By BETHANY SHERROW
Assistant News Editor

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — He’s conquered a new language, roamed the river between Portugal and Spain, stopped an evil president from tearing the nation in two and broken out of his shell all during his four years at UCM.

PHOTOS BY BETHANY SHERROW / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Tre Portis (left) assisted in digital media production of the first annual Trading Moon Pow Wow on Saturday in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Tre Portis is graduating in May, and he said he’s grown not only academically, but also personally while at UCM.

“My confidence has grown exponentially,” Portis said. “In the way I carry myself, I’ve studied abroad, all those things combined, I’ve just become a more confident person.”

Confident enough to lead two organizations on campus as their president.

“I’m the president of the Modern Language club,” Portis said. “I’m also the president of the national society of leadership and success and I’m also a photographer for a new organization on campus, the comedy and improv club.”

Portis said it’s not been easy being at the helm of these two organizations, but it’s been worth it.

Stepping into leadership positions for both organizations is not the first time Portis has taken a leap of faith. Last summer he studied abroad in Spain.

“Everything just felt like it was new for the first time, like I was learning how to walk,” Portis said.

Portis traveled with nearly 20 UCM faculty and students. The group visited 15 cities, each with their own special element. Portis said one city in particular was stunning.

“It was like this really small town, and all the houses were painted white,” Portis said. “You could see the river that divides Spain and Portugal. It was amazing.”

Portis said he would gladly go back to Spain, but that there are still around 20 other Spanish-speaking countries that he would love to visit as well.

Even if he’s not actively traveling, Portis’ adventures continue. He is an aspiring writer/director and has already completed a screenplay.

“The screenplay is called, ‘If I Ruled the World,’” Portis said. “It’s about two teenagers who try to stop a tyrannical president from dividing the nation into two halves – it’s the U. S. – that’s the nation. It’s a sci-fi drama.”

He sent his screenplay to Lionsgate, and they looked at a few pages of it. Portis said he’s not giving up.

“I’m really aiming high,” Portis said. “I’m going to send it to Sony, Universal Studios, just anyone who’s willing to read it.”

Throughout his experience as a college student, Portis said he has really learned who he is as a person and community member.

“I would say I am a natural leader,” Portis said.

He said it hasn’t always been easy to stay true to himself and his dreams of directing.

“There’s so many forces, there are so many people trying to pull you a certain way,” Portis said. “Trying to mold you in their image and you also try to follow people too, just to relate to them.”

Portis said he has learned to stand alone when necessary. At the same time, much of his success has come from joining communities on campus, and he encourages students who are just starting their college career to get involved.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Try to meet everyone,” he said. “It’s important to network, that’s the reason. I would say it definitely starts with branching out into organizations.”