Jiahni Higgs talked about the importance of managing priorities and time in college.
It’s a message that surely isn’t new to most high school students. It was the messenger – a 2024 Poughkeepsie High School graduate who is nearing the end of their first year in college – that made an impact on 11th grade student Camiah McCallum.
A group of seven Poughkeepsie alums, Higgs included, returned to the school March 20 to speak with current students on what their college experience has been like.
“They were close in age to us and more relatable,” McCallum said. “They were down to Earth and I felt comfortable asking them questions.”
Kelly Semexant, the district’s college readiness and workforce education counselor, has organized the gathering of alumni and current students each of the last four years. While it normally takes the form of a panel discussion in an auditorium setting, construction forced a change in the format and location which, Semexant said, turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Each graduate was seated at a table in the cafeteria and groups of 10 students rotated through every 5-7 minutes for group discussions. “This allowed for more personal, honest conversations between students and alumni,” Semexant said. “The response from everyone was overwhelmingly positive.”
Semexant, who organizes a myriad of college and career exposure events each year including college fairs, college representative visits, student campus visits and panel discussions, called it “truly one of the most meaningful events we’ve had this year.
The list of participating alumni included Higgs (Class of 2024, now attending SUNY New Paltz and majoring in Organizational Communication), Jazylo Alexis-Taylor (2024, Pace University, Business Management), Aida Hernandez (2023, Dutchess Community College, Early Childhood Education), Marell Lewis (2024, SUNY Albany, Theater), Kayla Hawkins (2022, Vassar College, Africana Studies and Sociology), Amira Ibrahim (2022, Yale University, Political Science), and Saanie Moodie (2022, SUNY Albany, Psychology).
The alumni spoke with students about a wide range of topics, including adjusting to college schedules, managing roommates, navigating the college application process and the importance of scholarships. Several stressed to students that they should apply for every scholarship shared by the school, saying, “If Ms. Semexant sends it, apply! It’s worth it.”
After the panel, the alumni and invited district leaders engaged in discussion over lunch in which the graduates reflected on how their time at the high school helped shape their college journey. They also pointed out several meaningful changes they noticed since graduating, including the use of Yondr pouches, the updated cafeteria, and the increased number of dual-enrollment Dutchess Community College courses available to students. Many shared how proud they felt to see their school continuing to grow and evolve.
Former valedictorian returns
On Wednesday another alum returned to the school, Class of 2022 Valedictorian Elijah Johnson, who now attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, majoring in Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making. Johnson met with a group of juniors enrolled in Precalculus and sophomores in Algebra 2; students who are ahead in math and science and are considering futures in STEM fields and/or who may be interested in the QuestBridge National College Match scholarship process. It was a unique and inspiring opportunity for them to connect directly with someone who once sat in their very seats.
Raised in a low-income household and having moved more than 10 times before enrolling at Poughkeepsie High School, Johnson shared his story of perseverance. He earned a full scholarship to MIT through QuestBridge, a national nonprofit organization that connects high-achieving, low-income students with full scholarships to the nation’s top colleges and universities.
Students were highly engaged throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions about Johnson’s journey, the college application process, the QuestBridge experience, his coursework at MIT, and his time at Poughkeepsie.
At MIT, Johnson is focusing on hardware and software of AI systems, with a goal of helping to innovate autonomous technologies that serve society.
His message to the students was clear and powerful: “You are all brilliant and can do whatever you’d like. There are barriers, but you can overcome anything.”
