Alum Updates

Where Are They Now?

Many of our alumni are working on a number of projects from maintaining healthy family relationships to graduating colleges with degrees in a number of fields. Some are married & raising children while continuing to pursue their career goals. Many of our alumni have deepened their civic involvement and chartered into new territories joining academic, social and empowering organizations committed to change. Read about a few alumni from classes 2009-17 and these wonderful experiences they've shared about their lives after high school. More to come in our next issue!

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Jesse Gate - BCS Class of 2009

Jesse earned his Geology degree at Humboldt State University & NYC College of Technology. Here's what he had to say earlier this year about his college internship experience: "I am honored to have been able to present our research at this year's GSA in Denver, CO. It was great to be surrounded by thousands of professors and students from all over the world who were able to share their findings and passions in the earth sciences.

When I recently made the decision that I wanted to study the dynamics of the planet for a living, I never would have imagined that I would make it this far this quickly." Jesse recently visited Escalante National Monument (photo).

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Nycol Martin - BCS Class of 2010

Nycol Martin graduated from BNS and BCS. Then she went on to college and graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2015 with a Bachelors degree in English and minor in History. For the past four years she has worked as an after school teacher at Brooklyn Free Space, a pre-school in Park Slope. Now she has returned to Brooklyn Collaborative as our new Family Worker.

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Tasha Scott- Class of 2011

Tasha obtained her Master's degree in Education. After completing the postsecondary education program, Tasha found the Teaching Fellows and begin her career in middle school as a Math & Science teacher at

Highland Park Community School. Tasha enjoys teaching and looks forward to giving back to BCS.

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Jordan Rufus - BCS Class of 2012

"Everything I do has a purpose. Out of high-school I created both a 5 and 10 year plan. As much as I joke I take my career and academics seriously."

After receiving his undergrad degree in accounting from Alfred University, Jordan was inspired to his Masters degree. Jordan graduated with his MBA with a concentration in accounting.

Jordan not only speaks as an Alfred University Alumni, he has become a member of their Financial Fund Department as a Coordinator.

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Luis Hernandez - BCS Class of 2013

Luis states when he first started college, "being a first generation college student I was intimidated, being so far away from home. But, I've experienced so many wonderful things! I was selected to be an Residence Assistance (RA) for two years, launched my own wellness initiative, taught kids soccer and broadcasted & produced two shows on Trojan Vision (USC's cable Network)." Luis earned his Bachelors degree in 2017.

Luis just finished his first year of grad school at Berkeley College and has written this great article about facial feminization - https://oaklandnorth.net/2018/05/09/for-bay-area-trans-women-facial-feminization-surgery-helps-complete-their-transition/

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Madison Rivera - Class of 2014

Madison is currently working on her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Brooklyn College. While attending to her studies Madison also remains an active crew member and returns to give advice to our upper college bound classmen. Madison recently wrote to BCS teachers, "Some of you have taught me and others haven’t, but I just handed in a 2,300+ word paper that I am so proud of, and my professor told me that based on my other work, he will put my paper at the bottom of the stack, because he knows it will be great." I wouldn’t be where I am with my writing if it weren’t for many of you. So thank you, for teaching me and everyone else you’ve ever taught."

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Daniel Serrano - Class of 2015

Daniel decided early on he would enlist. After joining the US Navy he advises students , "you can always enlist so focus first on your studies, it will help you once you've joined. The increase in rank and salary should motivate those students considering enlisting in US Navy." Daniel enjoys coming back to BCS and sharing his experiences with college bound upper classmen.

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Issac Sharman - Class of 2009

A BCS wedding update, Isaac married Vanessa this April and his best man was another BCS alumni, his best friend since the 8th grade, Leetah McGee!

After earning his Associates in Criminal Justice degree from BMCC, Isaac continued to be a great dad to his beautiful 9 month old daughter Lilly while pursuing his Bachelor's in Forensic Psychology at John Jay. Isaac works as a student counselor on campus and has the great advantage of having his daughter right there by his side at the college's daycare center. Isaac continues to find time to give back to Brooklyn Collaborative, he has spoken with community leaders, students and school partners in his spare time.

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Amanda Martin-Lawrence & Cassidy Van-Cooten- BCS Class of 2016 With Beth

Amanda and Cassidy returned to Brooklyn Collaborative in support of college crew chats in December with great big hugs for everyone, a special big one for Science teacher, Beth. Amanda expresses great gratitude for Beth who has been one of her biggest motivators!!! "We Love You, Beth!"

