By Michelle Karparis | Staff Writer
In case you needed another example of why Salve’s RAs are the best in the business, here’s second year RA, Alex DiMauro. If you’re not sure if you’ve seen him around, you have. You might know him as Captain Jack Sparrow, the guy with the perpetually unmatching outfits and YikYak socks, or maybe you’ve seen him around with his yarn and knitting needles.
“I don’t like fitting in with the crowd,” he explained.
Alex is a senior Religion and Theological Studies major with a minor in Spanish and Social Work. He is a captain of Salve’s rugby team and was nationally ranked in the fall 2015 season. Besides doing all of the things he loves, DiMauro also dedicates a lot of time to community service.
“If I could somehow combine everything . . . service, religion, Spanish, rugby, social work . . . That would be my ideal job,” said Dimauro.
Alex expresses interest in the possibility of teaching religion, coaching rugby, and joining the Peace Corps in the future. “I want to become a priest . . . No, I’m just kidding,” he joked. DiMauro explained that he’s not looking for a job that he will do for the rest of his life.
“I like to switch things up . . . I like to keep my life interesting,” he said. As you get to know Alex, this becomes abundantly clear.
One of DiMauro’s most recognized hobbies is knitting. Wherever he is, you can bet there will be a ball of yarn and some knitting needles close by. “It keeps me busy, I like to do it during class,” he said. He started a small business of knitting scarves to sell to his friends. He uses the money from these sales to buy more supplies so he can donate his scarves to the homeless.
Alex explained that community service is a big part of who he is. For the past two years, he joined other Salve students on the community service trip to Nicaragua and he also has taken part in the Service Plunge several times. Outside of Salve, Alex helps out with the Aquidneck Youth Rugby team.
DiMauro expects rugby to be a part of his life for a long time. He started playing as a freshman in college and wants to continue playing and coaching in the future. This past season, he was ranked among the top 50 division II players in the country, according to the Goff Rugby Report. Alex can be seen promoting the rugby team all over campus, especially when it’s around the time for the Mr. Rugbae event.
Mr. Rugbae is a fundraiser in which the members of the rugby team auction off services including cleaning and homework help in order to raise money for the team. People attending the event can expect singing, dancing, and all kinds of other wild performances from the rugby players. As a part of his performance this year, DiMauro shaved off his iconic beard.
Also iconic about Alex is his fashion sense. He can most often be seen wearing bright colors, crazy patterns, and it’s a rare occasion when his outfits ever match. “My style is not having style,” he said, “I’m usually late to class so I just kinda grab the first thing that I can.” His staple combination is wearing button down shirts with basketball shorts – and his YikYak socks are a fan favorite.
“Part of me is just rebelling against social norms,” he said.
With a personality as colorful as his closet, it’s no surprise that so many people look up to Alex. He says he likes being a leader, “not that people need to be led.” He enjoys asking the big questions, testing authority (“to an extent”), and doing things that would normally be considered socially unacceptable. “It’s thrilling, not knowing things,” he explained of his questioning attitude.
DiMauro describes himself as “definitely crazy” and compassionate. Part of what makes him such an admired friend and RA is how highly he values his friendships and building new relationships with people. Be it through his actions, his outfits, or just his personality in general, Alex never fails to make people smile.
“I like to brighten people’s days, ya know?”
