Recent graduates return to Fort Hamilton HS to offer students advice

January 8, 2013 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

FHHS Alumni Day.jpg

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One would think that when you graduate from high school, the last place you’d want to return to after your first semester at college is your old high school. But that’s not the case with graduates of Fort Hamilton High School in Bay Ridge, where members of the alumni routinely return to their alma mater to share with students what they’ve learned in the world of higher education.

Under a program sponsored by the Fort Hamilton Chapter of the National Honor Society, college students, many of whom graduated only in 2012 or 2011, came back to the school, at 8301 Shore Road, to offer information and advice to those nearing the end of their high school days.

The school recently hosted its Seventh Annual Alumni Day, welcoming more than 40 recent graduates. The former Fort Hamilton students provided feedback to current high school students about the rigors and challenges of college and enjoyed catching up with teachers and friends, according to a teacher who organized the event.

Recent alumni are currently attending schools such as New York University, Columbia University, the City University of New York Macaulay Honors Program, Binghamton University, Fordham University, St. John’s University, Pace University, Penn State University and Northeastern University.

Graduates Emma Miccio (Class of ’04) and Kaitlyn Rodriguez (Class of ’11) visited the school on behalf of JP Morgan Chase to present the Smart Start Scholarship program. Under the program, students receive free tuition to a local New York City college while also working part-time for the corporation.

National Honor Society President Ledia Duro said she found the Alumni Day event enriching and purposeful. “I received solid insight on Columbia and the CUNY Macaulay Honors program. Many schools were well represented and received a lot of attention from current students. I look forward to coming back next year,” Duro, a senior, said.