Many students at HS223 dream of going to college. And this is the time of year when those dreams become a reality.
The school sends anywhere from 88-95 % of students to college each year including CUNY, SUNY and Private colleges. But for the class of 2026, five students will be calling the Ivy League home next year.
“From a college counselor perspective, I think it really shows the growth of the school and the strength of the support systems in place. Having five students accepted into Ivy League schools reflects not just individual achievement, but the work being done to prepare students academically and through the college process,” said Ms.Ortiz, a college counselor at the school.
Class of 2026 students Salima Ceesay, Wislandy Arias, Katherine Paredes, Osaze Okungbowa, Fahim Adika will find homes on some of the most prestigious college campuses. Fahim is the author of this story.
“Being accepted into an Ivy League school feels like opening a door people said was too heavy for me to push; it was surreal to be frank. Nobody would expect a small school from the Bronx like HS223 to be able to produce five Ivy League students,” said Wislandy Arias who has been accepted to Princeton.
HS223 Principal Mr. Lincoln stressed how it’s important for these students to understand that there will be a shift in how things go when they leave this building.
“We create a lot of space for grace where outside these walls that students may not get anywhere else,” said Mr. Lincoln.
The schools that these five students are heading to will test them in and out the classrooms and they must make sure that they have their priorities straight.
“I will prioritize my education and branch out to network with students everywhere. I want to have fun and make the most of the community,” said Katherine Paredes who has been accepted to Princeton.
With all of the opportunities presented on campus, students will need to remember to get the work done in the classroom.
“The most important thing for me to focus on is definitely the work but also my relationship with God. I am only great by God’s will,” said Salima Ceesay who has been accepted to Cornell.
These students are prime examples of the fact that no matter what your situation is, if you put the work in there will be good things waiting for you at the end of the road.
“Coming from a low-income background, there were times when college like this felt far away, almost like a castle on the other side of a mountain. And now we are going,” said Wislandy.
