While getting in touch with the multifaceted Maria Troutman was a challenge, the end result was completely worth it. While casually chatting with her at King Cafe, there’s no question Troutman is one of Miami’s most inspiring senior women on campus, and this week’s HC Miami Campus Celebrity!
The happy senior was all smiles as we talked, and she immediately began to reminisce on her (almost) four years at Miami.
“It goes fast,” she said. “My best advice is to find the best way to make it slow down.”
Read on to see what the Miami senior/multiple marathon crusher/blushing-bride-to-be has to say about faith, love, and finding a soul mate!
HC: So tell us a little about yourself!
MT: I’m a senior, my major is Special Education, and I just recently got engaged over the summer. He’s also a senior, he plays football here, and he’s an education major as well. So! As of right now, the plan is to probably find a teaching job, or we would like to go into ministry possibly.
HC: Really? So are you involved in a lot of religious organizations on campus as well?
MT: Yeah, just like, Campus Crusade, and Kappa Fellowship – I lead the Kappa Bible Study. And we’re both involved at Oxford Bible Fellowship.
HC: What’s one of your favorite things involving the religious aspect of Miami?
MT: Probably the large community that there is. Not only have I found community in my sorority, but just all over campus I feel like. And just that there are so many students that are pursuing religion and find it important in their lives – seeing that has just been such a blessing.
HC: What are some of your favorite things at Miami that you’ve been involved with?
MT: Well I would say the religion piece would probably be my favorite – growing in my faith has been awesome. I love Miami football – I feel like I’m a true fan, cheering on Zac (the fiancé), so that’s probably one of my other favorite things. Kappa has been such a blessing, just meeting girls that I’ve had a lot of great friendships with and hopefully they’ll be lifelong friends; it’s just something fun giving me a lot of leadership opportunities. I also love to run at Miami.
HC: Yes, we heard that you ran in The NYC Marathon! Tell us about that!
MT: This marathon I ran with my mom – it’s been something that we’ve wanted to do for a while. It actually turned out to be such a special weekend because we found my wedding dress and ran the marathon together! New York is so cool because it just brings people from all around the world and everyone has just such a different story – it was just cool to hear other runners’ stories and to have a story with my mom. I also ran The Boston Marathon last year.
HC: Wow, were you there when the bombs went off?
MT: Yeah, I was there. I had finished and we were in the hotel. I was in the shower when my mom heard the bomb and then I came out. I’m running Boston this year and I’m excited to run just to see the running community come out and support each other in that way and not let something negative affect them. It was cool to see how New York supported Boston and it’s just been so neat to be a part of that community.
HC: It will definitely be inspirational to see how the city rallies for this coming marathon.
MT: Yeah, absolutely, I’m really looking forward to it. The New York Marathon was my first full marathon since Boston. And, (I have so much about running, sorry) I also had a friend pass away from an eating disorder recently; she was a runner with me in high school. So for New York I got to run for an organization called I Am Bliss, and it’s a foundation for her and to support girls who are struggling with anorexia and other eating disorders, and who need support and treatment. So it definitely was a special marathon.
HC: That’s amazing! So you were saying your concrete plans after college are just kind of…
MT: Up in the air! I think I definitely want to find something where I can share my faith with girls younger than me. I just really want to do something that will impact kids. I’m really interested in a lot of different things.
HC: We did hear that you got engaged. Congratulations! What’s it like planning your wedding with your real-life Prince Charming?
MT: It’s so fun! It’s been really fun to do with my mom; it’s a great mother-daughter activity for us to do together.
HC: How did he propose?
MT: [Smiles] Well, it was here on campus, at the bluffs and I had no idea. I was completely surprised. He just made it really special and specific to our relationship; all of my family and friends were here to celebrate afterwards, so it was really, really fun. I still can’t believe that we’re getting married, it’s just been a really fun ride. We started dating freshman year – we had a class together, and then we also knew each other through athletes in action (which is through CRU), and church. Also, I ran cross-country at the time and he plays football, so our meeting was mostly through sporting stuff. I noticed his WWJD bracelet when I first saw him and thought, “That’s so cute, I’d like to get to know him,” and he was thinking the same thing!
HC: Before we leave you, do you have any advice for Her Campus girls still searching for their soulmate?
MT: That’s a good question. My advice would be: don’t settle. Find someone who truly respects you and makes you want to be better. You deserve the best, just find your best friend and never take anything less!