The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

It is that time of year again, and I recently sat down with one of the stars at Lake Roosevelt to give you a sneak peek into a wonderful young lady’s life and future. I met LorRinda Richardson a long time ago at a PTA event, where she volunteered and kept me laughing the whole time. She has become a confident woman now, but her sense of humor is still there.

We started our conversation with me asking about her senior year so far.

“Um, not too bad, considering I have already been accepted to two colleges,” she said. That big LorRinda smile came across her face with a sparkle in her eyes. “Not too bad at all. I mean, it does not feel different compared to other years, I definitely don’t feel like the top dog in the school but, well, not too bad.” The smile returned.

LorRinda has been accepted to both Montana State and the University of Idaho. Both were early acceptances. Her goal is to go to Montana State in Bozeman and attend their pre-veterinary medicine program, then transfer to WSU to get her doctorate in veterinary medicine. But she is also open to whatever life throws at her. “Who knows,” she said with that smile again, “I might change my mind at Bozeman.”

We then moved on to more serious issues in her life that she has overcome to get to this point.

“There has been so much,” she said. “Well, maybe not compared to other people, but it has totally shaped me to who I am.” LorRinda was speaking of her home life, growing up on the Colville Reservation her whole life. “There were some really chaotic times at home, yelling matches,” she said, pausing before she continued. “Sometimes fights would come out of nowhere, and I felt like I was supposed to be the peacemaker. A lot of times I would only make things worse. But now I stand up for myself; these stressful times have made me more independent. I learned a lot about myself in those times.”

Her greatest influence in life is her mother, Mary Richardson. “My momma, I go to her with all of my problems, and I always listen to her perspective. I don’t always agree,” she said, the smile resurfacing. “She has raised me to be independent, and she is the reason I believe I have matured to who I am.”

LorRinda also has influences at Lake Roosevelt. “Mrs. Whitelaw is my academic mentor,” she said. “She treats me like her daughter and has pushed me to be a better student and to be confident in my work.” She continued, “But Mr. Utz is my emotional mentor; he pushes me towards my goals, taught me to be a better communicator and problem solver.” The smile was really big now.

Her advice for future seniors: “Think about your future. College is not for everyone. Don’t compare yourself to what others are doing; we are all moving at our own pace.”

Wow, some adults needed to hear that too. Great advice.

LorRinda also thought it was important that you all knew that her favorite color is blue, because it is “so pretty.”

LorRinda is one of those kids you will never forget once you meet her. I know I never will. Her personality is golden, and her sense of humor is sharp. She is bright and has a wide open future ahead of her. Bozeman and Pullman are about to be pretty lucky, because Ms. Richardson has chosen them, and their community is about to be a little bit brighter.