Without a doubt, the Hawthorne High School Class of 2016 will be missed after graduation. However, on behalf of the Clarion and HHS, we are all very proud of what this class has accomplished and we will continue to encourage them to pursue their dreams. We are positive they will succeed in their respective fields.

One of our Hawthorne High School seniors that will be graduating this year is Julian Parra. Throughout his high school career, he was Treasurer of the National Honor Society, President of the Spanish Club, President of the Spanish Honor Society, was fourth in his class, took six AP classes this school year, was selected for New Jersey Boys State, and went on a People to People Ambassador program abroad to Europe during the summer after his sophomore year. He was also a section leader in the marching band, was involved with the crew and the pit orchestra for six school musical productions, and ran distance on the track and field team.

This fall, he will be attending Babson College and majoring in finance. Babson College is a small, private, business school located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He plans on joining the Babson Investment Banking Association and hopes to study abroad in Europe one semester. Eventually, Parra hopes to work as a financial analyst in a bank in New York City.

Parra tells the Clarion that although he will miss Hawthorne High School, he is very excited about the next chapter in his life. “I’ve lived in Hawthorne my whole life, so even though I feel ready for my next four years, I’m going to miss my family and the friends I’ve grown up with my entire life. It’s definitely bittersweet, but I cannot wait for what the future holds for my classmates and me. I’m very thankful for the opportunities and the people I have met here in Hawthorne High.”

Things he will miss about Hawthorne High School include playing his trombone in the marching band, hanging out with his friends during lunch, and participating in the school productions. HHS will definitely miss this kind, ambitious, and genuine individual.