Central grads look to the future

Out of Valley Stream’s three high schools, the most students who will hear their names called on June 22 for graduation will be from Central. Many of these students have been a part of Valley Stream schools their entire educational careers, but in a few short weeks they will each move on to new experiences.

A large percentage of graduates will soon begin college, pursuing degrees all over the nation, but they will surely not leave without the fond memories of high school.

Here’s what a few graduating seniors said about the future plans and memories from their time at Central:

ANTHONY BIZZARRO

College: Rochester Institute of Technology
Plans to study: Sign language interpreting
Elementary school: Blessed Sacrament
Best high school memory: My favorite memory was definitely doing the morning announcements. I got to meet a lot of people in the attendance office and learn how the school works. It’s interesting putting your voice through the whole school building.
Activities: Language Honor Society, SADD
What will you miss most about Central?: I’ll miss most of the teachers, especially my Spanish teacher, Mr. Saitta. He’s been a really good guy to me. I just love being in class and it actually interesting and not dragging on. Most of the teachers that I’ve had here have been really good to me and they’re really willing to help. They made a nice, happy environment. I didn’t dread coming to school ever.
Plans for summer: I work at a camp for six weeks for kids with special needs called Camp ANCHOR in Lido Beach, and by the time that ends I’ll be getting ready to go to college.

TANYA LABISSIERE

College: Stony Brook
Plans to study: Biology
Elementary school: Shaw Avenue
Best high school memory: My two favorite memories are my sports and the trips that we got to go on this year. For sports, you have to try your hardest, and I’ve done that since ninth grade. And for fencing, I’ve been there since the first year, so I feel like I accomplished something even more than other people. For the trips, it was nice getting out of your regular life where you go to school 24/7.
Activities: Fencing, tennis, badminton, peer meditation, Chamber Orchestra, National Honor Society, Language Honor Society
What will you miss most about Central?: I’ll miss how I got to make friends easily. I made friends with a lot of people, my teachers were nice to me and I got to experience things that I don’t think a lot of people in school got to.
Plans for summer: I think I’m going to do the Stony Brook Residential Program, and also travel to Boston, Florida, Georgia and Canada.

ARIEL BOURNE

College: University of Maryland
Plans to study: Food science, politics and government
Elementary school: P.S. 195 in Queens
Best high school memory: When Gospel Choir started last year. Meeting new people and going to different places together. Getting closer with people I wouldn’t have any other way.
Activities: Gospel Choir, Men’s Choir, several honor societies
What will you miss most about Central?: I’ll miss all my friends. I’ve hung out with these people since Memorial. When I go away to college I won’t see them anymore. I’ll have to come all the way up to New York to see them.
Plans for summer: I’m trying to get a job to get a little money before I go off to college. If not, I’ll volunteer somewhere.

SHANICE ROBE

College: Mount St. Mary
Plans to study: Psychology
Elementary school: Grew up in Jamaica, moved to Valley Stream in 2009
Best high school memory: I’d say it would be receiving All-State honors for soccer and All-Conference for track, both this year.
Activities: Soccer, track, basketball, Cadet Yearbook, Culinary Club
What will you miss most about Central?: I’ll miss my friends and this school. I like this school.
Plans for summer: To spend time with my family before school.

HEATHER LABARBERA

College: SUNY New Paltz
Plans to study: Music therapy
Elementary School: Wheeler Avenue
Best high school memory: Just seeing everyone every day, the welcoming nature of the teachers and also the trips we took. We went to Washington D.C. and for our senior trip we went to Pine Grove.
Activities: Select Choir, volleyball, softball, musical production
What will you miss most about Central?: I’ll miss seeing everyone because you’re always used to seeing all your friends and catching up with them, so it’s going to be a lot different because I’ve gone to school with everyone since pre-school.
Plans for summer: I’m a lifeguard at the Valley Stream Pool.