The Observer, April 13, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 24
Laughter and humor bring Bell success in softball, performance
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You may have seen this 5'9'' strawberry-blonde wonder woman walking around campus, on the softball diamond as a star Spartan, doing service with her sorority, or erupting in laughter on the stage with IMPROVment. This is just the beginning of getting to know Amanda Bell.
A genuine grin and a face full of freckles form a lasting first impression of Bell, who openly admits the importance of having a good time.
"I want to have laughter for the rest of my life," Bell said. "Surrounding myself with those people who make me laugh is very important."
That statement may explain why she joined the improv comedy troupe on campus and has loved every second of it. Coming from a woman who does not turn down dares, she has a great variety of comedic interests. Instead of favoring a singular method of keeping the audience in stitches, Bell is flexible, ranging from sharp wit to slapstick physical humor and immature jokes.
"I'll go for anything where I can be funny. I'm an extrovert. I tell people who I am and try to entertain them," smiles the junior from Carroll, Ohio. "Oh, and if you ever get a prank call from Chuck from the airport, it's from me."
When not making others laugh (which is seldom), going on Slurpee runs to 7-11, or singing the soundtrack to her favorite musical, The Phantom of the Opera, Bell spreads her time mainly on campus. As an overpowering pitcher with a five-pitch arsenal, she takes great pride in her athletic ability, yet still approaches the sport with a sense of humor.
"It has been a terrific outlet to meet other athletes and other random people at Veale." After a grin spreads across her face, Bell said. "It has really defined my fashion sense. Not many people sport the Case swag as well as I do."
As a dominant pitcher, Bell has a personal affinity for Randy Johnson, although she cannot deny her love for Grady Sizemore in baseball pants for the Cleveland Indians. She also looks up to Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid because of her red hair. However, one of her most memorable activities is singing her favorite Disney song "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. When hanging out with Bell for a weekend, one needs to be prepared for all situations.
Bell loves to go dancing, especially in Coventry, with a personal preference for the scene and crowd at McNulty's on the weekends. However, anywhere with music and a place for her to have fun is acceptable. This weekend she can also be seen at the IMPROVment auction where the highest bidder gets the pleasure of a date with the comedian.
In addition, the classical side of Bell loves Shakespeare and his plays, especially Othello, which she can quote. A particularly fond memory for her was the Player Theater's Group production of MacBeth this semester in the black box theater at Eldred.
"Literature is terrific. It has definitely shaped some of my interests, and so has Greek and Roman mythology," said Bell, a psychology major with minors in classics and English.
With plans for graduate or professional school, Bell has plenty of options, which is important to her. She is a bit obsessive about the paths that she takes on campus: she cannot walk the same path to and from a destination, it has to be circular. And don't ever offer her a banana, her largest phobia.
If there is one thing about Bell that emerges prominently from the others, it most definitely is the one that makes others smile. In her pale green room that supposedly matches her eyes, her classic headboard offers a sharp contrast to the Christmas lights strung around the walls. Does the disparity bother her? Not at all – this Jane-of-all-trades is comfortable in any situation, and although she doesn't like tests on Mondays, people who walk on the left side of the Baker Walkway, and those who do not wash their hands, she is an extremely happy person.
"Oh, don't forget to mention that I love to cuddle," adds Bell. "And chivalry. I love it." Gentlemen at the auction tonight, take note.
