By Farah Ahmed '11
Assistant Features Editor
The Wellesley News: How did you decide to become the nut-buster?
Hilary Allen: Well, Cazenove is a nut-free dorm, but there's nothing in place here to make sure it stayed nut-free. I thought ‘Why is there nobody here to protect the residents of Cazenove hall who are allergic to nuts? That's when I decided to become the nut-buster and go on a crusade against all nut products here.
News: Did you see people using nut-products?
H.A.: Yeah, sometimes I would be in the common room and I would see someone eating food that isn't allowed. People don't do it on purpose, they just forget some products have things that contain nuts. There are people here that are highly allergic – a girl on my hall is so allergic, her throat will literally close up.
News: What is your job as nut-buster?
H.A: I patrol the hallways during my free time, sometimes at two o'clock in the morning. I also wear a costume – it's like the Ghost Busters, but with a nut instead of the ghost. I have shorts that say "no nuts" in the back, which Cazenove sells. My dad thought it was an anti-guy thing, but it's one of the things that makes Caz unique. Basically, I make sure that the food brought into Caz, whether by people who are from Caz or other dorms, does not contain nuts. They can have them in the common spaces; they just can't have them open.
News: What foods would these be?
H.A.: Things like granola bars, chocolate with almonds, definitely not peanut butter. I saw a jar of JIF peanut butter one time and just wanted to tackle it. I had to go put it outside.
News: Are you planning to stay in Cazenove hall?
H.A.: Yes, I will be an RA here next year.
News: Why did you decide to become an RA?
H.A.: Because my RA was amazing, and I like to get to know people, so it seemed like the perfect position to take advantage of those skills and help people out.
News: Are you going to keep nut-busting in the future?
H.A.: For sure. All my first years are going to know who the nut-buster is.