Dave Blanks of Appalachian's University Communications interviews first-year students and their parents during Move-in Day 2019 to discover the strange and unusual things they've brought with them to the residence halls.

Transcript

Dave Blanks: And here we are at Hoey Residence Hall. Glorious Hoey, in all its splendor. This was my, we called it a dormitory when I was in school, way back in 2000, but now it's called a Residence Hall. And we're talking to students who are moving into Hoey. That's what we're going to be doing on campus today. Talking to Appalachian State students, who are moving in, and their parents. And we're asking them what is the strangest thing that you have brought with you to campus? So, let's do it.

Dave Blanks: So you're a volunteer?

Elizabeth: Yes.

Dave Blanks: What is your name?

Elizabeth: Elizabeth.

Dave Blanks: Hey, Elizabeth. I'm Dave.

Dave Blanks: So what's something unusual that you've seen somebody bring in? And thank you for volunteering, as well.

Elizabeth: Absolutely.

Dave Blanks: Yeah.

Elizabeth: Ooh, one guy brought in four lemon trees.

Dave Blanks: What, a student brought in four lemon trees?

Elizabeth: Yes. He grew them from seed. They were two years old, and he said it would be another two years before they produce lemons.

Dave Blanks: No kidding. Four of them. Which Residence Hall is this?

Elizabeth: This is Lovill.

Dave Blanks: Okay. So does Lovill have like, enough room, for four lemon trees per room?

Elizabeth: I don't think so.

Dave Blanks: Do you think he's going to plant them outside?

Elizabeth: Maybe.

Dave Blanks: Yeah.

Elizabeth: I don't know where he's from.

Dave Blanks: Yeah, yeah. Wow. Cool. All right, well that's-

Elizabeth: That's definitely unusual.

Dave Blanks: ... That was very unusual. Thanks Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Yeah, you're welcome.

Dave Blanks: All right, cool.

Kaylen Herba: I'm [Kaylen Herba 00.

Dave Blanks: Kaylen Herba. Hello.

Kaylen Herba: Hi.

Dave Blanks: I'm Dave Blanks.

Dave Blanks: So you just moved into, what Residence Hall?

Kaylen Herba: Lovill Hall.

Dave Blanks: How did it go?

Kaylen Herba: It went good. I just checked in, but.

Dave Blanks: Sweet. All right.

Kaylen Herba: Got a few more things.

Dave Blanks: So you've been to campus before, but-

Kaylen Herba: Yeah.

Dave Blanks: ... but move in day was, how did it go for you? It seems like, pretty smooth.

Kaylen Herba: Yeah. Pretty smooth, so far.

Dave Blanks: Good.

Kaylen Herba: Because it's not crowded.

Dave Blanks: And what's something strange that you brought with you? Something unusual.

Kaylen Herba: I think everything's pretty normal. I brought a lot of mac and cheese, though.

Dave Blanks: Mac and cheese. Like, excess mac and cheese.

Kaylen Herba: Yeah.

Dave Blanks: You're mom?

Mom: I'm the mom.

Dave Blanks: Okay. Did she bring a lot of things?

Mom: Like, for 4 years.

Dave Blanks: Whoa, you brought four years worth of stuff?

Kaylen Herba: I've got to be prepared.

Dave Blanks: Yeah, absolutely. See you later, you all. Thanks a lot.

Mom: Thank you.

Dave Blanks: That's a lot of noodles. A lot of carbs. Oops, sorry.

Dave Blanks: Yeah, well, there's a futon, that's not that unusual. Nothing strange about a futon in a Residence Hall room.

Aiden H.: I'm [Aiden Henderson 00:02:07].

Dave Blanks: Hey Aiden. How's it going?

Aiden H.: It's good.

Dave Blanks: How was move in?

Aiden H.: I haven't gone there yet. I just-

Dave Blanks: Oh, you're in the process, right this moment.

Aiden H.: ... In the process, yeah, yeah.

Dave Blanks: So what's your Residence Hall?

Aiden H.: Doughton.

Dave Blanks: Yeah. Yeah. Doughton. So what is something strange, that you brought with you? Something unusual.

