<a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/notable-long-island-seniors-2000-2010-1.2944236">Meet 147 notable LI graduates from 2000-2010 </a> -- and then scroll below to see what some of them are up to now. On the list or know someone who is? Update us at <a href="schools@newsday.com">schools@newsday.com</a>.

News

WhereAreTheyNow

JOSEPHINE BONVENTRE 
THEN Age: 17 Year graduated: 2000 <a href="/topics/West_Hempstead%2C_NY">West Hempstead</a> High School Interests: Genetic biology, theater What’s Ahead: <a href="/topics/Gettysburg_College">Gettysburg College</a> 
NOW Age: 28 Current residence: New Brunswick, N.J. Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry with a minor in theater from <a href="/topics/Gettysburg_College">Gettysburg College</a> in 2004; master’s degree in biology from Adelphi University in 2006; currently full-time student, working on a doctorate in toxicology at <a href="/topics/Rutgers_University-New_Brunswick">Rutgers University</a> of <a href="/topics/New_Jersey%2C_NY">New Jersey</a> &nbsp; 
Josephine Bonventre has loved science since she was in elementary school. 
“I was always a science nerd,” she said. 
Encouraged by her teachers, she thrived at West Hempstead High School, where she said there was a great science department and supportive teachers. But Bonventre always balanced her scientific bent with a passion for the theater, performing in school plays. 
Her favorite high school memory involves working on a senior project for Roseanne Scully’s AP English class with a group of close friends during which they wrote, directed and acted in a film entitled “Gopi’s Big Adventure.” 
Still in touch, the pals reminisced about the adventure at a recent wedding. 
She has kept her penchant for the arts alive today, singing for an all-girls choir. 
“I’ve always had two sides,” she said. When her scientific studies left no time for theater, Bonventre was “very sad.” 
Joining the choir brought balance back to her life, she said. 
“While I love science and it is my passion, the arts side of me keeps me grounded.” 
Although she planned to be a genetics biologist after high school, “I didn’t know what it meant back then,” she said. 
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from <a href="/topics/Gettysburg_College">Gettysburg College</a> in 2004, Bonventre worked with environmental chemicals and pesticides at Adelphi University and earned a master's in science in biology. 
Today, she is aiming to finish her doctorate in toxicology, “the study of physiology gone wrong, the disruption of the normal physiological process, while still using molecular techniques, which incorporate what I loved about genetics.”

HSbon26

2000 W. Hempstead grad finishing PhD in toxicology

HSbonv26

JANELLE ROVEGNO THEN Age: 18 Year Graduated: 2000 Rocky Point High School What’s ahead: Vocal performance major 
NOW Age: 29 Current residence: Manhattan Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University; Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Vanderbilt University Occupation: Transaction Specialist for the Global Corporate Services Group at <a href="/topics/CB_Richard_Ellis_Group_Inc">CB Richard Ellis</a> 
When Janelle Rovegno graduated from Rocky Point High School in 2000, she dreamed of majoring in vocal performance and becoming a singer. 
And she did for a while at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music -- until her junior year when she decided to change her focus and study business. 
“When I graduated from my master’s program and moved back to <a href="/topics/New_York%2C_NY">New York</a>, I made the decision to not continue singing professionally but I knew music would always be a part of my life,” she said. “These days I sing mostly at weddings of friends and family.” 
She now works at <a href="/topics/CB_Richard_Ellis_Group_Inc">CB Richard Ellis</a> in Manhattan and though she is no longer singing as a career, she still loves music and says she goes to see live shows often. 
“I'll always remember it as a very exciting time,” she said about her mindset in 2000 as she was about to graduate high school. “I had no idea what the future held and was excited to begin the next chapter of my life.”

HSrove26

2000 Rocky Point grad chooses business over music

HLrove26

Julie Hartline 
THEN Age: 18 Year graduated: 2000 Sewanhaka High School What's Ahead: Fashion merchandising, <a href="/topics/University_of_Massachusetts_Amherst">UMass Amherst</a> 
NOW Age: 29 Current residence: Astoria Education: Bachelor’s degree in hotel and tourism management, <a href="/topics/University_of_Massachusetts_Amherst">UMass</a> Amherst, 2005. Occupation: Sales executive, Soho Fashion 
Hartline was all set to go into fashion design when <a href="/topics/University_of_Massachusetts_Amherst">UMass</a> dropped the major due to budget cuts after her first semester there. She was advised to follow the business path and, as it turns out, the two worlds have meshed quite nicely for her. 
She graduated&nbsp;in 2005 and for the past two years Hartline has been at Soho Fashion in Manhattan, which owns the licenses&nbsp;to&nbsp;outerwear brands like <a href="/topics/Steve_Madden">Steve Madden</a> and <a href="/topics/Bebe_%28designer%29">Bebe</a> Outerwear. 
“I sell to different retailers throughout the country,” Hartline said. “I couldn’t think of a better job for me.” 
Hartline, who grew up in Stewart Manor, now lives in Astoria. Down the road she hopes to start her own business doing the same thing. 
Her advice to grads: “If you love something, you have to pursue it and stick with it, and you’ll make it happen.”&nbsp;

