Janet Lartey (pictured above)
12th-grader, Fordham Manor
How are you feeling about the college-application process so far?
I got more excited when I got here. I just know this is super-important. I’m not getting scared, but I’m not getting too excited, either.
Do you know where you want to go?
Albany. I went on a senior trip there, and I just liked it. I liked the way they spoke to us, and it was so large. I want to study psychology or hospitality tourism.
Why psychology?
I found out I need a degree to become a flight attendant.
Why a flight attendant?
Because of my height. I’m five-ten. I also like the way they move when I go to the airport. And I want to travel around. I want to be a model, but it’s hard to be a model in America so I said, “Never mind.”
James Polanco
12th-grader, Harlem
Khadime Gueye
12th-grader, Little Yemen
How do you deal with the stress of applying to school?
I just try to listen to music. It really helps me to not get overwhelmed because I’m involved in a lot. I’m part of the podcast club, journalism club, and student government. I’m a youth leader, so I help other students apply to colleges. I’m also a peer leader. I want to keep myself busy. I just can’t sit down and do nothing.
Kamar Rodriguez
12th-grader, Bushwick
Patrick Acevedo
11th-grader, Harlem
Avant Jordan
12th-grader, Highbridge
Joleen García
12th-grader, Lower East Side
Vilma Gutiérrez
12th-grader, University Heights
Cayden Colorado
12th-grader, Cypress Hills
Do you know what you’re interested in yet?
I possibly want to become a tattoo artist. I want to be somebody big in the city, get my name out there. And I need schooling before I can start tattooing. They won’t just accept anybody.
Angel Miguel Benjamin
10th-grader, Harlem
Anna Salik
11th-grader, Ozone Park
Inza Kouadio
10th-grader, Harlem
Nevaeha Marquez
12th-grader, Ocean Hill
Are you ready to go away for school?
Somewhat. I don’t know, I’m always with my mom. She’s, like, my best friend. So I feel like I’ll probably be homesick. Everything is just happening so quick. Like, I’m basically entering adulthood.
Xailen Duck
12th-grader, Wakefield
Diego Marcía
12th-grader, Crown Heights
Dream job?
I would love to design houses. I feel like houses are where everything happens. You rest there, you have parties there, you do everything there. My grandma’s house really inspired me because of the memories we built there. I want to build houses for other people to have their good moments in, too.
Lianne Foster
12th-grader, Harlem
Rihanna Morris
11th-grader, Baychester
Janel Sevilla
11th-grader, Corona
Kevin A.J. Rosario
12th-grader, Lower East Side
Has your family been supportive through this process?
My mom has been, even though the idea of me going away hurts her. She’s always been my ride-or-die supporter. I know if I need something, I could always ask her, even if it’s sometimes really dumb. I know I drive her crazy, but she loves me.
Photographs by Frankie Alduino
