Seniors at North Bergen High School are looking forward to the next phase of their lives after graduation was scheduled for this past Friday, June 17.
“It’s been an exciting year,” said Principal Paschal Tennaro.
Indeed, the school was recently nominated by the U.S. Department of Education for a Blue Ribbon award, an honor that indicates a high level of school performance from students and faculty alike.
“They have selected nine schools throughout the United States as top academic high schools in urban areas,” said Tennaro. “These seniors have done an excellent job in helping us.”
Seniors include Ruchi Shah, who is the salutatorian, or second in her class. “My plans are to attend Rutgers University for four years,” said Shah. “I plan on studying pre-med.”
Shah plans on becoming an ophthalmologist.
“My major inspiration was my dad,” Shah explained. “He’s always believed in me ever since I was young.”“
She mentally broke us down. It was humbling but it allowed you to grow.” – Julian Bello
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Shah said her parents came from India over 20 years ago for a better life for her and her siblings. “I just wanted something to show him that I tried my best,” she said. “I never thought I’d become number two in the class.”
Shah added that further inspiration came from Mrs. Boguslavksy, a French teacher she studied under for all four years.
“Besides teaching us French and exposing us to a whole new culture,” Shah said, “She would also give us lessons about life.” Shah added, “She’d guide us in the right direction.”
Her favorite memory? Student Council. “Only around 20 people are involved,” Shah said. “We’re like a huge family, basically we do everything together.”
Classmate Julian Bello, a senior and volleyball athlete who is first in the class (valedictorian), had a similar source of inspiration: his father.
Bello’s father, originally from Cuba, also came to America to give his family a better life.
“He didn’t attend college,” said Bello. “He’s still what I consider to be successful. He has a job supporting my family. He’s pretty much the only source of income in the house. It’s a lot of pressure.”
By attending the University of Pennsylvania and earning a four-year biomedical engineering degree, Bello expects to “make a difference, somehow.”
When asked about a teacher that made a difference, Bello did not hesitate to answer. “My favorite teacher is definitely Mrs. Hovan,” he said. “She was my sophomore English honors teacher and also my senior English honors teacher. When I met her sophomore year I thought I was a decent writer. She mentally broke us down – the whole class. It was humbling but it allowed you to grow. I became so much of a better writer thanks to her.”
Principal Tennaro had nothing but praise for his top two students, as well as the class of 2011 as a whole.
“They are obviously two outstanding students,” Tennaro said. “They are a reflection of the kind of students we have here at North Bergen High School.”
Stephen LaMarca may be reached ateditorial@hudsonreporter.com.