Who is Elle Woods?

Elle is the main character in the movie, Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde is one of two movies that I turn to in my difficult times because no matter what, these movies always cheer me up and make me happy.

Elle is an attractive blonde sorority girl from California. After her long term relationship ends because her boyfriend decides he wants a girl who is “more serious” and “less blonde” she set out to go to Harvard Law School to win him back.

Although she comes off as little more than the stereotypical “Paris Hilton” knockoff, it’s shown that even before she went to Harvard she demonstrates a strong intellect, even if much of it is related to fashion and merchandising. She knows down to the little details – such as the difference between brand name toilet paper and generic toilet paper, and a tiny detail about perms is what wins her the biggest case in the movie.

Over the course of the movie (which was originally a book!), Elle matures and expands herself out of her own comfort zone. In doing this, she saves the reputation and lives of people who she cares about. She encourages the nail stylist Paulette to get the courage to connect with the guy she’s attracted to. Elle shows the girl who becomes her best friend that first impressions aren’t always accurate, and Elle learns to believe in herself, no matter what.

The biggest piece of Elle that I takeaway is that Elle spends the movie making the best of herself. She goes from sorority president to fully established lawyer. In the process she learns about what’s important to her, and fights to defend it.

Like Elle as she starts her journey at Harvard, I have often felt that I was the “newbie.” I had two growth spurts at my first college (one in theater and one in Business), but both eventually fizzled out. I plan to take CCV and UVM by storm, much like how Elle did to Harvard by the end.

Elle is very well versed in the things that she is passionate about. I can say the same thing for myself – many times I’ve given technology coaching, relationships talk, and gone on about TV shows I love with all my heart. Even this blog has turned into a discussion about people I’m passionate about.

Elle is the kind of person I am striving to be in my present time.

Who is Kate Spencer?

Kate is one of the main characters in the movie John Tucker Must Die. John Tucker Must Die is the second movie I turn to in difficult times.

Kate starts off as a wallflower, who travels from town to town her entire life because her mother is constantly cycling through relationships with different men.

She is brought into the center of the action when it’s exposed that John Tucker is dating three different girls and they all discover each other. While in detention, Kate talks to them and and they unite together to destroy John’s reputation.

How does Kate inspire me?

John Tucker is the second movie that I always turn to as a comfort. I was first drawn to the movie because of Jesse Metcalfe, who was my first celebrity crush after coming out. As I transitioned to Parkside, I felt exactly like Kate during my first few weeks – invisible and “the new kid.”

Over the course of the movie, Kate develops a friendship with the three girls who unite to destroy John, and she grows into her own person. By the end of the movie she’s no longer an unknown and has the confidence to be herself for the first time. She also learns quite a bit about what it means to be in a relationship, since she has to fake being in one with John for half the movie. Kate also stands up and becomes a leader in the process.

Because Jesse Metcalfe was my first celebrity crush, and much of my exposure to him was through this movie, Kate’s journey in the movie helped me gain confidence in myself after having come out. I identify with Kate’s sense of isolation at the movie’s start, and just like how Kate matures over the story, I feel myself maturing more as I take on more challenges, such as going back to school.

From a different perspective, Kate has a few things she’s shown me about dating by demonstrating what not to do. Kate’s relationship with John was fake, whereas Sakura/Rose and Sabrina have real relationships to learn from. I have learned about things not to do with/to others by seeing Kate trick John in the film. I have often wondered what Dan Savage would have said to the four girls if they would have called him for advice on John.

Thanks Elle & Kate, for being inspirations!

Respectfully Submitted,

Lukas Condie