Aiden H.: I brought Christmas ornaments.

Dave Blanks: All right. Are these Christmas ornaments special in some way, to you?

Aiden H.: Oh, I just like Christmas a lot, so I just want to decorate with them.

Dave Blanks: So are you decorating year round, with Christmas ornaments?

Aiden H.: Yeah. Yeah.

Dave Blanks: Okay. That was, that was unusual.

Jacob: I'm Jacob.

Dave Blanks: Hey, Jacob.

John: John.

Dave Blanks: Hey Jacob and John, all right. So you have-

John: From Charlotte.

Dave Blanks: ... From Charlotte.

John: Yeah.

Dave Blanks: And your sister is moving in, but you're here at App already.

Jacob: Yes, sir.

Dave Blanks: Cool. Cool. Does she have some unusual stuff, maybe, that she brought? Potentially?

John: Hedgehog stuffed animals.

Dave Blanks: Right, okay. She's got [crosstalk 00:02:53]-

John: She has this thing with hedgehogs.

Dave Blanks: ... Hedge [crosstalk 00:02:53]-

Jacob: And she has like, a little-

DAD: She loves hedgehogs. Hedgehogs.

Dave Blanks: Yeah, that's pretty weird. How many hedgehogs would you estimate she has? You're dad?

DAD: Probably about five hedgehogs.

Dave Blanks: Five hedgehogs.

DAD: Yeah. She wants a real one when she moves out of the dorms next year, so.

Dave Blanks: Gosh, all right, excellent. Are you in favor of this, hedgehog?

DAD: I, you know, I'm not sure. I'm not sure what to make of having a hedgehog. They seem really cute, but.

Dave Blanks: They are, they are cute. How's move in day going?

DAD: They have it dialed in.

Dave Blanks: Yeah, they know what they're doing.

DAD: They are machines.

Jacob: Yeah, absolutely.

DAD: It's very efficient. So.

Dave Blanks: Well, you all continue to have a great day. Thanks for your answers.

DAD: All right.

Jacob: Thank you.

DAD: Yeah, thanks.

John: Not a problem.

Dave Blanks: You all have a good one. See you John, see you Jacob. Jingleheimer. Right? This is a good spot. Right beside the dumpster. It's a good spot.

Rick Camp: I'm Rick Camp.

Dave Blanks: Okay, Rick. So, who is your student?

Rick Camp: Emma Camp.

Dave Blanks: Emma Camp. And Emma Camp is moving into Hoey?

Rick Camp: Hoey, that's correct.

Dave Blanks: All right, cool. So Emma is coming from where? Where's-

Rick Camp: Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dave Blanks: ... All right, Raleigh. So you made the trip up the mountain, and she brought a lot of stuff.

Rick Camp: Too much stuff.

Dave Blanks: Too much stuff. Did Emma bring anything unusual?

Rick Camp: A goofy mirror.

Dave Blanks: That counts. Okay. Can you describe the mirror?

Rick Camp: It's round with these stupid sticks sticking out of.

Dave Blanks: It's round with sticks, all right. That's pretty weird. Did she make it?

Rick Camp: No.

Dave Blanks: Okay. Did you make it?

Rick Camp: No.

Dave Blanks: Okay.

Logan Graun: I'm Logan [Graun 00:04:12].

Dave Blanks: Okay, Logan. So you just moved into Hoey?

Logan Graun: Actually, we're kind of moving in right now. I'm just kind of getting my stuff out of my car, and then-

Dave Blanks: Well then, this is a little break for you.

Logan Graun: ... Oh yeah. Oh, yeah.

Dave Blanks: All right. So, you brought things from home. Where's home?

Logan Graun: Cary, North Carolina.

Dave Blanks: Cary, okay, well welcome to Boone. So is there anything unusual or strange that Logan brought with him?

Logan Graun: I brought a cactus.

Dave Blanks: A cactus?

Logan Graun: I did.

Dave Blanks: Yeah.

Logan Graun: A succulent, I guess you'd call it, right?

Dave Blanks: Do you think you'll name it?

Logan Graun: It's already been named.

Dave Blanks: Can you tell me the cactus' name?

