SAINT ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT ALUMNI ...

They are not only a gateway to making friends but
also a creation of relation ships and bonds that can last
for a long time. I have many people that I talk to and are
acquainted with, but my close circle will always be with
me. My last year here I’ve been able to open up more to
things such as religion. A few of my friends and I sing
gospel songs after school, and people look at us like we
are crazy. The fact is that these friends and the Brothers
make it known that God shouldn’t be a secret thing we
carry in our hearts.
With my days of high school numbered and graduation
closing in on me I often dwell now on the positives of high
school. I have a good relationship with the Brothers in a
way that I joke around with them instead of fearing them.
I am more involved and thankful to Mr. Washington who
gave me one of my first jobs announcing at basketball
games. I want to thank the faculty and staff who aided
my continual growth including Ed Modica and Andrew
Wachtel, the school trainers who help me out and who I
work alongside. But most of all I want to thank my close
friends, the people that I “roll” with every day, the people
that have my back and I have theirs. Because at the end of
the day we are Ohana, and “Ohana means family. Family
means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” This is
something I will always remember as I hope to attend
Duke University but am currently planning to attend
Hofstra University.
Dylan Cafarella
Making the choice to come to Saint Anthony’s was an easy
decision since I knew long ago that my faith was foremost
in choosing a high school. The decision has helped me
grow not only as a student, but also as a man. I have
learned that only through hard work and determination
one can achieve unlimited success.
Being the only student from my school district I knew
that it was not going to be easy to assimilate into a new
environment. However, due to the inviting atmosphere of
the Saint Anthony’s community I was able to make many
lifelong friends. I have been successful in both the
classroom and on the athletic field. The faculty and coaches
provided me with the tools and guidance that are needed
to prepare for college and what lies ahead.
Because of the dynamics of the football program, I have
made connections that will help me prepare for my future.
Many of my coaches have a professional history in law
enforcement, which has influenced me to pursue a career
in criminal justice. I will have the opportunity to play college
football next year due to the outstanding coaching that I
have received over my four years at Saint Anthony’s. Some
of the colleges that I hope to attend are Marist College,
Georgetown University or C.W. Post. If someone were to
ask me, “If you could go back four years and choose a
different path, would you?” the answer would be, “No,
these have been the best four years of my life, thus far.”
Danielle Citera
In 2008 I graduated from Holy Family Regional, a small
Catholic school in Commack. Attending Saint Anthony’s
had always been my intention as my father and five
uncles are alumni. While I had never really considered
the benefits, over the course of these past three years
I have come to understand and experience the impact
that Saint Anthony’s has had spiritually, socially and
academically. Saint Anthony’s has allowed me to practice
my faith, meet some of my closest friends, as well as
present me with countless challenges and opportunities,
many of which I hadn’t considered prior to my days here.
Saint Anthony’s is known for its fierce academic and
athletic competition but what most people do not
understand is that this environment provides motivation
and encourages strength. As adolescents growing and
preparing to move on to college and the rest of our lives,
it is vital that we reflect upon ourselves and look into
our innermost passions and interests. Surrounded by
my peers who are equally driven to success, I have found
the support I need to continue to strive toward my goals.
This environment has made a tremendous difference
in my life. The ever-present encouragement and resources
provided by Saint Anthony’s have allowed me to keep
focused on pursuing my goals and dreams.
Participation in extracurricular activities at Saint
Anthony’s has been a key component in my life these
past three years. As a member of the National Honor
Society and TAU I have had the chance to serve my peers
and students in a local school district as a tutor. As an
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion I have been
blessed with the opportunity to share my faith in God
with others. As Editor-in-Chief of the Paduan and an
editor of the Anthonian I have been taught a great deal
about organization and time management. In my classes
the passionate and knowledgeable teachers I have
encountered have instilled me with a thirst for learning.
The dedication of my foreign language teachers has
moved me to explore a major in Romance Languages.
In addition, Saint Anthony’s has allowed me the oppor -
tunity to meet new individuals from diverse backgrounds,
kindling an enlightened respect and appreciation of
culture in me.
They say that when one door closes another door
opens. I have faith in the fact that the experiences
I have had and the opportunities I have seized at Saint
Anthony’s will open many doors for me in the future.
Upon graduation I hope to attend the University of
Pennsylvania, Brown University or Boston College.
No matter where I wind up spending the next four
years of my life, I am confident that Saint Anthony’s
has prepared me to take advantage of opportunities
and face challenges.
F R I A R F O C U S 5 7