Giving

Meet Eva

Student Showcases Passion for Dance, Theater Onstage

Prep’s renowned middle school theater program and the positive atmosphere when she had her visit day first drew seventh grader Eva Fuerzas-Zamora ’29 to Prep, and they’re a huge part of what keeps her fueled and happy.

Dance and theater have become her passions. “I got into them because I found both the dance and theater communities to be so welcoming and kind,” she explains. “They are important because they let me express myself in all kinds of ways. It impacted my experience by giving me a sense of belonging, and it helped me form new friendships.”

Eva performed in several SummerPrep productions, including Disney’s Aladdin JR., Disney’s Little Mermaid JR., and she also danced in the Nutcracker Ballet in 2022.

As a Prep student, Eva has performed in Disney’s Moana JR. and Anne Frank & Me. She also performed in the Prep/Landmark Musicals collaboration of Disney’s Newsies last spring.  

The Anne Frank middle school theater performance last spring was a highlight. “Everyone was really supportive and kind, and it made me realize that I was so lucky to be a Prep student,” she says.

While she enjoys everything at Prep, the teachers are her favorite. Dance and theater teachers Courtney and Louis Giannini "really pushed me to become the best version of myself,” she says. “The theater program really helped me break out of my shell, especially because my first show was at Prep.”

Among the activities Eva has tried are Sixth-Grade Leadership and Community Service. “Taking leadership last year was a very great experience for me,” she says. “I loved getting to organize events for my school and also being involved in charities and donations.”

Juggling her activities and academics can be challenging, but Eva says she makes time for homework when she has breaks in dance or free time at home.

The Albuquerque native also enjoys playing volleyball with friends during lunch or during downtime. She has two older brothers and calls her parents “my biggest inspirations.” She also enjoys spending time with her grandparents “because I love learning about my dad when he was a kid.”

For anyone considering attending Prep, Eva has two pieces of advice. First: Take chorus with Mr. Darby Fegan. “Chorus is a fantastic class that I suggest any newcomer takes. Mr. Fegan is a great teacher, especially when it comes to finding your voice,” she says.

And second: “Even if you're scared, you should try out new things.”

Thanks to Prep's Annual Fund donors, there is no doubt Eva will continue to find her own voice and blaze a path on the stage during her time at Prep and beyond.