Montage shots by the pool, aesthetic pictures — the summer after graduating is widely regarded as the “best summer of your life.” Yet unlike in the movies, the joys of graduating high school are countered by bittersweet feelings of moving on and leaving behind their peers. For Bronx Science graduated seniors who underwent the grueling college process, the latter is especially true. The Class of 2023 learned a lot about perseverance, dedication, and finding peace, coming out the other end with happy experiences.

While it’s true that after we walked across the stage at graduation on Friday, June 23rd, 2023, many students will be going off on exciting adventures, like traveling around the world and becoming involved in academic pursuits, many will also take positions as camp counselors, lifeguards, and pursue other work opportunities.

According to the New York City Department of Education, New York will be continuing with its High School Summer Experience program, providing a record 100,000 summer opportunities for high school students, both through DYCD’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) as well as NYC Public Schools programs, like the Summer Youth Employment Program and College Now, all which aim to uplift New York students while preparing them for life beyond high school.

“Bronx Science has been life altering,” Nicole Fowler ’23 said. This summer, Fowler plans to work at her local swimming pool as a monitor. “I’ve been working at the pool since last summer, mostly on monitoring check-in and directing club members where things are.” Fowler said she will be saving up this summer for pocket money when it comes time to go to college. She will attend Binghamton University in the fall of 2023, and is both excited and sad to leave. “I’m definitely going to miss all the friends I’ve made at Bronx Science. Even though the Coronavirus pandemic cut our in-person time at school short, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve come out prepared to take anything on, and I’m excited to see where I’m going to go next.”

Another student ready to spend her summer working is Grace Zagoria ’23. This summer, she will spend her fourth consecutive summer at a local ice cream shop in New Jersey. She’s also preparing to continue her academic and athletic career as a pole vaulter at Davidson College and looks forward to reaping the benefits of her hard work. “I feel very proud of myself and how far I’ve come since my ninth grade year. Focusing on pole vaulting opened up so many opportunities for me, and through the support of my coaches, teammates, and family, I am able to say that I will continue my sport at a D1 level in college.”

Other students like Helen Stone ’23, are planning extensive travel experiences. “I am going to Alaska for a summer sustainability program, and for kayaking and hiking. Afterwards, I’ll be going to Lisbon, Portugal, with a friend, to explore Europe. Hopefully, I will go to many museums.” This fall Stone will attend Carleton College, where she will major in Environmental Studies. “At a science-focused school like ours, it was hard not to get swept up by the extensive choices of Biology and Ecology courses, including AP Environmental Science (APES), which quickly became my favorite class. I feel lucky to be part of a school that has active students who care about making a difference in the world. Through the support of my peers, I was able to help coordinate several Climate Strikes and a sustainable clothing drive through my Green Design and Clean Technology class.”

As the graduated class of 2023 is now three weeks into summer vacation, there might be some bittersweet feelings. “I’m certainly nervous about leaving everything and everyone behind — especially when I know I’m about to make a big jump from the city to a small town and small school in North Carolina. And to make matters worse, you have a million people telling you, ‘These are the best years, appreciate them’ which compounds this fear that I’m not living as much as I can, or doing as much as I should in my last days before ‘real life.’ Still, I know I’m the type of person to make things work and make the best of my circumstances, and I’m so excited to explore new opportunities and people and activities at college,” Zagoria said.

And the feeling of leaving still impacts those who call New York City their home. “Before leaving for college, I want to feel like I’m making the most of my time with my family and loved ones and friends. Since we will be separated so much, I want to spend as much time with them as possible. I also want to do as much as I can to feel like I’m exploring new places in New York City and appreciating some of my favorite spots, because I know the town and area around Binghamton are cool in their own respect but will be nothing like the city,” Fowler said.

In a world of fast-paced expectations of students, especially at Bronx Science, it is hard not to fall into summer burn-out traps. From studying for standardized tests years in advance to taking additional classes at community colleges, it seems underclassmen are rushing to meet increasingly overwhelming expectations from pre-college suggestions. But after hearing from graduated seniors, it’s clear that one message is constant: Bronx Science prepares its students for anything beyond high school. Whether students continue pursuing a science path, or opt for a more creative approach, the rigorous workload and ability to think critically will follow students down their respective paths.

As for now, students are taking it day by day. Zagoria said, “In terms of this summer, I’m not sure if I’m going to make any huge changes. I’m going to keep up with the same old as the past few summers — working at my ice cream store in New Jersey, working out and doing my summer training to prepare for college athletics, and spending time with my friends, both here in the city and down the shore. I’m super excited to drink tons of iced lattes, listen to music on the beach with my friends, and drive to early morning breakfasts in my friend Charlotte’s Ford in Avalon, New Jersey.”

To the graduated class of 2023: take the summer to reflect and relax — you’ve only got the rest of your lives ahead of you.

Montage shots by the pool, aesthetic pictures — the summer after graduating is widely regarded as the “best summer of your life.” Yet unlike in the movies, the joys of graduating high school are countered by bittersweet feelings of moving on and leaving behind their peers. For Bronx Science graduated seniors who underwent the grueling college process, the latter is especially true. The Class of 2023 learned a lot about perseverance, dedication, and finding peace, coming out the other end with happy experiences.