Ms. Priscilla Trastoy

Faculty Member Since: 2023
Hometown: Paterson, New Jersey

What is your favorite memory of being in school?

My favorite memory of being in school was working on a project with peers for National History Day. We got to go beyond what we were learning in the classroom, and were challenged to research the relevancy and impact that a historical person had on our lives today. We competed with other students from around the state, and although we did not win, I learned the value of what it meant to work with a team and how to connect with the historical events of the past. This has allowed me to grow in deeper gratitude of the freedoms we have today, all beginning with a school project.

What do you value most about St. Patrick?

I am very new to the St. Patrick school community, but thus far my experience of it through the staff members I have come to know has already made it feel like home. Everyone has been incredibly warm and welcoming. I truly do value having a community of support, and I can already tell that St. Patrick will be this sort of environment where I can grow and help grow others.

Who or what inspires you most?

The Saints have always inspired me in their dedication to a life with Christ. When I was thirteen, I read The Story of a Soul, given to me by my sweet mother. To this very day, St. Therese remains one of my favorite Saints. Her “Little Way” has showed me that anyone can strive for holiness. I try my best to live a life of virtue, so I always defer back to the reading about the Saints when I need more encouragement!

What do you like to do in your free time?

On my free time, I like to entertain several different hobbies. I enjoy hiking and sightseeing. I can be a bit of a social butterfly, so I do enjoy making and maintaining friendships by spending quality time with others. As extroverted as I am, I also enjoy downtime to read and reflect, normally doing so through my writing. I especially love writing poetry, and that is when I best express the theological and philosophical thoughts I have in free verse.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I’ve ever received is that you must “Be who you want to be for yourself before you are that for someone else.” It’s a reminder that I must be patient and kind to myself, so I can in turn be that for others - the list goes on. Having these healthy boundaries in place has allowed me to safeguard my leave, and I would only hope that I can continue in this as to better love and serve those around me.