Alumni News & Message to Students
Spring/Summer 2021 Edition
Shout Out to Our Alumni! We Are Proud of You!
BCS is proud to celebrate 20 years as a school and to recognize our twelfth year of graduating classes!
We caught up with some of our alumni to see how they are doing.
We congratulate all of our alumni on their achievements and for giving their time, talent, and passion to pursuing careers goals, maintaining healthy family relationships, continuing their education, deepening civic engagement, sharing their wisdom with youth.
Read about their experiences since high school and the warm messages they have shared with BCS students.
Kira Charles, Class of 2009
I am currently a senior at City College of New York, on a law school track. I am a member of the Skadden Arps Honors Program in Legal Studies, and also a Racial Justice Fellow.
I’ll be participating in the Semester in D.C. Program in Spring 2022. I’ll have the opportunity to live in Washington D.C. and intern with either the Department of Justice, a national NGO or the legislative branch.
I am currently interning with the Innocence Project, working primarily with the Innocence Network Support Unit. I’m working on a study with the Innocence Project’s Research Department. I’ve been interviewing law school professors, around the country, to collect information on their wrongful conviction courses. This is to create a resource guide for other professors who intend to create their own wrongful conviction courses.
Nitisha Fairley, Class of 2009
I have spent over the past 10 years working within the Wholesale industry with different brands such as Adidas and Hunter Boots.
This year I moved to California to fulfill my dream of living the LA life while working as a Sales Operation & Account Manager for K-Swiss.
Now I plan on building my personal brand and social media platforms in order to inspire others on their journey of life.
Loren (Wess) Ashby, Class of 2011
I attended Utica College on an academic scholarship. I decided to go a different route and ended up not graduating from there, leaving NY and moving to Louisville.
I'm a lead production manager at a glass and window manufacturing company in Louisville, KY. It consists of making the product from raw materials. Materials are packed and loaded for specific orders for other big companies or even smaller businesses in the southeastern part of the US.
I just had my first baby on February 23rd 2021 named Novella Ashby and she’s the most amazing thing in my life. I truly enjoy the simplicity of going to work to come home to my baby girl.
MESSAGE TO BCS STUDENTS
Kira Charles: When I graduated from BCS 12 years ago, I had every intention of becoming a biomedical engineer. I even started my college journey in Boston University’s engineering program. It was evident that wasn’t for me, so I began working full-time for the next 10 years. I disliked the place I was working.
I knew I could be doing something more with my life, so I took the steps to move toward a career in lawyering. Within 5 years of that decision, I almost have my bachelors and I’ve been blessed with amazing opportunities. Sometimes your college experience isn’t traditional, and it takes a little while to determine what your purpose is. That is MOREEE than OK.
It is ok to change your mind and try something different. No matter where life takes you, don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. Trust in yourself and all the skills you’ve accumulated in life. OHHH, and don’t forget to ask for help! Building friendships, nurturing relationships and networking are important in all aspects of your life, including self care, mental health, educational and professional opportunities.
Nitisha Fairley: "Don't let your dreams die". Know that you are the energy source keeping your dreams alive. Don't stop and keep going no matter how long it takes.
Kassandra Fuentes, Class of 2011
.I graduated from Long Island University in 2016. I am now a law enforcement officer.
There were times that I slacked off, got lazy, and almost gave up. However, what kept me going was knowing that I have come so far already and proving to myself that I am capable of accomplishing and crushing my goals!
Melanie Bostic, Class of 2011
I attended and graduated from LaGuardia college in 2016 and John Jay College of Criminal Justice 2020.
I'm currently working at a bank in Brooklyn.
Marissa Phoenix, Class of 2011
I graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME in May of 2015 with a B.A. in Politics. I minored in Philosophy and Chinese.
I am currently living in Boston, MA pursuing a M.S. in Global Studies & International Relations from Northeastern University.
I am also working for the U.S. Small Business Administration and have a dessert blog called, Yes to Dessert!
MESSAGE TO BCS STUDENTS
Kassandra Fuentes: No matter how tough life gets, no matter how up and down things may get like a roller coaster ride, keep fighting and never lose sight of your vision. We all have a purpose and a gift. It’s totally alright to not discover that right away. But while you're here, make it count!! Expand your horizons and just know you're in charge of your success and happiness. Grow with the flow and love yourself abundantly in the process.
Melanie Bostic: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no question is a stupid. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help, there’s lots of resources out there, so use them. Dance to your own beat, take a moment sometime and capture a memories. Tomorrow isn’t promised so today is when you make mistakes, take a risk, push yourself. Your only regret in life is you shouldn’t have passed on that scoop of ice cream.
