Name: Larissa
Hometown: Troutdale, OR
Major: Nursing
Residence Hall: Kenna Hall
What sort of activities are you involved in?
I’m in the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Portland and part of the local Mormon church.
What’s your favorite part of Air Force ROTC at the University of Portland?
The camaraderie. I really like the teamwork and how everything is a team effort.
Why did you decide UP?
UP is the only school in the area that has an actual Air Force detachment. It’s also a pretty small program which I really liked. The scholarship is definitely a bonus and helps me pay for college while pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse.
You mentioned that you were in a ROTC program in high school. Can you tell us more about that?
In high school, I did Army Junior ROTC and I really liked the program. The instructors were all very nice and taught me a lot. I learned about the chain of command amongst other things. It’s been interesting to see the differences between the Army JROTC program and the Air Force ROTC. The JROTC program was more relaxed and focused more on graduation.
How’s your freshman year of college going so far?
It’s hard. The classes are more difficult than my high school classes and we write a lot more essays. Personally, I’m not a big fan of essays. My schedule is easier than high school though since the classes are spread out a lot more.
What’s your favorite class?
So far, I’m really enjoying my Air Force classes. Since it’s a first-year class, we’re covering a lot of the basics about the Air Force which I find fascinating.
We heard you enjoy traveling. Where have you been?
I’ve been to a bunch of different places. So far, I’ve been to Jamaica, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, the UK, China, Hong Kong, Iceland, Rome and the Caribbean Islands.
It sounds like you go on a lot of really cool trips! Which one of your family members got bit by the travel bug?
My mom is really big on going on family trips. Her philosophy is that if she’s going to work then she’s going to work towards trips because that’s what she likes.
Where’s the next family vacay?
This upcoming summer, we’re going to Mexico. I’d love to go to Germany!
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
My first name, Larissa, translates to laughter in Greek and my last name translates to cobblestone in German. My name pretty much means laughing rock.
Quick Questions-Ready, go!
One describe yourself: Sassy
Favorite Color: Yellow
One thing that’s always with you: My yellow jacket
Cats or Dogs: Cats
If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be? Celery
Favorite kind of chocolate: Hershey’s Cookies & Cream
Fill in the blank: I can’t live without _______: chocolate and my phone