Forging Their Future Together

Kevin Zaruma ’25 and Christopher Zaruma ’25 have always done everything together. This includes afterschool activities when they attended Saint Michael’s School in Newark to their joint involvement in crew, Brick City Rowing and Gray Bee Investors at St. Benedict’s Prep. Now, the twin brothers will attend Williams College as QuestBridge Scholars. “Our main interests have always aligned,” said Kevin. “Just knowing that we can support each other as we transition into the next four years at Williams College is comforting. I know we’ll thrive.” 

The Zaruma brothers played essential roles on the Crew Team and Brick City Rowing, the non-profit, community organization that works to expand competitive rowing opportunities for Newark youth in Riverfront Park. BCR is led by math teacher and Head Rowing Coach Craig White ’04, an influential figure to Kevin and Christopher since freshman year. 

“I like surrounding myself with people I could trust,” said Christopher, on why he committed to rowing for four years at Benedict’s. He calls his crew teammates brothers. “People really do make a difference. Being in a boat together, you can’t stop because your brothers are pushing you and you don’t want to give up.” Kevin explained why the history of rowing in Newark and at The Hive is important to the brothers and the team, who have affectionately nicknamed their coach, Blanco. “Blanco tells us all the time about the guys who started the program. They were really determined. Being a part of that feels really good.” Working with BCR is gratifying because, “It’s opening the sport up to people who never rowed before.” 

The brothers share academic interests and career aspirations. Both plan to major in economics at Williams. Gray Bee Investors encouraged their interest in finance and investing, which was cemented for Christopher after studying macroeconomics at NYU Precollege last summer and completing an accounting course at NJIT this year. Kevin also attended NYU Precollege last summer (an opportunity made possible to many Gray Bees through the Charles Hayden Foundation) and is considering a career in accounting or law. 

The Zarumas’ younger brother, Danny, will likely join the Benedict’s community in two years. With the benefit of perspective, Christopher offers guidance that would benefit any Gray Bee. “Work harder than the people around you,” and “Apply, apply, apply for everything.”