Name: Daniel Conde
Year: Junior
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Major: Computer Science
Relationship Status: In a Relationship
Name: Isabel Conde
Year: Freshman
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Intended Major: Spanish and Chemistry
Relationship Status: Pending Daniel’s Approval
Take a break from studying for finals with our two newest Campus Cuties – Daniel and Isabel Conde! See what they have to say about family, summer plans, and of course – each other!
HC (Her Campus): What are you involved with on campus?
Isabel (Isabel Conde): Chi Omega, Student Government Academic Advising Committee, and I am hoping to become a tour guide!
Daniel (Daniel Conde): I am a member of the social club formerly known as Kappa Sig and am a goalie for Club Soccer.
HC: Daniel, I know you recently shaved your head for Deacs vs. Cancer. What compelled you to participate in this event?
Daniel: I’ve done it for the past two years with a lot of my friends. I really like the event because there is such a big turnout, and it’s always such a happy and fun experience. It’s exciting to reach new records each year. This year we rose over $23,000 I believe. Each year, I dedicate it to my cousin who passed away, but I am always motivated to participate because my friends and I all love to do it together.
HC: What has been your favorite part about going to school with a sibling?
Isabel: This is cheesy, but I love getting to know Daniel outside of the context of our family. It is so nice to see how highly people think of him, which makes me proud to be “Daniel’s little sister.” He sets the bar high for me. For example, he knows the name of each pit worker, and kids all over campus seem to know and really like him. It’s so cool to see how inclusive and warm he is toward everyone.
Daniel: For me, I think, coming in this year as a junior with a little sister, I wanted her to be comfortable and to be able to be known as more than just my little sister. It’s been really cool to see her do her own thing and find her own home here. I’m glad she was able to be happy here. It’s also really funny running into each other on campus.
Isabel: (Laughing) Yeah, which usually includes a lot of laughter!
HC: If you had to describe each other in three words, what would you say?
Isabel: Charismatic, protective – very over-protective – and a leader.
Daniel: I would say really mature, energetic, and a gluten-free advocate.
HC: Isabel, what has been your favorite first year experience?
Isabel: I would have to say living with my roommate. She showed me such a different side of Wake, especially because we don’t overlap in classes or clubs, so I met so many people that I wouldn’t have met without her. She comes from the Bahamas, so it was really rewarding to become best friends with someone who comes from a different world.
HC: Daniel, what are you looking forward to as a rising senior?
Daniel: I’m most excited to live off campus because I’m excited to live in a house with the kids I’m living with. I’m also really looking forward to cooking for myself. I’m also just looking forward to one last go around at Wake.
HC: What is one thing you want to do during this one last go around?
Daniel: I want to storm the field at Spry after a big win; I can’t really do that in the future at big soccer stadiums without any consequences, so I want to take advantage of that. It would be really cool if we could make it to the final four in soccer – I would really love that.
Isabel: I knew he would say something about soccer! What should I do before I graduate?
Daniel: Before senior year, Isabel should take social dance. I have heard you learn a lot and have a ton of fun, so that’s my recommendation for her.
Isabel: I’ll have to see if dancing is in my Latin blood.
HC: What are you looking forward to this summer?
Isabel: I’m really excited to see our two sisters – Elena, who is 17, and Nina, who is three! I’m also excited to work in the city and to volunteer at a hospital. I’m also learning to drive! So I will no longer be the fool who gets laughed at by my suburban peers.
Daniel: I got a job in New York City, which is where I really wanted to be, and I’m looking forward to living with my family. It is one of the last summers where I’ll get to spend quality time with the whole family, which I want to take advantage of. I also can’t wait to see Nina running around.
Isabel: Yeah, playing with Nina is going to be so fun! We haven’t had a summer with all four of us together for so long, so the crew will finally be back in action!
HC: Do you have any family trips planned?
Isabel: Unfortunately no, because we are all working, but we’ll definitely go back to Chile sometime soon.
Daniel: Actually, our grandma is coming from Chile during the summer to stay for a month, which is a really big deal for her and for us. She hasn’t done anything like that in a while so we’re all really excited. In a way, the vacation is coming to us.
HC: What is the thing you miss most about NYC?
Isabel: I miss being independent and walking everywhere. Since I can’t drive, I feel so useless here. I miss the convenience of the city – there are coffee shops and drug stores on every block. I also just miss the view of the city.
Daniel: I miss the culture and the energy of the city. Everyone is always on the go and seems so passionate about what they are doing. It’s tough because at Wake you see the same people, while in the city you are constantly seeing and experiencing people of different ages, races, and backgrounds.
HC: If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Isabel: Probably Chile or Spain. I really want to live in Chile at some point because I love that we have so much family over there. The way they value family there is so different from here, and it would be nice to have such a close network.
Daniel: I would say San Diego. I would love to live there and to check out the West Coast scene. I would definitely like the nice weather and the friendly people. I also hear they have great breakfast burritos.
HC: What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
Isabel: I have four middle names that spell out PIES – that’s my go-to fun fact.
HC: What does PIES stand for?
Isabel: Pilar, Irene, Eulalia, and Sofia.
HC: That’s a tongue twister! What about you, Daniel?
Daniel: I love jazz music, especially Frank Sinatra. I think most people also don’t know that I want to join an all-black church in Harlem when I get back to the city. I think this would teach me a lot about a local community and would be fun to do. So, Frank Sinatra and joining a new church.
HC: Isabel, do you have an embarrassing story about your brother you would like to share?
Isabel: Maybe not embarrassing, but when I was leaving for college the last thing my mom said was, “Look out for Daniel.” I was just laughing so hard because here I am – the one going to a new school, new state, and new environment – and my mom is more concerned about my older brother!
HC: What are three things you can’t live without?
Isabel: Sunshine, the TV show Lost, and coffee.
Daniel: Nina’s texting and selfies.
Isabel: Her texting is the best!
Daniel: I also can’t live without FIFA, the Yankees, and pesto sauce.
HC: What are your major turn-offs?
Isabel: In general, people who are arrogant and close-minded.
Daniel: A girl that doesn’t like to smile.
HC: What attracts you to a person?
Isabel: I guess someone’s smile and someone who is just really authentic and genuine. I appreciate people who are real and who have accepted themselves. For you (speaking to Daniel), I would say someone who is confident.
Daniel: Yeah, I would say someone who is confident with themselves. I would also say someone who listens and is understanding. Oh, and someone who loves Dunkin’ Donuts!
HC: What would you consider to be an ideal date?
Isabel: An ideal date would be something that surprised me. I really like spontaneity, so I like dates that can change as the night progresses.
Daniel: I think I get this from my dad a lot, but I really like cooking a meal with a girl. Just moving around the kitchen and really getting into the meal is fun.
HC: Is there a specific type of food you like to cook?
Daniel: I would say Italian food, which goes really well with some wine.
HC: You’ve mentioned your family a lot. Could you explain your family dynamic?
Daniel: Everyone says that the Condes are very energetic and expressive. So imagine six of us trying to hold a conversation at dinner and we are all excited about only what we want to talk about. The biggest culprit is my dad – he loves to talk about fossils and meteorites. So it can be very entertaining, and most of the time, our dinners go on forever.
Isabel: Our dinners consist of a lot of talking over each other, while Nina is sighing or giggling.
Daniel: Yeah, and our other sister Elena is the queen of the peanut gallery.
Isabel: I feel so bad for our little sister – she doesn’t understand how little she is. She has five adults surrounding her, so she can’t understand why she can’t do the same things we can. I swear she can walk in heels better than I can!
*Article by CC Thornburgh