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Life Motto
I believe in the concept of 212°... where water is hot at 211° yet it boils at 212° (depending on the pressure, of course!).
It's that one extra degree that can produce enough steam to power a locomotive.
And it is that same extra degree of effort that makes all the difference when separating something good from
something G-R-E-A-T.
Goal Driven
I have played competitive sports since I was very young, so fitness, grit, and competition are a big part of who I am. I was fortunate to pursue my athletic career in college and played soccer for Mississippi State University. As a midfielder and sometimes as the cheerleader from the bench, I helped push State to their first, SEC Orange Beach Tournament in 10 years, with a repeat visit to this tourney the following year. I also assisted in the team victory over Ole Miss in the Fall 2020 Magnolia Cup Challenge. My 4.0 GPA contributed to an MSU women's soccer program record in 2021 that tied for the third highest in the sport in the SEC.
All Who Wander Are
Not Lost
I am adventurous and on the go! Never met a tornado or music festival I didn’t want to chase. I love history and travel. Favorite destinations are Copenhagen (where I scored two international soccer goals) and Switzerland where I found my family crest among the stained glass windows of a church dating back to the 14th century.
To Give MORE Than
You Take
The manner in which I have demonstrated my leadership is as varied and diverse as my skills and the organizations I have chosen to champion. I have an incredible heart for service, am a creative thinker and problem solver, and possess a relentless work ethic. I am passionate, loyal, highly innovative, and reliable - I do what I say I am going to do with integrity and authenticity. I also believe that in life it's important to give more than you take. My work with the Phi Mu Sorority, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Relay for Life, Bulldogs C.A.R.E., and the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, has heightened my service to others mentality. And, has produced a fearless champion for the underserved – especially the elderly. I am a natural fundraiser – I can ask for anything – and I have!
An Athlete's Hidden Opponent
Over 35% of all college athletes suffer from one or more mental health challenges. Unfortunately, chronic conditions like anxiety, do not come with a knee brace or a handy concussion test to properly identify and diagnose. As the vice president and commander of the THO Organization (The Hidden Opponent), I helped to start and sanction the Mississippi Chapter of this nonprofit effort started by a female college athlete in California. Armed with data, we reach out to coaching staff to help them overcome the belief that student-athletes with chronic issues like anxiety are not reliable in tough game situations.
We support fellow student-athletes in their journey to overcome the stigma of their diagnosis and to take the necessary first steps to reach out to the many, wonderful resources available for mental health within the SEC and NCAA. With suicide rates high for student-athletes, especially during the early COVID-19 years, we are
pretty sure we saved some lives, too.
She is the Storm. Not the Kind You Run From the Kind You Chase
The question, “What’s the weather going to be today?” permeates our lives. “Will my flight be cancelled? Do I get up early to scoop snow before work?” While the need to know doesn’t change, how weather information is delivered is constantly evolving as is a meteorologist's challenge to communicate the science behind the forecast WHILE providing the weather "story of the day" using
terms and technology our audiences
can most relate.
Just Here for the Storms - Southeast Severe Storms Symposium
Over the years, MSU has gained an amazing
reputation for producing one out of three of the nation’s
on-air meteorologists. James Spann, Amy Freeze, and Albert Ramon are just a few of the talented meteorologists and alums that have graced the stage of the Old Main Auditorium on Mississippi State's campus for the annual Southeast Severe Storms Symposium - now in its 21st year! Not to mention countless professional, public, and private meteorologists in forensics, insurance, aviation, and even a Hurricane Hunter or two! MSU Meteorology's Southeast Severe Storms Symposium is one of the country's largest, most renowned, and most attended collegiate events of its kind. And it is 100% organized by students!
Easily Distracted By Clouds - Bulldog Meteorology
The Weather Dawgs of MSU got Gig’emed with our counterparts at A&M for a football tailgate in Starkville.
