BC?

nothing I wish to report publicly.