By Dan Murphy
Congratulations to Saunders High School’s 2021 Valedictorian Mariana Capistran and Salutatorian Lizbeth Colon. Saunders High School Valedictorian Mariana Capistran will graduate with a 99.06 GPA. Her favorite teachers are Mr. Zappia -Physics, Mrs. Gallucci 10th grade English, Ms. Hammond 10th grade chemistry.
Mariana’s favorite subjects are English and Biochemistry and she has taken four AP-college link courses. Extracurricular activities include working as an intern at Sophie Davis Health Mentorship program at the CUNY school of medicine.”It was an intro to those of us interested in medicine. We shadowed doctors and learned about different aspects of children’s health, and the need they have for better health care.”
Capistran also served as a YPIE Ambassador, and thanked her YPIE mentor Lisa for “helping me through the college process and pushing me to get the prep work and essay writing finished.”
Accepted to a dozen colleges, Marianna will be attending Manhattan College in the fall. “Mahattan gave me a good package, and its close to home and they have small classes with a community feeling.” I plan to study exercise science as my major at Manhattan college and prepare myself for PA school. I am still taking time to explore my many interests and academic endeavors.”
“One piece of advice that I’ve learned over the past two years is to stop procrastinating life and to appreciate every moment no matter how small. Stop stressing your grades so much and go to that football or basketball game. Don’t pass up the experiences that are available to you because there may come a time, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
Learning throught COVID, “was tough in the winter, at home and you couldn’t get out. I was stuck in my room but i kept pushing through it. I stayed in touch with my friends.”
Mariana stayed at home for the rest of this year and learned remotely. She thanked her famiy for “being my biggest support system. They were always there to help me.”
She never paid attention to the rankings for Valedictorian. “I didn’t make it a big deal out of it. Your grade doesn’t define who you are. I aways wanted to keep my grades up and do it for myself,” said Capistran.
Saunders High School Salutatorian Lizbeth Colon will graduate with a 99 GPA. Her favorite teachers are Danielle Fellini- Pre-Calculus and Calculus, and Ingrid Carchi- Spanish 1&2. Lizbeth’s favorite subject is Math, and she has completed 10 honors and college link courses.
Colon participated in the Key Club- – Vice President, Dominican Club – Secretary, Italian Club Community: Pathfinders Club through the Primera Hispanic Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Learning through COVID was difficult. “I really like the classroom setting and discussing things with my teachers and classmates. That ‘s how I learn the best. It wasn’t the same.
“I had a compugter but I didn’t have a laptop, and sometimes the wi-fi would go out. I ended up staying home for the rest of this year. I had to help my mom with my sister.
Accepted to more than 10 colleges, Colon will attending Lehman College in the fall. “I like the smaller classrooms and plan to continue my education and get my degree in Math and work as a Math teacher.
Lizbeth thanked God and her family. “My mom is always helping me she may not understand –but she is always there anyway she can.”
Colon said “I wished I wouldn’t have stressed out so much. I’m learning to take things slower and in the end everything will work out. Take school day by day because time flies and before you know it you will be graduating and moving on to college.”
Both the Val and the Sal were friends since middle school, and in the end, it didn’t matter to either who was #1 and who was #2. “I just tried my best ,did what I could, and hoped for the best,” said Colon.
