Loyola University Chicago

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Major Minor of the Month: Laura Bottei

Laura Bottei
Laura Bottei
Senior
Majors & Minor
Music and Psychology, Catholic Studies

What are you involved in on-campus? Music ministry, retreats, psychology research

Why did you choose to become a CS minor? I felt welcomed by the community and wanted to become a part of it. I also enjoyed the free food.

What is a fond memory you've had as a CS minor? Probably my first John Courtney Murray Forum, when I decided to join the program. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations and thinking about Catholicism in an interdisciplinary manner, and I also loved talking to the people in the CS community, both people I already knew and new friends!

What are your career goals and aspirations? I want to be the organist and director of music at a large, vibrant church. I would also like to continue cultivating my organ performance career and also maybe teach someday!

Best Catholic Studies class taken at Loyola? That's difficult to choose. I, of course, loved CATH296 with Lauren Schwer and getting to dive deeper into the Ignatian tradition. However, I was also able to count my summer study abroad experience classes where I learned about theology, human rights, and migration in Rome and Malta. And then I am also really enjoying my medieval/Renaissance music history that I am taking right now--I am learning so much about the earliest church music and I love it! So yes, it's quite difficult to decide...I've really loved all the classes!

What is the most important invention? The internet...I know that is a very basic generation Z thing to say, but even if it has brought some bad things, there is so much good to be shared through the internet.

What is your inspiration to do good? I want to inspire others to be their best, and be for others what my mentors have been for me.

What is a central idea of Catholic thought that intrigues you? The Trinity is an amazing mystery that I will never understand but will also probably never stop trying to understand 

Favorite food? Panang curry from Pho's Thai Cuisine (this is not a paid ad but they should honestly sponsor me)

Did you go through a crazy fad that was popular at any point in your life? Silly bandz in the 6th grade. I would wear approximately 73 of them on each arm, and of course trade them with people.

What are some qualities that you value in a person? Love and care for others, loyalty, honesty

Preferred pizza toppings? No cheese (I have never liked cheese and now I am vegan), onions, peppers, spinach, broccoli, and extra garlic

Favorite season? No cheese (I have never liked cheese and now I am vegan), onions, peppers, spinach, broccoli, and extra garlic

What is your dream travel destination? Sardinia

What is your guilty pleasure? Trashy TV shows, often dating game shows

Favorite green vegetable? Broccoli. Kale is a close second.

If you could meet anyone past or present, who would it be? Louis Vierne. Or Bunny the talking sheepadoodle, really either would be fine

If you could be omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, or omnibenevolent, which would it be? I suppose omnibenevolent. The other 3 would be nice at times but I definitely wouldn't want to have those turned on all the time!

What is your favorite Olympic sport (Summer or Winter)? Gymnastics! I am a big gymnastics fan, not even just in the Olympics. Ask me about my 2020ne team predictions, and hopes and dreams. Also ask me about Chellsie Memmel.

What is your favorite movie quote? "Sometimes you have to be apart from the people you love, but that doesn't make you love them any less. Sometimes it makes you love them more."