Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 248 BOCNEWS.com FEBRUARY 2017 A Gifted Young Woman on the Move You certainly can point to the old saying the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to the budding success of one young lady, Marissa Murdock. She was at the top of her class in high school and is now in college pur- suing her career aspirations. After all, the talented 18-year old has some big shoes to fill behind suc- cessful parents. Her mother, Malissa Murdock, has owned her own business for the past 27 years – Stephenson’s Office Systems. And her father “Doc” Wilbon Murdock served his country after 20 years of being in the United States Air Force. Marissa has set the bar high for herself. She currently attends Baylor University in Waco, Texas and is majoring in Communications with a minor in music. She looks forward to the day of being that on air television personality for a major network. “Although Marissa’s role models are her immediate family members (espe- cially her mother) and extended fam- ily, her media role model is Robin Roberts on Good Morning American because of everything she has perse- vered through, “expresses Marissa. While growing up, Marissa was grounded by the word in the church. She and her parents are members of New Hope Baptist Church. She doesn’t hesitate to quote her favorite scripture -Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” “I fell in love with the scripture and it stuck with me in high school. Life is about change and when you are in high school that is when you find out who you want to be,” she explains. “It’s not what you think you need to be, but what you know you need to be.” Marissa attended Bishop Machebeuf High School and made the honor roll all eight semesters. She was senior class president, a cheerleader, bas- ketball manager and member of the African American Heritage Club. She was even a YMCA Camp counselor helping summer school children. Her past activities and volunteerism also included helping distribute food for the Food Bank of the Rockies, 9 News Cares and Colorado Shares, a mission trip to Baton Rouge, LA to help those impacted by flooding. Now that she attends Baylor University, she is beginning to make her mark through extracurricular activities there also while continuing to maintain a high GPA and strong aca- demics, which -are important to her. She auditioned and was selected into the Baylor Women’s Choir and is also one of the soloists for the Heavenly Voices Gospel Choir at Baylor. The transition can be challeng- ing, states Malissa Murdock about her daughter and any young woman making these types of educational and career change. “However, we are encouraged by the way Marissa has adapted and continues to engage her- self towards meeting her ultimate goals she has set. The transition from her home life in the state of Colorado and to go outside the state and still keep the same COMMUNITY Marissa Murdock While growing up, Marissa was grounded by the word in the church.