Columbine graduate cooks for Ben Franklin
Utah Statesman: Where are you from?
Spencer Taylor: I am from Littleton, Colo.
US: Did you go to Columbine?
Taylor: Yes, I graduated from Columbine in 2000.
US: Can you tell us a little bit about attending Columbine?
Taylor: It was good. April 20, 1999 at approximately 11:21 a.m., the Columbine tragedy occurred and I was attending an ecclesiastical class during the day.
US: What do you remember from that day?
Taylor: I was in seminary and class had just begun and maybe 75 students, both members of the LDS Church and non-members came in seeking refuge. The cops showed up and we were locked in for four hours and we brought in a TV and watched everything that happened. Then we were bussed over to a local elementary school where our parents could pick us up.
US: How was your senior year after this tragedy?
Taylor: It was kind of a waste. A lot of students were still going through counseling. The rigorous classes that were once given at Columbine High School had lightened up, everyone was still healing.
US: Were you excited to come to Utah State?
Taylor: Yes, USU is a fine institution. I am glad I’m here.
US: Why did you choose USU?
Taylor: I had attended one year at a Division-II school in Denver and my brother was attending here and we would talk and he said it had a great environment, great classes, great professors and it peaked my interest. I decided to come here and I’ve been here for three years.
US: What is your favorite thing about USU?
Taylor: I love the basketball program here; the excellent social environment it provides. The professors are great, well-qualified.
US: What five words would you use to describe you?
Taylor: Arrogant, cocky, conceited, handsome and humble.
US: Do you consider yourself a well-rounded person?
Taylor: Yes, I would. I see myself as very well-rounded, have a very open mind. But I also see myself as someone who is not afraid to give an opinion, listen to others’ opinions, get other people’s point of view.
US: Based on your experience, where is the best place to meet a potential date?
Taylor: Definitely not the Institute activities. I go to the Institute activities with the intention of having fun, not getting phone numbers. I like to meet girls in the library. I think maybe the best place would have to be at the parties off campus, mutual friends. I wouldn’t necessarily get a certain place, but it’s always nice to meet people through mutual friends.
US: If your personality would be characterized by the weather, what would the forecast be?
Taylor: A beautiful sunny day, with an afternoon shower and a clear beautiful starry night.
US: If I were to look in your refrigerator right now, what would I see?
Taylor: You would see flour tortillas, whole milk, eggs, fruit. Apples, bananas, pineapple – you would also see generic brands of ketchup and mustard.
US: Do you always buy the generic brand?
Taylor: Only when it’s a homogenous good, one that’s basically the same whether it comes from Kroger or Heinz ketchup.
US: What items will you definitely not go generic on?
Taylor: Definitely cereal. There is a strong distinction between the bagged and the boxed cereals. US: Which do you prefer?
Taylor: Boxed, definitely.
US: If you were to cook dinner for someone from history, who would you invite and what would you cook them?
Taylor: I would invite Ben Franklin and I would make him chicken cordon bleu, Caesar salad, homemade roll and maybe some cantaloupe juice.
US: What would you ask Mr. Franklin?
Taylor: I would really like to talk about the founding of this nation and what it was like.
US: Do you consider yourself a good cook?
Taylor: I consider myself a great cook
US: When did you start cooking?
Taylor: Ever since I moved out and my mother was not in the house, I had to live and it forced me to cook.
US: Do you mostly follow a recipe or make up your own dishes?
Taylor: I can do both, I have a few specialties including a chicken dish and a Jell-o cake.
US: If you could do something totally out of character and remain anonymous, what would you do?
Taylor: I would throw snowballs at professors leaving their offices.
US: All professors?
Taylor: No, just a select few.
US: Have you ever attempted this?
Taylor: No, I would get caught.
US: What do you think would happen?
Taylor: I would get expelled, because I am a very good aim. -etippetts@cc.usu.edu