Zoe Zarifes '20 Recruiting Profile

I have always been a person who likes to try new things and follow my interests and passions.  I think this shows through in the activities I have pursued. I have been part of a crew team for four years.  I drive 60 miles round trip, six days per week,  to get to the boathouse for practice.  Rowing is a sport that I have wanted to pursue for many years.  Becoming part of this amazing sport has taught me so many great life lessons, including the importance of teamwork, commitment, determination, training and mental toughness. 

My teamwork and leadership skills have also been developed through my involvement in national Greek Folk Dance Competitions and various community activities.  I have participated on my Greek Dance team since I was in pre-school.  My team has won the National Championship for the last six consecutive years. I founded and lead the Urban Compass Annual Christmas Coat and Shoe Drive in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects, in Watts, California, where we distribute coats and shoes to over 100 needy families. I also mentor the children in this program. In addition, I started a drive that solicits donations from local restaurants to feed the 80 under-served families in the Operation Progress Program once per month. This is an inner-city youth mentoring program for kids in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, which is one of the most violent and poorest housing projects west of the Mississippi. As a result of all these activities and experiencing life from different perspectives, I feel I am a good team mate and focused on the greater good of the team and situation.