Falcon Flashback | Aleksandra Majka '14
Athletic Hall of Fame Spotlight
From breaking records on the track to shaping skylines in Los Angeles, Ally Majka’s journey is a testament to hard work, leadership, and passion. A proud O’Neal alum and member of our inaugural Hall of Fame class, Ally reflects on her time as a student-athlete, her most memorable achievements, and the incredible path she’s forged since graduation.
From breaking records on the track to shaping skylines in Los Angeles, Ally Majka’s journey is a testament to hard work, leadership, and passion. A proud O’Neal alum and member of our inaugural Hall of Fame class, Ally reflects on her time as a student-athlete, her most memorable achievements, and the incredible path she’s forged since graduation.
Hall of Famer! Let’s start with the obvious ones. How and when did you end up at O’Neal, and what did you enjoy most about your time here?
I joined O’Neal in sixth grade and stayed through graduation, so it truly feels like the place where I grew up. Sports were a huge part of my experience and I loved the sense of camaraderie that came with being part of a team. I also really appreciated the teachers who doubled as coaches and dedicated so much of their time to leading us. Their leadership and the practices they put together made such a difference. Mr. Kazier, Mr. Roberts, and especially Ms. Kerr had a tremendous impact on me. I’m incredibly grateful for the coaches who supported my drive and pushed me to grow.
At the same time, I was very academically focused, and O’Neal was the perfect place to be both a serious athlete and a serious student. The small class sizes, the attentive and encouraging teaching style, and the opportunity to take advanced-level classes gave me such a strong foundation for college and for balancing life as a student-athlete.
I look back on the faculty and staff with so much gratitude, and I have to add that Mrs. Prim was truly the best. O’Neal offered a rare combination of community, support, and opportunity, and it’s something I appreciate even more now.
I joined O’Neal in sixth grade and stayed through graduation, so it truly feels like the place where I grew up. Sports were a huge part of my experience and I loved the sense of camaraderie that came with being part of a team. I also really appreciated the teachers who doubled as coaches and dedicated so much of their time to leading us. Their leadership and the practices they put together made such a difference. Mr. Kazier, Mr. Roberts, and especially Ms. Kerr had a tremendous impact on me. I’m incredibly grateful for the coaches who supported my drive and pushed me to grow.
At the same time, I was very academically focused, and O’Neal was the perfect place to be both a serious athlete and a serious student. The small class sizes, the attentive and encouraging teaching style, and the opportunity to take advanced-level classes gave me such a strong foundation for college and for balancing life as a student-athlete.
I look back on the faculty and staff with so much gratitude, and I have to add that Mrs. Prim was truly the best. O’Neal offered a rare combination of community, support, and opportunity, and it’s something I appreciate even more now.
More than a decade after graduating, you learned you'd been selected for O’Neal’s inaugural Hall of Fame class. How did you receive the news, and what was going through your mind?
When I received the news, I was absolutely thrilled. It’s such an incredible honor, and I’m genuinely grateful to be included among such a talented and influential group of athletes, coaches, and athletic directors. Being part of the very first Hall of Fame class makes it even more special.
It also felt like a testament to all the years of work that happened far beyond regular school practices including weekend workouts, summer training sessions, and that constant desire to improve. I’m proud of the dedication and heart I put into my sports, and it’s really special to see that chapter of my life celebrated in this way.
Are you planning to return to the Sandhills for the induction ceremony? What do you expect that experience to be like?
When I received the news, I was absolutely thrilled. It’s such an incredible honor, and I’m genuinely grateful to be included among such a talented and influential group of athletes, coaches, and athletic directors. Being part of the very first Hall of Fame class makes it even more special.
It also felt like a testament to all the years of work that happened far beyond regular school practices including weekend workouts, summer training sessions, and that constant desire to improve. I’m proud of the dedication and heart I put into my sports, and it’s really special to see that chapter of my life celebrated in this way.
Are you planning to return to the Sandhills for the induction ceremony? What do you expect that experience to be like?
