Launching the Voyager 2

Verrazano students are amazing. We have graduated nearly 300 students since the program began in the spring of 2007, and the mark you are beginning to make on the world is nothing short of inspiring. You have shared your stories, adventures, and accomplishments on the Verrazano Voyager blog, advertising the talents of Verrazano scholars. We are launching the Voyager 2, this electronic newsletter, to continue the sense of community you felt when you were a student at CSI.

The Voyager 2 was a space probe that NASA sent into the ether in 1977 to study the outer planets. It is roughly 10,439,040,000 miles away (the farthest human-made object from Earth). Verrazano Honors seeks to help orchestrate an extraordinary college experience for you and send you on to rich, full lives. How far will you go?

The Voyager II journeying through space

We’d like to share your stories, and keep you connected. How is/was grad school? What sort of law are you practicing? Is teaching all you hoped it would be? What’s become of your nursing aspirations? And we care about you! Married? Kids? Traveling? Changing gears? Achievements are measured by both big events and small moments, grand pronouncements and quiet revelations. We’d like to share them with you. Send us a note, update your mailing address, and tell us your stories.

And how about an assignment for old times’ sake? Right now we are sans logo for the newsletter. Have an idea? We’d love to see it!

And as always, we wish you grand adventures and happy journeys,

Charles, Cheryl, and Cynthia

PS: If you are interested in supporting Verrazano Honors in any way, click here to tell us how!

The X Factor: Bishoy Gerges tackles autism, and Nepal

By Shantel Rowe, Class of 2017

Remember the name Bishoy Gerges (Class of 2017), because he may be one of our future Noble Peace Prize winners. Bishoy looks like your typical college senior—he packs light, moves swiftly throughout the campus, and still manages to be on time for our impromptu interview. However, his story is far from typical. After living in Libya for 9 years, Bishoy, who was born in Egypt, felt overwhelmed by the gruesome environment in the country—as he recalls seeing a slew of dead bodies all throughout the streets. These horrific images would in turn spark his passion for wanting to help others. Once he immigrated to the U.S. he discovered that his father was diagnosed with liver cancer. Bishoy’s desire to be a physician crystallized.

While most of us spend our summers hanging poolside or driving aimlessly with friends, Bishoy, in pursuit of his passions, embarked upon life changing research and relief work many of us only see on TV.

Bishoy Gerges communicates with Nepalese 
children just fine!

For the past three years, Bishoy, a biology major with a minor in biochemistry, has been studying the fragile X syndrome which is believed to be one of the few genetic causes of autism identified today. Patients with the fragile x syndrome have displayed similar traits to those who are diagnosed with certain forms of autism, i.e. a preference for disengagement. So how does Bishoy directly fall in this equation? Through his research, and the implementation of a drug called DCBLA, Bishoy and his peers have found that when mice are treated with the substance many of their symptoms were virtually gone. If this sounds awesome, it’s because it is. Bishoy’s hands on experimentation felt incredibly fascinating to him as well as he injected the brains of mice subjects with DCBLA, and watch varying behavioral traits—a process he finds particularly satisfying. Of course, this intensive work could not have been done without devoted faculty, as Bishoy credits Dr. Banerjee and PhD student Alexandra Marsillo as mentors for his growing interest in neuroscience and research. This interest has carried his work all the way to the National Society of Neurochemistry in Chicago where the research was presented.

Who teaches whom?

While his research work has satisfied his intellectual drive, Bishoy’s humanitarian efforts illustrate his true passions. After Nepal’s tragic earthquake in 2015, Bishoy joined a medical volunteering mission to provide relief and aid to those in need. He felt slightly apprehensive since another earthquake had hit the country just as he booked his ticket. However, he braced himself for an experience he best describes as “life changing,” and went on to volunteer in five different hospitals (one of which was primarily focused on cancer) in two regions of the country. Not only did Bishoy assist in local clinics, he had the opportunity to work within the country’s orphanages. During this time, Bishoy assisted doctors in dressing wounds, changing bandages, cleaning up, and looking after patients. On one occasion, Bishoy recalls tending to a crying, injured little boy who ended up laughing after hearing Bishoy’s broken Nepali. The experience left a lasting impression still present as he reflects on the trip. Nepal demonstrated not only how he could change people’s lives through his work, but how they could change his.

