For the Love of Foley
As a student at BFC, Arianna discovered two of her greatest passions: running and being part of the robotics team here at Foley. These experiences led her to participate with the STEM Projects Team working on the University of Michigan Electric Boat. As a proud member of our robotics team, she shares, “These communities have helped me set and achieve goals, as well as become a better, more effective teammate—which is a vital skill in today's increasingly multidisciplinary world!”

At Bishop Foley, we take pride in fostering teamwork and collaboration—skills that prepare our students for success no matter where life takes them.

A Winning Memory
The year 2019 brought Arianna many fond memories, but one stands out above the rest: her experience on Foley Freeze, Bishop Foley’s FIRST Robotics team.
She happily recalls: “Hard work (and lots of polygons!) lead to us winning the Autonomous Award at the district, states, and worlds level! (although winning it the first time at Troy is my favorite memory) Thank you Garrett and Mr. Trupiano (Foley Freeze mentors) for helping us to learn and achieve so much!”

Mentorship is a cornerstone of the Foley experience—and Arianna’s story is proof that one moment of support can inspire a lifetime of passion and purpose.

Teachers Who Shaped the Future
At Foley, teachers aren’t just educators—they’re life-changers. Arianna credits two incredible women who helped shape her journey: Ms. Nicole Hughes, 2025 Teacher of the Year and Head of the Science Department, and Mrs. Marylee Petty, beloved English educator.

Ms. Hughes challenged students with college-level STEM projects, while Mrs. Petty nurtured a love for writing. Arianna reflects:
“Chemistry especially provides skills vital to anyone pursuing a degree in STEM!”

And about Mrs. Petty’s class: “Her term papers were simultaneously some of the most interesting assignments to do and the assignments that provided the most growth as a writer!”

A Strong Bond
Arianna is a young alumna with powerful advice for current students: Join clubs and teams!

“They are the most fun experiences of high school, build vital real-world skills, and provide a family for life! The bonds I created in cross country, track, and robotics are without a doubt the strongest bonds I formed in high school and had some of the sweetest, most friendly people!”

Foley offers a wide range of clubs, teams, and organizations—whatever you're passionate about, there's a place for you and people who will become your forever friends.

For Our Newest Grads: A U of M Tip
To our newest Ventures heading to the University of Michigan, Arianna has a suggestion:
“If you're on campus at U of M, check out the NA&ME department! There's a lot of cool projects and great people in this little community!”

Stay Connected, Stay True
Though it’s been almost five years since graduation, Arianna remains close to her Foley family. You might spot her at a cross country meet, track event, or robotics competition—she still loves to cheer on the team!

Plus, she’ll definitely be attending events for the Classes of 2025–2026…  her younger brother is about to be a senior!
Want to connect with Arianna? Reach out via email at kerkmazarianna@gmail.com or on Instagram @akerkmaz.

One Last Word of Foley Motivation:
“Reach for the stars, don't be afraid to take a path of higher resistance! The coolest opportunities are never the easiest ones! You'll grow more with the opportunities where you struggle a bit! There's a reason that engineers (especially electrical) can end up in pretty much any industry or application!”