Just one of the many programs our Executive Board had in store for members of the East Mississippi Student Chapter of the NWA/AMS this year. Field trips, community service opportunities, resume and reel workshops, social events, and speakers from all across the broad spectrum of the meteorology industry – from professional and public, to private and on-air . . . all made for a stellar 2022-2023. The cherry on top in January was our 3rd place poster selection for Chapter Excellence at the AMS Annual Meeting in Denver. I guess being distracted by clouds
does have a silver lining!
What's Inside My Bag?
I am a fan of Vogue’s “What’s Inside My Bag” series. You can really tell a lot about a person by what’s in their bag.
I even watch videos from celebrities I’ve never heard of. Why? Pure Curiosity, I guess. So go ahead, click on the button, and find out what’s inside the work bag that I
take to the station every day. In doing so you
will also find out a lot about me!
Promises Made and
Promises Kept
I was honored to be selected as FOX Weather's first endowed scholarship recipient which came with a 10-week internship and a personal FOX Weather mentor from the broadcast meteorology team. Marissa Torrez, you have
my heart and my back! However, months prior to learning of my selection, I had made a promise to WTVA-Channel 9 in Tupelo that I would be their weekend morning meteorologist through the end of 2022. With COVID-19, staff maternity leaves, and the normal migration of staff and talent that occurs at all stations, I felt strongly about keeping my promise to Chief Meteorologist, Matt Laubhan and News Director, Pat Peterson and sadly, was not able to do the internship. FOX Weather's Sharri Berg was so supportive and in December of 2022 flew me up to their headquarters in New York for grand tours and grand treatment. Quick to pivot, Berg offered me a position as a freelance field meteorologist and MMJ for the Spring 2023 semester. Best decision of my career ever! Of course, it's pretty early, yet.
Let Go of My Eggo!
A ceremonious photo op of me turning over the clicker (akin to turning over the keys to the shop), to the talented Annea Scales who took over my weekend morning meteorology position at WTVA as I moved on to FOX Weather to finish out the last semester of my senior year in college. Thankful to WTVA and all of my colleagues for shaping me into a better wall-to-wall forecaster, severe weather field reporter, storyteller, and weather graphics explainer.
Meet the #1 Man
in My Life
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Obi for short) is the Jedi Master of my heart and the best friend and cuddler any girl could want. Obi loves the park, chasing squirrels, my Lululemon leggings, and an occasional raid through the kitchen trash. And yes, I am a HUGE Star Wars fan!
Because Weather is Awesome and Sometimes Even a Bit Scary
Stormy weather can be scary for both kids and “grown ups” alike… but the key to preparation is having the conversation before the storm strikes. So happy to make a classroom visit to the kids at Henderson Ward School in Starkville during Severe Preparedness Week in Mississippi where we had some great conversations about the different types of weather and what to do during severe weather situations like tornadoes, flash floods, and thunderstorms. Lots of school-aged children get home before their parents do after school, so arming them with a few simple tips on what to do when the weather gets dicey, makes good
weather sense!
What Does the FOX Say?
So pumped to have Marissa Torres, FOX Weather meteorologist, and co-host in town for Homecoming weekend and to speak at the Fall Scholarship Banquet. Marissa was hand-picked to be my mentor by Sharri Berg, President of FOX, and boy did she nail it! Marissa is quick-witted and smart and the mother of two very active young boys. She embodies everything you would want in a mentor, a friend, a colleague, and even a big sister! I am an only child so I can only imagine that Marissa's advice and support and generosity are something you would find in a wise sibling. She has such a powerful and magnetic presence for someone of her stature. I'm only 5'6" and you can see how I tower over Marissa. When I was younger I always gravitated toward presents in big boxes. That was until I got older and realized that the most valuable treasures come in the smallest packages.
Ole Miss, By Damn!
What is a Mississippi State student doing cheering on her school's arch-nemesis (Ole Miss) at the College World Series? Well in my case, I'd be DOING MY JOB! That's right . . . this cowbell-ringing, maroon-wearing bulldog is beyond excited to be here in Omaha doing weather hits and College World Series human interest packages for WTVA and Ole Miss fans back in Northeast Mississippi. I've even learned the words to the Hoddy Toddy fight song.
