Bella Neira did so well at Huntington High School that the Class of 2020 member qualified for the designation of Distinguished Senior, compiling an academic grade average of at least a 90 during every semester over the past four years. Now she’s set to study at Stony Brook University and the teenager is thrilled to be moving on and pursuing her career interests.
Ms. Neira is a very hardworking young woman who isn’t afraid to ask for help when she needs it. She plans to study psychology at Stony Brook, which offers a very highly regarded program.
Huntington Class of 2020 member Bella Neira plans to study at Stony Brook University.
“Over the past four years I’ve done volunteer work with the National Eating Disorders Association and that has ultimately been my inspiration for going into psychology,” Ms. Neira said. “My goal is to someday help adolescents living with mental disorders.”
Stony Brook applicants need to meet high standards for acceptance to the university and undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees don’t come easily to the school’s students. But Ms. Neira appears well equipped to excel in such a challenging environment.
Stony Brook offers undergraduate programs that lead to either a BS or BA degree in psychology. “The objective of both programs is to provide a broad overview of psychology and both require extensive exposure to areas other than psychology as a context for study in the major,” according to the university. “The BS program places relatively more emphasis on the natural sciences and mathematics. Both the BS and BA programs provide excellent preparation for graduate school.”
“Dr. [Nancy] DeVito has given me guidance throughout the years and I also consider her to be my mentor,” Ms. Neira said. “Huntington is special to me because of the amazing people I have met and friends I have made.”
“It has been a true pleasure working with Bella over the years,” Dr. DeVito said. “I have witnessed tremendous emotional growth and maturity over the past few years She is a strong, resilient, determined, kind and empathetic adolescent. I will miss her immensely.”
Huntington faculty members have no doubt that Ms. Neira will find success at Stony Brook. Her sharp intellect and exceptional work ethic are a good match for the university.
“The psychology major provides students with a background of fundamental subject matter that will equip them for subsequent graduate study in related fields,” states an overview of the Stony Brook program. “The major is also beneficial for students seeking careers that involve knowledge about interpersonal relationships such as medicine, education, law or management. Psychology expertise is also relevant to standard business settings in which a major goal is to adapt products and services to closely reflect human needs and capabilities.”
While Ms. Neira is leaving to begin a new chapter in her life at Stony Brook, she offered some words of wisdom before departing. “One piece of advice that I would give incoming freshmen is never be afraid to talk to a school counselor or psychologist if you need guidance on your personal and/or academic life,” she said. “Without people like Dr. Devito, Mr. [Robert] Gilmor, Dr. [Giovanni] Mendez and all the brilliant support the school has to offer, I would be in a much different place than the one I am in now.”
