This month, two members of the Panther staff, Meghan Kearney ’16 and Kate Delaney ’16, sat down with Freshman Aslan McCurdy to help the Prep community get to know a member of the class of 2017.

When is your birthday?

August 16, 1998.

What is your full name (first, middle, last)?

Aslan Jane McCurdy

Where were you born?

Seattle, WA.

What middle school did you attend?

King’s Jr. High. I also went there for elementary school and
kindergarten, so 9 years. It was really hard leaving, but I am so
happy I made the decision to do so.

Why did you want to come to Prep?

My old school went all through high school so it was hard decision.
I loved the community here, though, and the classes seemed to be
academically challenging but the teachers want you to do well and
teach in a way that you want to learn to learn not just to pass the
next test. Overall it was based on what felt like a good fit, and I am
so happy I came here.

Any brothers or sisters?

I have a younger sister in 8th grade. I am not sure where she wants
to go to high school but she will definitely apply here.

So you are the only freshman girl running varsity xc, how do you feel
about that?

At first I was terrified. I came into the season with the attitude
that I was just trying out a new sport and I wasn’t going to get
really into it and bottom line not get killed out there. As it turns
out, I was completely wrong. I ended up loving running and making some
amazing friends. The whole girls

cross-country was the most welcoming
and more fun to be around than I could ever hope for. They not only
greet me in the halls, but give me tips and encouragement on how to
improve and are some of the funniest people I have ever met. I am so
grateful for them and I think deciding to run xc was the best choice I
have made this year. I also found out that you don’t have to be
varsity to be appreciated. Every girl out there has a different skill
level and ability. It’s all about how much you are willing to give.

Are you thinking about playing any other Prep sports this year?

Definitely. Running xc taught me to be more open towards trying new
sports. I am going to do coed swim and track. Even if it turns out I
am terrible at them, I will be a part of an awesome community and will
have a lot of fun.

What is your favorite subject and why?

This is hard. Chinese is probably my favorite because it is such a fun
class but I am learning so much at the same time. I am being taught in
a completely different way than what I have been used to. You are
entirely submerged in a language so you learn it at a very fast pace
and in an exciting way.

What is your favorite band?

Honestly this changes on a daily basis. I love listening to Young the
Giant and Avicii but I have no specific taste in music. I have some
classic rock music on my phone as well as Mexican rap (which is
awesome). I also just went to a P!nk concert and I got really excited
so…

Three words I would use to describe myself would be…?

I hope that I can describe myself as unique, ambitious and sincere.

What is your favorite place in the world and why?

My family and I love to travel so I have been to a lot of amazing and
life changing places. I went to Africa a while back and that was so
beautiful and a life changing experience. I want to travel to exotic
places and experience how a different culture lives.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

My sister and I would concoct “potions” and try to poison our babysitters.

If you could meet anybody famous, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Jenna Marbles because I would just love to have a
conversation with her. She is so hilarious!

What is your spirit animal? Why?

A lion… Do I need to explain this?

What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?

Well I have actually eaten a lot of things our society would consider
to be gross. I have eaten frog’s legs (which taste exactly like
chicken) and escargot (which is actually really good…) and I have
inhaled numerous insects in some way while running. I’m not scared of
food. Food should be scared of me.

Do you play an instrument? If so, what do you play and how long have
you been playing it?

I played the piano for a couple of years but I kind of gave up on
that. Let me just say I was not very dedicated so I don’t want to
inflict that kind of pain on myself again. I am, however, a pretty
mean karaoker (if that’s even a word).

Are you more of a “glass half empty” type of person or a “glass half
full” type of person?

If you want to get technical the glass is always full because the
other half is full of air. A glass can’t be half empty because half of
nothing is still nothing. So in that sense I guess you could call me
optimistic but really I am not..

Favorite holiday?

CHRISTMAS!!! But if you count the summer solstice to be a holiday then that too.

Who is your role-model in life?

Audrey Hepburn is definitely a person I look up to. She was so classy
and unique and timeless.

Beyoncé or Rihanna?

Beyonce. She’s amazing. That’s all I can say.

Car that best represents your personality?

I didn’t know how to answer this question so I did one of those
quizzes online and the Internet told me I am a convertible Beetle or a
2005 Chevy Corvette and I can’t argue with the Internet..

Sweet or sour?

Sweet. I love breakfast foods more than anything, though.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

I don’t have to go somewhere special or see something amazing, I just
want to be around great people that I love. I do love going to
amusement parks though.