Yes, absolutely, I’ll be there! I still have family in the Sandhills, so returning already feels like coming home. I’m really looking forward to seeing familiar faces, reconnecting with the amazing O’Neal staff and faculty, and celebrating alongside the other inductees.
I think the whole experience will feel both nostalgic and incredibly special. O’Neal had such a positive impact on my life, so being invited back for something like this is a huge honor and something I’m very excited about.
Without being too modest, can you summarize the sports you participated in at O’Neal and your proudest athletic achievements?
I competed in Track & Field and Cross Country throughout my time at O’Neal. Some of my proudest moments came during my senior year when I won state titles in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles, setting personal bests and improving on my own school records. It felt amazing to see years of hard work finally come together.
Another highlight was leading the women’s track team to a conference championship in 2014. As team captain, those collective wins meant just as much as the individual ones, celebrating our progress and supporting each other was always the best part.
And being recruited to join the University of Chicago’s Varsity track team was incredibly rewarding. It felt like the perfect next step and a reflection of the work I’d put in throughout high school.
I think the whole experience will feel both nostalgic and incredibly special. O’Neal had such a positive impact on my life, so being invited back for something like this is a huge honor and something I’m very excited about.
Without being too modest, can you summarize the sports you participated in at O’Neal and your proudest athletic achievements?
I competed in Track & Field and Cross Country throughout my time at O’Neal. Some of my proudest moments came during my senior year when I won state titles in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles, setting personal bests and improving on my own school records. It felt amazing to see years of hard work finally come together.
Another highlight was leading the women’s track team to a conference championship in 2014. As team captain, those collective wins meant just as much as the individual ones, celebrating our progress and supporting each other was always the best part.
And being recruited to join the University of Chicago’s Varsity track team was incredibly rewarding. It felt like the perfect next step and a reflection of the work I’d put in throughout high school.
What have you been doing since graduating from O’Neal?
After graduating from O’Neal in 2014, I earned my BA with honors in Cinema & Media Studies and Visual Arts from the University of Chicago, where I also competed in Indoor & Outdoor Varsity Track & Field, earning All-Conference recognition and breaking the 100-meter hurdles school record.
I then completed my Master’s in Architecture and Urban Design at UCLA, where I was awarded a two-year fellowship.
I now work as an Associate Planner for the City of Beverly Hills in Community Development, managing Architectural and Design Review for new single-family and commercial projects. I work closely with architects and designers to ensure proposals meet the City’s high standards and enjoy the mix of creativity, analysis, and problem-solving the role offers.
I’m also a professional wedding and portrait photographer, shooting throughout Southern California under my brand, Ally Majka Studios. My work blends editorial and documentary storytelling with a fine art approach, creating a timeless, authentic aesthetic.
Today, I live and work in Los Angeles, and I’m thankful for the strong foundation O’Neal gave me early on.
After graduating from O’Neal in 2014, I earned my BA with honors in Cinema & Media Studies and Visual Arts from the University of Chicago, where I also competed in Indoor & Outdoor Varsity Track & Field, earning All-Conference recognition and breaking the 100-meter hurdles school record.
I then completed my Master’s in Architecture and Urban Design at UCLA, where I was awarded a two-year fellowship.
I now work as an Associate Planner for the City of Beverly Hills in Community Development, managing Architectural and Design Review for new single-family and commercial projects. I work closely with architects and designers to ensure proposals meet the City’s high standards and enjoy the mix of creativity, analysis, and problem-solving the role offers.
I’m also a professional wedding and portrait photographer, shooting throughout Southern California under my brand, Ally Majka Studios. My work blends editorial and documentary storytelling with a fine art approach, creating a timeless, authentic aesthetic.
Today, I live and work in Los Angeles, and I’m thankful for the strong foundation O’Neal gave me early on.
Ally, we’re all so thankful for you. This is tremendous. We can't wait to see you on January 9th!
Join us at Homecoming on January 9th where our Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductees will be recognized.
Read More Falcon Flashbacks!
Join us at Homecoming on January 9th where our Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductees will be recognized.
Read More Falcon Flashbacks!
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