Congrats to Brooklyn Collaborative alumni on their recent graduations!

Michelle Lugo - Sage

Stephanie Blake - Russel

Michelle Rivera - Russel

Kyla Hunter -Buffalo State

Frankie Molina - Alfred

Brandon Serra - DePauw

Amanda Kelly - Sarah Lawerence

Maya Ennis - Wheaton

Kassandra Marie Fuentes

Tee Craig - Muhlenberg

Ekizia Alicia Edwards - LIU

Elizabeth Edwards - LIU

Karin Abdelgadir - Sage

Rahima Khatun - Medgar Evers

Guadalupe Muller - Guttman

Chad Buckley - Guttman

Maryam Choudhury- Guttman

Maritza Medina - Cornell

Melanie Bostic- Utica College

Caitlin Hackett - Fredonia

Alumni Advice to BCS Students on Attendance

Alumni helped to explain why is middle and high school attendance is important. How did attendance impact your postsecondary plans. What is one message or piece of advice we would like to message to 6th-12th grade students?

Isaac Sharman (Class of 2009) - "Attendance comes naturally when you have motivation to learn. Having a hard time caring? FIND something to care about in school. Can't find something? CREATE something that you care about in school. Ask your teachers; talk to them about what you feel is missing; talk to them about what you DO care about. Because once you find VALUE in your time at school, ATTENDANCE won't even be on your mind (because you'll be occupied thinking and be excited about that thing you CARE about). Also; there is no job in the world that will pay you consistently or decently if your attendance isn't on point. So if $ is a concern: learn how to value your time and BE ON TIME. That's just a basic thing in life."

Ben Radazzo - (Class of ) states, "The way you view time and being on time now (while in middle/high school) will stay with you as you go onto the next level whether that’s school or a job. So if you begin to work on your time management skills now, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the future. You can start this by making sure you’re always at least 10-15min early to an event/meeting/class, plan out your trip if you’re traveling to a new location you haven’t been to before, and factor in “traffic time”. Time management is something most of us will need to work on for our entire lives, and that’s okay. And just always remember, being early is on time, being on time is late and being late is unacceptable”.

Tanzima Ummi (Class of 2015) "If you don’t go to school now it’ll be harder to get up for work when you’re 25."

Sally Yang (Class of 2012) "It basically shows that you care. You need good attendance to make progress in learning and to build good relationships between classmates and teachers. Attendance in school can also serve as practice for good work ethics after graduation. No manager/recruiter would want to hire someone who fails to show up for their internships or job."

Kent Zheng (Class of 2016) "Don't expect extraordinary result from ordinary effort; in other words, don't expect to magically be able to do what your peers are capable of if you don't put in the effort. I rarely missed class. When I was in BCS, I was often the first one in the hallways waiting outside the classrooms before the teachers even arrived. I didn't need to be, but I was just that motivated to learn. Now, two years after graduation, I am a Prior Service Marine reenlisting into the Army to train and gain experience in fields that are valued in the Civilian world. I am also a licensed security guard with medical training, and a part time after school teacher that kids look up to."

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Alumni Return for Career Week & Model Job Fair, 2018

Left to right - Leetah McGee - FIT College,

Raneen Khalil - NYU, Maidul Islam - Cornell University, Ajani Nurse, Kingsborough & Nycol Martin - John Jay

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Najee Brown - The Play Writer from Class of 2009

Najee recently rediscovered his passion in writing and has written his first stage play. His re-spark came after working at a job he didn't connect with, he found his way back to the pen. Here's what he shared, "I wrote my first play called, The Bus Stop in about four months. Upon completing my first big project, I had no idea how to get this piece on stage. After months of waiting and second guessing myself and my abilities, God sent the right people in my life to bless me and help me through this process. I was graciously supplied with money, rehearsal space, and the theater to produce my own work. I was also blessed with a wonderful cast who believed in my dreams along with a great director who shared my vision. Writing The Bus Stop lead to some great opportunities in my life. I’m currently working on writing a musical with the Associate Producer of my favorite Disney movie. This summer, I will be traveling to Scotland for a month for the Edinburgh Theater Festival. I’ll be performing in 21 shows. To be honest, I had no idea that all this would happen, but I have been humbly taking it step by step."

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BCS Alum Crew Luncheon

If you missed this one, please be sure to look out for next year's luncheon. Join BCS Alum Crew on Facebook to get all updates. We look forward to seeing all the updates. Please stay connected. We are crew!

Email: BCS Director of Alumni Supports

Tanisha Mosley at tanisha@bcs448.org