From left are secondary school principal Josh Liddell; Cameron Hunter (USAF); guidance counselor Jessica Cowan; Sten Homme (UB); Breeza Alfaro (SUNY Oneonta); Joshua Janicki (Rochester Institute of Technology); Anna Sena (Jamestown Community College); Ryan Wilson (UB); Jeremy Gilbert (USAF); superintendent Ben Spitzer; and guidance counselor Jason Richardson.

MAYVILLE — Each winter recent alumni of Chautauqua Lake Central School return to speak with current juniors and seniors about their experiences starting college or entering the military.

In the Recent Alumni Discussion (“RAD”), several 2018 graduates talked about what they faced as they transitioned to college, including culture shock, dorm living and roommates, college workload and reading. The alumni panel also discussed the importance of making friends and getting involved on campus, communicating with parents, and time management, as well as what they missed about CLCS and what in high school prepared them well for further studies.

Two graduates now serving in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) spoke about the different routes they took to the military: Cameron Hunter entered the military directly after his 2018 graduation; 2013 graduate Jeremy Gilbert earned a bachelor’s degree at the University at Buffalo (UB), then joined the Air Force. Both spoke highly of the education they are receiving in the military and the job skills they are acquiring.

Some of the alumni earned enough college credits while still in high school to be nearing the end of their sophomore studies in college. The event is organized by the guidance counselors, with support from secretary Wanda Latimer.