A Final Farewell From Salem State Seniors

By Joshua Bebis on April 28, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Salem State University has seen thousands of students cross the stage to receive their diplomas since 1854. Each graduating class has been special in its own way, possessing countless class memories, college relationships that turn into lifelong marriages, and friendships that go on to last a lifetime. With graduation looming right around the corner for the class of 2024—myself included!—I got the opportunity to sit down with a plethora of seniors to reflect on our special time here at Salem State.

One such person was Salem State women’s hockey captain Deanna Bosco. The North Andover, Mass. native majored in Art + Design and was awarded the Creativity Award her junior year for her remarkable work. “Receiving the award my junior year along with being a part of the Salem State Women’s Hockey program, which I was honored to be named captain this past season, have to be some of my favorite memories during my time here,” Bosco said. “I will not only miss hockey but will also miss working as a mentor and an art teacher at the SOAR/EMBARK program located in the Enterprise Center. I will say though, I won’t miss the Salem traffic especially in October!” Bosco is attending graduate school at Lesley University in Cambridge this fall, focusing on art therapy. “My goal one day is to become a registered art therapist and a licensed mental health clinician!”

My next interaction was with Salem State basketball center Liam Byrne. Hailing from Melrose, Byrne majored in business and played for the men’s basketball team during his tenure at Salem State. “I will miss all the memories that basketball has given me and the friendships that it created,” Byrne said. He said he will miss doing schoolwork the least. His dream one day is to be employed in the NBA, wherever that may be.

I then interviewed Joseph Carey, who focused on the marketing field at Salem State. The Somerville native said: “Some of my favorite memories and something that I will miss includes making a handful of new friends, competing in intramural activities, attending Salem athletic games, working for the fitness center, and living in the dorms. I will never forget these memories that Salem gave me, although attending class wasn’t always the most fun.” Carey plans on becoming a financial advisor one day.

Next was Salem State basketball star captain Jaden Castillo. The Lawrence native became a thousand-point scorer during his time with the Vikings and played a crucial role in the success of Salem and for head coach Chris Harvey. “My favorite memory during my time here at Salem State has to be playing in my first collegiate basketball game against Babson College,” Castillo said. “I’ll miss hoops and the environment that Salem has especially around Halloween time!” Castillo plans to be a physical education teacher with hopes of potentially working his way up to becoming an athletic director one day.

President David Luigi Colomba of Alpha Sigma Phi, Zeta Pi chapter of Salem was my next interview. Colomba grew up in Reading and has majored in business management for the past four years. “I will miss going out on the weekends to bars such as O’Neills and Village Tavern,” Colomba said. “I have a ton of memories at those bars. Salem has been good to me. I will miss everything about this place.” Like Carey, Colomba plans to become a financial advisor in the future.

I then spoke to Lowell native Lexi Costa, who majored in business administration with a concentration in international business. Similar to Colomba, Costa made it clear that she will miss going into downtown Salem on the weekends with her friends and going to various bars and clubs. Parking tickets will be something she can live without going forward, though. “My future plans include getting my first professional job that hopefully lets me travel around the world!” she said.

Chris Crahan V was next in the interview room. The South Yarmouth native majored in nursing at Salem State. Crahan’s favorite memories and things he will miss include hanging out with friends and being surrounded by people constantly. “I could easily do without studying and taking nursing exams though!” Crahan said. “My future plans include becoming a certified nurse working in a hospital in Boston one day.”

Next was Courtney Darling. Originally from Winchendon, Darling majored in media and communication, and her favorite memories include meeting a handful of new friends. “I will miss going to the local beaches whenever I want, whether it’s to watch the sunrise or sunset with my friends,” Darling said. “I won’t miss writing huge essays though about topics that I am not interested in.” Darling will be working in sales to make money while she strives to acquire her dream job of writing movie reviews.

Hannah Flis was nice enough to chat with me regarding her time at Salem State. The Mendon native majored in nursing and minored in biology and psychology during her four years. In terms of her favorite memories, Flis said, “My 22nd birthday and the countless nights downtown are easily my favorite memories and events that I will miss the most.” She said that she will also miss her Sunday-morning debriefs with her friends after a fun weekend. Similar to Crahan, nursing exams is something that Flis won’t be upset leaving behind. She will become a registered nurse in the foreseeable future.

