When Zoe Antonio ’25 arrived at Pine Crest as a ninth grade student, she was stepping into something new.
Like many students, she was navigating a transition from middle to high school, adjusting to a new academic environment and finding her place within a new community. “Being a Pine Crest student challenges you to grow, but it also teaches you grace,” Zoe said. “It gave me the confidence to step up to challenges because there were people here who believed in me.”
That belief was made possible through financial assistance, which ensured Zoe could attend Pine Crest and fully participate in the experience. It opened the door to opportunities that would shape her path in lasting ways.
During her four years at Pine Crest, Zoe immersed herself in every aspect of student life.
She was a four-year member of the varsity swim team, an Admissions Ambassador who welcomed prospective families to campus and a Beta Club tutor who supported younger students. She also spent time as a pre-kindergarten helper, working with the school’s youngest learners.
Each experience helped her grow in and out of the classroom.
“I felt like I was part of something bigger,” she said. “It’s like a family you are welcomed into when you arrive.”
Zoe credits Pine Crest with helping her develop confidence and resilience.
Coming from a different academic environment, she quickly recognized the shift in expectations. “The work at Pine Crest was more open-ended and required a different kind of thinking,” she said”.
Rather than following a single prescribed path, students are encouraged to explore ideas, ask questions and take ownership of their learning. “I’m proud of my ability to adapt,” she said. “It was a big change, but I learned how to use the resources around me and really grow from the experience.”
Today, Zoe is continuing that journey at Colby College, where she is a member of the 15th ranked Division III swim team and is pursuing a double major in philosophy and French, with plans to attend law school.
She credits her time at Pine Crest with preparing her for what comes next. “I feel really prepared,” she said. “The support I had here gave me the confidence to keep going and to pursue the goals I’ve set for myself.”
That preparation extends beyond academics. Through athletics and student life, Zoe developed skills that continue to guide her today. “Being part of the swim team taught me teamwork, perseverance and how to support others,” she said. “Those are things I carry with me every day.”
For Zoe, the opportunity to attend Pine Crest was made possible through the generosity of donors who chose to direct their annual gift to support the school’s need-based financial assistance program. Their impact, she said, reaches far beyond the classroom. “I would want donors who support financial assistance to know that the opportunities they give students are invaluable,” she said. “They open doors that students are searching for their whole lives.”
That support extends beyond tuition, helping to ensure students can fully participate in all aspects of school life. Through programs such as inclusion aid, students have access to the resources, experiences and opportunities that make a Pine Crest education complete. From athletics to student leadership to everyday moments of connection, financial assistance makes full participation possible.
“It’s not just one part of the experience,” Zoe said. “It’s everything. It’s about being well-rounded and having the chance to grow in all of those areas.”
As she looks ahead, Zoe carries with her a strong sense of gratitude and responsibility. She hopes to one day give back to Pine Crest, helping create the same opportunities for future students.
Through financial support, donors enable students like Zoe to step into new opportunities, discover their potential and build a future shaped by confidence, community and possibility.