Meet Isabelle Orange, a senior majoring in biology. Ms. Orange is an athlete on the women’s soccer and bowling teams, and is a member of the Marketing Club. She recently was accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Illinois.
What do you like most about your major?
I like that there is always more to learn. This is a career path in which I will continue learning for the rest of my life. There are so many different paths and specialties you can choose. The world of science has endless possibilities.
In 2019 you completed a pre-veterinary semester abroad in Thailand. Tell us about this experience.
It was an amazing opportunity. I worked with amazing veterinarians and professors, and I gained tons of valuable hands-on experience.
I learned the ins and out of veterinary medicine and the many aspects of basic health care. I studied wildlife, exotic animals like elephants, zoo animals such as meerkats and owls, and marine animals including sea turtles. During the marine course, I also became SCUBA certified!
I also took part in a dog/cat spay and neuter clinic to help a local community, and I learned firsthand how small animal clinics work.
That semester abroad really solidified how much I want to be a veterinarian.
What are your goals after graduation?
I was accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Illinois. I want to spend my life helping both animals and people the way that I have been helped. Being an advocate for animals is my passion, and I’m not going to stop until there’s a Dr. before my name and a DVM after it.
What do you find most rewarding about being a member of the soccer and bowling teams?
The most rewarding part is the relationships you form, especially during the game. No matter what happens during the day, you can always count on your teammates to have your back.
What is the most challenging?
The biggest challenge is learning to get back up after failure. You’re going to lose games and matches; it’s inevitable. Even if you win, there’s always room for improvement. I grew as an athlete and as a person by not giving up. It’s not easy to want to get better. It takes a lot of time and energy, but in the end, it’s worth it.
Describe the bond you have with your teammates.
Some of my current and former teammates have gone on to become my closest friends. Working together on the field and feeding off each other made us all better athletes. Plus, when we step off the field, it’s great to hang out and celebrate! I pray we all stay friends for many years to come!
Proudest moment at LRU and why:
My proudest sports moment at LRU was my freshman year, when I made a diving save and denied a penalty kick that led to our win over Franciscan University. It was amazing. The hype from my teammates, both before and after the save, was incredible!
My proudest academic moment was getting an A in Genetics, despite the pandemic beginning last spring. Switching to online learning was a big change in itself, and Genetics is a difficult upper-level science course. It took a lot of hard work.
How would you describe La Roche to someone who isn’t a student here yet?
I would describe La Roche as a small university where you can form close, lifelong friendships with not only your peers but also your teachers. I’ve been incredibly thankful to all my professors, and I feel ready to graduate thanks to their help.