Some of y’all might be wondering how Xzavier Killings hasn’t already been a HerCampus Campus Cutie. We were all surprised. He’s so perfect for the job that we all just assumed that he had been it before. So, I had the privilege of sitting down with my first Davidson friend over the weekend to have brunch, catch up, and interview him for this prestigious interview.
With no further ado, I bring all of you this week’s HerCampus Campus Cutie: Xzavier Michael Killings.
The Basics:
Year: 2016
Major/Minor: Biology and German Studies
Hometown: Roebuck, South Carolina (about 10 minutes from Spartanburg)
Favorite Color: Sky blue
Zodiac sign: Pisces
Relationship Status: Single
Fun Fact: He has Fancy Friday’s because “when you look good, you feel good”
Xzavier feelin’ good because he’s lookin’ good
The Good Stuff:
One of the first things people realize about Xzavier (once they get past his adorable and contagious smile) is how busy he is! He is a Terry Fellow (which simply means that important people think he’s a campus leader. Aforementioned important people are correct), he is a Bonner Scholar – which requires about 10 hours of service PER WEEK! – one of the track team captains, and the service chair of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. That seems like a lot? These are only the top four. Luckily for him, with the exception of track, they are all deeply related to service and community engagement.
Xzavier lives to serve
Dedicated and committed to the track and field team since freshman year, Xzavier feels as though his hard work has paid off and has come full circle. He loves having the confidence, support, and encouragement of his teammates and coaches. As a plus, being team captain allows Xzavier to get to know the guys on his team even better. As the gregarious person that he is, Xzavier looks forward to the upcoming bonding with the underclassmen.
X jumping his little heart out
When I asked Xzavier about one of his favorite memories since he’s been at Davidson, it is not terribly surprising that his answer revolved around one of his top four extracurriculars:
As previously noted, Xzavier is a Bonner Scholar. Since the Bonner program focuses intensely on service and community engagement, Xzavier devotes much of his time to the Davidson College Presbyterian Church’s preschool. At the end of the school year, Xzavier typically gets a day with the kids as a treat. One year, he decided to tell them what track and field is. He told them “I am really fast and I jump really far.” To top it all off, he got to walk them over to the track. They all ran around it and jumped in the pit. Xzavier even got a few teammates involved to help out. One little girl, when asked what she was thinking after running around the track, yelled out, “polar bears!” Later, the teacher told Xzavier that all of the kids said it was their most favorite day. I wish all of you could see the uninhibited joy on Xzavier’s face when he talked about this memory. There is no doubt that he adores children and feels that it is important to support, excite, and inspire them.
Xzavier’s love and compassion for kids probably stems from the fact that he’s the oldest of four. He has two younger sisters (15 and 13) and a little brother (10). It’s hard for him to miss out on the pivotal years for them. But they call/text/snapchat him, so he can stay in the loop. Sometimes his parents even drive them up to come to his track meets or to make surprise visits!
Xzavier’s siblings congratulating him after a big meet last year
Xzavier’s siblings welcoming him home from his summer in Berlin (which you should totally ask him about)
Lastly, I want to share with you Xzavier’s idea of ideal date:
First and foremost, it must be something fun. Something like putt putt golf. This kind of activity is good, Xzavier thinks, because it gives you an opportunity to start of those important initial conversations but also show your competitive side. In a cute, non-serious way, of course. Obviously, while playing such a strenuous golf game, Xzavier and his date would build up a fierce appetite. Their hunger would be satisfied at Fox and Hound, one of Xzavier’s favorite restaurants because they have a great atmosphere and they have great wings – one of his favorite foods. Have you ever eaten wings like a civilized person? No? Well apparently that’s the point. Xzavier says that when you eat wings you can’t be “too pretty” and you have to eat them naturally and you have to be yourself.
Because Mr. Bean should always be your go-to first date inspiration
After dinner, if it weren’t a first date, Xzavier and the lucky girl would go on a walk to have intimate talks. He believes that it would be nice to talk about their future goals and aspirations, concerns for the world and how to change them, and their favorite football teams (the Clemson Tigers, duh).
In short, all of you have one short year left to get to know Xzavier Killings, and I promise you – I know from firsthand experience – that you don’t want to miss out! Also, FYI, he might need a date to Pharaohs’ Ball, his fraternity’s formal philanthropic event. In case you haven’t already been persuaded, you would have a great time with him and the rest of the Alphas!
I mean. Come on. Who wouldn’t want to go to Pharaohs’ Ball with him?