Hello! I noticed that the blog has had a lot of views lately! I apologize that it hasn't been updated in a while; however, I still check the email pretty regularly, so if you have any questions or want to speak with an alumni send an email and I'll find the answer or someone for you to connect with!

I apologize for not updating the blog lately. The email is still up and active, so please feel free to continue emailing questions.

Coming Soon! Information on studying abroad and the story of my experience!

Remember to always follow your dreams and never let fear get in the way!

Congrats to alumni Lora Child for being awarded at the PAVE Gala in NYC! 

We are so proud of all that you have accomplished! 

Keep up the good work!

http://www.paveinfo.org/presscenter/pressreleases/2014studentdesignwinnersannounced

Congrats to alumni Deonna Purrazzo for following her pro-wrestling dreams! Deonna is truly an inspirational and successful woman. All students should have the courage and determination to pursue their dreams like Deonna!

Check her out here!

http://youtu.be/lUKo24-7L2s

Congrats to JTHS alumni Marisa Galfo! You're a great example for future college students. Continue working hard, staying determined, and reaching for your goals!

How is the start of your first semester? We'd love to hear from you! Best of luck in all that you do! Remember to dream big and never give up!

20 Pieces of Advice to Incoming College Freshman

By: Sara Kinsey

1.     When it comes to class it is essential that you attend EVERY class, especially if you attend a small school. If you skip a class you may miss out on important information or an assignment!

2.     Ask questions, participate, and show you’re interested in the class (even if you’re not). Your Professor will notice and it could possibly help you in the end. Also, don’t be afraid to email your Professors or meet with them during office hours.

3.     STAY ORGANIZED! Write everything down and keep on top of deadlines. I find using planners, calendars, and sticky notes incredibility helpful. I like to make weekly and daily schedules/to do lists. This makes the work seem less overwhelming. Also, it motivates me to complete a certain number of tasks in one day. If you do make a daily to do list, stick to it! You’re paying to learn not to have fun, so get your work done for the day before you go out and do things with your friends. It will pay off in the end.

4.     Complete an assignment as soon as you are assigned it. If you don’t your work will just pile up and it will become hard to manage it all. Many times Professors assign random assignments and expect it to be turned in the next class period. Therefore, if you didn’t complete the work you already knew about now you’ll have double the work to complete in just a short period of time. Also, your work will be higher quality if you start it in advance and take advantage of the time given to complete it.

5.     Take advantage of the resources your school offers. If your school has a Proof-reading Center bring your papers there. If you are falling behind in a class because you don’t understand the material, get a tutor. If you are having trouble concentrating, get a study room. There are many resources available at each school that most people are unaware of, so ask questions and discover what your school has to offer.

6.     Be friendly, open-minded, and willing to meet new people. If you’re living on campus, the people you meet the first week of school are most likely the people you will find yourself hanging out with (at least for the first semester). Introduce yourself to new people no matter how shy you are. Sit with random people in the dining hall the first week of school and attend freshman events. Introduce yourself to the people on your floor and remain friendly by saying hi to them when you see them. Become friends with people who seem “different” than you and don’t be quick to judge.

7.     College is a fresh start. No one knows anything about you. Discover who you are as a person, put yourself out there, and just be yourself. Step out of your comfort zone and forget about the past. Be confident in all that you do and be proud of the person you have become.

8.     Keep in touch with people from home, but don’t let that stop you from meeting the wonderful people at your new school. Don’t compare your home friends to your new friends. Don’t focus on the past and embrace change; it’s just all part of life.

9.     Keep something on your desk or on the wall next to your desk that will keep you motivated, but don’t make your desk cluttered because you’ll want as much room as you can to spread out your work when completing an assignment. On my desk I have a picture from the PDP retreat in a frame with I can, I will, I must written on it. I also attached a sticky note with my future goals to it. Whenever I feel like giving up I just remember that I can, I will, I must achieve my goals and it helps me stay motivated. On the wall next to my desk, I have a few pictures and tons of motivational quotes.

10.   Take advantage of the events your school has and the trips available for you to go on. My school goes to see a few Broadway shows each semester. It only costs $25 including the bus there and back so my friends and I like to take advantage of that. You should look into what your school offers!

11.  Prepare to walk to class in all kinds of crazy weather – blizzards, hurricanes, rain, etc. I know my school never cancels class ever. We didn’t even cancel during Sandy. I thought I was going to get blown into the Hudson on my walk to class.

12.  If you don’t have class until later in the day, don’t sleep all morning. Wake up early and get your work done. The more work you get done in the morning, the more time you’ll have to socialize at night.

13.  Do only what you’re comfortable doing. Don’t let others pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.

14.  Continuously save your work and back it all up. You never know when something is going to happen.

15.  Find out what studying methods work best for you (rewrite notes, make flashcards, teach someone else the information, etc.). Also, find out what studying location is best for you (your room, the lounge, the library, etc.).

