College Fair at Hempstead High School

On March 10, Hempstead High School Principal Steven Strachan surveyed hundreds of students and parents clustering around long tables in the roomy gym, where representatives of over 100 colleges gave out literature and chatted with prospective enrollees.

“The college and career center here at the high school did a lot of promotions, classroom visits, encouraging the students,” Strachan said. “We reached out to the families of students at the high school to make sure they were aware this event happening.”

Sixteen-year-old Alivia Blackwell Massey spoke with several college representatives. “I’m looking for volleyball, fashion, and dance,” she said. She’s been taking electives related to fashion design while active on the high school volleyball and badminton teams. Another interest is the Youth & Teen Dance Company run by Denise Howard at Brierley Park.

“She’s very versatile,” said Alivia’s mother, Anishia Massey, who works in security at the school, “but the main focus for me is education.”

Luis Jimenez, 16, was helping run the event. He was born at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre and grew up in Hempstead Village. At the high school, he is president of the History Club. His eyes are set on a four-year degree in computer science.

“When I was younger, I wanted to be in the FBI,” he said, “so maybe I could be in a cybersecurity outfit for them.”

Across the gym, four members of the high school baseball team examined literature on private religious colleges.

“I’m just looking for more insight,” said Christopher Moreno, 16. “For some universities, I’ve seen them online and looked at them, but it does not compare to the information I’ve gotten here. It’s always good to talk to people.”

Brian Torres, 15, was looking for a good accounting program where he could minor in financial analysis.

“I’m looking for a good faculty-to-student ratio, a good college that will accept my AP credits as well,” he said. “I’m more interested in a large campus.”

Amir Byam, 16, also had specific ideas about what he wanted: “I’m looking for something that has finance, and a good amount of people, roughly 3,000 students,” he said, “a small college, that has sports, football, baseball, so I can get a scholarship. I play baseball and football here.”

“I’ve been looking for a good college with engineering,” said Khan Zidam, 16, “maybe aeronautical engineering. It’s good to walk around and broaden my view, even if I don’t find anything here tonight.”