On January 13, Highland High School (HHS) juniors participated in an engaging and informative alumni panel focused on preparing students for the college experience. Sponsored by the School Counseling Office, the event gave students a valuable opportunity to hear directly from recent HHS graduates who are currently attending college.

The panel featured four HHS alumni who returned to share their personal experiences: Alex Papazov of Harvard University, Shreya Golkonda of New York University, Lena Tran of Hofstra University, and Arianna Wallen of Cornell University. Each alumna offered honest and thoughtful insight into life after high school, helping students better understand what to expect as they begin planning for their postsecondary paths.

During the discussion, panelists addressed a wide range of topics, including managing college course loads, adjusting to dorm life, getting involved in clubs and extracurricular activities, and coping with homesickness. Students were encouraged to ask questions and engage in conversation, making the session both interactive and meaningful.

The strong turnout reflected students’ interest in learning more about the college transition, and the firsthand perspectives provided by alumni helped juniors gain confidence and clarity as they look ahead to their senior year and beyond.

The High School extends its sincere thanks to the alumni who generously returned to give back to their school community, as well as to the School Counseling Office for organizing an event that continues to support student growth and future success.