HShart20

2000 Sewanhaka grad fulfills fashion dream

HSHIGH20

KATE MOORE 
THEN Age: 18 Year graduated: 2001 Glen Cove High School Interests: Courts, music, sports, theater. What's Ahead: Law studies at <a href="/topics/Princeton_University">Princeton University</a> 
NOW Age: 28 Current resident: Manhattan Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, Princeton, 2005; law degree, <a href="/topics/Fordham_University">Fordham University</a>, 2010 Occupation: Corporate attorney, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &amp; Flom. 
Moore, 28, graduated from <a href="/topics/Princeton_University">Princeton University</a> in 2005 with bachelor’s in history, then worked for two years as a diversity work-life analyst at <a href="/topics/Morgan_Stanley">Morgan Stanley</a>. 
She returned school in 2007 to pursue a law degree at <a href="/topics/Fordham_University">Fordham University</a> in the Bronx. She graduated in 2010 and started in January in the investment management practice at Skadden, Arps in Manhattan. Part of her job is to help set up hedge funds. 
“I’m really enjoying it,” she said. “It's great experience.” 
Moore, who now lives in Manhattan, ran the 400-meter and 800-meter races in college track. She’s now getting back into running and hopes to run in a marathon for the first time next year.

HLmoore20

2001 Glen Cove grad is lawyer, sets up hedge funds

JAN ELIZABETH WOHRLE 
THEN Age: 18 Year graduated: 2001 Locust Valley High School Interests: Military intelligence. What's Ahead: ROTC, <a href="/topics/University_of_Notre_Dame">University of Notre Dame</a>. 
NOW Age 28, Astoria Education: Bachelor’s degree in film and television, Notre Dame, 2005; MBA, <a href="/topics/Fordham_University">Fordham University</a>, 2009 Occupation: Producer, Hornet Inc. 
Soon after graduating high school, Wohrle decided not to enroll in the ROTC and went after a film and television degree at Notre Dame. 
“When I was a senior in high school, I was always that kid with the video camera around,” she said. “I made a video for my senior class, chronicling major events for the class throughout the year. Everybody got a VHS at the end of the year.” 
Worhle, who graduated from Notre Dame in 2005, has since worked in television production, first for Sesame Workshop, which produces <a href="/topics/Sesame_Street">Sesame Street</a> among other projects, and currently for Hornet Inc., a studio in Manhattan that produces short films and music videos. Clients include Uncle Ben’s Rice and Confused.com, an insurance comparison website. 
“I’ve been here a year and a half and I’m really happy,” she said. 
Wohrle, 28, now lives in Astoria with her fiance, John Stebbins, 27, whom she met as a fellow MBA student&nbsp;at Fordham University’s <a href="/topics/Lincoln_Center%2C_NY">Lincoln Center</a> campus in Manhattan. They are to&nbsp;be married in August. 
Wohrle has not lost her love of the military, either. If she had her way, Worhle said she would like to combine her passions and work on projects for military families and veterans. 
“I have enormous respect for the military and what they’re about and it’s something I hope to get back to some day.”

