By Roisin O’Neill’s first class for the semester typically begins with her name being announced as a dried grape.
“Roy-sen” “Row-sin” and even “Rosun” have come out of the mouths of professors that don’t know her. But professors know pronouncing ner name is the only hard part about having Roisin as a student.
The correct phonetic pronunciation is “Row-Sheen.” The challenging Irish spelling of the name is familiar to the O’Neill children who have the names Roisin, Siobhan, and Aodhan.
FYI: “Shuh-Vahn” and “Aiden.”
“It’s hard for professors to get it right, but I’m used to correcting people at this point,” said Roisin. “I understand it’s not a usual name in the U.S. but when I was in Ireland and people seemed to pronounce it just fine”
O’Neill is a senior who hails from Lake Oswego, Oregon, majoring in Political Science with a communication minor. She plans to attend law school in the fall.
One of the sweetest and most interesting people you’ll ever meet.
O’Neill grew up in California, but made the move up to Lake Oswego as a teenager. She participated in high school sports such as lacrosse and volleyball. After high school, she decided to forgo collegiate sports to focus on political science and law. She still finds time to work out at the gym and take part in intramural sports.
At Carroll, she turned to speech and debate. Without prior experience, she has flourished as a debater. O’Neill and her debate partner Vicente Gallardo, a senior from Butte majoring in International Relations and Political Science, have been one of the most successful debate teams in the Northwest region for the past two years. They won the Mahaffey Memorial Forensics Tournament in 2022 for British Parliamentary debate.
Her success led the Carroll College Forensics team to its 33rd consecutive conference title.
Roisin served as president and vice president of the forensics team in the past two years.
“She is a great partner and a great competitor,” said Gallardo. “The growth that I have had the privilege of witnessing and taking part in is astronomical and is a testament to her work ethic.”
Roisin juggles a rigorous academic schedule, the LSAT, debate, plus she’s served as an ASCC senator for three years.
“If you ask her if she had started a paper that is due in just over a month, it’s not uncommon to hear that she has finished all of her research and has a rough draft,” said Hellie Badaruddin, a senior from Missoula, majoring in international relations, communication, and French.
O’Neill is respected and trusted by her professors.
Jeremy Johnson, associate professor of political science, at the height of the pandemic, reached out to her for help when he could not be physically present. She helped administer in-person activities for political science classes that were online, whether it was playing a movie, or leading a discussion.
Roisin’s “designated study booth” is on the main floor of St. Charles, closest to the water fountain. There, with laptop open, she will be working on assignments. During the first semester, she had her LSAT book next to her computer at all times.
She can also be found in the Cube working intently on her computer throughout the day. But she’s never too busy to smile and chat with friends that pass by.
Despite being a champion debater, O’Neill is one of the quietest Saints success stories. She generally seems reserved to those that don’t know her, but when she’s called on in class she can be passionate in her response.
Her teammates on the debate team can testify that she is outspoken. Her friends flock to her because she always loves to find reasons to laugh.
“She may seem quiet on the surface,” said Brady Clark, a senior from Madison, Wisconsin, majoring in History and Spanish. “But she is one of the sweetest and most interesting people you’ll ever meet.”
A compassionate individual, Roisin is a reliable friend who reaches out to students facing hard times. She might skip a get-together with friends so she could cook dinner for someone who’s struggling with personal issues or tough courses.
“I never believed I would find my family at college, I just thought it was one of those things everybody said. But then I met Roisin and it just sort of clicked,” said Corinne Capodagli, a senior from Sandpoint, Idaho, majoring in special education and elementary education. “I can honestly say I’ve spent almost every day of the last four years with my best friend.”
Roisin has a welcoming presence that allows her to be approachable and powerful simultaneously.
“Roisin is a very approachable and empathetic person,” said June LePage, a sophomore from Lewistown, Montana, majoring in Biology. “I feel good about every chat, debate, or talk with her. She makes me feel heard and understood”
Her aura of an open heart bodes well for her future in law.
“When I was applying for my summer abroad program, I was convinced I wouldn’t get in,” said Nicole Williams, a senior from Seeley Lake, majoring in English. “But she 100% believed in me and bearhugged me in the STAC when I got the position.”
O’Neill is planning to attend law school directly after college, she has already been accepted to numerous law schools.
She hopes to litigate for a firm that helps people that need the help the most, specifically in the branches of constitutional or immigration law.
“I’m excited for my future in law school, but I know I’m going to miss all my friends from Carroll,” said O’Neill.
She hasn’t even left yet, but her friends already miss her.
“One of my best friends and the world’s best debate partner,” said Gallardo. “Four years of college with her have been nothing less than a privilege. I am excited to see where Roisin goes next.”
“Roisin is a strong figure on the debate team and has truly altered the debate circuit,” said LePage. “Many of the young members on the team approach debate in a better way because of the guidance of Roisin. Anytime I see Roisin studying in the cube, I walk directly to her to have a quick chat that makes my day better each time.”
“I don’t know that I know anyone with the same combination of discipline and drive that Roisin has,” said Badaruddin.
“Roisin is an extremely driven and competitive person,” said Clark. “But she doesn’t let that keep her from also being one of the sweetest and most caring individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Not only will she accomplish many great things, but she’ll do it while making those around her smile. For those smiles and memories she has given me, I am eternally grateful.”
“Roisin is not only one of the most driven and successful people I’ve ever met but a truly kind soul,” said Williams. “She’s a once-in-a-lifetime friend.”
“I’m honestly super lucky, because it’s people like my roommates, Roisin and Nicole, that make it extraordinarily hard to graduate,” said Capodagli. “Thanks Carroll for giving me my best friend. I am incredibly lucky to have her.”
With her sights set on the future, Roisin has a mindset that is built for not only success but for excelling in whatever she may do.
“My intense involvement in political science, the Talking Saints forensics team, the Associated Students of Carroll College, and with friends have made me the person I am today,” said O’Neill. “Putting myself out there, oftentimes without prior experience, allowed me to see my fullest potential as a student and person. I am excited to take this confidence and my newfound self with me to fulfill my dreams at law school and in my life.”
