Marie Valdovinos – Alumna Profile

1. How long were you homeschooled through Seton, and what did you like about the experience?

I was enrolled with Seton from kindergarten through second grade, and then again from ninth to twelfth grade. However, I was homeschooled my entire life even during the gap years, so I have been learning at home for about thirteen to fourteen years total.

What I loved about Seton was the power it gave me to be flexible. There was no rush or pressure involved to finish any one assignment by a certain day or time, which greatly helped me turn out some awesome research papers and book analyses for high school.

2. Where did you go to college, and what is your degree?

I am currently a freshman at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon, and am pursuing my degree in music performance, with emphasis in voice. I am thinking about adding a minor in business administration, but am still trying to figure that one out.

I absolutely love the voice as an instrument and learning ways to make it sound vibrant and beautiful.

3. How did your Seton education help you navigate the college experience?

Seton helped me to manage my time, a skill I needed refreshing in by the time I came to UP. The first semester I was something of a mess, since I had not only to juggle seven classes and an off-campus job, but also deadlines and outside required events for many of the classes.

College was beginning to frustrate me somewhat, until I remembered what I needed to prioritize. Picking out the most important assignments, and the most important things I needed to pay special attention to, was and still is one skill I developed in Seton that I began to develop further as a college student.

4. What are you doing now?

Besides working toward my music degree and building my repertoire, I am also working a job at Chipotle Mexican Grill not far from the UP campus. Restaurant and food service has always been a drive for me, and it’s one of my ambitions to work my way up to management there.

I am also devoting a lot of time to practice with my University choir, which is going to be putting on a musical in the spring.

5. What gives you passion or motivation in your current occupation?

My confirmation saint St. Therese of Lisieux, I am certain, gives me the strength I need to get through each day as a student and a crew worker.

My amazing friends and faculty at my school drive me to academic and vocal excellence at the University of Portland, and my family, of course, are very supporting in my choices I make and the things I do in school and off campus.

6. Any advice for current Seton High-Schoolers?

My advice (brace yourself):

Don’t take on too much. It’s important to balance your life with school, work, family commitments, and fun, but too much of any one of them will burn you out.

Trust me, I’ve been there so many times. All four of them are important, but when it boils down to it, it’s all about prioritizing and deciding what REALLY needs to be done now.

You are primarily a student, so start from there. In ninety-five percent of cases, deciding to play the Superman act and “do it all” doesn’t actually work.