WPHS seniors celebrate future plans at Destination Day

Oh the places they’ll go! The Class of 2026 at White Plains High School celebrated the next step on their journeys during Destination Day last Friday. Students gathered for a breakfast to start the day before attending workshops that shared information and tips about having success in college and beyond. They ended the day with lunch on the lawn, where they played outdoor games and signed each other’s Class of 2026 shirts to keep as a memento after graduation.

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Students at WPHS are planning to embark on a number of different paths, and each of those were celebrated during Destination Day. 

“We call it Destination Day for a purpose, instead of decision day, like most schools do, because we’re celebrating everywhere our kids are going post-secondary,” said Sarah Hall, Assistant Principal at WPHS. “Whether that's a trade, college – two-year or four-year – military, or straight into the workforce. Because that's what we want: our kids to follow their passions.” 

Jonathan Ferrell, who will be attending Syracuse University to study Sports Analytics and has earned about $28,000 per year in scholarships, is looking forward to the chance to follow his dreams. 

“I'm just excited to be able to pursue my passion in sports,” Jonathan said. “And I feel like I'm really good with statistics, so I'm very excited to be able to pursue that.”

Jonathan says that the AP Statistics class at WPHS helped prepare him well for his major, so he feels ready to take on the challenge. Holly George, who is attending the University of Albany to study philosophy, also believes that her time at WPHS prepared her for her next steps. 

“AP classes were a big thing. The rigor of that was helpful,” said Holly. “And I think just the teachers and my friends were really supportive so that sets a good example for the future.”

Two teachers she says helped her especially along the way were Laura Crowley, her US History teacher, and Fred Rickles, her AP Government teacher. Holly received a philosophy scholarship and a merit scholarship from Albany, and her goal is to become a federal prosecutor. 

Erla Lulaj is also planning to become an attorney, but as a corporate lawyer. Erla moved to White Plains from Albania when she was in second grade, and is excited for the opportunity to become the first woman lawyer from her family. She received $17,000 per year in scholarships from Mercy University and an additional $4,000 for being a working student. 

“It’s a great opportunity to show my family that I came to America to get a successful career and to make sure that I'm financially secure and make sure my parents are also financially secure,” said Erla.

Her advice to juniors who will go through the college application process? “Definitely don't think you're alone. If you feel stuck, if you feel alone, there's always somebody out there that's there to help you, and don't be afraid to ask for help.”

Brianna Gilzene, who is attending SUNY Morrisville to play basketball and study Exercise Science to become a physical trainer, also echoed the sentiment of not going through the process alone. 

“I would say, definitely don't think you're alone. If you feel stuck, if you feel alone, there's always somebody out there that's there to help you, and don't be afraid to ask for help,” she said. 

Brianna received over $5,000 in scholarships, including one from Grandpas United. She is planning to start an internship in an athletic trainers office once she starts college. 
 
During the workshops to start the day, students learned about financial management, time management, and safe night life from different speakers. They rotated through each workshop, gaining valuable information that will help them manage the next stage of their lives with confidence.  

The lunch on the lawn provided seniors with a chance to connect with their peers over their postsecondary plans, as well as celebrate as they enjoy the final moments of their high school careers. 

“It kind of speaks to all that we do here in White Plains about making sure that our kids are well-rounded and are given as many opportunities as possible to explore their passion,” said Principal Emerly Martinez. 

“So, whether it is the college, whether it is the military, whether it is going into a trade, we want to celebrate all of them, because that's a true representation of our student body, is that they come from all different walks of life. They’re diverse, and there are diverse options for them out there.”

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