Alumni luncheon a new tradition at Rye Lake High
Rye Lake High School welcomed graduates to its first alumni luncheon, inviting former students to re-connect with former teachers and classmates and to share their experiences.
Nerica Renog graduated just two years ago but was eager to return and see some familiar faces.
“The reason I came to this school never really stopped,” Nerica said, explaining that SWBOCES was like family to her. “Here they helped me. They supported me.”
She was greeted with hugs from teachers and counselors, plua friendly waves and bright smiles from current and former students.
Xavier Pacheco, a 2024 graduate like Nerica, was glad to return. He’s looking forward to attending Westchester Community College and studying anthropology. Today, though was about the people he missed, he said. “I liked everything about it here.”
Interim Principal Alberta-Grant Johnson has held alumni events at other SWBOCES locations and brought the tradition with her to Rye Lake, where she hopes it will continue. After a catered lunch, she invited alumni to talk about what they missed about Rye Lake and to share advice from their experiences.
“I really think it’s important for students to have a look into the future,” Ms. Grant-Johnson said. “It makes it kind of real.”
Kamayah Castro, class of 2021, was happy to reconnect with Counselor Cristina Tompkins. Kamayah advised students to stay in school. So did Xavier, who urged current students to make positive choices and keep learning.
Nerica said the freedom of being out of school is nice, but said you have to work hard because no one will tell you what you need to do. “Don’t fail yourself,” she said.
Another alum, Kristen Grossman, wasn't a graduate but a former teacher. As Ms. Grossman passed students on the stairs on her way out, one called out, “I’ll miss you!” to which she replied, “I’ll miss you more!”
Alumni Attendees
Xavier Pacheco - Class of 2024
Nerica Renoj - Class of 2024
Kenney Harris - Class of 2022
Tishari Goldstein-Brissett - Class of 2021
Leslie Rodriguez - Class of 2021
Kamayah Castro - Class of 2021
Asia O'Kane - Class of 2019
Kaylynn Gonzalez - Class of 2018