Bishoy’s accomplishments speak significantly to his growth and development as an individual and student, a growth he attributes to the members of the Verrazano Honors community; her refers to this community as ‘like a family,” who continuously supported his endeavors. In more ways than one, Bishoy is a model student—excelling academically, applying to medical school, considering PhD programs, and presumably saving the world. Dig deeper and you see the humility which helps him relate and offer advice to his fellow students. Simply put, he says, “Take advantage of every opportunity.”

Verrazano Alum is LinkedIn

By Ewa Wojciechowska, Class of 2018

The view from the observation deck of the Empire State Building affords a unique perspective, one that Marie Margarella (née Mignone) appreciates. Marie (Class of 2011), like most students, began college not knowing what she wanted to do. It wasn’t until after a particularly insightful COM 100 class with professor Brian Cogan, that she was inspired to go for a corporate communications major with a minor in business.     

Marie Margarella is LinkedIn

Unlike most students, however, Marie acted immediately on her newfound interests by interning at PLJ Radio the summer of her second summer at CSI. This one internship then led to a part time job for Radio Disney, which she held for the rest of the year. She landed a job with a tech company straight out of college, but was determined to get back into radio. In September 2011 she lined up a job at iHeartRadio, where she began as a sales assistant for the manager of radio station WKTU. The big thing at her new company was ‘Jingle Ball,’ an annual winter concert that Marie helped to plan a good portion of on the sales end, doing tasks such as working with clients and arranging seating. After doing an outstanding job with Jingle Ball, only three months later she was promoted to a national sales team. Marie cites this as one of her greatest accomplishments, and is thankful to the Verrazano honors program for having helped her get to that position in the first place.

For Marie, it all began with a career fair at CSI that she was encouraged to attend by Verrazano advisors. Marie said that everything was like a domino effect for her, beginning from her enrollment at CSI, to the honors program, and then the job fair. She advises that networking events are invaluable, and that asking a lot of questions is key. Marie wants everyone to know that even if they aren’t thrilled with the degree that they finish with- they aren’t stuck. She recommends to students to figure out what it is they really like, and then to start befriending people in that field. If this sounds like an advertisement for networking platform LinkedIn, well, it is. Marie now works for the professional social media company on a talent solutions team, doing advertising related work such as setting up recruiting advertisements on LinkedIn that help people get jobs.

Interning played a key role in Marie's success

So how do you get to the observation deck of the Empire State building? You can buy a ticket and wait in line or, as Marie says, “Intern! You don’t get paid, just intern! I think no matter what you should try to get an internship… I don’t think I’d be where I am if I didn’t do that [first] internship.”

Making Staten Island Cool Again: Helping Staten Island Business Grow

By Amanda Tukaj, Class of 2019

Whether you're opening up your own bakery or tech repair shop, the inevitable work of putting together a budget and getting your name noticed in an increasingly digital world can be tough for a novice entrepreneur.

That's why brainiacs at logistics like Megan Ernst (Class of 2014) manage the Small Business Development Center on campus. From registering your restaurant on Google to researching the demographics and target audiences in the local area, Megan and the SBDC have helped a litany of businesses flourish.

And while they do the tedious number crunching most of us don't want to be bothered with, Megan admits she didn't always picture herself juggling this type of work.

"I used to always want to be a teacher," she said, "but then some of my friends and I formed a music club in high school and started our own little company."

Megan Ernst ('14)  helps Staten Island 
businesses grow.

This sprouting company included duties such as organizing events, managing a budget, and spreading the word about the music club at Curtis High School.

Like many young students, Megan jumped from one area to another in search of a career that matched her interests in being a leader and helping others get access to the knowledge needed to better their lives.

