When people told me that high school would be the fastest four years of my life, I did not believe them for a second. That is, until I suddenly realized it is practically already over. After three years of cramming for math exams every Friday and sprinting to the Vallo stop every morning, the Class of 2021 has finally reached the last few weeks of their high school career. While some students are staying in-state for college and others moving thousands of miles away, the entire Bronx Science Class of 2021 shares one thing in common — they are going to make this last summer before going to college count!

Some seniors are taking this time to keep themselves busy with either a job or an internship. Ruhika Ponda ’21 plans on working with Kyle Watters, a criminal defense attorney. “My role is similar to that of a paralegal. I will draft legal motions, help formulate arguments to be used in court, and liaise with clients,” said Ponda. Not only is the job close to home for her, so that there is no commute, but Ponda also genuinely enjoys working and finds her job interesting. “I love my job so I don’t feel like it’s a burden or ‘work’ at all.” Aside from her exciting job, Ponda looks forward to continuing her MMA classes she takes with close friends a few times a week. “Just spending quality time with family and friends before I go to college is really important to me,” Ponda said. 

Sarah Lydon ’21 is certainly scheduled for an eventful summer as well, as she also plans on working. “I am looking to get good employment experience before college, because in college, I am going to do work-study on campus,” said Lydon, regarding her Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). “I chose to work for SYEP because I know that they have a lot of options for students to decide what field they want to work in. SYEP is also specific for New York City high school students, so I thought that I would have a higher chance of getting a job than if I applied to something open to anyone,” Lydon said. Although she does not have any specifics regarding what her job entails yet, she knows that it will be in a virtual setting. While this eliminates the need to commute, Lydon said, “it is pretty unfortunate because I was looking forward to an in-person position.”

Sarah Lydon also plans on taking an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification class in Brooklyn during the summer of 2021. “I wanted to take an EMT class, because I plan on working for the EMT service at my college and getting a volunteer position, if they have one available. I think it’s also a really amazing skill to have and could be valuable in the future.” While these two commitments are going to take up most of her time during this summer, Lydon is mainly looking forward to savoring her last summer before college and making endless memories with friends, before life becomes a lot more hectic and more responsibilities arise. 

Other seniors are looking forward to taking the summer to simply relax. Yujin Lee ’21 plans on traveling. “I’m especially excited to visit Orlando and go to water resorts!” said Lee. Aside from that, Lee also reflected on her excitement to attend college this fall. “I am looking forward to starting fresh in college and not only expand upon my interests that were fostered at Bronx Science, but to also discover new passions.”  

The Class of 2021 experienced a high school career like no other, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Yet it is with certainty that we are all headed off to do great things. Whether graduating seniors are getting a job or internship this summer in preparation for college, or simply savoring these last few moments with their friends and family, it is undeniable that the Class of 2021 is going to have one last spectacular summer before college. 

While some students are staying in-state for college and others moving thousands of miles away, the entire Bronx Science Class of 2021 shares one thing in common — they are going to make this last summer before going to college count!