Every Carolina fan will agree that it’s hard to imagine UNC sports without the familiar sounds of the marching band getting us hyped up for the games. Now, it’s time to meet one of the key members behind the marching band team, Zineb Bouzoubba! She is the section leader for the saxophone and a senior Environmental Physics and Mathematics double major. Her friends describe her as a sweet, awesome, and hardworking person so it was my pleasure to interview her for this week’s Campus Celebrity article.
Her Campus: Where are you from?
Zineb Bouzoubba: Atlanta, GA
HC: Why did you choose UNC?
ZB: People always ask me that. Honestly, one day I saw some kid wearing the argyle basketball shorts and I was like “That’s really nice, where are they from?” and he was like “UNC, you should apply there.” And I was like ok and so I did! And then they [UNC] were the most friendly in the application process, I felt they really reached out to me. I felt like it was my home before I even really got here.
HC: What is your favorite place to eat on Franklin St.?
ZB: Spicy 9… I love sushi!
HC: What are some things you are involved with on campus?
ZB: I’m in band, and right now I’m the only girl in the band fraternity called Kappa Kappa Psi (although that’ll change soon). I’m a double environmental physics and math major, so I do a lot of stuff at the School of Public Health. I also work in a lab at the School of Public Health, in the department of Environmental Engineering.
HC: How do you balance all your extracurricular commitments with your student responsibilities?
ZB: I don’t sleep and cry… I’m just kidding! I don’t know, it’s really hard to manage it. I have to keep a planner, otherwise I’ll forget all my different commitments. But I feel it’s all worth it in the end, I’m enjoying it.
HC: With the little bit of free time you do get to have, what are your favorite things to do around campus?
ZB: I like going to the SRC and working out with my roommate. She’s an Exercise and Sports Science major so she’s always teaching me really cool tips like how to lift in different ways and do things like that. And in my free time I do get to have, I really enjoying dancing – but that’s just on the side. Both my parents are Morrocan so I love to dance.
HC: When did you start playing the saxophone?
ZB: I started playing the Sax in 6th grade and played the Bassoon in middle school. I played Bassoon in band in high school and played the Sax as well for the marching band. Now I just do the marching band.
HC: What’s your favorite part about being part of UNC’s Marching Band?
ZB: I like being part of something bigger than myself. It is such a huge part of sports event – like when you picture football Saturday, we do a lot in hyping up the crowd. I love cheering on Carolina sports, especially basketball. Athletes tell me it helps them out on the field!
HC: Any future plans after graduation?
ZB: I am not sure, I like to travel so somehow incorporating my interest in environmental engineering with that would be ideal.
HC: Any favorite quote you like to live by?
ZB: “Strive for the highest” because there is always something bigger to be achieved and I’m always trying to get to there.