Meet Maria Rios Brache, A Legacy Student

Maria Rios Brache, a senior from the Dominican Republic, calls Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School her home. ‘Mara,’ as her friends know her, joined the CH-CH community in the 2010-11 school-year as a new junior together with 165 fellow students from eleven different countries and seven states. Unaccustomed to American culture and the bitter winters of New England, Mara has certainly had to adjust to a new way of life. While Mara knew she’d be welcomed by a diverse and friendly community upon her arrival to campus, her decision to study here was strongly influenced by her family’s longstanding connections to Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School.

Alfredo Rios, Mara’s father, graduated from CH-CH in 1986. Alfredo still maintains many of the friendships he formed during his time in Waltham, and took with him fond memories. He encouraged his daughter to share in his experiences at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School.

“I instantly recall my Economics class, because it was the turning point in my life,” reflects Alfredo. “That was the moment when I decided what I was going to college for,” he explains. “Being around the faculty helped me to evolve. The life experience and the teaching style at CH-CH were very similar to being in college, and I noticed the difference between me and other freshmen. They were not used to being away from home or eating in a cafeteria. CH-CH made the transition very smooth.”

Mara has also found CH-CH to be an environment that is preparing her for upcoming challenges in college and beyond. “I love the way that teachers challenge you here,” Mara explains, “it just makes me want to prove to myself and to them that I can do better.” Feeling comfortable with her teachers has helped Mara to stay on top of her work and to connect with them when she needs additional academic support. “My dad said that my grades would improve because the teacher to student ratio would be better, and because many teachers live on campus. He was right about that,” Mara says of her classroom experience. Mara aspires to study music composition and performance in college, and has blossomed academically through the School’s holistic approach to learning: “Teachers change it up here,” Mara says, adding that “it helps me to never get bored.”

Occasionally longing for the traditions and culture of being home and with family is a commonality for many boarding students, though for Mara, History class with Mr. Eric LaForest has helped to bridge the gap between the Dominican Republic and CH-CH. “I have had a chance to improve in many ways. Mr. LaForest is such a caring teacher and I am grateful to have him as a mentor here,” Mara says of her favorite teacher.

Though the years between their respective graduation days span more than two decades, both Mara and her father value the levels of challenge and support afforded to them as CH-CH students. Both formed meaningful friendships and bonds, resulting in lasting memories. Maria Rios Brache graduates from CH-CH this spring and hopes to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.

Nadia Hajjar and Jen Arno