Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Becky LaRue, a political science major from Chugiak, Alaska. LaRue is a member of the women's tennis team. 

Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I really loved how the campus felt when I visited. Everyone was so kind and welcoming! I also really liked the idea of doing an Independent Study project.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: For me, being a Fighting Scot student-athlete is a lot about my team. It is incredible to have this group of people where you all support each other, both on and off the court. Being a student-athlete is also about putting in a lot of hard work, in both athletics and academics, but feeling really rewarded for the work that you do.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Some of my favorite memories are team trips! We always take a team trip to Hilton Head Island over spring break, and we get to stay in an Airbnb together. We obviously play a lot of matches, but we also have a lot of time to cook together, go to the beach, have movie nights, and generally just hang out as a team. It is so fun for the whole team to come together like that!

Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: My team! I love being in such a close-knit environment of support. You really feel like you are part of a community. I also do love the competition, and playing matches is really fun.

Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I have been involved in Greenhouse and Geology Club, both of which are student organizations. I was on the executive board of Greenhouse for a year.

Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Probably my coach, Amy Behrman. She has been really supportive of me since day one, and works really hard to make sure everyone on the team feels welcome and included. She always pushes me to do my best.

Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: My first-year seminar professor, (Gretchen Tefs), has been really helpful! She has been supportive since day one, and my first-year seminar class still gets together once a semester for dinner. Overall, all of the professors I have had here have been helpful, are always willing to point me in the right direction, and give me good advice.

Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: My I.S. looks at how visitation to national parks impacts voting behavior on environmental issues. The idea is that once people have visited an area of natural beauty, they will feel connected to it, and be more likely to want to protect it, which will spillover into their voting behavior. Largely, this is investigating what factors shape voting behavior on environmental issues.

Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Trips with my team have always been a highlight, not just for competition, but also for having fun with my teammates! I've also gotten to be a teaching assistant for two different classes. Both of those experiences have been phenomenal, and taught me a lot!

Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: Be adventurous and try lots of stuff, but also feel free to say no! It is okay to not do things you do not want to do or do not have time to do. I promise you will not miss out on the traditional college experience because you said no to one or two things!

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Interested in becoming a Fighting Scot? 
Prospective student-athletes can click here to request more information from a coach, click here to view the virtual campus tour, and click here to learn more about admissions events, tours, and visit programs.