Alumni Spotlight: Maria Zorrilla ’20

In this alumni spotlight, meet Maria Zorrilla '20, a current freshman at New York University!

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

After graduating, I went off to NYU Gallatin, and I'm currently studying art history, visual arts, and business. I'm thinking of adding a minor in photography, as well. I'm loving my time in NYC, and balancing school, friends, and everything else that comes with living on your own. I feel prepared thanks to my experience at Post Oak, including the amazing teachers and faculty. I'm now looking for internships in the city, and I've applied to many art galleries.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST VIVID MEMORIES OF POST OAK?

My most vivid memories from Post Oak would have to be the J-Terms/A-Terms, the end-of-year retreats, and all the celebrations during the school year. I love how tradition-based Post Oak is, and the memories I have formed throughout my years there are ones that I hold dear to my heart.

TALK ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE AFTER GRADUATING. WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO START YOUR NEW JOURNEY?

In my personal experience, even though this year was anything but ordinary, I felt very prepared to take on college life. Post Oak prepared me in all ways. In fact, I believe my senior year of high school was more challenging than my first semester at NYU!

HOW DID YOUR POST OAK EXPERIENCES HELP PREPARE YOU FOR COLLEGE OR LIFE AFTER POST OAK?

The internships, trips, and classes prepared me in so many ways for the next part of my life. Throughout my time at the high school, I held different internship positions at different companies. I worked at PaperCity Magazine, the MFAH, and Local Magazine. This taught me how to balance academic and work life, as well as many other skills. Thanks to my Post Oak learning experiences, I am able to connect with my professors and have amazing discussions during seminars.

WHAT PASSIONS AND INTERESTS DID YOU PURSUE AT POST OAK THAT YOU STILL PURSUE NOW? HOW DID POST OAK HELP FURTHER YOUR PURSUIT OF THESE INTERESTS?

I think Post Oak really fueled my passion for art. Being [at a campus] in the heart of the Museum District also led me to pursue my art interests. Post Oak played a crucial part in my decision to major in art history.

HOW DO YOU SEE MONTESSORI EDUCATION SHOWING UP IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?

Montessori kids learn how to be responsible and accountable, to clean up after themselves. We know how to interact with people of all ages, we form closer relations with our teachers, professors, etc. We learn how to care for the world and the people around us.

IF YOU HAD TO PASS ALONG WORDS OF WISDOM TO POST OAK STUDENTS, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?

I would probably tell them to get off their phones and to take full advantage of the opportunities around them: all the internships, the job opportunities, to plan their own J- and A-Terms, to dream big, and to work hard, and not waste time behind social media or a screen because life is too precious.