16.  Find out what helps you to de-stress and take time for yourself once and a while.

17.  Take responsibility for everything you do.

18.  Strive to be the best “you” that you can be. Try hard, push yourself, and don’t give up.

19.   Establish goals and strive to complete them. Take classes that will help you in the long run and that relate to your major. If you don’t have a major, take the classes everyone needs in order to graduate. You don’t want to waste time and money taking electives that are not going to help you in the end.

20.  Make memories and have fun, but also make smart decisions. 

Dear Class of 2014,

Congratulations, you did it! JTHS alumni would like to congratulate you and provide you with some words of wisdom. Below are messages to you from several alumni. Additionally, remember to email your questions to jthsalumnistudentconnections@gmail.com. The summer after graduation you will be full of questions and alumni are here to provide you with the answers you’re looking for. In addition to providing answers to your questions, I can connect you to alumni who have gone down a path similar to you. For example, if you’re entering the military or studying something specific, I can connect you to specific alumni to speak to directly.

“Graduation signifies success; This is one goal that you have set for yourself many years ago and worked laboriously to achieve, and despite other goals you may have offset due to prior obligations, you can know that you are triumphant and have finished something wholeheartedly. All the hours of studying and all of the numerous hours you have dedicated to after school activities have surmounted to this moment, and with that diploma, the entire school thanks you for your passions and congratulates you for your achievements. This day signifies a new chapter in your life, and wherever you choose to go from it is an individualized choice, but with every decision you make, remember the life lessons you learned in high school, as they will apply in situations later in life, and be who you want to be. College is a whole new experience and I wish you all nothing but success and happiness in your futures! Congrats class of 2014!” -Julia O’Shea (JTHS ’13)

“Congratulations! You made it! This next step of your life can be both exciting and scary, but it is the most rewarding in the end. Whether you are going to college, or to the workforce, or even the military, you should realize that you are starting a new chapter of your life. You should be proud of what you have accomplished thus far and thank all of those who have made a difference in your life. Trust me it means a lot to them. Anyway moving forward you should realize that YOU are your biggest advocate. Only you can know what you want out of life. You are responsible for making those goals happen. There will be people who help you along the way, but ultimately you will make it happen. Also I want to convey that it is okay for you to not know what you want or change your mind. Do whatever makes you happy and you cannot go wrong. My final piece of advice is to take a risk. This is coming from a person who did not and I can tell you that in college I took risks and reaped the rewards from them. Plus it makes life more fun! Congratulations again and good luck in your future endeavors!” -David Swerzenski JTHS '12

“You are about to graduate from high school. Some of you may feel happy and some of you might feel sad. It is a bittersweet moment, but be proud of all your accomplishments! You are about to enter into a brand new chapter of your life. I wish you the best of luck in you future. And never forget your falcon family ! Congratulations class of 2014!!!” –Marisa Galfo (JTHS ’12)

“Congratulations! You finished another chapter in your book of life. Graduation is often filled with countless emotions. I am sure most of you are ecstatic, but at the same time nervous for the journey that lies ahead. Some of you will go to college, while others will go straight into the workforce or enter the military. The best piece of advice that I can provide you is to always remember to follow your dreams and fight for what you believe in. Your dreams may change along the way and that is okay as long as you fight hard to chase your new dreams. People will get in your way, but if you truly believe in something, continue to fight for it. The journey may be challenging, but eventually you will make it to the end. When you graduate, things will change, people will move, and friendships will drift apart. It is important that you always cherish the memories that you made, but don’t dwell on the past. Continue looking forward. Your future is bright and only you are in control of what is written in your book of life. Remember to use your head to make logical decisions while following your heart. Do what makes you happy and ignore those who try to bring you down along the way. If you stay motivated, confident, and positive you will succeed in everything you do. Congratulations and best of luck to all of you in your future endeavors.” -Sara Kinsey (JTHS ’12)

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to all of our alumni who serve our country!

Don't forget to email your questions about life after high school or 

topics that you would like to see on the blog to 

jthsalumnistudentconnections@gmail.com!

"In reality, having to pick what you want to do for the rest of your life at 17/18 years old is such a scary thought. So my advice to anyone with a sports, theater, singing or dancing dream is to pursue it now while you're young and able. Follow those goals and dreams.

I wanted to be a wrestler since I was 9 years old and once I was 18 I finally got the chance to learn professional wrestling. A year later, I was given the opportunity to wrestle on Pay-Per-View for the second largest wrestling company in the world, TNA. I am living my dream because I never let others opinions get to me, but rather make me work harder and I encourage everyone with similar unorthodox dreams, like mine, to keep pushing forward.

Passion and hard-work will get you so much farther than your mind can think of. Do your best to be the best you can be in your given talent, and eventually there will be nowhere to go but the top. And, that doesn't just apply to entertainer or sports dreams but any dream, school, and academic achievements included.

Having to make the decision you're being asked to make is thought, but if you're working to be the BEST you possible, everything will fall into place." -Deonna Purrazzo (JTHS '12)