Logan Graun: It's the best name. It's called Pokey.

Dave Blanks: Pokey is a perfect name for a cactus.

Logan Graun: Yeah, I know, I know.

Dave Blanks: Logan, thank you so much.

Logan Graun: Thank you.

Nancy Smoots: I'm Nancy [Smoots 00:04:45].

Dave Blanks: So, Max just moved into Hoey.

Nancy Smoots: Yes, he did.

Dave Blanks: So can you tell me something unusual that Max brought with him?

Nancy Smoots: A banjo? And a mandolin and a guitar.

Dave Blanks: Not super unusual for like, the Appalachian Mountains.

Nancy Smoots: I know.

Dave Blanks: Is there something strange maybe, that Max brought with him?

Nancy Smoots: Oh, shoot. I'm sure if it's something really sketchy, he's buried it deep and I have no idea about it.

Dave Blanks: So the sketchiest of things, you wouldn't be privy to that information?

Nancy Smoots: I probably would not. You know.

Dave Blanks: Yeah. All right. Understood.

Nancy Smoots: Yeah, I'm the mom.

Dave Blanks: Understood. I got you. I got you.

Rainy B.: I'm [Rainy Baumgartner 00:05:18].

Dave Blanks: Hey, Rainy, what is something unusual, strange, that you brought with you to Hoey?

Rainy B.: I brought my knitting needles.

Dave Blanks: Yeah. Okay. So, is knitting something that you've done for a long time?

Rainy B.: No.

Dave Blanks: All right. Do you know how to knit?

Rainy B.: Barely.

Dave Blanks: Okay. It would be weird if you were like, "No, I'm not into knitting." Then the knitting needles would be particularly strange.

Rainy B.: No, I can knit a little bit. Like, I'm knitting a scarf right now.

Dave Blanks: Cool.

Rainy B.: It's a pretty terrible scarf, but.

Dave Blanks: It's going to get better. Will you knit me something?

Rainy B.: Of course.

Dave Blanks: Really?

Rainy B.: Yeah.

Dave Blanks: All right, cool. Can you knit me a hat?

Rainy B.: I can try.

Dave Blanks: An App hat.

Rainy B.: I can try.

Dave Blanks: Okay. I'm going to hold you to it.

Rainy B.: Okay.

Dave Blanks: Thanks, Rainy.

Rainy B.: No problem.

Dave Blanks: All right. Have a good day.

Rainy B.: You too.

Dave Blanks: See you later.

Katie Smith: I'm Katie Smith.

Dave Blanks: Katie Smith, you're trapped in your car, so you can't escape the microphone.

Katie Smith: I cannot.

Dave Blanks: So you're moving into, where?

Katie Smith: Cannon.

Dave Blanks: Hey, that's right here. So, you're a freshman?

Katie Smith: I am.

Dave Blanks: Okay, cool. Do you know what you're going to study?

Katie Smith: Cellular and molecular biology.

Dave Blanks: Did you come to App just for that?

Katie Smith: Kind of, not really.

Dave Blanks: Sort of?

Katie Smith: Sort of, yeah.

Dave Blanks: What brought you to App?

Katie Smith: Well, I live about 30 minutes down the mountain.

Dave Blanks: Perfect.

Katie Smith: So, close to home. Love the view, love the scenery and love what you guys do up here.

Dave Blanks: For sure, okay cool. So, are you bringing stuff in here?

Katie Smith: I am.

Dave Blanks: Is there something unusual, or strange, that you have brought with you?

Katie Smith: Oh, I did. I brought a stuffed animal with me.

Dave Blanks: What stuffed animal did you bring?

Katie Smith: It's a bunny.

Dave Blanks: What's the Bunny's name?

Katie Smith: Bunny.

Dave Blanks: Is there something special about Bunny?

Katie Smith: My grandmother gave him to me.

Dave Blanks: Aw, okay. Well that's very sweet.

Katie Smith: Yes.

Dave Blanks: All right, well that's not really strange, but it's very sweet-

Katie Smith: No, I guess not.

Dave Blanks: ... so it counts. All right, well have a good move in.

Katie Smith: Thank you so much.

