As the school year comes to an end, seniors across Francis Lewis High School are finishing their final days of high school and preparing to head off to college, starting a new era of their lives.
“It’s sad but exciting at the same time,” senior Tara Tabatabai said. “It feels like I’m leaving everything behind right now and moving to a different like era in my life.”
For many seniors such as Tabatabai, graduation brings a mix of emotions because college allows her to “experience and learn new stuff and figure out adulthood.” The feelings are very bittersweet and many will miss the experiences.
“I’ve met a lot of people I never thought I was going to meet and made a lot of connections,” sSenior Joshua Abramov said. “I’m very happy to have it.”
As seniors reflect on their time in high school, many are grateful for “making new friends”, like Abramov, as well as the meaningful connections they’ve built. For some, those relationships have also helped shape their goals for the future—whether through new perspectives or a clearer sense of purpose.
I chose education because I want to go into special ed,” sSenior Sarina Nehmad stated. “I enjoy working with kids with disabilities. I find I have patience for them, and I find they just make your day better.”
Nehmad found her passion through working with children, leading her to pursue a future in special education. Similarly, Senior Alexandra Trejo reflected on her personal growth, sharing how her high school experience helped her gain confidence and embrace her individuality.
“It impacted me a lot because before I was always shy,” Trejo said. “I was very quiet, and the more I grew up, I realized it doesn’t matter about what others think. It just matters about yourself at the end of the day.”
For many seniors, high school has been a time of personal growth and self-discovery. Others are focused on planning their next steps by choosing colleges that offer the support and programs they need to thrive.
“Yes [QCC] was my first pick as I’m trying to get my GPA up and they have a lt of programs that are able to help,” Senior Melissa Parada Gonzalez stated.
As seniors prepare for life after graduation, many are making choices they believe will set them up for success. Whether it’s enrolling in a college that offers academic support or exploring alternative paths that better align with their interests and goals.
“I’m not exactly satisfied with my decision,” senior Dominick Bacchiano said. “I’d prefer to go to a trade school, and that’s actually what I’m trying to do a transfer to.”
The memories that many seniors have from their high school years have significantly impacted their feelings and what they will miss with friends and throughout the building.
“The time I spent with my friends no matter where we were, in class or just roaming the halls long past the late bell,” senior Anastacia Caraballo stated. “When we had rambling conversations about everything and nothing.”
Whether students had positive or negative experiences, there was a lasting impact on their personal growth in many ways.
“I think my four years in high school have impacted me as a person so much,” Tabatabai said. “The friends I have and the friends I’ve found during these four years have impacted me a lot and changed me as a person. The situations I have been in, like the drama and all, have kind of changed me as well. I think it has mostly been good for me, positive.”
As seniors reflect on how all four years have shaped who they are today, they are also focused on the future, making college decisions based on their career goals.
“St. John’s was my second pick,” Abramov said. “I really wanted to go to Adelphi because I’m looking to become a dentist one day, and Adelphi has a really great program with NYU where you can go and have a dental degree after you graduate. Unfortunately, I didn’t get into the program, but St. John’s is gladly my second choice.”
Despite not getting into his top-choice program, Abramov remains optimistic and grateful, reflecting fondly on the memories he made during high school.
“I’m looking forward to going to college,” Abramov said. “But I had nothing but good memories in high school.”
