Hello! My name is Samantha Wagner. I'm 20 years old and a Senior at Rutgers University majoring in Sociology. I previously attended both The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey as a Literature major and Camden County College as a Psychology major. I'm currently involved in a very happy and healthy 5 year relationship with my high school sweetheart, Michael. We have plans to get engaged after we both finish up school within the next two years and I couldn't be more excited. I live at home with my Mother, Father, and younger sister Blake (a 15 year old freshman in high school). Animals are a HUGE part of my life. I have been an avid vegetarian for over 8 years, a supporter of PETA, and a volunteer at various animal shelters in the area. On top of that, I own three cats (Tiki, Oreo, and Luigi) and the most amazing Golden Retriever (Rusty) that has ever lived! My boyfriend and I constantly joke around about how he's our practice for children--that's how we treat him! I have an amazing group of friends with a variety of interests that always keep things interesting! I try to be an optimistic and light-hearted person, and am constantly being called "goofy" and "giggly," but I don't mind one bit.
I N T E R E S T S
In my free time I LOVE listening to music and going to shows--you can constantly find me in some bar in Philly trying to check out the new band on the scene. I used to attend a full-time music school where I played both the clarinet and keyboard. In fact, we once played a show where I opened up as first chair clarinet for the Philadelphia Orchestra. However, that was a long time ago. I've since given up playing for listening. One of my hobbies is writing reviews for albums and shows that I list on a music blog hosted by Drexel University's record label (Mad Dragon Records). I'm also in the process of getting my own radio show on Drexel's station 91.7WKDU. I can enjoy ALL genres of music, but I tend to prefer Punk, Folk, Ska, Indie--anything creative with a good message, really. I'm also very into politics. So, give me anything with a good beat some strong political themes (VERY liberal, of course) and I'm hooked (can't beat original protest folk).
I can't mention anything about music without mentioning my favorite band: Blink-182. To the people in the areas I grew up (South Philadelphia, PA and Somerdale, NJ) "Samantha Wagner" and "Blink-182" are almost synonymous. I have been an extremely AVID fan since I was 9 years old, regardless of what anyone has had to say about their music and lyrical ability. I actually have a collection of pictures with me and the guitarist/lead vocalist, Tom DeLonge (shown to the left). I am also a HUGE literature and philosophy buff, so I love to read and write. My boyfriend and I will spend hours upon hours discussing our favorite authors and debating the true meanings of our favorite ideologies. Existentialism, Transcendentalism, Pragmatism--you name it, we'll discuss it.
F U T U R E G O A L S
After graduating, I plan to enroll in the Peace Corps for a few years, hopefully working most directly with programs aimed at Youth & Community Development. I then hope to get a job as a Guidance Counselor in an inner-city district while attending law school and to ultimately obtain a position working with the United Nations as a Humanitarian Lawyer.
L I N K S *
PETA: An animal activisim website and community.
Blink-182: The website of my first, and current, favorite band.
R5 Productions: A listing of local shows in the Philadelphia area.
WSWS: A political news website for people who associate with very liberal or socialist ideals.
Spectrum Culture: An underground music, literature, film, and food review site.
Think Exist: A collection of philosophical quotes to spring-board intellectual writing or conversation.
* Links will open up in a new window as to not interfere with browsing.
RESEARCH TOPIC: I find myself becoming more and more interested in how sex offenders use the internet to contact and victimize young children. Dateline NBC shows like "To Catch a Predator" have brought this issue to the forefront of American culture and I would like to learn more about the facts, statistics, preventative practices, and general information.