Dave Blanks: See you later, Katie.

Katie Smith: Nice to meet you.

Dave Blanks: Bye. Nice to meet you too.

Kim Reynolds: I'm Kim Reynolds.

Dave Blanks: And you're the Board President, for the Parent Board?

Kim Reynolds: Yes.

Dave Blanks: Hey, Kim Reynolds.

Kim Reynolds: Hey, how are you?

Dave Blanks: I'm good. Is there something unusual that you have seen, that a student has brought? Something strange or unique? Because you're helping with move in day.

Kim Reynolds: Oh yeah.

Dave Blanks: So you've seen some things.

Kim Reynolds: Well, people-

Dave Blanks: Something that stands out.

Kim Reynolds: Yeah. People think that they can bring entire beds and dressers. And they haven't seen the size of their room, and their side.

Dave Blanks: Aren't there beds in there already?

Kim Reynolds: Yeah, their beds are in there already.

Dave Blanks: Okay. All right.

Kim Reynolds: But they think they can bring their princess bed.

Dave Blanks: Right.

Kim Reynolds: And their duvets and their feather bed, and all that.

Dave Blanks: Right.

Kim Reynolds: Yeah, no.

Dave Blanks: They can't bring that.

Kim Reynolds: No, they can't.

Dave Blanks: All right.

Kim Reynolds: There's not enough room for two people to have anything, because they provide a bed, a dresser, all that. But yeah, we've had some funny things. Some contraband and stuff fall out. But, yeah, other than that, it's-

Dave Blanks: Business as usual.

Kim Reynolds: ... Yeah, business as usual.

Dave Blanks: All right, cool. Well Kim, thank you so much for your answer.

Kim Reynolds: Thank you.

McKinsey Law: I'm [McKinsey Law 00:07:51].

Kim Reynolds: Okay, cool. McKinsey, and this is your roommate, and what is your name?

Evie Davis: [Evie Davis 00:00:07:55].

Dave Blanks: Evie Davis. McKinsey Law. So you all are roomies here in East, you just moved in?

McKinsey Law: Yes.

Evie Davis: Yep.

Dave Blanks: All right. Where did you guys meet?

Evie Davis: At a haunted house.

Dave Blanks: What?

Evie Davis: We worked there together for three years.

Dave Blanks: Oh wow. Where was this haunted house?

Evie Davis: It's in Youngsville, North Carolina.

Dave Blanks: Okay. All right. So you know that East is supposedly haunted?

McKinsey Law: Oh, we know all about it. We've done our research. We live on the sub floor, too.

Dave Blanks: Okay. Is that the one that's like supposed to be the most haunted?

McKinsey Law: Yes.

Dave Blanks: All right.

McKinsey Law: Yeah. By the bathroom.

Dave Blanks: Okay, cool. All right. All right. So you all are excited about it?

McKinsey Law: Oh yeah.

Evie Davis: Yeah.

McKinsey Law: I mean, I'm pretty excited.

Dave Blanks: Okay, cool. So is there something, I would wager that the answer is probably yes. Is there something unusual that either of you brought with you to your Residence Hall?

McKinsey Law: I collect antiques and I have an old doll from an estate sale, from the 40s, that I kind of just like take with me, and he's kind of gross. And I also have like a Jack in the Box from the 70s, that was my dad's when he was little. And we have like a bunch of skulls that we brought. Just, you know, I have snake skins.

Dave Blanks: This is the jackpot of strange things.

McKinsey Law: Oh, our room is just-

Evie Davis: Yeah.

McKinsey Law: ... Yeah. It's like a treasure trove. It's like it's Halloween all the time.

Evie Davis: Yeah.

Dave Blanks: A 100%. Thanks for your answers. That was perfect.

McKinsey Law: You're welcome.

Dave Blanks: You all have a great move in day.

McKinsey Law: Thank you.

Evie Davis: Thank you.

Dave Blanks: All right. See you later.

McKinsey Law: Yeah.

Dave Blanks: That was crazy, right? Man, that was like the mother load of super strange things. Skulls. Snake skins, haunted dolls. I think we're done. I really, I don't think we need any more.

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About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.