Fordham Preparatory School - Ramview Ramview Spring 2018 | Page 17

Giancarlo De La Rosa
Giancarlo came to Fordham Prep from Christ the King in the Bronx.
His first exposure to Fordham Prep came through the REACH
program. Even though he knew a couple of people going to
Fordham Prep his freshman year, there was still a big adjustment
once he came to the school.
“My first impression of Fordham was that it was very different
from my middle school where all the kids looked like the people
that lived in my area. The culture of the kids from different
socioeconomic statuses blinded me and I was lost in the vastness
of the school,” Giancarlo remembered.
During his time at Fordham Prep, Giancarlo has wrestled and
competed in track and field, specifically shot put and discus. He
has also been involved with the Diversity Alliance, Spanish Club
and Labyrinth, the Prep’s literary magazi ne. As for favorite
subjects, he says, “I have enjoyed most of the subjects I have
taken at the Prep. The teachers either made or broke the
experience and consequently some of my favorite teachers were
from the classes that I did not even like.”
Giancarlo found out about Questbridge during his junior year
when he received information regarding a summer program. He
researched the summer program and the organization, and so
when his senior year began, he realized Questbridge was a unique
opportunity that he did not want to let pass. He went through the
application process to become a Questbridge Scholar and then
applied to its partner schools as an early decision candidate.
“Fortunately for me, that was Bowdoin.”
As for Giancarlo’s Fordham Prep experience and how it has
impacted him, he says, “It changed my perception of school and
work. My middle school did not challenge me the way that
Fordham has, and it has given me the opportunity to take classes
that interested me and challenged me. It has also opened my eyes
to the way the world works in terms of the way people are and
how differences divide them.”
“My favorite classes at Fordham have been the English and math
classes. I've always liked math, and I've had the opportunity to
nurture this love, often going beyond what is expected of me. I
never thought that I would like English classes as much as I do at
Fordham, but I'm glad because regardless of the field that I go into
during college I will be able to clearly and eloquently present my
thoughts. In both instances, I enjoyed these classes because of the
teachers. The teachers have greatly influenced my life at the Prep.
From making 40 minutes of class time engaging to lightening up
my mood to changing my life, the teachers at the Prep are special.”
Jeacy found out about Questbridge through Fordham Prep faculty
member Dr. Patricia Lee. “I mentioned that teachers changed my
life, and I wasn't exaggerating or trying to sound cute. I found out
about the organization called Questbridge last spring from Dr. Lee,
my AP English Lit teacher. I couldn't have done it without Dr. Lee.”
As to why he chose Yale, Jacey says, “Yale was my top choice
mostly because of its residential college system and the freedom
to take classes that interest me. But Yale was also my top choice
because of other factors that are hard to quantify. The moment I
stepped onto Yale's campus over the summer, I felt a zing and the
fierce desire to attend that I literally felt nowhere else. The
campus was filled with some of the most beautiful buildings I've
seen in my life, and I could easily picture myself in every part of it -
sitting down at Sterling Memorial Library, hanging in a hammock
in a residential college's courtyard, jogging past the incredible
brick buildings, etc. It was love at first sight.”
When thinking about his Fordham Prep experience, Jeacy wistfully
says, “The people I've met at Fordham have made my high school
years a memorable experience. Sometimes it has been a struggle
and other times lots of fun, but regardless, my time at Fordham
has helped make me the person I am today.”
“I'm grateful for the tools the school has given me, but I am happy
to move on to the next big thing.”
Jeacy Espinoza
Jeacy Espinoza came to Fordham Prep from Ossining in
Westchester County. “I went to St. Augustine’s School in my
hometown of Ossining. Fordham Prep was a popular choice for
boys from there. When I first got to Fordham I was very shy but
met kids I know to this day through extracurricular activities like
track and forensics. I remember that in my freshman year I was
busy trying to figure out who the ‘smart’ kids were, but this was
before I had the seriousness rubbed out of me. I was impressed
by the amiability of the students, the seniors in particular, and the
teachers.”
Roodharvens Joseph
Roody came to Fordham Prep from St. Joseph’s School of Yorkville
in Manhattan knowing only a couple of people. “My first
impression of Fordham Prep was that it was a rigorous college
prep school.” Roody’s favorite subjects are science and math.
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