Welcome to Colby! My name is Paco, and I’m studying Classics and Theater. Most of my week is spent bouncing between vocal rehearsals for choir and acapella, studying Latin and Greek, and practicing with the varsity golf team. Outside of academics and vocal ensemble work, I love quiet nights listening to albums or playing casual card games with friends around Cotter Union. Excited to welcome you all to campus—let me know if you have any questions!

Hometown

Hong Kong

Major(s)

Classics

Minor(s)

Music

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Colby Eight (Music Director), Colby Cares About Kids (Mentor), Collegium (Audition-based choir), SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) for Varsity Golf)

Describe your college experience

Adjusting to college life meant finding a new routine in Waterville, navigating living with roommates, and managing a more flexible schedule. Colby's supportive campus environment helped me find my footing faster than expected. Overall, my experience has been a mix of intellectual challenge, deep-dive Jan Plan courses, and building a supportive network of friends both in the dorms and out in the local community.

Tip for future students

Stop holding back for fear of making a mistake. Maximize every opportunity—join the niche club, sign up for the unexpected class, and meet people outside your usual circle. The moments where you risk looking foolish or step into the unknown are almost always the ones that define your college experience and turn into your best memories.

Favorite class

My favorite class at Colby was Winter Ecology of New England. Spending an entire month focused on a single subject gave us the freedom to spend full days out in the Maine snow tracking wildlife patterns, studying microclimates near the Kennebec River, and analyzing field data back in the lab. The combination of intense cohort bonding, freezing morning fieldwork, and real scientific research captured the exact reason I chose Colby.

Career goals

I hope to go to graduate school or go into education or museum curation in some capacity.

Ideal way to spend a free night

A perfect night usually starts in a smaller, quieter setting with a couple of friends—shuffling up a deck for Magic and catching up—before wrapping up with some independent downtime. While I enjoy going out occasionally, a more intimate setting with my favorite music gives me the best of both worlds.

High school or secondary school

Phillips Exeter Academy

Favorite spot on campus

Either the Pugh Center or the Gordon Center. The music spaces give me a dedicated, quiet retreat to focus on my creative passions and practice, while the Pugh Center provides a warm, lively home base to connect with peers, whether I’m playing Magic: The Gathering or just catching up with friends.