By Richard Zagrzecki
For MaryHelen Fouty, there never really was any doubt where she was going to attend college.
The sophomore education major’s three older brothers all went to school at the University of Houston. In addition, her father has worked here for many years. Despite the family connection, however, she never felt pressure to become a Cougar.
“My family did encourage me to go out there and look into other schools,” she said. “But after I visited them, there was no doubt in my mind I was going to come to UH. I love the school too much. It’s just part of who I am.”
Besides her studies, she stays busy with her student worker position in Human Resources, which she started this past fall.
As part of her job duties, she assists with the weekly new employee orientation that is held each Monday in McElhinney Hall by putting together packets and bags and setting up the room. She also does general office work, lending a helping hand where needed.
“If anyone in the office needs anything done, they just come to me and ask,” she said.
Fouty grew up in the Clear Lake area and is a graduate of Clear Lake High School, where she was a member of the water polo and swim teams for all four years. UH has a water polo club team, which her three brothers all were a part of when they were students. When she arrived on campus, she joined the team, which plays its home matches at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in the fall months.
This past season, the team came in second place in its conference, finishing behind only the squad from the University of Texas.
“Water polo takes a lot of endurance and cardio training, but I love it,” she said.
Fouty, who is involved with the University of Houston chapter of Reformed University Fellowship, would like to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher once she graduates.
She already has real-life experience teaching young kids as a summer league swim coach in the Clear Lake area.
“I have always just loved kids and teaching them and seeing how they grow,” she said.
What does she like the best about UH?
“There are so many great things here. There is just something about it that is just not like any other school I visited. There is a lot of diversity. Everyone is just amazing,” she said.