Attending Stony Brook University

I remember walking into Commack High School for the first time, having no clue of what to expect from my time here. Now looking back, I have realized that my time here has taught me important lessons, guided me to making future goals, and let me meet incredible people.

Being a quiet person, I always found myself preventing the possibility of being in the spotlight. When I first saw a poster to join The Courant, I dismissed it thinking that I could never do journalism and have my work published. After some time, I realized that I wanted to make the most of my time here at Commack High School and grow my writing and communication skills over the next four years. Looking back, I am so glad that I joined The Courant. I have learned so much about journalism, grammar, interviewing, and publishing. I gained a deeper appreciation for the journalism field as a whole. I find the process of putting a perfect article together for publication interesting. Additionally, I found interviewing others a way to really make deeper connections with people in my community. I learned how to manage my time and best articulate my thoughts through my articles. I have stayed very involved over the past four years and am proud of the work I have done for The Courant.

I have also found that during my time here I got to challenge myself and delve deeper into subjects I love. I have been able to specifically involve myself in the sciences through clubs like Science Olympiad and Science Honor Society. I have been a part of the school’s science research program since freshman year as well. I realized how much I enjoy the sciences and was able to challenge myself with not just higher level science courses, but also the IB Diploma program. My time at Commack High School really helped me learn how to pursue my passions and work harder for things I enjoy.

I also believe that Commack High School’s internship program has been really helpful for me. I was able to really narrow down what I wanted to do in the future through this internship program. I was able to shadow at a local dentist office and take on the St. Catherine’s Healthcare Exploration Internship. I learned how to conduct myself in a professional setting and decided on pursuing a healthcare career in the future.

I want to thank Mrs. Semple for guiding me through my time with The Courant. Your dedication and effort for this publication is truly commendable and I take inspiration from your work ethic. Thank you for encouraging me to write on topics beyond my comfort zone and giving me tips on how to best go about writing. I also want to thank Mr. Guercia, Mr. Walsh, Mrs. Palillo, and Mrs. Collette for being passionate about the subject of science and wanting to pass that passion to your students. I would not have been able to appreciate the subject as much as I do without the tireless efforts you put into your lessons. From the experiments in labs to the tips/mnemonics, you have all helped me in appreciating the sciences and wanting to pursue a STEM career.

Thank you to Mrs. Barabagallo and Mrs. Brodsky for your encouragement and constant positivity towards me. You both have helped me stay dedicated towards my goals and believe in myself. I would like to thank Mrs. Nelson for running the school’s internship program. I appreciate you facilitating real-life experiences for us students to have while at a high school level. Lastly, I would like to thank my guidance counselor, Mrs. Meyer. Thank you for always being available for my random visits and answering all questions I have. Your constant encouragement and positive outlook has helped me over the years.

As a final word, I would like to let underclassmen know that whatever they desire is attainable with hard work and dedication. Look for opportunities that can help you grow and make the most of your time at Commack High School. ◼️