Mentee: Zoe Lightcap

Major: Double major – Early childhood and Spanish (Spanish linguistics track)

Q: Are you enjoying your major? Why or why not?

A: Yes, it’s my favorite. I changed it this semester to be a double major with early childhood and Spanish on the Spanish linguistics track. I love education. FEEP has made me more confident, and now I am more interested in teaching younger grades.

Q: How have you gotten involved on campus?

A: I joined momentum contemporary ballet, which is not a big time commitment. There is a show each semester. Obviously, ACES. I am being an RA next year. I have done research as a research assistant all semester, which I’ve liked. I also am involved in The Salt Company.

Q: Have you enjoyed the ACES living-learning community in Smith-Steeb? Why or why not?

A: It’s very nice because you know everyone, there are no random faces. So, I get to form instant bonds.

Q: Have you had the chance to explore your desired career through internships, field experience, etc.?

A: FEEP was a very good experience. I was in an inclusion preschool classroom. It surprised me because I had no expectation to teach special ed, but I loved it an now more open to preschool, to special ed and inclusion classrooms.

Q: What is your favorite memory from last semester?

A: I enjoyed going to Iowa with The Salt Company. It was a retreat/conference. I also enjoyed ballet. We performed nutcracker last semester and swan lake is this coming weekend.

This interview was really helpful in getting a full picture of how the second semester has been for Zoe. It sounds like she has been really involved all year, which has helped in making and maintaining new friendships. Zoe hasn’t necessarily clicked with too many ACES members but enjoys living in a learning community where everyone knows each other. It has been helpful in the transition to college for her. Instead, Zoe has managed to fill her time with friends from other clubs as well as her various academic related responsibilities. Outside of her classes, Zoe works as a research assistant at the Crane center. She loved education and has grown in her passion for this field through her work at the Crane center and her experience in FEEP. Overall, it sounds like Zoe is doing a wonderful job managing a busy schedule and outside relationships. Therefore, it doesn’t seem too apparent to me that she needs my guidance for many things. I just got to enjoy our afternoon, less as a mentor, and more as a friend.