Salem State star baseball pitcher Gregory Gentle took the time out of his busy practice schedule to answer my questions. Gentle is from Arlington and majored in sport and movement science. “My favorite memories include going to Boston Red Sox’s games with my buddies, weekends in downtown Salem, and of course, those special late night Cookie Monstah runs with my girlfriend,” said Gentle. Like many of his peers, Gentle said he won’t miss school work. His future plans include becoming a certified strength-and-conditioning specialist.

Salem State women’s soccer star Cassandra Harrington was next to be interviewed. Originally from Petersham, Harrington said some of her favorite memories included living with her roommates and playing soccer. “Living with my best friends for the past four years of college has been amazing,” Harrington said. “I have also been very fortunate to be able to play on the soccer team and meet all the amazing players and coaches during my time in school. I won’t miss attending classes though.” Harrington plans on attending radiology school in the future.

Harrington was followed by Salem native Michael Ouellette, who studied sport and movement science. “I will miss the basketball season’s and cheering on the team the most,” Oullette said. “I will also miss living on campus and seeing my good friends on a daily basis.” Ouellette plans on working in the sport and movement science field.

From one sports lover to another, Ouellette was followed by body builder Evans Payen, who majored in sport and movement science. The Springfield native said, “Some of my favorite memories and things that I miss will include the Black Student Union parties and of course, like everyone, hanging out with friends.” Payen made it clear that the dining hall will be easy to forget. He plans on becoming a doctor of physical therapy.

Kayla Pennimpede accepted my offer to be interviewed a few days ago. Pennimpede is originally from Gloucester and majored in business and finance. “My favorite memories include going on honors trips, attending business events, and going into downtown Salem on the weekends with friends,” Pennimpede said. “I will miss seeing my friends on an everyday basis.” Similar to Payen, the dining hall is something that Pennimpede could live without in the future. Her future plans include pursuing at master’s degree in business administration.

Brandon Roth was nice enough to take me up on interviewing him. Originally from Swampscott, Roth said his favorite memories included playing basketball in the gym with friends and making late-night dining-hall runs. “I have to give credit to my professors Miranda Lam and Sanjay Jain,” Roth said. “They really helped me try as a student and a person for that matter.” Roth plans on moving out of Massachusetts and possibly landing in Florida one day. His goal is to become a financial analyst.

My final interview victim was Salem State soccer phenom Brendan Walsh. Walsh, a Westford native known as quite the spokesman for the Salem State soccer squad, majored in business management with a minor from his previous community college in energy utility technology. “I’ve been lucky enough to play a sport here at Salem State,” Walsh said. “Soccer has brought me so many memories. Whether it was scoring on Alumni Field against Wheaton College and doing a flip to celebrate, winning intramural sports championships with my friends, or simply just soccer practice and hanging out in the trainers’ room, I owe a lot of my favorite memories to everyone. I’ll miss the constant interaction, seeing people and meeting people that normally you would never know but because you both randomly chose Salem State you get to encounter them. Whether you get to see those people after college or not, for some reason you met them and got to interact, and I think I will miss those constant waves and smiles with people here.” October traffic is something that Walsh will be able to live without in his future. He plans on working for National Grid and hopefully become a transmission linesman one day.

Then there is me. We students are taught in college to never write articles in a personal manner, but I feel like this is an appropriate time for me to give praise to those we deserve it. Originally, I didn’t think college was for me after high school, but I persevered through many roadblocks and made it here to Salem State. While there are hundreds of people to show appreciation to, I would specifically like to thank my parents; Kelly Janos, director of Campus Life and Recreation; and Media and Communication Professor Peggy Dillon, who have been in my corner and believed in me ever since I enrolled in college. They helped me become the man that I am today. I will miss the countless memories and laughs that I shared with my professors in class, friends in the gym, the dining hall, the dorms, and of course, in downtown Salem as well. Salem State seems to have been good to all of us graduates, and it will be a place that we won’t forget. With that being said, I would personally like to say farewell to Salem and good luck to all the graduates.

Joshua Bebis is a graduating senior with a double major in history and media and communication.