Zoe Watts
Class of 2022
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Connecticut College (expected in 2026)
WHAT HAS YOUR FIRST YEAR AWAY FROM DE LA SALLE BEEN LIKE?
I found the challenge of attending college so far from Chicago to be a relatively easy transition. As a Posse Scholar, I have the opportunity and blessing to be part of a cohort of students hailing from Chicago at Connecticut College. Even, a Class of 2021 graduate, Ian Hopkins is here, too, and he’s a Posse Scholar as well. And, being a member of the volleyball team has helped me adapt to my new environs with teammates from Chicago who also played in the Catholic Leagues. I have mostly made friends with my teammates and I hope to branch out a bit and widen my friendships during my second semester and remaining years at college.
HOW DID DLS PREPARE YOU FOR POSTSECONDARY LIFE?
I owe a lot to Coach Marassa for all that she did for me and does for the Meteors volleyball team. She really prepared me for the college game and helped me become a better player ready to play at the collegiate level. She taught me to work hard and to never give up. I did not realize how handy many of the notes I took in Mr. Slawson’s and Mrs. Bethany Costello-Stebelton’s classes would be in my first semester of college. Having access to those notes has helped me stay on top of my coursework and, even, get ahead of peers with subject matter that I already knew from my time at De La Salle.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A COLLEGE STUDENT AND ATHLETE?
My time is a precious commodity as a full-time student and athlete. I really have to focus on time management as I juggle the demands of both my academic coursework and the commitment to improve my volleyball game and be a great player and teammate.
WHAT EXTRACURRICULARS DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
Outside of volleyball and classes, I am a leader in the Athletes of Color Coalition, a relatively new student-run organization on campus. Our mission is to provide support and empower all student-athletes of color to safely share their respective experiences in and out of the game. I have enjoyed taking on a leadership role in this effort to help organize social and networking events.
WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
Because of volleyball, my schedule might look different from that of most students, but when we are in season, we have to report to the locker room by 5:30 am for weight lifting sessions at 6am. Between 9-10:15am I grab a bite to eat and take a Power Nap. I attend classes at 11:50am and afterwards I grab lunch with teammates and try get in another nap before reporting to practice from 4-6:30pm. After practice, I attend team dinner and then I have free time to work on assignments and then call it a night. I get up and repeat the next day.
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN AS A POSSE SCHOLAR?
The experience is great. When I am In season for volleyball, it is extremely beneficial for me because it connects me to other students from Chicago outside of my volleyball network. We meet on a regular basis as a group and I meet with my Posse Advisor one-on-one every other week. As a new student on campus, it is awesome to have a built-in network to talk about coursework, professors, understanding how to manage my time and plug in to social activities.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR FREE TIME?
Ha ha. The very little free time that I have allows me to make Target runs to stock up on essentials, but I’m usually tied up with volleyball and academic responsibilities.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE DE LA SALLE CLASS OF 2023?
Socially—try your very best to put yourself out there and meet new people. I wish I had done so myself. It is one of my goals during my second semester to be open to new networks of people and hopefully widen my pool of friends.
Academically—although you might have a strong sense of what you want to major in at college, I recommend taking courses outside your major to truly gauge your interest in the subject matter. I love the Liberal Arts freedom of taking courses that help me understand the world.