Marissa Phoenix: Keep going. Even the most exceptional planners will face unforeseen challenges. Still, you’ll overcome. You’ll learn, adapt, and realize there are opportunities for growth in every state you find yourself in.
Danny Smith, Class of 2012
I'm working on Wall Street as a merchant account executive. I live in Brooklyn
Ben Randazzo, Class of 2012
I’ve been living in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn since graduating college with a BS in Community and Justice Studies and a minor in education in 2016 from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. My major prepared me for community/social justice justice related work, as well as the non-profit field.
After graduating college I did some garden educator work with kids in East New York at an outdoor garden classroom.
Since December 2016, I have been working with Habitat for Humanity NYC. I have been privileged to work with this non-profit affordable housing developer in various roles over the past 5 years. The majority of my work has been related to Habitat NYC’s Preservation Program which provides long-term, multi-generational housing solutions for low-to moderate-income resident homeowners.
During my free time I have also begun developing a certified organic land care, garden maintenance and design company. Through this company we are able to provide homes and businesses with affordable pricing to meet their landscaping and garden design needs. This work has also proved to be a great source for exercise!!!
Jack Mercardo, Class of 2014
MESSAGE TO BCS STUDENTS
Ben Randazzo: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned since high school is to practice self care and that in order to help others, you need to help yourself first, physically, mentally and emotionally!
Jack Mercardo: Regardless of what obstacles you may face in pursuing your dreams, there are always other opportunities that can change those dreams and direction in life. Don’t be discouraged! Just because plan A didn’t work, that doesn’t mean plan B or C is going to result in failure.
Joel Felix, Class of 2014
I’m currently not working because my workplace is still closed due to the ongoing pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, I had a full time job with an agency called GoodTemps, which helps people with disabilities find temporary job assignments. I was doing data entry for the NYC Human Resources Administration. I started back in February of 2017 and since then the assignment has been extended 3 times. I really enjoyed the job,
When the pandemic is more under control, I might consider looking for a more permanent job in data entry since I have plenty of experience with that line of work.
Zariya Coeur, Class of 2014
I first attended John Jay school for criminal justice and was majoring in political science then I transferred to York college where I majored in social work and graduated with an advanced standing BSW in 2018.
I then earned a Master's Degree at LIU (Brooklyn) majoring in Forensic Social Work. I graduated with an accelerated MSW degree in just one year. I am currently a paralegal working at Jaffe & Velazquez a small corporate firm on Wall Street but will be soon switching to a full time position as a LMSW while attending Touro law school in the fall part time .
Nicole Guzman, Class of 2015
In May 2021 I graduated with honors and earned my bachelor’s degree in Biology, concentrated in Ecology, Evolution and Behavioral.
I am currently working at Citymd, an urgent care that offers rapid/PCR covid-19 testing. I work as a medical scribe documenting patient-provider encounters and assist with treating and diagnosis.
I have applied for the 2021-2022 Physician Assistant program cycle. I plan to attend a Physician Assistant school by next fall
MESSAGE TO BCS STUDENTS
Joel Felix: My message would be to always keep going. No matter how hard things may seem at times, everything will fall into place.
Nicole Guzman: People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of (Alchemist by Paulo Coelho). This book has taught me to hold fast to my dreams and never take no as an answer. No matter how old, young, poor or rich you are if you set your heart on something you will and can achieve it. Throughout your life you will come across many obstacles that may stand in your way, be grateful and appreciative of these experiences. For they will shape and mold you into the person the world needs you to be.
Jovani Hernandez, Class of 2017
I graduated cum laude from Franklin & Marshall College in May 2021.
I have been hired by Teach for America to Teach in Metro-Atlanta area public schools!
Joshua Birnbaum, Class of 2017
I am currently attending culinary school
Nirmeen Shumman, Class of 2019
I am currently a student at Brooklyn College with a double major in Speech Pathology/Audiology and Linguistics.
I will graduate from Brooklyn College in 2022 and will apply to graduate school.
MESSAGE TO BCS STUDENTS
Jovani Hernandez: Your hardest challenges will motivate you to become your best. Work through the stormy times; the Sun will shine.
Nirmeen Shumman: Find happiness in everything.
Jaselle Kazmierski, Class of 2020
I am now working in a beauty salon doing makeup and lashes!
MESSAGE TO BCS STUDENTS
Jaselle Kazmierski: Get your work done on time and network with everyone. Meet new people and see what they can bring to your table and vise versa.