High school's end brings new beginnings

For many, graduation is a time of both excitement and nostalgia. Seniors prepare to embark on their next journey, and reflect on their time spent in school.

“I’m sad, but happy at the same time,” said Brendan Mark, 17, who is graduating from Seaford High School. “I’m scared things are going to change hard-core, but I’m excited to meet new people and have new experiences.”

Some local seniors said they were happy to be leaving, but even they savored some memories. “I’m going to miss the people, but not the school,” said Joey Ryan, 18, of Seaford High School. “I remember on last year’s band trip, my friend had the idea to buy over 200 balloons and fill our teacher’s hotel room. He wasn’t even mad … he found it hysterical.”

Other students shared stories of similar bonds with their teachers. “I’m going to miss my bio ethics teacher, Mr. Svolos,” said Nick Fiscella, 17, a soon-to-be Wantagh High School graduate. “He wasn’t afraid to push the envelope. There are a few iconic teachers at Wantagh, and he was definitely one of them.”

Fiscella also said he would miss the clubs and activities he took part in, such as marching and jazz band.

Although some students said they were unsure of what was next for them, they agreed that high school was where the seeds of their futures were planted. “For me, it was art class,” said Sean Brennan, 17, of Seaford High. “That’s where most of my favorite memories were made. It’s where the most interesting stuff happened.”

“One day he brought a rotisserie chicken to class,” another Seaford senior, Rachael Pedisich, 18, recalled of Brennan. “He didn’t even have a fork or knife. He just started going at it with his bare hands.”

Brennan added that one day in art class, his friends surprised him by leaving a betta fish on his desk. “Our teacher just looked at it and said, ‘Is there a living creature in my classroom?’” Brennan recounted.

While some students had funny stories, others had heartfelt memories of the high school experience. “I’m in the theater program at my school,” said Wantagh senior Michelle Freire, 17. “All of the graduating seniors signed our names on a closet door.”

Fellow Wantagh graduate Andrew Oebergh, 18, said he would miss his favorite club, Model Congress. “It’s something every high school kid should try,” he said. “It really shaped my high school experience.”