Finding Her Stride: Ellie Zorska ’26 Reflects on a Senior Year of Growth FOR ELLIE ZORSKA ’26 , SENIOR YEAR HAS BEEN DEFINED BY CHALLENGE, COMMITMENT AND CONFIDENCE — CONTINUING A GILMOUR LEGACY AS THE DAUGHTER OF ALUMNUS MICHAEL ZORSKA ’89
Between applying to 10 colleges and balancing a demanding course load that includes Spanish IV, “Remember the Ladies” of History, AP Calculus, AP Research and AP Chemistry, Ellie has maintained an impressive GPA above 4.0. But beyond the numbers, this year has been about stepping outside her comfort zone — academically, artistically and athletically. One of her biggest milestones this year was participating in Gilmour’s Catalyst program, through which she spent the summer working alongside researchers in their professional lab at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine (see pg. 24). The experience pushed her outside her comfort zone and helped her develop new skills in scientific writing and presenting complex ideas clearly to different audiences. It also confirmed her passion for science and medicine as she looks ahead to studying pre-med at Ohio State with hopes of becoming a pediatrician. At the same time, Ellie was working to launch her AP Research study, The Effect of Mindful Breathing on Middle School Stress . Her project explored how brief mindfulness practices may impact students’ overall stress levels — a fitting topic for someone who has mastered managing her own. And her demands didn’t stop in the classroom. After being involved in Drama Club since sixth grade, Ellie landed her first leading role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray this fall. Taking on a larger- than-life character in a show with such an important message was no small task. “It was demanding, but I loved the responsibility,” she says. “It was really special to see how much I’ve grown, not just as a performer, but as a person.” The experience gave her a new level of confidence and stage presence — skills she plans to carry into college and beyond. And then, there’s the running. Ellie’s running journey began almost by accident six years ago, when a friend invited her and her mom to run a RunDisney 5K. “I barely trained. It was awful,” she laughs. “But I loved it.” They returned the next year for the 10K, then both races the year after that.
By sophomore year, Ellie set her sights on the Chicago Marathon. When she didn’t get in through the lottery, she pivoted — running the Cleveland Half Marathon, then another half — building her endurance step by step. In 2025, she partnered with Dare2tri, a nonprofit that supports athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments, raising funds as a charity runner in the Chicago Marathon. In October 2025, just weeks before opening night of Hairspray , Ellie ran 26.2 miles. “It was really hard,” she says. “When I crossed the finish line, I felt proud, happy and completely relieved. I proved to myself I could do something that big.” All the while, she was memorizing lines and music for her lead role. So how did she manage it all? “A strict planner,” she says without hesitation. “I lived in the library. I worked until everything was done.” She emphasizes the importance of emailing teachers, attending office hours and staying ahead on assignments — but also giving yourself grace. “Plan time to see your friends. Give yourself a break on the weekends. It’s about balance.” This February, Ellie and her mom returned to where it all began: RunDisney. This time, they completed the 5K, 10K and half marathon in one weekend. “It felt full circle,” Ellie says. “From barely finishing my first 5K to completing three races in one weekend — I realized just how far I’ve come.” For Ellie Zorska, senior year hasn’t just been about achievement. It’s been about growth — in the lab, on the stage and on the road — and discovering that with discipline, support and a little courage, she can go farther than she ever imagined.
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