As a stay-at-home mom and an Oakcrest volleyball coach, Tara (Hill ‘11) Van Zoeren credits Oakcrest for where she is today. Having worked as a paralegal and in online marketing before having her two children, Tara says the decision to stay home was “so natural.” 

“Oakcrest had always taught me that I didn’t have to choose between having a career and supporting my family - both are noble callings and I have plenty of time to do both,” she said. 

After graduating from Oakcrest in 2011, Tara attended James Madison University, majoring in English and Creative Writing. One of her Oakcrest English teachers, Ms. Tanya Salewski, had a strong impact on Tara choosing to study English, Tara said. 

“I hear this a lot from Oakcrest girls, but our ability to write and research far surpasses the norm in college,” she explained. “I know a lot of girls, myself included, that ended up being our peers’ go-to editor.” 

While at Oakcrest, Tara was a member of student council and student ambassadors and even starred in the 2010 Upper School Theatre Production of The Wizard of Oz as the Wicked Witch of the West. Tara was the captain of the varsity volleyball team, winning two championships and one title while on the team. She continues to cultivate her love of the sport and of Oakcrest as a Middle School Volleyball coach. 

As to the foundation she received while a student, Tara said she sees Oakcrest as having a profound impact on her spiritual life. 

“Oakcrest is one of the main pillars of my faith, specifically in regards to frequent opportunities for confession and adoration, and in the reflections with Fr. Ron Gillis,” she said. “I keep his prayer card on my prayer table and think of him often. He used to tell us that ‘the devil has no sense of humor’ so it is important that we keep ours.” 

Oakcrest, Tara says, also instilled within her the ability to think for herself. “In my experience, Oakcrest never taught me what to think, but how to think and make my own decisions. I chose to go to Oakcrest because the day that I shadowed in 8th grade, I was blown away by how the teachers never seemed to talk down to the girls, but rather, talked with them. Girls were comfortable respectfully disagreeing or arguing with the teacher, and the teachers encouraged this. To be treated with respect like that taught me to be confident in myself and to know the value of my thoughts, but it also taught me to be open minded and listen to others with respect.” 

As the mother of a future Oakie, Tara says that being a prospective Oakcrest parent inspired her to give back to Oakcrest by serving on the Alumnae Association Leadership Team. 

“I want my daughter to be able to have the same incredible education and opportunity to grow into a strong, independent woman that I had. There’s no better way to make this goal happen than to give back and be involved.” 

Working alongside her sister-in-law Katie (McNeish ‘16) Hill as co-presidents of the OAA, Tara said the two of them cannot wait to have their daughters going to school together. “We have the same goal of working to make their experiences, and all future students’ experiences) positive, strengthening, and fun!”