Zarrelli Makes It Work

By Annie Feinroth ‘15

Students focus better when they do not have too much on their plate. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and upperclassmen and even some underclassmen are balancing a job and school at the same time. For one example, senior Mike Zarrelli works at Urban BBQ as an expediter, runner, busser and host if need be.

“I work from 4 to 6 days a week making $8 an hour,” said Zarrelli. “I am [saving for tuition] because I have to pay for college myself.” Zarrelli is planning to go to college in Maryland, in large part because of in-state tuition costs.

To balance a part-time job and school—and then to throw school athletics into the mix—is difficult to say the least. Zarrelli works from 6 to 9 on weekdays and 4 to 10 on weekends. “I work right after practice, and do homework really early in the morning” explained Zarrelli, who gets up at around 3 a.m. to complete homework.

The rigid schedule Zarrelli has set for himself has paid off with a high cumulative GPA while taking advanced-level classes. “I’m taking three APs—AP Psychology, AP Statistics, and AP Micro-Economics, but it’s all about not procrastinating,” said Zarrelli. “I know what I am responsible for; I have to get it done.”

Still, Zarrelli’s dedication is pretty remarkable. He is not one brag, though. “I’m not working for a reputation or for fun; it is necessary for my future.” It’s a future that Zarrelli already has envisioned. “My dream is to one day be the CEO of a gym franchise.”