2 minute read
Mrs. Portales Focuses on the Importance of Education
By Amy Archuleta
Mrs. Portales, Lorissa Marshall, recently competed for the title of Mrs. New Mexico. She placed in the Top 5 and won Mrs. Photogenic. Lorissa ranked first in the number of advertisements sold. “The community really came together and supported me on my journey.”
Education is Lorissa’s platform as Mrs. Portales. “I plan to impact the community by emphasizing the importance of post-secondary education, making appearances to middle and high schools to share my story of being a first generation college student.”
Lorissa first moved to Portales in 2008 to attend ENMU where she met Jimmie Marshall (MS 14, BBA 10) during ENMU’s Freshman Orientation— ‘Dawg Days’. The two married and in 2010 when Jimmie received a job offer in Santa Fe, the couple moved. Lorissa finished her final year of school at New Mexico Highlands University.
When Jimmie received an opportunity to help coach Greyhound Basketball as a graduate assistant, the couple was excited to come back. Jimmie finished his degree this May, and Lorissa graduates in December with her master’s degree in education with an emphasis in school counseling. She is currently completing an internship with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on a prevention grant. Lorissa is slated to start working with the school counselors in the Albuquerque Public Schools system.
