Back to School Countdown: Smithtown Student Views

With less than one week until school is in session, four Smithtown high school students shared what they think of the district and some of their plans for the upcoming year.

Becca Teeple, Senior at Smithtown High School East

1. What do you like about going to Smithtown?

I like Smithtown because the teachers are amazing and get along well with the students.

2. How do you feel about the buildings?

I would like to see more color around the school.  It's very bland with the faded off-white paint. The curtains in some of the rooms are probably from when the school first opened – they are stapled to the wall and are not functional.

3. Are there any classes you are particularly excited for?

I am very excited for my AP art class.  It is my first year taking it and I have Mr. Needles as a teacher, who is really awesome.

4. What after school activities do you plan on taking part in?

Probably basketball, as I have been on the varsity team for a year now.

5. How has the college application process been for you as a senior? What schools are you looking into and what major are you considering?

I haven't really started it yet.  It's pretty intimidating. I am hoping to start looking at colleges very soon, as I probably shouldn't be putting it off as much as I am.   I am considering majoring in art, or perhaps teaching.

Alessio Farina, Sophomore at Smithtown High School East

1. What do you like about going to Smithtown?

I like Smithtown because they have a really good music department, which I am involved in.  I play baritone sax in symphonic band, and I sing in the concert choir.

2. How do you feel about the buildings?

[East] is okay, except when it is too warm or too cold, which happens occasionally.

3. Are there any classes you are particularly excited for?

I'm excited that I will be in a better band than last year, as well as choir.  I'm also excited for Project Fitness, [where] I'll get to learn a lot about weights and fitness equipment.

4. What after school activities do you plan on taking part in?

I always act in the school play, so I am looking forward to that.

Bryan Helmle, Senior at Smithtown High School West

1. What do you like about going to Smithtown?

The thing I like about going to Smithtown is that most of the teachers are really easy to get along with.

2. How do you feel about the buildings?

I like the High School West building, but we have some recurring issues, such as the occasional leaky roof.  When it rains you start to see some of the ceiling panels start to turn brown and you know you've got some water leaking up there. It's almost always the same spots. Other than that, the school itself is pretty simple to get around minus traffic flow problems with people who hold everyone up in the narrow "tower" hallways because they don't mind being late.

3. Are there any classes you are particularly excited for?

I was lucky to get a good schedule this year so there are a few classes I've been trying to get in to my entire time at west that I finally got. I'm looking forward to film making and my second year of symphonic band.

4. What after school activities do you plan on taking part in?

I'll be doing my usuals – Jazz Band and Guitar Club, as well as maybe some new ones I find interesting.

5. How has the college application process been for you? What schools are you looking into and what major are you considering?

I haven't had much time this summer to get college applications done [due to] work and finding an additional job. I'm looking into Farmingdale College because I hear they have an amazing auto program. I'm looking to go in to either auto body repair, fabrication, or something else along the lines of creating, customizing, and working with my hands to make new and interesting things from scratch.

Joanna Castrogivanni, Senior at Smithtown High School West

1. What do you like about going to Smithtown?

I like that the teachers are usually sincere and actually care about teaching. I also like that we can choose many of our classes, like electives and different types of sciences or social studies [classes] to take.

2. How do you feel about the buildings?

The buildings seem rather confusing at first because it's an odd tower set up. As the years progressed, it actually has become easy to find different classes. The set up has become pretty simple after awhile. Other schools, like East, seem more confusing.

3. Are there any classes you are particularly excited for?

I'm most excited for AP Psychology and AP Literature.

4. What after school activities do you plan on taking part in?

I plan on taking part in Cross Country and Spring Track for my fourth year in a row, and probably the winter musical for my third year.

5. How has the college application process been for you? What schools are you looking into and what major are you considering?

The college application process seems a bit overwhelming, but I think once I dive into it the process won't seem as bad. I plan on applying to SUNY schools, such as Geneseo, New Paltz, Binghamton, and Cortland. I would like to major in Psychology with a minor in something English related, such as Journalism.