OLIVIA LANE
I was nervous about asking Olivia Lane for an interview for this project, because we weren’t that close in high school, but I know that no one would know the subject better than her. Belonging to the legendary Lane family and the 2015 Queen of Endymion, Olivia represents the elite of Newman and New Orleans. And, she happened to be in Atlanta for the weekend for a family friend’s glittering wedding, so what better opportunity to muse over childhood experiences than over a brunch of lox and eggs Benedict.
As the waiter pours the bottle of San Pellegrino into clinking champagne glasses, she saunters in with her neatly pressed, brightly colored Lily Pulitzer sheath and her characteristic 1000 watt smile transforming her face into the epitome of classic beauty. We chatted enthusiastically about how the University of Virginia was treating her and that her flight into New Orleans for Mardi Gras was delayed six hours, leaving her in panic as she envisioned the empty throne dedicated to an absentee queen. As we dug into our food, we started talking about New Orleans.
Me: Thanks for agreeing to this by the way! I know you’re only here for a short while and are crazy busy with this wedding and all.
Olivia: It’s fine; we haven’t seen each other since graduation. I was surprised to get your call, and wanted to see how you were doing. [She was amazingly able to maintain her perfectly-applied red lipstick throughout the course of the meal...an Olympic feat in my books.]
Me: Me too! Okay, let’s get started, so I don’t hold you too long. I know you’ve gone to Newman since nursery school and your family is very rooted in the city. How do you think that influenced your upbringing?
Olivia: Well, I never really thought much about it, but I guess it had a lot to do with it. Growing up, and going to Newman, I pretty much knew everyone in the private school system in the city, because we all had get-togethers or some sort of connections, our parents maybe. But yeah, everyone in Newman, Trinity, McGhee, Sacred Heart, Ursuline, Dominican, and that whole crowd kind of grew up together. Our parents know each other, because a lot of our parents went to school in the same school system too, so we hung out a lot as kids. And, because my family has businesses in the city and are pretty involved in the social scene, we all did our debutante balls together.
Me: Yeah, I know that a lot of the activities you grew up doing were kind of unique to the city. Can you speak a little bit more about that?
Olivia: Sure. Because I’ve spent my whole life in this sort of environment, it doesn’t feel unusual or special—it’s just what it was. But I guess it was sort of unusual. I grew up going to Mardi Gras and my parents would hold a lot of parties around that time where we’d get dressed up in our lace tulle dresses and all. It was always exciting and fun, and is kind of indicative of the city. Everyone likes to have fun. That’s New Orleans—you know how it is. [We share a chuckle.]
Me: Haha, it is a crazy environment, but that’s why we love it, right? Just one last thing: do you think that you’ll end up back in New Orleans and settle there?
Olivia: Oohh, that’s a good question (she sits back and contemplates for a few seconds). You know, I want to travel a lot and see the world, because in college, I’ve realized just how many different types of people there are and so many cultures I don’t even know about yet, so I really want to take some time and check it out. Because, I know if I just go back to New Orleans after college and go back to that life, I won’t really ever go out of my comfort zone. So, I think I’ll travel for a bit, and work in a different city for a while, but definitely, in the end, I think New Orleans wouldn’t be a bad place to raise a family. I mean, I ended up pretty fine!
Me: I mean… I guess so… [Sarcasm is a heavily utilized tool of mine.]
Olivia: Ha. Ha. Very funny!
Me: Well, thanks again! I really appreciate this! And I’ll text you the link to the website once it’s done, so you can check it out!
Olivia: No problem! Glad I could help! Let’s catch up over summer!
Me: Definitely! [We probably won't.]
I was nervous about asking Olivia Lane for an interview for this project, because we weren’t that close in high school, but I know that no one would know the subject better than her. Belonging to the legendary Lane family and the 2015 Queen of Endymion, Olivia represents the elite of Newman and New Orleans. And, she happened to be in Atlanta for the weekend for a family friend’s glittering wedding, so what better opportunity to muse over childhood experiences than over a brunch of lox and eggs Benedict.
As the waiter pours the bottle of San Pellegrino into clinking champagne glasses, she saunters in with her neatly pressed, brightly colored Lily Pulitzer sheath and her characteristic 1000 watt smile transforming her face into the epitome of classic beauty. We chatted enthusiastically about how the University of Virginia was treating her and that her flight into New Orleans for Mardi Gras was delayed six hours, leaving her in panic as she envisioned the empty throne dedicated to an absentee queen. As we dug into our food, we started talking about New Orleans.
Me: Thanks for agreeing to this by the way! I know you’re only here for a short while and are crazy busy with this wedding and all.
Olivia: It’s fine; we haven’t seen each other since graduation. I was surprised to get your call, and wanted to see how you were doing. [She was amazingly able to maintain her perfectly-applied red lipstick throughout the course of the meal...an Olympic feat in my books.]
Me: Me too! Okay, let’s get started, so I don’t hold you too long. I know you’ve gone to Newman since nursery school and your family is very rooted in the city. How do you think that influenced your upbringing?
Olivia: Well, I never really thought much about it, but I guess it had a lot to do with it. Growing up, and going to Newman, I pretty much knew everyone in the private school system in the city, because we all had get-togethers or some sort of connections, our parents maybe. But yeah, everyone in Newman, Trinity, McGhee, Sacred Heart, Ursuline, Dominican, and that whole crowd kind of grew up together. Our parents know each other, because a lot of our parents went to school in the same school system too, so we hung out a lot as kids. And, because my family has businesses in the city and are pretty involved in the social scene, we all did our debutante balls together.
Me: Yeah, I know that a lot of the activities you grew up doing were kind of unique to the city. Can you speak a little bit more about that?
Olivia: Sure. Because I’ve spent my whole life in this sort of environment, it doesn’t feel unusual or special—it’s just what it was. But I guess it was sort of unusual. I grew up going to Mardi Gras and my parents would hold a lot of parties around that time where we’d get dressed up in our lace tulle dresses and all. It was always exciting and fun, and is kind of indicative of the city. Everyone likes to have fun. That’s New Orleans—you know how it is. [We share a chuckle.]
Me: Haha, it is a crazy environment, but that’s why we love it, right? Just one last thing: do you think that you’ll end up back in New Orleans and settle there?
Olivia: Oohh, that’s a good question (she sits back and contemplates for a few seconds). You know, I want to travel a lot and see the world, because in college, I’ve realized just how many different types of people there are and so many cultures I don’t even know about yet, so I really want to take some time and check it out. Because, I know if I just go back to New Orleans after college and go back to that life, I won’t really ever go out of my comfort zone. So, I think I’ll travel for a bit, and work in a different city for a while, but definitely, in the end, I think New Orleans wouldn’t be a bad place to raise a family. I mean, I ended up pretty fine!
Me: I mean… I guess so… [Sarcasm is a heavily utilized tool of mine.]
Olivia: Ha. Ha. Very funny!
Me: Well, thanks again! I really appreciate this! And I’ll text you the link to the website once it’s done, so you can check it out!
Olivia: No problem! Glad I could help! Let’s catch up over summer!
Me: Definitely! [We probably won't.]