Inspired by Vogue’s popular YouTube series entitled “73 Questions,” the Life section challenged Poly’s Director of College Counseling and 11th/12th Grade Dean Mark Rasic to answer 59 rapid fire questions about his daily routines and must-haves. Instead of 73 questions, we ask 59 in honor of the year the Poly Upper School was founded: 1959.

1. What time did you wake up this morning? 4:30 a.m.
2. What time did you go to sleep last night? 10:30 p.m.
3. Favorite color? Blue.
4. Favorite restaurant? My father owned a restaurant called Nikola’s, which I liked the best.
5. What’s your nickname? No nickname.
6. Favorite food? Burritos with cheese, meat, beans and hot sauce.
7. Favorite sports team? USC Trojans, as a Los Angeles fan.
8. What is your favorite method of transportation? My Jeep.
9. What is your favorite part of the Poly campus? My office.
10. What is your least favorite part of the Poly campus? A room in which I have to have very boring meetings regularly.
11. The best moment you’ve had at Poly (so far)? I had a shy student who I counseled, and he gave one of the best commencement speeches at graduation, and I was extremely proud and happy for him.
12. Do you have any siblings? Three siblings: Mike, Mary and Jim.
13. What is your zodiac sign? Aquarius.
14. Favorite book? “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac.
15. Favorite movie? “Moulin Rouge.”
16. Books vs. movies? Movies.
17. How tall are you? 5’ 11” (Editor’s note: unconfirmed.)
18. What do you do on the weekends? Camp, go off-roading and spend many weekends in Palm Springs.
19. Sweet or savory? Savory.
20. What do you do to relax? Cook, exercise or get out into nature.
21. What’s one fun fact about you that the Poly community should know? No matter the student, their grades, extracurriculars and what they bring to the college process, I am always excited to work with all.
22. What advice would you give your younger self? “Don’t be afraid to be yourself.”
23. Favorite “Paw Print” section? Life Section.
24.Best airplane snack? Biscoff cookies.
25. Pet peeve? People who are very late.
26. Favorite part of LA? Eagle Rock, Highland Park and Silver Lake area because of its diversity and urban vibe.
27. Someone whom you look up to? First boss, who was a nun, for her power and intelligence.
28. Best brand of bottled water? Reusable aluminum bottles (Aquafina).
29. Best comeback? Ur mama.
30. Favorite animal? Dogs (mutt, energetic).
31. Favorite author? Alan Hollinghurst.
32. Where did you spend the most time during spring break? Palm Springs.
33. Favorite ice cream flavor? Peanut butter and chocolate.
34. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.
35. Holiday tradition? Favorite holiday is Fourth of July because I love fireworks.
36. Favorite place to watch TV? Living room.
37. Apple or android? Android.
38. Dream vacation spot? Japan—more specifically, very small villages and Tokyo.
39. Pineapple on pizza? Absolutely not.
40. How many languages do you know? One: English.
41. Where did you go to college/university? Graduated from USC.
42. Favorite time of day? Early morning.
43. Any pets (and names)? No, but I want a dog.
44. Dogs or cats? Dogs.
45. Childhood TV show? “The Brady Bunch.”
46. Favorite high school class? English (10th grade).
47. Hidden talent? Make very good pecan squares.
48. Any former jobs? Many: admissions at USC, English teacher for 10 years and other high school jobs.
49. Favorite candy? Butterfingers.
50. Favorite childhood memory? Sundays and holidays with family, especially big family dinners with extended family.
51. If you could dye your hair, what color would you dye it? I did dye my hair in high school, bleach blonde, but today I would dye it hot pink or neon green.
52. Favorite song? “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2.
53. Favorite place you’ve been? Joshua Tree.
54. Favorite cafeteria food/snack? I don’t eat food here. Instead, I bring food from home, which is usually an apple with peanut butter.
55. Starbucks order? Latte with a couple extra shots with either vanilla or pistachio flavoring.
56. Coffee or tea? Coffee.
57. Best fast food restaurant? In-N-Out.
58. Major? English.
59. When did you get your first phone? 2001, a flip phone.