Hi friends! My name is Anita Prasad and I’m about to start my first year here at SCO! I graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Film Studies. Don’t be fooled by my major and career choice; film was in the driver’s seat for most of my life. I geared every aspect of my life toward the cinematic process: I played piano (to learn movie scores), painted (it’s like film stills), competitively danced into college (it's like set staging), and went to the Cannes Film Festival (biggest international film festival in the world, no big deal!) You might be wondering how I ended up on the other end of the spectrum, pursuing a doctorate in a STEM field. I’ll spare you the details of a long story with one lofty segue: my real passion is to work with the lens of the eye, not the lens of a camera.
Ok, maybe I lied. I may have a passion even greater than film and optometry and her name is the Memphis Pyramid, aka Bass Pro Shops Pyramid. The first thing I told people when I said I was moving to Memphis was about this pyramid. They all thought it was a cute little joke, so let me clear the air now -- this is the 9th largest pyramid in the world. Right behind all those posers in Giza, there is the Memphis Bass Pro Shops. At this point, this is more than a Bass Pro, this is a lifestyle. They’ve got a whole resort-style lodge, an aquarium, alligators, a restaurant at which I could only afford appetizers, a panoramic viewing deck, and a little candy store. I specifically chose my Mud Island apartment knowing that it is about thirty seconds from the Bass Pro Shops. I’m obsessed.
I think my Bass Pro obsession perfectly illustrates how Memphis is a city of niches. Just as there is the Bass Pro Pyramid for me, I’ve noticed that there is a space for everyone. Whether it’s art, music, food, sports, etc. Memphis is an energetic city with small-town charm. I can say the same of SCO which is one of the many reasons I chose this school. With a class size this big, everyone can find the perfect niche of friends. I’ve only met about a fourth of Class of ‘25 but I can already tell it's a winner. I know I’m going to have so much fun here (respectfully, educationally, professionally, of course, of course).
Here’s some pictures of some CO ’25 enjoying our last days of summer break. Eye am dying to meet you all!
