Lily Phillips ’25
Hometown: Fairfield, CT
If you had to create a synonym for the word “Smithie,” what would it be?
“Devoted,” is the first word that comes to mind. A Smithie is devoted to learning, bettering herself and her environment, and the pursuit of more knowledge; they are only at Smith because they seek to empower themselves through the best education available to them.
What class(es) are you most looking forward to and why?
Anything taught by Professor Michael Gorra. For my AP literature class, we read an edition of “The Sound and The Fury” edited by Professor Gorra, and I just fell in love with the work. Professor Gorra shed some light on the language, intentions and plotlines drawn up by Faulker, and I was completely awed by the way in which he presented the book in his headnote. I am ecstatic to be at a college where I can get that kind of analysis and expertise on Faulkner and other great authors from the people trusted best by the publishers themselves.
If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
It is not worth spending the $45 to decorate your sixth-grade locker with a small chandelier, whiteboard and fairy lights. You will spend less than three minutes in there, total.
What item from home do you wish you could bring (but can't for some reason)?
My dog, Elsa. She is a portly little lass of nine years, and we’ve been inseparable for about eight of them. I want to bring her on campus, but I think she’d much prefer to remain in an environment where my brother frequently drops crumbs on the kitchen floor.
“I am ecstatic to be at a college where I can get that kind of analysis and expertise on Faulkner and other great authors from the people trusted best by the publishers themselves.”
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Fly an airplane. Wouldn’t that be incredible? I used to want to do flight lessons as a kid—driving seemed cool and all, but the idea of piloting an airplane is altogether different. I’d love the opportunity to soar above cities, explore new locations and achieve a whole new degree of independence—without the risk, of course.
What’s a favorite holiday tradition of yours?
This isn’t so much a holiday tradition, but every July my family and I pack up to make the trip to Wolfeboro, NH. My grandfather built bridges in the town where my grandmother, also a Smithie, resides. We go every year for the beautiful lake views, the local bakeshop and my grandma‘s stunning English garden. There is nothing I love more than sitting on her back porch, unwinding with a bowl of yogurt topped with New Hampshire maple syrup and fresh, local berries.
If you could have an endless supply of only one particular food, what would it be?
Turkey club sandwiches, my “New England Staple.” I usually order them without bacon or the extra layer of bread, and despite my dad’s repeated insistence that that is just a turkey sandwich, I feel like calling it anything but a “turkey club” takes away some of the magic.
What piece of advice would you give to someone considering applying to Smith?
If you‘re interested in a school that prioritizes women’s voices, especially in STEM fields, you should seriously consider Smith. You will have so much more room to learn and grow when you‘re not wasting all that energy trying to gain the courage to raise your hand.
Smithie Snapshots is a new profile series highlighting members of the Smith community, located all over the world.