By: BHS Senior Spotlights Staff
January 31, 2024
Chosen for this week’s second senior spotlight is Desireé Gailes. Desireé is outgoing, intelligent, and talented. She enjoys singing, cooking, napping, and going out with friends. She has also worked at Raising Canes for a year-and-a-half now and has been a part of Brooklyn’s Drama Club for five years.
Q: What song would you use to describe your senior year?
A: “‘Mirrors’ by Justin Timberlake describes my senior year, specifically the line ‘Yesterday is history. Tomorrow’s a mystery.’ This year has literally flown by, and I just need to go with the flow and remember that everyday is a new day.”
Q: What does senioritis mean to you?
A: “To me, senioritis is slowing down before the finish line. We’re so close but still so far.”
Q: What are the most important characteristics in your future college?
A: “The most important characteristic in my future college is having a music community. I want to be in a close friend group and do everything together. We have to bond over our favorite musicals and have karaoke night.”
Q: Describe your funniest high school memory.
A: “The funniest moment by far is when my friends and I went to Lakewood Park to see the sunset. Then, we played on the playground for HOURS. I felt like a kid again, with no cares in the world.”
Q: What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on your high school experience?
A: “Overall, I feel like I missed out on things because I could never leave the house, even though some others could.”
Q: What or who is your motivation?
A: “I am motivated by wanting to succeed so badly. I take inspiration from some of my favorite musicals like Hamilton, High School Musical, and Pitch Perfect. I look at people like Renee Rapp who was just a normal teenager until she went viral and is now starring in musicals and movies.”
Q: Would you rather get up early or stay up late?
A: “I would much rather stay up late than get up early. I am definitely not a morning person.”
Q: With whom did you have your most meaningful relationships during your senior year thus far?
A: “My most meaningful relationships have been with the same group of people I’ve grown up with since kindergarten. Most of us have stayed close, and we often look back at our friendships back in middle school and laugh.”
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: “I am most proud of my performances in the musicals, specifically last year doing Sister Act. If you ask any of the cast, I was trying so hard not to cry during the bows, but as soon as the curtains closed, I was bawling my eyes out. I was so proud of myself that throughout many hard rehearsals and last minute changes, I was able to bring people joy. This was the first of many standing ovations I will have.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been the biggest inspiration and/or influence to you?
A: “My biggest inspiration is Mrs. Cipriani. She had a fantastic career doing shows all over the world and on Broadway. I want to follow in her footsteps, and she has done everything in her ability to help me along the way.”
Desireé, thank you for letting us get to know you better. Good luck to you in all that you want to accomplish.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 