Meet Efrain Montoya. As the RA on the second floor of McCarthy Hall, Efrain is recognized across campus for his contagious smile and keen sense of fashion. Seriously ladies, tell your men to watch and learn. Efrain has it down pat. The double major is also a part of the United States National Guard. His college experience has been a unique one for sure.
Hometown: Rock Island, Ill.
Major: Nursing and Spanish
Some of his favorite hobbies? Eating, volleyball, going on adventures with friends, and spending time with his family. He is SUPER close with his family. It’s not atypical to smell freshly baked cupcakes in his apartment whipped up by his sister or to meet his adorable mother in the McCarthy elevator when she comes and visits over the weekends.
A little bit more about the whole National Guard thing… Efrain went to boot camp for the US Marine Corps in San Diego, California right after graduating from high school. After boot camp, he attended the School of Infantry in San Onofre, CA. He claims these were the best experiences and decisions of his life. Talk to Efrain about his experiences and you will definitely see passion in his eyes. He loves the opportunity and honor to serve our country. He is now a member of the National Guard which he says can be a challenge because he has to balance school, work, friends, family, and his weekend drills. He travels once a month for a mandated training with the guard. Good thing he is always up for the challenge. November 1 was Efrain’s two year anniversary as a member of the troops. He has four years remaining in his term.
However, he hasn’t always been such an honorable guy… His favorite memories from his childhood are all of the times he spent getting in trouble with his sister. Shamelessly, he admits the two of them would team up and do anything they could to make their parents mad, including trashing the house and breaking the windows. “It’s a miracle that my parents still love us,” he said.
And his most embarrassing moment? Efrain lived right across the street from Alleman, where he went to high school. “So everybody always saw me leave my house to get to school. One day I was in a rush and sprinted out of the house and tripped over a pile of rocks. Total face plant in front of all the parents and students.”
And just another interesting tidbit… Efrain was kicked out of elementary school after taking too long of a vacation leave. “I was in Mexico for three months,” he said. We will just leave it at that.
As far as the future for Efrain goes, he plans to finish up his service with the National Guard and is exploring future schooling options with Iowa State University at the top of his list. He looks forward to settling down, getting married, and there are definite possibilities for children and pets. Let’s hope his kids are as awesome as he is.
Thank you, Efrain, for your service!