Alumni Spotlight
Mariana Soares – Class of 2022
When Mariana Soares, CSD class of ‘22, walked into Ms. Coppola’s first grade class for a one-day visit, she had no idea she was stepping into a community that would help shape her lifelong love for connection. What started as “testing the waters” quickly turned into a CSD journey that would carry her all the way to Wake Forest University and, soon, to a classroom in Bolivia.
Today, Mariana is finishing her senior year at Wake Forest University, majoring in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in Entrepreneurship, but her college experience has been anything but ordinary.
During her freshman year, Mariana spotted a flyer to try out for the Wake Forest Demon Deacon mascot. “I thought, why not?” she laughed. Having mascotted once at CSD, she decided to give it a shot. In true Mariana fashion, the process didn’t go exactly as planned.
“They just threw me in, and I was thinking I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.” Still, one coach loved her energy and personality. It wasn’t until after the fact that Mariana realized “[she] accidentally went to the cheer tryout.” The next day she made her way to the correct location and found herself performing in a mascot suit in front of a full panel performing, showing her “swag walk” and improvising potential mascot scenarios like kneeling down to interact with a child fan. She made the team.
For four years, Mariana was one of just a few students behind the Demon Deacon suit. Her role allowed her to travel to games at different schools, across different states, hype up crowds, and embody school spirit. The twist? No one knew it was Mariana.
Mascots’ identities are kept secret until the final football game of senior year. “My roommates had no idea,” she said. To throw people off, she told most that she was a football, basketball, or cheer team manager. “It was so hard to keep it from them.” It was a hidden role but one that perfectly reflected her personality: energetic, joyful, and unafraid to put herself out there.
Beyond mascot life, Mariana immersed herself in campus activities; she joined club basketball, tutoring club, Spanish club, and Athletes in Action, a faith-based organization. However, the transition from CSD to college wasn’t without its challenges.
“At CSD, I had known the same teachers and classmates for years. Going to Wake was overwhelming. I wanted to be friends with everyone right away,” she said. “I had to learn not to force it.”
Not having familiar faces everywhere she turned was a big adjustment at first. Mariana realized that while people say, “Everyone’s in the same boat,” living that truth is harder than hearing it. Her advice to high school students preparing for college: “Put yourself out there. Join clubs. Introduce yourself. It’s uncomfortable, but that’s how you grow.”
When asking Mariana about her favorite CSD memory, she didn’t point to any one single event. Instead, she reflected on relationships.
“CSD 100% prepared me for relationships with teachers,” she said. “In college, my professors are like my best friends.” She credits CSD with giving her the confidence to attend office hours, ask for help, and build genuine connections with mentors. “CSD taught me community, determination, and that you can achieve anything if you’re willing to work for it.”
Mariana knows hard work well. If you follow her on Instagram (@workoutsandmealsbychunka), you’ve likely become familiar with Mariana’s life motto: “Attack the day”.
“I want people to know there’s so much you can do in a day,” she said. “Create a goal and go achieve it.” Her page documents workouts, meals, motivation, and daily discipline. She believes deeply in making the most of every 24 hours. Mariana is currently training for her fourth marathon and has committed to a new personal challenge: running at least one mile every day for a year. Even her “off days” are one to two miles.
“It changed my life,” she said. “Knowing I can get up and go, that’s motivating.”
As Mariana looked ahead to her May graduation, she felt called to something bigger. She initially had her sights on Teach For America with hopes of heading to Hawaii. When that door unexpectedly closed, Mariana trusted another would open, and it did. Mariana connected with the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) and just recently accepted a position as a third-grade teacher in La Paz, Bolivia. Mariana will spend two years teaching at an international Christian school beginning in late July. The school’s mission deeply resonates with her: teaching students how to live out Biblical values in everyday life, with education flowing from that foundation.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” she said. “To work with kids. To serve. To live out my faith.”
When asked what advice Mariana would share with her younger self, she responded: “Everything happens for a reason. It’s not as serious as you think it is. There are so many routes to where you want to go—there’s no one set path. Don’t let the world’s pressures overtake you. You can do anything.”