by Jeffrey Stanley
Mary Osorio, Assistant to the Head of School Larry Weiss, is a graduate of Fordham University. She came to BFS in 2001 as Middle School Assistant and was appointed to her current position three years ago. Prior to BFS she worked as an account manager for a fundraising consultant and a technology specialist for the NYPD. BFS staff writer Jeff Stanley recently spent a few minutes probing her mind and learning what makes Mary Osorio tick--witches, werewolves and vampires.
1. Before you came here you were with the NYPD, is that correct? What kind of work did you do?
Actually I was an accountant for Sanky Perlowin Associates, a consultant for nonprofits. I did everything a development person does in fundraising; direct mailings, visiting high dollar donors, everything. We raised money for lots of organizations including the Red Cross and also the American Friends Service Committee.
2. That was a bit of real-life foreshadowing about your future with the Friends, but what about the cops?
I was an administrative aide for NYPD doing pretty much everything in the office. I was fortunate to work with a Sergeant that is now one of my closest friends.
3. Where did you work there?
I worked for the Manhattan South Inspections Unit which is like Internal Affiairs except they investigate misdemeanors.
4. Nice. Well I'm glad you caught him and hopefully put a stop to it, but no wonder you left to work in the nonprofit sector. How did you wind up at BFS?
Nonprofits were getting hit hard so I started looking elsewhere. I got a job offer at an architectural firm, and then I saw this ad for Brooklyn Friends School. That was in June, 2001.
5. What were your first impressions of being at a Friends school?
Quaker meeting was very interesting for me. It's hard to sit still in silence for 45 minutes so how were all these kids doing it?
6. Unusual but you liked it?
Yes. It's a small school, everyone's friendly.
7. Where do you live?
Riverdale in the Bronx. I was born in East Chicago, Indiana.
8. Do you have family here?
Yeah, I have a big family. They're huge. I have a lot of relatives in Indiana but a majority are in the New York-New Jersey area, and some are in the Dominican Republic. I'm probably the only person I know that looks forward to Thanksgiving just so I can visit as many households as possible. I always think, wow, I'm in my 40s, I only have about 30 or 35 more Thanksgivings to enjoy. I'm also in love with Christmas. The joy of giving (and receiving) is very magical to me.
9. What do you do when you're not busting heads at BFS?
I love going to the movies, going to musicals, reading books. I'm very fortunate that the love of my life lives in Maryland.
Fortunate?
I'm not one of those touchy, feely, kinds of people. When I wake up in the morning the only company I need is myself, and even that could be taxing at times.
10. What was the last musical you saw?
Wicked, which I loved.
11. Got any book recommendations?
The Twilight series.
12. Seriously?
Seriously.
13. What's better, the books or the movies?
The books are better but the movies come prettty close and are pretty good.
14. The big question: desert island, what 3 things?
The Twilight series--the books and the movies, my Julio Iglesias music collection, and some alcohol.
You can't say alcohol.
My goddaughter.
15. Nice. Can you tell me about her?
Her name is Samanatha. She's 4 years old and she's crazy. She's my cousin's daughter. She lives in my building so I see her a lot.
16. What's one thing that's always in your fridge?
Cheese. Always.
17. What kind?
My favorite is gouda.
18. What's your sign?
Scorpio.
19. Do you follow horoscopes? Does Scorpio mean anything to you?
Don't believe what you hear about Scorpios. It's not true.
20. Like what?
That they're passionate and hot-blooded. I'm a mild Scorpio.