Zoey Fisk '21 Lends a Hand to Aid in Valencia Recovery Post Flash Flood

"I learned at Mount Marty University (MMU) that hospitality does not necessarily need a multitude of people to make a difference," says Zoey Fisk '21 in a recent interview. The alumna — who majored in criminal justice, psychology, and Spanish — recently began work cleaning and restoring the community of Paiporta, Spain, after the flash flood DANA killed at least 62 people in the Valencia town in October. "One person has the ability to make that shift in someone's day, someone's life, by the simple offer of a hand or ear."

Fisk is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. In 2019, Fisk participated in an opportunity that changed her life: a spring break trip to Spain. "This is when my passion really took head," said Fisk. "My Spanish professor at the time was Professor Huber, and when I got back from my trip, he sat down with me to discuss how I could further my education in Spanish. Huber found a program for me so I could go and fully immerse myself in the Spanish community and education. While my time was cut short due to COVID-19, I came home with a proficient level in Spanish, my degree finished, and a love that would never leave." While at Mount Marty, Fisk was a work-study for the former Mount Marty daycare. She also played volleyball as a Lancer and coached club volleyball for two seasons. These experiences inspired her passion to work with kids in her future career. 

After graduating from Mount Marty, Fisk moved to New York City to continue her education in law with a full scholarship at New York Law School, where she studied for a year before working for a non-profit called Safe Horizon as a crime victim advocate. She worked with the New York Police Department to be more hands-on with cases. Her Spanish background came in handy, and she shared "With psychology as a degree, I am able to communicate with my clients who have been victimized and are experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and more,  creating a safe space for communication and growth." During this time, though, Spain was still in her heart. 

Fisk paused her life in New York City to follow her passion and applied for a job as a conversation auxiliary in Valencia, Spain, through the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program. She moved to Valencia in 2023 and works as an English teacher for children ages six to 12. "It has been such a fulfilling experience to be able to share my language, culture and life with the students and faculty at my school, as well as have them reciprocate it." 

Fisk has loved her life in Spain and working with her students, but recently, her community experienced a tragedy. "My community and school in Paiporta have been horrifically impacted by DANA: a deadly flash flood taking many lives and all the homes, businesses and schools in our community. … My school is submerged under toxic mud and water, bridges linking the community have collapsed, and metros and buses are inoperable as the floods and debris caused immense damage to tracks and tunnels. Currently, there is no clean water, no electricity, no access to food or cleaning supplies, and no way to commute out of the town. Many are still missing due to these devastating events." Wearing masks, gloves, and boots all covered in plastic and armed with brooms and buckets, Fisk and many other volunteers from neighboring communities have joined in the hazardous mud and waters to help restore Paiporta. Fisk has also taken it upon herself to start a GoFundMe page to raise awareness and funds for the school where she teaches. "I do this because I love each and every child I have the opportunity to teach, so their education may resume, and so they have a safe place to come back to. The children and the community have lost so much due to DANA, and while this may seem small, it is something I feel compelled to do."

To learn more about the community of Paiporta and the damages of DANA, visit Fisk's GoFundMe page.

"I know in a time of need, people rise to help, so me spreading the news of Paiporta at this time is one of the ways I am trying to do that."

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.