HSwohr20

2001 Locust Valley grad works in TV industry

LAUREN MOCK 
THEN Age: 18 Year graduated: 2001 Sachem High School North Interests: Coaching gymnastics, softball. What's Ahead: Elementary education, SUNY Cortland. 
NOW Age 28 Current residence: <a href="/topics/Ronkonkoma%2C_NY">Ronkonkoma</a> Education: Bachelor’s degree in health education, Cortland University, 2005; master’s degree in <a href="/topics/Special_Education">special education</a>, <a href="/topics/Touro_College">Touro College</a>, 2009. Occupation: Health teacher, <a href="/topics/Great_Neck%2C_NY">Great Neck</a> North High School 
Lauren Mock had a vision for her future and it has worked out pretty much as planned. 
The Sachem High School North graduate, who had a weighted GPA of 97.24 in 2001, went on to Cortland University and spent four years on the school’s gymnastics team. She had been on Sachem’s varsity gymnastics team since the eighth grade. 
Mock, now 28 and living in <a href="/topics/Ronkonkoma%2C_NY">Ronkonkoma</a>, just finished her first year as a health teacher at <a href="/topics/Great_Neck%2C_NY">Great Neck</a> North High School. She previously taught for three years in the <a href="/topics/Smithtown%2C_NY">Smithtown</a> Central School District, where she was also a middle school gymnastics coach. She volunteers as a gymnastics coach at <a href="/topics/Great_Neck%2C_NY">Great Neck</a> North. 
About the only thing different about her career from what she has originally expected is a shift halfway through Cortland from elementary to health education. 
Mock then earned a master’s degree in <a href="/topics/Special_Education">special education</a> from <a href="/topics/Touro_College">Touro College</a> in <a href="/topics/Bay_Shore%2C_NY">Bay Shore</a> in 2009 and says she feels lucky, especially considering the current lack of available jobs in education. 
“It’s bad right now, and it’s a shame. I know a lot of my friends who are great teachers, but there are just no opportunities.”

HSmock20

2001 Sachem North grad becomes teacher, coach

MABEL JIJON 
THEN Age: 18 Year graduated: 2002 Uniondale High School Interests: Reading, community service. What’s ahead: Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education 
NOW Age: 27 Current residence: Uniondale Education: Bachelor’s degree in biomedical education, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at City College, 2009 Occupation: E-commerce manager for U.K.-based online retail company 
One year away from graduating medical school, the 2002 Uniondale grad realized that the life of a doctor just wasn’t for her. Now she works in high-end retail for a <a href="/topics/United_Kingdom">United Kingdom</a>-based e-commerce company, which she declined to name. 
“I always did retail during the summer when I was off from school,” she said. “I love my job.” 
Throughout high school, Jijon focused on reading and giving free healthy-living lessons to members of her community. Now she oversees six employees who process orders at the company’s e-commerce facility. She recently moved back home with her parents to be close to her family. 
 &nbsp;

hsJIJO20

2002 Uniondale grad chooses retail over medicine

HLjijon23

JASON SCOTT PELLEGRINO 
THEN Age: 17 Year Graduated: 2004 Manhasset High School What's Ahead: <a href="/topics/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> in <a href="/topics/Cambridge%2C_MA">Cambridge</a>, Mass. He's not sure of his major, but he's considering becoming a biomedical engineer. 
NOW Age: 24 Current residence: Manhasset Education: Bachelor’s degree in material science and engineering, <a href="/topics/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology">MIT</a>, 2008. Occupation: R&amp;D engineer, Pall Corp. 
Soon after graduating in 2008 from <a href="/topics/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology">MIT</a>, Pellegrino got a job in the pharmaceuticals division of Port Washington-based filtration firm Pall Corp. 
A Plandome Fire Department volunteer since 2008, he’s now going for a master’s degree in material science and engineering at <a href="/topics/Stony_Brook_University">Stony Brook University</a>. He will likely roll up that work into a PhD. 
Pellegrino, who was diagnosed with Type I <a href="/topics/Diabetes">diabetes</a> in his freshman year of high school, won multiple scholarships for, among other efforts, research into finding a cure for the disease. 
He kept at it during college, participating in clinical trials at a <a href="/topics/Harvard_University">Harvard</a>-affiliated lab at <a href="/topics/Massachusetts_General_Hospital">Massachusetts General Hospital</a>. The lab was testing the efficacy of a drug already approved for <a href="/topics/Tuberculosis">tuberculosis</a> that researchers hope could also be used for Type I diabetes. 
Pellegrino, who also worked at the lab, still keeps in touch with the group -- in part because he’s apparently an ideal candidate for the research. 
“They call me back because they like my blood,” he said. “They are getting good results.” 
As part of his master’s program, Pellegrino is working on a thesis related to the treatment of brain aneurysms.

