I dream to be:

Lynbrook is full of dreamers: as students grow into strong adults they become involved in a variety of careers and causes in the hopes of leaving their mark on the world. Though these goals were formed under different influences and interests, such as parents, peers and extracurricular activities, they often drive what shapes students’ identities.

When senior Diana Magnusson was eight years old, she began repeating the lines of Dr. Brennan from “Bones.” Her fascination with acting started to grow from there so she enrolled in dance and singing classes outside of school. In addition, she’s the current vice-president of the Thespian Club and takes Drama Honors at Lynbrook.

“Acting is something that really drives me, because I find it fascinating,” said Magnusson. “I love watching movies or shows, and talking about the development of the character, the lighting and set changes for hours. I know that’s the world I want to be a part of.”

Magnusson hopes to continue pursuing her passion in acting by moving to New York after high school to seek some of the best training in the world at The Acting Studio. She plans to dedicate herself completely to this dream.

“My goal is to just get myself out there in the world because that’s a really important thing,” said Magnusson. “If you go into acting at all and you have a Plan B, then you shouldn’t go into the industry because there are millions of other people who are truly passionate about it. Acting is all they want to do and they can’t picture doing anything else.”

Sophomore Aaron Tai grew up with a different dream: playing basketball. He played for six years, including playing on his middle school’s basketball team. While he decided to take a break from basketball to pursue other clubs and interests, he still goes to the park almost every week to play pickup games.

After taking computer applications, a business course offered at Lynbrook, he was encouraged by his business teacher Leslie Robledo to pursue a career in sports analytics, a job which incorporates both sports and business.

“I was drawn to becoming a sports analyst since it’s a way to connect to the sports that I love without playing it,” said Tai. “[The job] allows me to combine my passion for the sport to the business side.”

Tai also participates in DECA where he takes part in two events: team decision making and creating a business plan for fashion merchandising company Gymboree.

Junior Tanvi Narvekar’s goal is to become a doctor and she is leaning toward specializing in general surgery. The summer before her freshman year, she began volunteering at the Veterans Hospital. During one of Narvekar’s shifts, a woman walked in, not knowing who or where she was.

“I just felt the need to help her,” said Narvekar. “Eventually her husband came and they reunited. The feeling I got from being able to help her fostered my love of medicine.”

Aside from volunteering at the Veterans Hospital, Narvekar is also involved in many health clubs at Lynbrook such as Health Education of Lynbrook (HEAL) and the Pre-Medical club.

“What motivates me the most is thinking of all the victims of epidemics and diseases,” said Narvekar. “The possibility of helping them in the future if I dedicate myself to my passion inspires me.”

Aspirations are important to the development of one’s identity because they shape his or her goals. They provide an individual with long-term goals that benefit one’s life, giving one motivation to become successful. Measures of aspirations have been linked to academic and educational achievements. In addition to achievements, aspirations allow for a more clear focus, effective use of time, and sharpness in decision making.

In a study conducted by Professor Gary MacPherson from the University of Melbourne in 1997, young children were asked for their commitment plan to their new instrument. The study revealed that children with long term commitment plans outperformed the childrens with short term commitment plans, linking aspirations to future success.

The diverse dreams among Lynbrook students ultimately contribute to the environment of the school. Whether it be aspiring actresses, hopeful sports analysts or future doctors, high school allows for students to cultivate themselves into different journeys in the future.