Cribs
By Andy Nguyen and Robyn Bahr, Arts & Living Managing Editors
While most Amherst students select their dorm according to location or room quality, junior and Residential Counselor Laurel LaMontagne arrived at Moore Dormitory for occupational reasons. “I came to live in Moore because Res Life thought I would be a fantastic RC here,” she said.

LaMontagne remarked that being RC for second floor Moore has been highly positive. “It’s an awesome experience!” she said. “I’ve met a lot of people that I would never have met otherwise, and I get to cheer people up with lots of study breaks!”

Moore may not boast the slick interior of recently refurbished dorms such as Hamilton or Morris Pratt Dormitories, but LaMontagne makes the best of it. “Despite Moore being such an old building, I love my room and the dorm,” she said. “I’ve spiced it up with a little bit of color!”

One of the most striking aspects of the room is its shape: one of its corners is markedly sharp. “You learn to maximize space,” LaMontagne said.

LaMontagne has clearly put effort into making the room her own. The single is awash with colorful posters and other adornments. Among her many pictures, perhaps the most notable is a print of Andy Warhol’s “Shot Blue” print of Marilyn Monroe. “I’ve never seen a Marilyn Monroe movie, but I knew the Andy Warhol picture was made for a college room dorm,” she said. “And it was on red tag sale clearance at Target ... easy sale!”

The most enviable object in LaMontagne’s room is likely her bed, instead of the standard twin-size matress and bed spring, LaMontagne has a large futon. “I like feeling like I’m at home,” she said. “I also don’t like sleeping on cardboard.”

Another thing visitors are sure to notice is her stuffed animal collection. “[It] is somewhat embarrassing, but it cheers me up,” LaMontagne said. “It reminds me not to take things too seriously.”

Issue 20, Submitted 2008-03-12 02:23:46