Seniors gain “real world” experience with Senior Options program

Blind Brook High School Senior Aviella Kibel was all smiles as she discussed her recent internship with the Mamaroneck based Westchester Sandbox Theatre.

“I did so many things,” she said, continuing to share that she helped with props, costumes, setting the stage and more for the theater’s children’s productions. And she helped with choreography for the upcoming 5^th Grade “Night of Music,” taking place on June 13 at the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School.

“I’ve been doing shows at the ‘Sandbox’ since I was four,” Aviella said. 

In the fall she will be attending Wesleyan University, where she intends to study theater.

Aviella’s experience was part of her Senior Options, a program at BBHS that has been in place for years offering graduating students a taste of working in a field of interest.

“It’s for them to really network, find a profession they are interested in,” said Jon Ambrosio, co-coordinator of the program. “They get a glimpse of what they will do, it’s a deeper dive.”

Mr. Ambrosio said the experience, which can be an internship, a passion project or community service, helps cement for some students that this is truly a career they want to pursue, while for others it’s a realization that maybe it might not be the best fit.

Natalie Carey spent her time at The Sharing Shelf, a local charity that assists teens and children with clothing insecurity. 

During her time there Natalie said she sorted clothing based on size, season and condition and helped the organization pack menstrual products care packages to distribute to those in need.

“It was a great way to give back,” she said of her experience. “It’s a great feeling.”

In the fall Natalie will be attending Villanova University where she intends to study psychology.

For Luke Miller, he will be studying finance at Northeastern University in the fall. It’s no surprise then that he took on an internship at Bank United.

“I am there really to just learn it,” he said, adding that he has been going through required courses as he is onboarded. He’s also been learning about work in their credit office and discrimination in lending.

“I’m gaining some experience in what I want to do,” Luke said. 

His advice to future seniors?

“Take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

Tag Bullard also interned in the finance industry at Alliance Bernstein Investment Company. Although he intends to major in philosophy at Saint Lawrence College, he said he’s learning some practical things that he can use.

He’s been reading through tax returns and helping to categorize assets all while becoming more familiar with Microsoft Excel.

“I feel comfortable using it,” he said of the software program, adding that the experience has also helped develop better time management skills.

“It’s definitely a good minor,” Tag said of the possibility of studying more about finance while in college.

Seniors Sophia Lombardi and Talia Ifrah worked together with the Menopause Mandate, an organization that works to educate women on the natural phenomenon they will experience as they age.

“As younger women we will go through this, but it’s not something there is a lot of information about,” Sophia said. “It’s something important for us and other young women to know about.”

The two said during their internship they helped with graphic design, creating posters for a younger audience.

Talia will be attending The Ohio State and Sophia will attend the University of Maryland.

Josiah Curtis has an interest in music but discovered during his internship with the Artel Art Gallery in Brooklyn that art and music have a lot in common.

“It’s definitely cool to make connections in the world of art and music,” he said.

He explained he helped send out email invites to upcoming events during his time working with the organization.

“It gave me a chance to experience a different kind of art,” Josiah said. “Being in the real world was a bit of a wake-up call.”

Josiah will be studying business and marketing at the University of Buffalo.

Carmine Casino worked in a tasty industry at Longford’s Ice Cream with locations in Rye and Greenwich, CT. There, he said, he helped deliver products to restaurants, write up the menu board and made ice cream sandwiches. He also set up the outdoor dining space and attended school events where their ice cream was served as a special treat to students.

“I learned accountability,” Carmine said of the experience.

In the fall he will be attending Sacred Heart University and plans to study business.