Seniors Share Commitment on the 'Gram

We're nearing the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Just 3 weeks remain until the NHS graduating seniors, donning their maroon and white caps and gowns, walk on stage and receive their diplomas. As they embark on the next chapter in their lives, there’s no doubt that numerous seniors have found themselves already becoming a little nostalgic. College is a whole new world when you leave high school. You never truly know what’s in store for you.

This raises the question: What colleges are the seniors of NHS going to?

Senior Stefania Ugliarolo runs @nhs.committed.23 on Instagram, where she encourages her fellow seniors to submit their colleges, senior photos, and future majors for her to post and share on the account. The account made its first post on December 7th, 2022 and there have been over 100 posts since and the account has gained hundreds of followers. Peers of the featured students flood the comment sections of each post with congratulations and support.

“I didn't expect this, but our grade has been very excited about the account!” Ugliarolo said. “I think everybody looks forward to all of their comments and reposts congratulating them and wishing them the best of luck.”

Senior Erica Spina was the first student featured on the account. She's on her way to Ramapo College of New Jersey, and is majoring in elementary/special education. “I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember, so choosing elementary/special education as my major was a no-brainer for me.” Spina said. “As soon as I stepped onto the Ramapo Campus, I knew it was my home away from home. I love everything about it, from the class size, the size of the school, and the 4+1 program they offer that allows me to earn my master's degree in 5 years.”

Senior Sarah Nugiel shares a similar sentiment about her college, Fordham University. “The campus just felt really nice and comfortable, like somewhere I could see myself spending four years.”

For many, college represents a chance to explore new interests, develop important skills, and grow as individuals and everybody’s expectations differ. Senior Jazel Campomones knows exactly what she’s seeking: “I’m looking for growth within myself, the relationships and connections I make, and the foundation I’ll create for my future career,” explained Campomones, who’s going to Seton Hall University to major in nursing. “I hope I can learn a lot and meet people that’ll help me grow in my career and as a person.”

Nugiel states, “I’m really excited to just get out of my comfort zone and learn a lot more than I have before. Nutley High School has done so much for me, and I’ve had a fantastic time here, but I’ve been here four years. It’s time for something new.”

Nugiel looks forward to what’s waiting ahead for her at Fordham. Regardless, she’ll still cherish NHS and the memories she made here. She said, “I’m really going to miss my friends here, and all of the people I just see on a day-to-day basis and kinda just take for granted. Nutley High School is my home and my community, so it’s definitely going to be really different. It’s something I’m both excited and nervous for.”

Spina has immense appreciation toward the NHS staff. “I feel like without the staff here at Nutley High School, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, so for that I’m very appreciative.”

The seniors at NHS are filled with mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness. However, as they’ve shared their college decisions and future aspirations through the instagram account created by Ugliarolo, they’ve found vast support and encouragement from one another. Ugliarolo said, “Once we all graduate, I think the account will be something to look back on in the future. It will be a way to remember the classmates we grew up with.”

Everyday, the non-seniors become a little closer to reaching the last grade before they graduate. The transition from freshman to senior can be all too much at once. Campomones provides the lower classmen with insightful advice, “Stay on top of due dates and make a to-do list, do your research on schools and determine what student life you want to have, have fun in your high school years and make the most of it with your friends that might go away, and don't stress if you haven't made up your mind on who you want to become. Everyone grows at their own pace and the process is difficult, but the hard work pays off.”