Best RAs of 2020-2021

By: Bryn Heikes                                                                                                            

Photographed by: Imogene Eagan                                                                                                                      

In a year with so much isolation, finding the delicate balance between building community and maintaining safety guidelines has been exceedingly difficult for everyone on campus. However, Resident Assistants Tori Lopez and Rob Boster have risen to the challenge. George Fox University (GFU) students were given the opportunity to nominate an RA for Best RA of the Year, and Lopez and Boster tied. Lopez, a sophomore, is an RA in Edwards Hall and Boster, a junior, is an RA in the LeShana apartments. 

This was Lopez’s first year as a resident assistant, but evidently she had no trouble bonding with her residents and helping cultivate a strong community. One of her residents said, “Tori is a good listener and has wise words when I need any type of advice, which has been super beneficial this year in particular. She has become a friend and a mentor through being my RA, which I think makes her fantastic.” Another added, “Tori is very supportive and encouraging to all the girls on the floor. She has such a loving and kind heart, and is always around when one needs her.”

Tori Lopez photographed by Imogene Eagan

In addition to her kindness, Lopez gets creative with hall events. “She has also been great about doing floor brunches every week, watercolor and painting nights, movie nights, and floor gatherings,” said another resident. Another student elaborated: “[She] has allowed for me and the other girls to truly bond with one another in these challenging times.” 

Lopez was inspired to become an RA during her freshman year, when her own RA was so fantastic. “My RA [last year] was Violet Champ, and she was really such a mentor during my first year of college. It made me realize how much I wanted to impact people the way Violet impacted me.” 

For Boster, becoming an RA was also motivated by the opportunity to impact others. “I just love to help people and be around people. I also love the aspect of being able to cultivate community and help others feel included and welcome.” said Boster. His residents certainly confirmed his ability to build community: “He was so determined to build relationships that he created Monday night Bible studies as a floor. Because of Rob’s persistent efforts, we hang out outside of just seeing each other on the floor including going to the beach, volleyball, spike ball, getting boba, playing tennis and other fun activities.” Another added, “Rob is the best at getting people to roll into the lobby and have some fun.” 

Rob Boster photographed by Imogene Eagan

For both Lopez and Boster, being an RA in the midst of COVID has still been challenging. Boster said, “It’s been tough because I have a floor that loves to be together and spend time with each other, but we have to limit the amount of people we have in a room, so we have to organize a lot of outside activities.” Likewise, Lopez said, “One of the most difficult things was trying to build a community surrounded by this isolation.” 

However, both have learned key takeaways from their experiences. “I’ve learned how to have difficult conversations, and finding the balance between being friends and enforcing rules.” said Boster. Lopez had a similar answer: “I think I’ve really grown as a leader, and learned to accept imperfections in life and find the beauty in them.” 

“I would totally recommend being an RA,” said Lopez. “It’s just so much fun!”