HSspell20

2004 Manhasset grad becomes engineer

AMELIA CARITO THEN Age: 18 Year graduated: 2004 Longwood High School Interests: Writing, volunteer work What's Ahead: Journalism major at <a href="/topics/Randolph-Macon_College">Randolph-Macon College</a> in <a href="/topics/Lynchburg%2C_VA">Lynchburg</a>, Va. 
NOW Age: 25 Current residence: Bellmore Education: Bachelor’s degree in women's studies and psychology, <a href="/topics/Stony_Brook_University">Stony Brook University</a>, 2008; master’s degree in <a href="/topics/Special_Education">special education</a>, CUNY Hunter, January 2011. Occupation: <a href="/topics/Special_Education">Special education</a> teacher, PS 151, Queens. 
“Kindness inspires kindness,” that’s the motto Carito tries to live by every day. 
From going out of her way to help another teacher, to picking up something for someone in the subway, sometimes it’s the simple things that make a difference, she said. 
It’s also what she encourages her fourth-grade <a href="/topics/Special_Education">special education</a> students at PS 151 in Queens to consider. 
Carito, who started at the school in March at the recommendation of a professor to the school’s principal, hands out “kindness awards” to the students. 
“One of my students said, ‘Oh, if you need help with anything let me know.’ I let him know I was proud of him.” 
Carito’s original plan for a journalism career changed after taking classes in psychology and women’s studies at <a href="/topics/Stony_Brook_University">Stony Brook University</a>, where she transferred after a semester at Randolph-Macon. Then an internship with an elementary school psychologist came along. 
“That’s when I realized teachers made the real difference,” she said. 
Carito, who lives in Bellmore, graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in women's studies and psychology from Stony Brook and then a master’s degree in <a href="/topics/Special_Education">special education</a> at CUNY Hunter in January. 
A three-time donor to Wigs for Kids, which uses hair to make wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy, Carito said she’s probably going to do it again. 
“I feel like it’s just something that affects the kids. It’s hard not to have chemotherapy and lose your hair. It’s such a social thing,” Carito said.

HScari22

2004 Longwood grad becomes special ed teacher

HSHIGH22

STEPHANIE ROEHRIG EFFKEN 
THEN Age: 17 Year graduated: 2004 Riverhead High School Interests: Playing the flute, performing community outreach What's Ahead: Theology major with a minor in parish music at <a href="/topics/Concordia_University">Concordia University</a> in Seward, Neb. 
NOW Age 24 Current residence: <a href="/topics/Omaha%2C_NE">Omaha</a>, Neb. Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Concordia, 2007. Occupation: Account manager, JM Web Designs 
Effken switched to a communications major at <a href="/topics/Concordia_University">Concordia University</a> in Seward, Neb., a year into her studies there, when her original aim to become a director of Christian education didn’t seem like the job she thought it was going to be. 
Graduating a semester early in December 2007, she got married a few weeks later to college sweetheart Chris Effken, of Friend, Neb., population 995. 
Growing up in <a href="/topics/Jamesport%2C_NY">Jamesport</a>, she had seen a fair number of farms, “but those are like little house gardens compared to here,” she said. 
With her bachelor’s degree carrying concentrations in public relations, journalism and interpersonal communications, Effken started out as a general assignment reporter for the Seward County Independent, where she was “very over-worked and very underpaid.” She and her husband, a biologist, moved to Omaha in August 2008 when he got a job at a lab there. 
Working as a restaurant server as she hunted for a full-time job for more than a year, she’s now an account manager at JM Web Designs in Omaha, shepherding clients through the web design process while doing some blogging and social media. 
On the side, Effken and her husband enjoy brewing their own beer and visiting breweries around the country. You can follow their exploits at <a href="http://thegreatbeerventure.com">thegreatbeerventure.com</a>.

HSroeh20

2004 Riverhead grad marries college sweetheart

THEN Age: 18, Islip High School Interests: Maintaining top fitness, travel What's Ahead: Education major with a full soccer scholarship to the <a href="/topics/University_of_Georgia">University of Georgia</a>. 
NOW Age: 25 Education: Bachelor’s degree in physical education, Hofstra University, 2008. Occupation: Center defense, <a href="/topics/Long_Island_Rough_Riders">Long Island Rough Riders</a>; soccer trainer, Intense Soccer Academy, Commack. Current residence: Smithtown 
If you’re into soccer on Long Island, you probably know Sue Weber, the <a href="/topics/Long_Island_Rough_Riders">Long Island Rough Riders</a>’ center defender. 
Weber, an admitted “homebody,” transferred from the <a href="/topics/University_of_Georgia">University of Georgia</a> to Hofstra University after her freshman year and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2008. 
She spent six months in 2009 playing for the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer. 
“I got to see areas I may not have seen and play against some of the best players in the world and with some of the best players in the world,” she said. 
In 2010, Weber married Ron Alber, whom she met while at Hofstra, and the two now run Intense Soccer Academy in Commack. 
Weber was sidelined for a time in 2009 after knee surgery but now is playing her third season with the Rough Riders. 
Will she try something else? 
“I’ll probably to continue playing until I’m 40. I don’t ever see myself stop playing soccer.” 
Aside from volunteering, that is. 
Once a month, Weber volunteers in the pediatric playroom at <a href="/topics/Good_Samaritan_Hospital">Good Samaritan Hospital</a> in West Islip. “ I hang out with kids and go to rooms and beds and try to make them feel better.”

