Jessica Bonilla Has Big Plans
for the Future
Jessica Bonilla has big plans for the future. The Huntington High School senior is narrowing her career interests and looking forward to college and all that it has to offer academically and socially.
The Class of 2014 member started her long journey through the district as a kindergarten student at Southdown Primary School. Since then she has distinguished herself every step of the way in and out of the classroom.
Woody Allen once said in the 1970’s that “showing up in 80 percent of life.” If that’s true, then Ms. Bonilla gets an A+ grade because the teenager takes pride in never being absent. She doesn’t cut corners or look for the easy way out. The senior studies hard and collaborates with her teachers to maximize her learning experiences in every course.
The teenager is one of the top members of Huntington’s senior class, but she’s much more than just a young lady with excellent grades. Friendships are at the core of what she holds dear. Those personal relationships with her classmates and teachers are priceless to Ms. Bonilla.
“Some of the highlights of my time here are meeting new friends and sticking as friends all throughout high school, along with participating in National History Day with Mrs. [Lauren] Desiderio and taking first place in the Science Bowl,” Ms. Bonilla said.
The senior’s schedule includes Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Pre-Calculus, Economics, Personal Law, Forensics, Honors Physics and Participation in Government.
“I have had many wonderful teachers,” Ms. Bonilla said. “My favorite is Mrs. [Stacey] Byrnes in Honors Physics. She’s the nicest person I have met.”
The teenager also cited Mrs. Desiderio (Honors Global 10), James Graber (Economics), Joseph Cohen (Forensics), John Pagano (English 11Honors), Suzie Biagi (Personal Law) and Kelly Krycinski (English 9 Honors) as among her favorites. “All have taught me wonderful things and made their class worth being in,” Ms. Bonilla said.
“My career interests vary from accounting to international business and finance,” Ms. Bonilla said. “I would like to do a double major with two of those majors.” The senior applied to Manhattan College, Queens College, SUNY New Paltz, Fordham University, University at Albany, St. John’s University, Hartwick College, Hunter College, SUNY Farmingdale and Mount Saint Mary College.
Ms. Bonilla said she was still undecided on where she would attend college, but has narrowed it down to either Albany or Farmingdale. If it is the latter, she hopes to eventually transfer to the former.
The teenager advises incoming freshmen to “stack up on classes so you can cut down on classes in your senior year.”
As she prepares to graduate and head to college, Ms. Bonilla said she feels good about the past four years. “Overall, my high school experience has been wonderful,” she said. “I’ve met the greatest people here and created many friendships.”