Daisha Melendez-Stokley wants to be a nurse and the Huntington High School senior believes she has found the right place to begin studying for her career. The teenager is headed to Concordia College in Bronxville, which she expects will provide a multitude of opportunities that she can’t wait to explore.
“I chose Concordia College because it is a very diverse and driven school with very respectable and nice individuals that could put a smile on everyone’s faces,” Ms. Melendez-Stokley said. “Not only that, but it is a very quiet and calm place to study and actually get work done. They open doors to explore and inspire students to impact the world through their God-given beliefs and offers big opportunities like having students reap all the benefits of having New York City right next door.”
Huntington High School senior Daisha Melendez-Stokley
Ms. Melendez-Stokley considered St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, University of Hartford and New England College before choosing Concordia, which enrolls about 1,500 students at its Westchester campus.
“I plan on becoming an oncology nurse and work with patients who have cancer,” Ms. Melendez-Stokley said. “Having a family member who passed away from cancer, I have always had a passion from then on to help those who cannot help themselves and for the little time they do have left to make it the best for them and comfortable.”
The teenager’s senior year academic schedule has included Economics, Allied Health Science, Participation in Government, Mystery Literature/Journalism, Spanish IV and Financial Algebra.
“Some of the teachers that I am very close with and consider to be by far my favorites throughout high school are Mr. [Edward] Florea, Mrs. [Anna] Fabela, Mr. [James] Graber and my absolute favorite, who just recently became my teacher for Allied Health Science, Mr. [Derek] Gerardi,” Ms. Melendez-Stokley said. “Each of these teachers have seen me struggle from the very first time I had them to the next teacher I had. They have seen me cry, get upset and be happy, but one thing they didn’t do was give up on me. They continued to help me with tests and problems with figuring on what college was financially good for me.”
The teenager has dabbled in some high school activities, including the Art Honor Society and the yearbook club.
“Some of my highlights throughout high school would include gaining friends like Ty Williams, Dylan Bluemer, John Healy, Adam Trimboli and my best friend, Chris Piazza,” Ms. Melendez-Stokley said.
As her time as a high school student is down to its final days, Ms. Melendez-Stokley looks back at the past four years with satisfaction. “I feel that my overall experience at Huntington High School has been a great one,” she said. “As I move on from high school I will always remember try my hardest and even if you don’t succeed in something to get back up and try again.”
