By: Reymon Carrasquillo
October 5, 2026
Chosen for this week’s Senior Spotlight is Gibran Boukzam. Gibran is adventurous, full of excitement, and warm-hearted. He has been in Brooklyn all of his life and stays busy with soccer, hockey, indoor soccer, and indoor track. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching movies, driving, and doing the things he loves. Gibran currently works at TJ Maxx but is looking for a Business Internship. After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year college with an undecided major as of now.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment during high school?
A: “The growth I’ve made. I wouldn’t say there’s one thing that defines anyone, but I’m proud to say you wouldn’t recognize me if you looked at a picture of me freshman year.”
Q: What is something you wish you had taken more seriously in high school?
A: “Grades my junior year. Freshman and sophomore years were so easy for me, so I didn’t feel the need to take junior year as seriously.”
Q: What are you looking forward to most after graduation?
A: “Finding myself and who and where I want to be.”
Q: If you could instantly become an expert at anything, what would you choose?
A: “Knowing when to say something. I’d say my biggest mistakes aren’t what I do but how I handle them. If I went back, I would watch my actions more and the effect they have.”
Q: If you could relive one day of high school, which day would you choose?
A: “I wouldn’t. I’m happy with how everything went and where I’ve come. Honestly, I’m scared of time travel and its fictional effects.”
Q: What is something you learned in high school that wasn’t taught in a classroom?
A: “Everything takes time. Don’t rush anything or push for the next thing right away. You’ll miss out on enjoying things that were right in front of your face.”
Q: What is one thing you could talk about for hours?
A: “The environmental and political state of our world right now. But really, it’s mostly the decisions. I enjoy talking about what would have or could have happened with the people involved. I always learn more from an argument than an agreement.”
Q: Out of your entire school career, what teacher has been your biggest inspiration and/or influence?
A: “Mr. Urig. He isn’t my favorite, but from being someone I made fun of as a child to someone I now respect and the lessons he taught me outside of the book will go on to last forever.”
Thank you for your participation in this week’s Senior Spotlight, Gibran. Good luck with college, your future career, and everything that comes next!
