News Detail
Alumni Interview: Five Things That Matter with Molly '12 and Madeline '16 Zeif
No matter how far they roam, sisters Molly ’12 and Madeline ’16 Zeif share an undeniable bond: the same radiant, unmistakable smile, deeply rooted Vermont values, and the rare distinction of both doing exactly what they’ve always wanted to do. Though their paths have taken them from the mountains of Montana and British Columbia to the bustling streets of Brooklyn and Edinburgh, their journeys toward social and environmental impact began right here at Burr and Burton. Today, they are putting their passions into practice, proving that a Burr and Burton education can be a launchpad for a purposeful life.
No matter how far they roam, sisters Molly ’12 and Madeline ’16 Zeif share an undeniable bond: the same radiant, unmistakable smile, deeply rooted Vermont values, and the rare distinction of both doing exactly what they’ve always wanted to do. Though their paths have taken them from the mountains of Montana and British Columbia to the bustling streets of Brooklyn and Edinburgh, their journeys toward social and environmental impact began right here at Burr and Burton. Today, they are putting their passions into practice, proving that a Burr and Burton education can be a launchpad for a purposeful life.
Here is what the Zeif sisters had to say about where they are now, how Burr and Burton helped start them on their paths, and the advice they have for the next generation.
1. What are you both up to these days, personally and professionally?
Both sisters are deeply engaged in meaningful, systemic work, even while navigating major life milestones.
- Molly is currently living in New York City and working in the vital sector of subsidized housing, a crucial focus in the city's current political and economic landscape. To top off an exciting year, she also just got engaged and is planning a wedding for next summer at her parents' farm!
- Madeline is currently living in Scotland on a "High Potential Individual" work visa (a unique route open to graduates of top-50 global universities). She is completing an online Master’s in Climate Change and Public Policy through Vermont Law and Governance School. Previously an urban beekeeper in Brooklyn, Madeline plans to return to the U.S. this January, deciding between the Hudson Valley and Burlington to plant her roots, raise bees, and begin a career in environmental advocacy or philanthropy.
2. Looking back, how did Burr and Burton help to set you on your respective paths?
While they pursued different fields, both sisters trace their confidence back to the Burr and Burton curriculum. For Madeline, the Mountain Campus program during its second-ever Fall semester was life-changing. Despite hearing doubts from others about making a living in her chosen field, the Mountain Campus gave her the confidence to pursue outdoor leadership and advocacy. Molly, meanwhile, always knew she wanted to work in social services. She credits Burr and Burton’s robust social sciences and Spanish classes, particularly Spanish 5, with opening her eyes to global welfare systems, which led her to major in Political Science with a focus on social welfare at Montana State University.
3. What is your favorite Burr and Burton memory?
When looking back at their time on campus, the common thread for both Zeif sisters is the enduring power of community. Madeline remembers spending her first and last nights of Mountain Campus at the Kelly Cabin. Her favorite spot was the fireplace, which both heated the cabin and also provided a gathering place.
For Molly, Burr and Burton was where she met her core circle of friends. She still lives just down the street in Brooklyn from a classmate she met on her very first day of high school. In a beautiful twist of fate, Madeline’s best friend from Burr and Burton is the one who told her about the UK visa program; today, they take the train to visit each other between Scotland and London.
4. Which teacher(s) impacted you the most during your time at Burr and Burton?
Great teachers leave a lasting mark, and the sisters have a few educators they will never forget:
- Nancy Strain & Bill Muench: Molly admits she used to hate reading until she took Nancy Strain’s English class. "She did something that no one before her had been able to do," Molly shares. Today, Molly is never without a book and even started her own book club in NYC. She also fondly recalls talking to real-time astronauts in Bill Muench’s Space and Time class and the impact that class had on her.
- Pete Nicholson & Mike Caraco: Madeline praises her former teachers for their immense patience. She recalls spending every single day after class panicking in Mike Caraco’s office while waiting to hear if she would get off the waitlist for her dream school, the University of British Columbia. She says, "They shaped the way I learned, and they were there for it all."
5. What advice would you give to our newest alumni and current students?
When asked what wisdom they would pass down to the Burr and Burton community, Molly and Madeline offered two crucial pieces of advice:
- Embrace the Gap Year: Both sisters took gap years after graduation, and both call it one of the best decisions they ever made. They each spent the first half of their gap years on big hiking trips. For the second half, Madeline worked for the People's Climate March in NYC, while Molly focused on skiing and the outdoors, a funny reversal of where their careers eventually took them! If you are thinking about doing it, their message is simple: Do it.
- Define Success on Your Own Terms: Molly emphasizes the importance of keeping personal connections close to stay grounded. Professionally, she warns against the Northeast pressure to solely focus on salary. "Think about the sustainability of your job relative to your lifestyle," Molly advises. "Think about what you want to do and what you're good at, rather than comparing yourself to others."
Ready to take the next step?
Contact Us
Quicklinks & Resources
Burr and Burton Academy does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, political affiliation or marital status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the school's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or other federal or state nondiscrimination laws or regulations is directed to The Headmaster's Office, Burr and Burton Academy, Manchester, VT 05254. Burr and Burton complies with all applicable state and federal nondiscrimination statutes, including the Vermont Public Accommodations Act (9 V.S.A. Chapter 139), the Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act (21 V.S.A. Chapter 5, Subchapter 6) and Vermont State Board of Education rules 2226.6 and 2229.1.