Zoey Kurka
Zoey Kurka
Class Year
’25
Hometown
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Major(s)
English and Psychology
Minor(s)
Music
After Zoey Kurka ’25 took a campus tour, she knew Carthage would be her home. She is involved in the Philharmonic Orchestra, the 40 Form journaling group, a Dungeons and Dragons group, the video production crew, and the pep band. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school for her master’s degree to become a therapist. Along with her therapy work, she hopes to write books and compose music. She is also a recipient of a music scholarship, the Anton B. and Adele R. scholarship, and the Altera scholarship.
Favorite class
“My favorite class was Creative Writing with Professor Shannon Brennan. On our first day of class, I learned a wonderful rule that has helped me with all of my writing: make mistakes. This has helped me get outside of my comfort zone and explore new ideas without being afraid of messing up because mistakes can always be fixed. This class inspired me to write more and keep a journal, so I can get all of my ideas down.”
Toughest class
“My toughest class was Research Methods and Statistics I. Even though I did well in AP Statistics in high school, it was really difficult for me to keep up with the workload. Nonetheless, I know the skills I’ve learned in that class are important for the rest of the classes I will take for my psychology major.”
Campus involvement
“I was a part of the 40 Form journaling group. Joining that group was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made at college. I met so many great people and learned a lot about myself through journaling. I am also in a Dungeons and Dragons group that meets once a week, which has been a great way to stay connected with friends and have fun together. Lastly, I am involved in the pep band, in which I play trumpet with the rest of the band at football and basketball games. It is a lot of fun, and it is great to be able to keep playing my instrument.”
Favorite spot on campus
“My favorite spot is definitely the big pile of rocks behind The Tower overlooking the lake. I love to sit there and look at the water. I remember I once stayed up all night there to watch the sunrise.”
Favorite memory
“One of my favorite things I did my freshman year was start a band with some of my friends. We never got a chance to perform, but it was so much fun to write music in the basement of our keyboardist’s house. I also really enjoyed the dances. It was so much fun to get dressed up and just have a great time with friends.”
Biggest surprise
“I’m probably most surprised at how much I’ve changed. It’s crazy to think back on myself from a year ago and feel like almost a completely different person.”