Every year, area high schools mint fresh-faced youngsters as their valedictorians and then spit them out into the real world, quite possibly never to be heard from again. So this year, we decided to let one such future world leader, Marine Park native Steven Bove of Bishop Ford HS in Park Slope, share his take on society as he prepares to make his mark on it. He chatted with ace reporter Steven Goodstein on the eve of his departure for Adelphi University this fall.
Steven Goodstein: Are you worried about finding a job in this recession?
Steven Bove: Not really. I’m about to be in college, so I have that to focus on. Hopefully by the time I graduate from college, the economy will be in a better place than it is now.
SG: What’s the best book you read in high school?
SB: I would have to say, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini.
SG: What do you want to major in for college?
SB: Education. I can see myself as a teacher, or maybe even as a college professor, one day. I enjoy being in the leadership role, but I also like writing. Maybe I’ll incorporate something that has to do with both of those aspects.
SG: What are you most looking forward to in college?
SB: I’m definitely looking forward to having an opportunity to be completely independent. In high school, you’re only on your own part of the day, but college is a whole different ball game, with new opportunities. In college, nobody is really guiding you except yourself.
SG: Yeah, but doesn’t that make you nervous?
SB: A little. I played on my high school baseball team for all four years, so I learned how to focus on academics and baseball during the week, and friends on the weekends. But college will be on a whole different level, so I’m nervous and excited.
SG: What was your favorite high school experience?
SB: I don’t have one that sticks out, but I really enjoyed the baseball season in my senior year when I went 10-2 as a pitcher with a 0.80 ERA. That season, our team made it into second place in the Catholic High School Athletics Association.
SG: What do you love most about Brooklyn?
SB: I love how there is always something to do. Coney Island is very close to where I live, so I find myself at the beach a lot. There are also three pizza places within a five-block radius right in my neighborhood, so I’m never going hungry.
SG: What are your hobbies?
SB: I’ve actually re-acquired a love of reading. I was very into reading when I was in elementary school, but the acquisition of my PlayStation 2 made me lose interest for a while.
SG: Who are your role models?
SB: My parents, without a doubt. My dad went to City Tech [in Downtown Brooklyn] while my mom went to St. Francis College [in Brooklyn Heights]. I’m sure that my mom’s graduating within the top five in her class motivated me to also be a very intense student.
SG: What was your favorite class in high school?
SB: English. Like I said before, I love to read and writing has also become another passion of mine.
SG: What message do you want to pass on to your fellow Brooklyn high school graduates?
SB: Just understand the concept “work before play.” Also, if you’re behind in a particular course, that just means that you have to work a little harder to make up for it. Just keep at it and always stay motivated.
