Carl Marano: Graduated 1989

What was your most memorable high school moment?

Playing basketball — making it to State playing in the Pit my senior year. I also did have teachers and adults who really cared about me.

What kind of person were you?

I was a good student; I was ranked 34 in my class of 450. But more important was not just being a good student but being a good person.

How did high school impact you?

It definitely formed my identity. There were so many different groups of people —athletics, performing arts — which taught me how to respect people.

What was the world like when you were in high school?

The technology was the biggest thing since there were no cellphones and social media. We passed notes and there was a lot more verbal communication. The biggest change has been discipline. There was a stricter environment and family values were held to a higher standard.

Are you doing what you thought you would be when you graduated?

No. I began college majoring in broadcast journalism, but halfway through I switched to education. My parents were educators so I figured I would be too.

What was SFHS campus/school like?

The campus was even bigger. We had an open campus where we could leave for lunch. The architecture was also very different.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be?

I would tell myself to take my education more seriously and to do better on my ACTs.

Do you have any advice for people in high school?

Take advantages of all your resources. The teachers, counselors, principals and teen health center are all free right now, but once you graduate and leave it gets very expensive.