Katla Vilhjálmsdóttir

[Rattlesnake]

Name: Katla Vilhjálmsdóttir
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Grade: 12
School: Bayview Secondary School
Hobbies and Interests: Athletics- Basketball and Track, but especially Soccer; politics, Cello

Appearance: Katla is average size for a girl her age, but solidly built, at 5'6" and 135 lbs. By no means is she rotund or pudgy- she's packed into a lithe, athletic frame. She has a prominent nose, with somewhat rounded facial features, and her dark green eyes surmount proud cheekbones. Her hair, which is always put up into a ponytail, is a Icelandic, light blonde. Her clothing is usually a simple but flattering, and everything piece of clothing, from her socks to her jacket, are all designer. Her bearing is somewhat haughty, and a simple glance shows she's very self-assured.

Biography: Katla is an exchange student, born and raised in Reykjavík, Iceland. Her parents are prominent members of Althing, and are thus very well-off. Seeing her parents in a glowing, almost mystical light instilled her early on with a desire to emulate them, she has since developed a killer work ethic. Though naturally intelligent, she's by no means genius, despite dropping hints that suggest otherwise. She revels in her perceived intellectual superiority to a class that is almost, if not entirely, older than her, and works very hard at making everything she does appear effortless. A good example of this is her cello playing- she's earned her first chair position not because she's an excellent sight reader but because she immediately sets to work learning each piece, then dismisses them all as too easy.

A year ago, she decided, for the sake of adventure and her resume, to participate in a student exchange. Though she strongly considered France, she decided it would be best if she traveled to America, reasoning that it's the only world superpower. Besides, she didn't know much French, and she hated the thought of appearing ignorant or stupid. Her exchange student application slid through the selection process on greased rails, with a good touch of clout put in by her parents. She is staying with the Clyde family for the duration, and has become good friends with Erin.

Being rich, smart, athletic, and European gives her a monumental ego. Which doesn't negatively affect her popularity. Or, that is, which doesn't negatively affect her popularity with people she feels are worth her time. In general, she dislikes non-athletes and people who don't look at her as their superior, as well as Americans in general, who she views as uncultured, stupid, and fat. Katla makes no effort to disguise her accent at all, and enjoys the attention she gets from it. In fact, she sometimes accentuates it as part of the 'unreachable genius exchange student' mystique.

Katla's ego and Governmental ambitions gives her a tendency to bandy words and become stubborn and argumentative at times. Preparation for the verbal beatdowns of politics, of course. When it comes to getting her point across, she'll make herself known and doggedly pursue her cause until she gets what she wants. She has no qualms about her intensity, though, and is unafraid to ruffle a few feathers. After all, any publicity is good publicity.

While she can hold her own in a debate, Katla's real pride and joy comes from her athleticism. She's an excellent defensive basketball player, though she tends to rack up quite a few fouls. In track, she's a decent sprinter and good thrower, but her true talent is as a keeper in soccer (though she refuses to refer to it as anything but football. Or futbol, if she's feeling particularly pretentious). Upon her return, membership on the national team won't be far away, and Olympic glory won't be out of her reach.

Though not exactly a feminist, Katla has little tolerance for any perceived slights she receives, including misogynistic comments. Though most often expressed with playful punches or seeming jokes, she has an inferiority complex that causes her to instinctively lash out at anyone who wrongs her. After all, they can't hit her back- she's a girl. She will not hesitate to squeeze any advantage she can out of chivalrous behavior or act the victim and hide behind her status as a member of the "weaker sex".

Advantages: Persuasive and athletic, Katla won't have trouble playing the game however she wants. Additionally, her elitism and disdain for the bourgeoisie precludes random, unstable alliances.
Disadvantages: Anyone outside her circle of friends is bound to dislike her. Also, she is used to being completely in control of her surroundings, a situation she will definitely not find herself in on the island.