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Through the eyes of our graduates

By Daily Bruin Staff

June 9, 1996 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 9, 1996

Beauty around UCLA extends beyond campusGraduating senior
Michelle Antic recalls a time when the beauty of UCLA’s
architecture overwhelmed her.

"I went to the senior reception in Powell Library and it made me
sick, it’s so beautiful," Antic said. "Older alumni are in awe that
we’ve never studied in Powell."

As a fourth-year history student, Antic’s fellow classmates are
the generation of current Bruins that recall most of the
architecture hidden behind chain-link fences.

They were also one of the first classes to study in the
temporary Towell Library rather than the Romanesque style Powell.
Antic jokingly calls Towell the "circus tent."

"I’m glad (the) campus is finally looking beautiful," said
Antic, referring to the June 1995 reopening of Dickson Plaza and
the new entrance to Ackerman. "But I feel like I’ve missed a lot of
the real beauty."

Where Antic did not find perfection on campus she found by
becoming an active student academically, socially and in the
community.

During her first year at UCLA, Antic lived in the dorms, where
she enjoyed meeting new people every day. In spring quarter of her
first year, she decided to join a sorority.

"The sorority was a huge part of meeting people," Antic said. "I
waited until the end of freshman year and I felt like I had a good
perspective on things" before making a decision.

Antic noted that the general student population attaches
negative stereotypes to sororities, but from her experience, the
organization opened a window to lifelong friendships.

"I’ve made some of my closest friends in my sorority," Antic
said. "You’re not at all limited."

And Antic’s wide variety of jobs and internships prove she has
made the most out of the opportunities UCLA provides.

In 1995, Antic spent her summer in Washington D.C. as an intern
for the international radio station Voice of America, where she
conducted interviews with rock bands such as Toad the Wet Sprocket
and Primus.

Her second internship dealt with disadvantaged students, and
giving guidance to the students to encourage them to continue their
education.

"The experiences they’ve had were incredible, a real wake-up
call for me," Antic said. "You become complacent (at UCLA), you
forget how … many people in this world don’t have this
opportunity."

"There is so much that kids are willing to absorb," Antic added.
"They don’t get exposed enough to people who care for them and
realize their potential."

After graduation, Antic plans to travel to London with her
roommate and explore Europe by backpack.

"I don’t know if I’ll want to come back," Antic said.
"Everything here has been so structured and planned, now I just
want to go and reflect."

Story written and interview completed by Karen Duryea.

Michelle Antic

More perspectives from Grads:

Daniela Ortner

Nelly Amador

Mike McCool

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