The College Academy community celebrated their college-bound seniors on Friday May, 26th at a College Decision Day celebration.  Sixty-four seniors marched into the main auditorium where they were met with boisterous applause from the entire school body.  After a round of college trivia led by Ms. Ledesma and Mr. Rodriguez, the seniors walked backstage where they were fitted with a sweatshirt from their future schools.  The highlight of the celebration came when the seniors proceeded across the stage representing their post-secondary schools.

Senior Eric Cruz described his future plans. “I’m going to City Tech next year.  I’m looking forward to meeting my professors, the classes I’m going to take, good friends…basically a new life.  I’m looking forward to learning how to be a professional businessman. But I’m concerned about paying for classes.”  When asked about how he will impact his college community Mr. Cruz said, “…with my creativity, my teamwork, the way I help people.”  Senior Ambermarie Thomas is bound for SUNY Brockport this fall and spoke about her expectations for college.  “I’m going to be majoring in accounting.  I want to have fun and learn new things.”  When asked about her biggest concern about college Ms. Thomas said, “Grades.  I can slack sometimes.  I can’t slack in college because there’s a lot of money being put into it!” 

At this event, of course, there were many 9th and 10th grade students in attendance.  Ninth grader Tion Long offered his thoughts about college after watching the decision day celebration.  “My main motivation is my family.” Mr. Long told TCA Heights. “They’re pushing me to go to college. My biggest concern is trying to support myself financially.  [Today’s event] really motivated me to get into college.  It showed that there are a lot of opportunities to get into college.”  Fellow ninth grader Khristian Guzman also discussed his future plans.  “College will help me in the future.  I’m thinking about what I want to be in the future.  How I want to succeed.”  “I’m thinking about Syracuse.  My sister goes there.  I heard the graduation rate is high.”  

Staff members and teachers also offered their reflections on going to college.  Samantha Melo, Director of the Center for Supportive Schools, a school-based organization that helps students apply for college, gave her honest impressions about her college experience. “I went to SUNY New Paltz for my undergrad and went to Hunter for my graduate degree.  I double majored in sociology and Spanish.  Then I studied social work at Hunter.  I have no regrets from my college experience.  I went away to school and that was something that initially I was scared to do.  I wouldn’t have been exposed to the experiences that I had if I hadn’t gone away to school.”  Ms. Melo’s experiences and insights show that reaching out of our comfort zone will help us grow!    

Here is a complete list of the college-bound seniors with their respective schools.