Megan dabbled in various managerial work, some of which included educational programming and research at the New York Public Library and through numerous responsibilities at a local metal recycling business. 

As for the advice she has for college students and those seeking to pursue business, she insisted that one's current position or area of study doesn’t necessarily seal their fate.

"It's never too late to try something new. It's never too late to branch out," she said. "You won't know if you like something until you try it."

Megan also praised the Verrazano Honors School for providing her with volunteer and networking opportunities that ultimately helped guide her.

"The VELAS were always fun, too," she added with a laugh.

Megan is eager to see where the career trajectory; for now, she looks forward to continuing to help Staten Island develop economically and getting others acquainted with the expanding world of business in NYC. From bolstering tech companies to hot new restaurants, she is making the Island a trendy place to hang out.
"Opportunity is in your own backyard," she said. "Not a lot of people realize that." 

Megan leads a VELA on entrepreneurship for Verrazano students

How a Crime Writer Became an Inspirational Mentor

By Amanda Tukaj, Class of 2019

It's 8:00 AM as two dozen students file into building 5S for another day of English class.

There's an occasional remark about yesterday's football game or the most recent controversial celebrity gossip stemming from a scandalous tweet from Kanye or one of the Kardashians.

And now it's up to CSI professor and professional writer, Barry Sheinkopf, to explain there's more to writing than 140 characters on a phone screen.

Barry Sheinkopf has impacted the 
lives of many Verrazano students

Having taught both remedial classes as well as students of the Verrazano Honors School, Professor Sheinkopf has dealt with pupils from all writing backgrounds and skill sets. He insists that mastering strong fundamentals of writing is as essential as ever for students vying for positions in the workplace.

"An articulate command of language is key to all occupations," he said.

Professor Sheinkopf studied English at the University of California in Berkeley and has been teaching at CSI for over 30 years. He has also been working with Verrazano School students on and off again for 10 years. Of these honor students, he speaks fondly.

"The kids are better prepared," he said. "They have more of a worldview."

As for how Professor Sheinkopf launched his own writing career, the details are quite endearing. As an only child in a parochial school, he tried his hand at entering the Passover Poetry Contest and was hooked.         

When he's not teaching at CSI, he is leading seminars at The Writing Center in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, or editing other writers' novels. Additionally, he has published a great deal of his own fiction (predominantly within the genre of crime fiction) and poetry, including titles such as What There Was and the most recent book he has yet to finish, a memoir called Myself and I—The Stories in My Life. 

His experience with juggling multiple genres and forms can be seen in his teaching, and he has been praised time and time again by his students.

Jesse Jordan, a Verrazano student and CSI sophomore who was a part of Professor Sheinkopf's English composition class in the spring 2016 semester stated that "I loved his attitude and the discussions we would have in class. He helped me develop better writing skills and increased my confidence in writing college level papers."  

Professor Sheinkopf claims the positive feedback he gets is the greatest reward a professor could ask for.

"Students learn by studying the way in which their teachers think," he said. "They learn from who you are."   

Meet the Writers!

Voyager II Staff
The inaugural edition of the Voyager II has been made possible by the contributions of three volunteer students who have an abiding interest in journalism, and a commitment to the Verrazano Honors Program.

Shantel Rowe ('17)

Shantel Rowe
Class of 2017
Major: English (Writing)
Minors: Journalism/ American Studies
Aspirations: Writing for a major music publication/ becoming an A&R/ and or starting my own artist label/management / Becoming a Professor specifying in music journalism

Amanda Tukaj ('19)

Amanda Tukaj

Class of 2019

Major: Communications with a concentration in Journalism.

Aspirations: She aspires to become a professional writer and hopes her writing will someday help to raise important questions about equality and the many social issues facing our changing world. When she's not interviewing students, you can probably find her hanging out in 1C with a cup of tea and an issue of The New York Times close at hand.  

Ewa Wojciechowska ('18)

Ewa Wojciechowska
Class of 2018
Major: English Writing and Linguistics
Aspirations: To go to law school and become an entertainment lawyer, specifically focusing on the e-sports industry.