Student Spotlight
EMMA MAZUREK '17
Loves About Brebeuf
I love the opportunities Brebeuf has afforded me, not only through extra-curriculars and academics, but through the influential people in my life to whom I’ve been introduced. Brebeuf has deepened my understanding of others and myself by encouraging me to look at life through a Jesuit lens. I am thankful for the opportunities to have gone on school trips and impactful retreats that I would not have been able to take part in at any other high school. I love Brebeuf’s integrity and commitment to educating its students beyond the classroom. Looking back on my past four years at Brebeuf, most prevalent and important to me is seeing my growth as a person rather than just a student.
Favorite Class
My favorite class at Brebeuf has been Orchestra with Mr. Hoernemann. Every day I walked into class, his love and passion for music hit me as I passed the threshold of the rehearsal room. Greeting his students with a booming voice, genuine smile, and sometimes a warm hug, Mr. Hoernemann challenged us and made us want to work hard in his class. Seeing orchestra class as a microcosmic experience of my time at Brebeuf, I developed as a cellist but mostly as a person, as our classes were often freckled by tangents that intertwined music with Mr. Hoernemann’s philosophy on life.
Future Plans
I am excited to attend Georgetown University in the fall, and I will study either Biology or Biochemistry on the pre-medical track.
Teams & Co-Curriculars
Four-Year Varsity Soccer Player and Senior Co-Captain
Executive Council Student Body President
Tatum’s Bags of Fun Club Founder and President
Principal Cellist in the Brebeuf Orchestra
Member of Student Athletic Leadership Team
Random Facts
I am obsessed with sloths. I have two pairs of sloth socks and a third on the way in the mail. A sloth fact sheet sits proudly on the desktop of my computer, and my main college essay centered around sloths.
My favorite party trick is rolling my stomach. I had a near Gnaw Bone Camp Talent Show victory in fourth grade because of it.
What has been your favorite Brebeuf experience or most memorable moment so far?
My favorite Brebeuf experience was going on the Spanish Exchange Trip to Barcelona for two weeks during my junior year. I went with several other Brebeuf students and made lasting memories exploring landmarks, such as Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia, and enjoying traditional Spanish dishes such as paella and tapas. Most importantly, I made a lasting friendship with my host student, Irene, who I still keep in touch with and will be visiting our family this summer.
As a senior, what advice do you have for all the new Braves in the Class of 2021?
Welcome, new Braves! High school is an exciting and transformational time in our lives, so get ready! A great way to relish the four years you have at Brebeuf is to attend sporting events with friends, join clubs, participate in retreats, and make friends with your teachers and faculty members.
Where/how did your love of sloths start? If you have seen Zootopia, how would you review the sloths performance/portrayal in that film?
My sister was the first person to introduce me to sloths during the revolution of sloth memes on the Internet. I was so interested in these curious-looking creatures that I googled them and found out some interesting details. Although the movie makes light of the rather slow-moving animal, I think Zootopia provides a negative connotation to the unhurried way in which sloths live. Sloths are simply misunderstood creatures who adapted to maximize their energy by moving slowly.
