Lovett O-Week:
Pass the Torch
Alex Heath
Advisor
Nirali Desai
Advisor
The EOLympians
Prepare for the most amazing start to the rest of your life. Words cannot describe the greatness that is this talented, caring, organized, artful, intelligent (honestly the list of positive adjectives goes on and on) individual. Seriously, defining Nirali is synonymous with trying to open all 5 rings at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Not possible. Have you ever met a person capable of escaping the literal grasps of a police officer by simply threatening to sue? It’s kind of a funny story. With Nirali on your side you cannot fail. She is the kind of person who will stay up late listening to your crazy (or completely mundane) life struggles. Provider of delicious Boba Tea and a frequent flier, Nirali dominates on the collegiate debate circuit while maintaining a healthy social life and fantastic GPA. With a double major in Electrical Engineering and Art History she can school you on the intricacies of postmodern art while electrifying you with 301 terawatts of prolonged personality. You have basically hit the awesomeness jackpot. You’re going to have an AMAZING O-Week. However, Nirali would never stop there. Your year will be filled with laughter, sass, and endless encouragement. She cares that much. Nirali WILL become one of your best friends and most trusted confidants. You won’t even notice it happening, but you’ll appreciate it when you come to that sudden realization. She is the most incredible person in the world.
~Sylvia Omozee, Baker ‘16
Known campuswide for his devilish charm, athletic prowess, and seemingly endless supply of witty comments, Alexander Heath, more commonly referred to as “Heath”, is a true gentleman with a love for adventure (that almost always ends in misadventure). A New Mexico native and Kansas immigrant, this nomadic sophomore has a strong affinity for numbers that helps him keep tabs on his Math/Econ major. When he’s not jamming to his repertoire of sweet tunes while working on one of his plethora of problem sets, Heath spends his time indulging in his passion for movies and demonstrating his uncanny athletic abilities with the Cloud 9 Ultimate Frisbee team along with several of Lovett’s intramural sports (when he’s not injured). From flag football to volleyball and indoor basketball to his job as a referee, Heath does it all and takes everything in stride. Don’t let his incredible work ethic and competitive drive on the field fool you, though, because he is also a dedicated and active part of the Lovett community and Rice as a whole. As a member of Lovett’s governing body, the Central Committee, he served as New Student Representative last year and now serves on the Academics Committee where he helps keep Lovetteers informed on the latest happenings and events within the world of academia at Rice. You’ll have all of next year to discover the man, Alexander Heath, himself.
~Rahul Kothari and Austin Benavides, Lovett ‘17
Upon arriving at Rice, Sal spent his early years DJing the 1:00-4:00am shifts for KTRU, the Rice student radio station, and is now the Concert Director. If you ever need some fantastic new music, from an artist you’ve never heard of, Sal is your man. But actually, Sal is one of the most incredible individuals I have ever met. Having been Sal’s roommate for the past two years, it’s incredible the amount of value Sal places on all of those around him. He’s a one of a kind guy who will stay up till 6:00am even if it only means having one more meaningful conversation or helping out just one more person.
As Lovett’s SMR, if you ever need any help with your room, whether that’s a lofted bed or a minor plumbing issue, Sal’s your man. You should also talk to him about your dreams and passions- he wants to know them! You are incredibly lucky to have this man as your SMR, but the truly lucky ones are those that call him friend.
~Zack Timmons, Lovett ‘15
April Kwan is an imminent dentist who would love to give you candy after you’ve brushed your teeth and would never, ever call you out for lying on how many times you floss a year because senior Kinesiology major April Kwan is a great friend, advisor, and human. From her hugs and cheer on the first day of O-Week, April will be quick to show you that she’s the travel-loving, ethnic-food-craving kind of person who will make you take the ninja test and then console you when you lose to her. April makes getting to know her new students her business, but the only time you should really take her seriously is if her hair is in a ponytail. (Then watch out!) But when worse comes to worst, you can always admire her creatively colorful nails, socialize with her in Fondren, or put her in the fridge to cool her off from the cranky Texas heat. April is a Maryland-to-Texas transplant who can’t wait for you to arrive so you can follow her plant on Instagram already while discussing Disney Pixar animated movies, but more importantly, April can’t wait for you to join the luckily inclusive circle of people she cares about!
~Zelia Rosenzweig, Duncan ‘15
Sal Tijerina
Student Maintenence Representative
April Kwan
Co-Advisor
