20 Questions With Marissa Treece

Sept. 28, 2007

1. Use five words to describe yourself.
Competitive, disorganized, forgetful, spontaneous, and spastic (but focused).

2. What is your favorite class or professor to date at Notre Dame, and why?
I really like my theology class, but my favorite professor is Bobby Portada, for First Year Composition. He’s a grad student, so he’s closer to our age, understanding and easy going.

3. Do you read horoscopes? If you do, do you believe in them? If not, why not?
No, I really don’t read them.

4. What is your major? Why did you choose this major?
Business Marketing. I chose it because there’s probably always going to be a job somewhere in business, my dad is in sales, and it’s just something that interests me. I might double major in another form of business.

5. If you could have a meal with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Prince William of England.

6. What is the first thing you think about when you wake up?
Breakfast, or possibly sleeping in a little bit longer.

7. Do you have any siblings?
I have an older brother who is 22.

8. What is your favorite movie?
I’ve got five: “The Incredibles”, “300”, “Knocked Up”, “Dumb and Dumber”, and “Titanic”.

9. Who was your role model as a child? Why? Has your role model changed now that you are older?
When I was in sixth grade, it was Liz Shimek. She played college basketball (at Michigan State) – I was really into basketball when I was younger – and she was an inspiration for my sports. Now that I’m older, my role model has changed, but I’m not sure that it’s a specific person. I look to older people who are successful in running and think, “I should be like them,” and try to be as close to them as I can be.

10. Where is the most interesting place you have traveled?
I don’t travel very often, but I went to Mexico once, and other than that I’ve also been to Washington, D.C.

11. If you could choose any year of your life to live over again, what year would it be?
So far, probably this year: from last summer until next summer. I had a pretty successful summer in track, and I really like it here at Notre Dame. It’s been a lot of fun so far, and I have a feeling it’s just going to get better.

12. What annoys you the most?
When people are right behind me and they sniff a lot. And when people steal my stories – when I am telling a story and they butt in and say “Well this happened to me and it’s so much better,” and it’s the worst because you think you have a great story but they just shut it down.

13. What are your plans for after graduation?
Hopefully I can make it into the professional circuit, but if that doesn’t work out, I just hope that I can get a good job.

14. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
Either steak or cheesecake.

15. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks.

16. What do you like the most about being at Notre Dame?
I like the independence of college itself, but I think that I really like Notre Dame because they people here are great and I know that I am getting the best education that I can get.

17. Describe your perfect day – who would you spend it with, what would you do, where would you be?
It would probably start with blueberry pancakes and bacon. Then a boy would take me skydiving and we would have a really nice dinner, then go to the beach and watch the sunset.

18. Who was the most famous person you have ever met?
I’ve met Billy Currington, who’s a country singer, and I’ve met professional runners like Deena Kastor and Abdie.

19. Where is your favorite place on campus?
The Grotto, and also South Dining Hall, unless its brunch, which is better at North.

20. How has being a student and athlete at Notre Dame influenced your life?
It’s really helped me to keep things in perspective and with my time management to make sure that I’m getting everything done. It keeps me conscious of how my hard work can pay off and how privileged I have been so far.

— ND —