The Caretaker
“She finds joy in making others happy.” Ask anyone close to Amanda Lee Miller and this is what they will tell you. Born in Waynesburg, Virginia, but raised an only child near Lynchburg by her Mother Kim and Father Danny Miller. When it came time for college this small town girl was ready to get out. She now finds herself here at East Carolina University, which she loves. She is a sophomore/junior, public relations major who wants to some day work for perhaps a sports or entertainment organization.
She’ll introduce herself as Mandi and that’s what her friends call her. Don’t touch her Starbucks or Diet Coke unless you’re ready to throw down. Other things she loves include Mexican food, which she claims she would eat every day if she could and also spending time at the beach. She enjoys all kinds of music, but especially enjoys action movies.
A sister of Delta Zeta, she recently became the social chair planning events such as parent’s weekend. Joining Delta Zeta introduced her to her current roommate and best friend Katie James. Mandi and Katie enjoy being random together and simply enjoying each other’s company. Katie defines Mandi as her best friend and the “most caring, selfless, fun person she has ever met.”
Mandi has a boyfriend now of a half a year Blake Callison. The two met a little over a year and a half ago and have a great relationship. Blake defines Mandi as a girl who is “a care-free spirit who marches to the beat of a different drummer.” He added that, that was what he liked most about her and is what makes her so special.
Of all the people Mandi is close to, the closest has to be her mother. Both Blake and Katie say that it is strange how close they are, almost seeming like two girlfriends more than your typical mother and daughter relationship. In talking to Mrs. Miller about her daughter you will instantly understand as well. She describes her daughter as a natural caretaker, always concerned of the feelings of others. She also said that she is a very easy going girl who has no problem laughing at herself and has a strong sense of happiness.
Mandi also has a very strong relationship with her grandfather or to her “Papa”, spending as much time with him as she can. She very often will take time to hang out with him, especially doing things like getting an early morning breakfast.
Next Semester Mandi is considering studying abroad, possibly in New Zealand. Her boyfriend and roommate were both jokingly upset with the idea, sadly admitting that it would be great for her if she decided to go. Her mother however was very excited about the experience, though she said she would definitely worry having an entire ocean between her and her daughter.
Also Mandi works as a waitress at nearby restaurant Gilligan’s. Being a waitress comes easy to her with her passion of making others happy. Though she’ll tell you she’s not that good at it, it is obvious that she makes up for it with her sense of humor and warmth.
Mandi is currently considering graduate school, but sees herself working in public relations at some point. This area of work seems very fitting considering her naturally kind nature and capability to find the good in all situations says her mother.
When asked where they saw Mandi in the next ten years, everyone replied with very similar answers. Her mother and boyfriend saw her in a big city, being very successful working for a public relations firm. Mandi’s roommate Katie took a slightly different approach however also saying that she saw her living in the big city, but that she saw her working for a famous person. “I think she would be good at that”, she said.
In knowing Mandi for less than a month now, it was not surprising hearing what her Mother, roommate and boyfriend had to say about her. She is a very kind person who has a warmth to her as well as an ease you would not expect. For being an attractive twenty year old sorority girl, she won’t use it to intimidate you. She instantly puts down her guard and lets you in, introducing you to the kind caring girl any of the people around her would tell you she is. Whatever big city this small town girl ends up in, they’re in for a treat as she will no doubt bring her caring energetic personality to the table.
Filed under: Fall 2007