Seizing Opportunities 

Carly Zagaroli '10 took an interest in Saint Mary’s because of the strong liberal arts program, the small class sizes, and the beautiful campus.

Carly is majoring in sociology with minors in women’s studies and intercultural studies. She chose a sociology major because, she says, “The major is cross-cultural, which means a lot of the issues we study can be related to many if not most of the other disciplines at Saint Mary’s. I feel that sociology gives me a good base for further education, for learning about how to do research, and also for dealing with the real world.”

Now in the spring of her senior year, Carly has completed one real-world experience that Saint Mary’s provides all students—the senior comprehensive project. Carly's project, while academic in nature, has a fun twist. She designed the project around the popular show, Gossip Girl, and titled it “Prada Placement: A Content Analysis of High Culture Goods in Gossip Girl.” Carly says, “I analyzed the product placement within the show to see what kinds of products the network was promoting to teen females.”

With her project finished, Carly can now focus her talents on the upcoming Diverse Students’ Leadership Conference (DSLC) which is coming up next week. She has been asked by Leslie Wang, assistant professor of sociology, to assist in the presentation of the topic, "A Course on 'Whiteness': Learning and Teaching about Critical Whiteness Studies."

Aside from her busy academic schedule, Carly is the secretary of the Sociology Club and a member of College Democrats. She spends her free time volunteering at Healthwin Nursing Home, helping in the offices and decorating the halls for holidays, bring a bit of light and cheer into the lives of Healthwin residents.

As a Notre Dame fan and long-time dancer, Carly has taken advantage of Saint Mary’s unique relationship with Notre Dame and joined the Notre Dame Pom Squad. She performs at her favorite team’s football rallies, the men’s and women’s basketball games, and other sporting events.

As her final year comes to end, Carly looks forward to attending law school. In reflecting on the past four years, she says, “I love it here and am so glad that I chose Saint Mary's. The friends that I have made here are life-long and the professors have changed my outlook on life.”

—Sarah Sheppard '11