HSWEB24

2004 Islip grad turns soccer star

HLWEB12

REED MAGLEBY THEN Age: 18 Year graduated: 2004 Half Hollow Hills West High School What's Ahead: Biology or pre-med major at Cornell University 
NOW Age: 25 Current residence: Dix Hills Education: Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, Cornell, 2008; currently a student at the NYU School of Medicine. 
Magleby just finished his first year at the NYU School of Medicine. 
“He’s interested in infectious diseases,” said his mother, Joan Magleby. 
But Magleby also has long been interested in other cultures. His family lived in <a href="/topics/Hong_Kong">Hong Kong</a> from 1996-2000 and he’s been to <a href="/topics/Thailand">Thailand</a>, <a href="/topics/China">China</a>, New Zealand, <a href="/topics/Australia">Australia</a>, Japan and <a href="/topics/Caribbean">Caribbean</a> islands, among other places. So it wasn’t a surprise when Magleby couldn’t be reached directly because he’s vacationing in Honduras. 
In high school, Magleby was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honors Society and president of the Spanish Club. He had a cumulative average of over 98. 
Magleby, of Dix Hills, graduated in 2008 from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. He worked for a year as an <a href="/topics/Asthma">asthma</a> researcher at <a href="/topics/Long_Island_Jewish_Medical_Center">Long Island Jewish Medical Center</a> in New Hyde Park before starting at NYU. 
This summer he’ll be doing <a href="/topics/Malaria">malaria</a> research at the school.

HSmagl21

2004 Half Hollow Hills grad attends med school

HSHIGH21

Where are they now: Notable LI graduates

Newsday

Where are they now: Catch up with notable LI grads

Rovegno

Homepage Trending

Knicks in NBA Finals

Working Moms 

Summer Fun Book

School Election results

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Dennis Arfa, the architect of the Piano Man's record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden, was inducted on Saturday into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook. NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano reports.

Billy Joel inducts longtime collaborator into LI Music Hall of Fame

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Yaphank Deli to try their "chip bag sandwich."

Trendy Bites: It's a bag of chips ... it's a sandwich ... it's the chip bag sandwich! 

NYU researchers are surveying the Eastern box turtle population to better understand how they are faring against habitat destruction, roadways and global warming.`

Turtle-sniffing dogs searching LI woods to help protect a species

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is back for a second stint with the Giants. Head coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday said Beckham seems healthier and Beckham said he is looking forward to making the most of the opportunity.

Odell Beckham Jr. back with the Giants

Recently passed state auto insurance reforms could help lower car insurance rates as much as 10% for New York drivers, according to some estimates. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

NYS takes crack at lowering auto insurance premiums. Here's what that means for LI.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits the Long Island Game Farm for an inside look at the incredible hands-on wildlife encounters there.

Out East: What's new at the Long Island Game Farm

If approved, it would be the first new hospital on Long Island since 1980. Newsday business reporter James T. Madore has more.

NYU Langone plans new hospital in Melville 

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visited Main Event, an entertainment center that recently opened in Deer Park.

Arcade, bowling and giant claw machine at Main Event 

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus helps make a strawberry crunch ice cream at Coyle's Ice Cream in Islip.

Making ice cream at Coyle's in Islip

Rockville Centre's Lavert Henderson-Hobbs has been a Knicks' season-ticket holder since 1969.

Rockville Centre's Lavert Henderson-Hobbs a Knicks' season-ticket holder since 1969

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

6 injured in Penn Station stabbings ... Previewing Knicks Game 3 tonight ... LI Catholic group's challenge to diocese ... Out East: Jamesport Country Store

6 injured in Penn Station stabbings ... MSG heightens security ahead of Trump visit ... LI Catholic group's challenge to diocese

News - megaslot

Newsday has the most up-to-date stories on Long Island & NTC. Join us & stay current with news articles on sports, business, health, technology & more.

Stay logged in.