Age: 21
Program: Honours English & Creative Writing
Hometown: Ancaster
Relationship Status: I mean who’s to say really
Tell me about yourself and all the things you do at Western:
I am a huge huge procrastinator so when I’m not writing last minute essays at 2am, you can usually find me working on something for arts council (i’m the editor-in-chief this year weee), at a fun rad soph event, or singing somewhere in London.
How long have you been singing? What inspires your music?
I’ve been singing since I was 9 and my parents told me to sing a song at my grandparents anniversary party that was about Christmas (their anniversary is in December). Everything I write is mostly because I suck at actually expressing emotions (happy or sad) so I have to write them down somewhere. It’s actually kind of weird that you can sing about things so honestly but once you take the music out it’s hard to say them.
What is the best thing you have done at Western?
Probably making the most amazing friends ever.
Why did you pursue your major?
Because I used to be in science but it was not my style and I wanted to drop out of school but then I took a fun creative writing course as an elective in first year and my prof really liked all my stuff and was like, “Sarah, you should be in this program.” and I was like “TRUE!” and now I am v happy and the rest is history.
What’s your favorite food?
I feel like it’s a cop out to say pizza, so I guess homemade chili or Rolo ice cream.
What’s your favorite thing to do off campus?
Walk around Dundas Street and go into all the bookstores/vintage stores/record stores and pretend I’m going to buy weird things (and then actually buy some cool weird things)
Who is your role model?
MY MOMMA SHE’S SO RAD (hi mom). Um, but actually probably Florence Welch because she is all I aspire to be in terms of music, fashion, everything. Yeah.
What is your favourite song right now?
Probably “The Bells” by Lowell (you should check her out she’s from the Tdot).
Do you have any mottos that you live by?
“Not all heroes wear capes.”
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A singer. Until everyone made me feel like that was a silly job that was unrealistic. Now, I still want to be a singer.
Have you had any classes/ professors at Western that made an impact on you?
YES. History of Theory and Criticism (English 2200). If I could be a prof I would teach this course. It’s all famous philosophical essays (like “The Republic,” “Poetics,” etc.) and everyone actually usually hates it but I had Professor Plug for it and he was so funny and engaging and the course really helped me write essays in upper year courses. There was one we read – I think it was Hume – and I remember sitting in my 7pm night class and being like, my life is totally changed omg.
Do have any guilty pleasures?
I can’t dance at all because I’m tall and awkward and uncoordinated but when I’m stressed I like putting on 90s music really loud in my house and making my roommates have a dance party with me. Also, “Secret Life of the American Teenager.”
Check out Sarah’s new EP, coming out in June, at http://sarahbotelho.com/