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Schools

BHS Top 10 Reflect Back Before Moving Forward

Babylon High School's top academic students share their successes, fears and thoughts.

Babylon High School’s “Top Ten” graduating seniors of 2011 are the pride of their school and community. Before they venture toward the next phase of their lives, they took a moment to reflect on their high school years and shared their memories with Patch.

Editor's Note: John Sullivan and Keryn Arnold were unable to attend the interview session.

Where are you headed and what course of study will you pursue?

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Shannon Webber: (Valedictorian) University of Richmond, studying Biology & Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience

Lloyd Ippolito: (Salutatorian) Stony Brook University, studying Computer Science & Applied Mathematics and Statistics

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Ellen Murphy: SUNY Geneseo, studying Mathematics and Secondary Education

Linda Milano: Stony Brook University, studying Business

Julie Piccione: University of Miami, undecided in course of study

Molly Gravina: University of Rhode Island, Studying Pharmacy

Keryn Arnold: University of Delaware, undecided in course of study

Christian Amelia: United States Naval Academy, studying Political Science

Jennifer Granda: William and Mary College, studying Math and Music

John Sutherland: University of Skidmore, Studying business

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What has been a positive and/or negative aspect of being a student at BHS?

Julie Piccione: Being able to play sports since 7th grade and being a three-sport Varsity athlete has been a lot of fun for me.  One negative aspect of that though is that there are some inequalities between the guys and the girls’ teams; the girls’ soccer and lacrosse teams have to practice on the grade school fields and find ways to get to practice from the high school before three o’clock.

Ellen Murphy: Since Babylon is so small, you can get involved in whatever you want.  In Babylon, you don’t have to do only one sport.  Here, you can be on three sports, student council, different clubs and groups and pretty much participate in whatever you want.

If you could change/add anything in the school to benefit future generations, what would you change?

Christian Amelia: It would be nice if the computers weren’t filtered as much so we could do more research in school without getting blocked.  Maybe punish only those who abuse the access.

 Lloyd Ippolito: I think there should be more of a drive towards students and teachers bringing in their own computers or tablets.  A tablet is one fourth the price of most computers, and I think that if you get students and teachers to go in that direction, not only do you have a better learning environment, where students might embrace the curriculum because they are excited about the technology, but you could also save money on textbooks and by not having to maintain school computers and also get kids more ready for college.

Ellen Murphy: Get air conditioning (laughs) …. I’d like to see a Student Leadership class where kids go through an intensive interview process to get in, but then students are in charge of making decisions and running things like Homecoming, prom, fundraisers and problem solving in general.  It would create more school spirit if kids could be involved in the decision-making.

Who has been influential in your life?

 Jennifer Granda: I would mention two teachers that helped me decided what I wanted to do in the future, like Mr. Michelle.  He was able to keep pushing us even when Math got really difficult; and I’ve had Mrs. Turk for many years now, and she specializes in woodwinds and has always pushed me really far.  Now I’m first flute, and that’s just amazing.

 Julie Piccione: I would have to say Mr. Harrison, who has been my coach for a while now.  One of the cool things that he does is that he creates this environment around sports where you just want to go to practice.  He brought out this element in me that showed me how to be creative in sports, which I didn’t know how to do.  He encouraged me to try things, even if they didn’t work, and taught me so much about the importance of creativity in all aspects of life.

Molly Gravina: I really think the community is so important.  We wouldn’t be able to get anywhere without its support, and coaches that teach so much about life outside of the classroom, but if I had to pick one, I’d also say Mrs. Turk, who has helped me through a lot of personal stuff and she is always there.

Shannon Webber: I would also have to say Mr. Harrison for teaching me so much about strength outside the game, and Mr. Villanueva.  Although I’ve learned so much Bio from him, I’ve learned so more just about life and how life is the lesson, not just school; it what’s you o and what you experience.

 What fears or concerns do you have about the next stage of your life?

 Ellen Murphy:  That I am going to have a smelly roommate.  And going somewhere that isn’t like Babylon where you know everyone since Kindergarten and your best friends are constantly around you. 

 Shannon Webber: It’s going to be difficult to make decisions since I am such a bad decision maker.  It’s going to be hard not having my family and friends around to help me and to know that I’m going some place where I have to make my own decisions all day.

Julie Piccione: I worry about my academics; it’s a weird time when you have to be thinking ‘What kind of career path do I want to take?’ and at the same time my mom is telling me not to stress about it; so, its weird to think about how these decisions are not the important part of life; hopefully, I’ll have a family and other things, yet you have to plan for the future, and I have no idea how things are going to turn out.  I’m sure somewhere down the road I wonder why I didn’t just enjoy the moment I was in.  Its hard not knowing what to do, and if things will work out.

Christian Amelia:  How to approach leadership opportunities at the Naval Academy; having to lead a group of men to battle.  I know the Academy will help me out, but being able to lead is something I think about at night.

 What achievements are you most proud of?

 Jennifer Granda: I applied to my top three schools and thought I would be lucky if I got accepted into one of them, but I actually got into all three, which was great, but ended up making my decision really hard.  The other thing I’m proud of would be that I stuck with my instrument for nine years, because I contemplated stopping, and now I’m glad I didn’t.

 Molly Gravina: I’m proud of the fact that I came into this school very reserved and shy, and over the past six years I’ve grown into such a different person.  I’ve have had so many opportunities to branch out, and I’m glad that I took advantage of them.

If a 7th grader asked what you contribute to your success, what would you tell him or her?

Linda Milano: Always try your best, regardless of how small the thing is; always do it with passion and with heart; put yourself into it.

Jennifer Granda:  Do things you love.

Lloyd Ippolito:  I think I’m going to borrow Mr. Proccacini’s quote here: “Time marches on and waits for no one.”  You have to know what you want to do with your life; maybe not from kindergarten, but you need to be on the right track and realize that every second counts.

Christian Amelia: I would say don’t procrastinate; don’t overly stress out about something.  In the world we live in today, you are always pushed; people tell you ‘this is where your supposed to be’ or ‘this is the type of person you’re supposed to be.’  It’s ok to be care-free; do something fun, and don’t completely worry about academics all the time.  Have fun with your life because it goes by quickly.

Editor's Note: Patch thanks all the top seniors for their time and congratulates them on all their achievements.

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