Alumni Spotlight
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Charlotte is currently a student at Lehman College, where she is pursuing a degree in Child Psychology under the prestigious Lehman Scholars Program. Karissa attends John Jay College of Criminal Justice, majoring in Criminology. As we sat down to talk, both young women reflected candidly on the realities of transitioning from BRHS to college.
“College holds you accountable in ways high school never did,” Charlotte shared. At BRHS, she recalled being reminded daily—every period—about assignments and deadlines. “If I missed a deadline, I could often talk my way into submitting it late without penalty,” she said. “That doesn’t fly in college. You really have to figure things out on your own.”
Karissa agreed. “The classes are longer, and professors expect more,” she said. “No guided notes, no outlines—you have to listen, take notes, and stay disciplined. If you don’t, your grade will definitely reflect it.”
Both alumni stressed the importance of self-motivation and time management, especially during the junior and senior years at BRHS. They encouraged current students to start relying less on reminders from teachers and more on building personal accountability.
“Honestly,” Charlotte said, “high school should include moments of failure—missed deadlines, lower grades—so students learn to bounce back early. That sting is important. You won’t get those second chances in college.”
She recalled a moment from her first semester at Lehman, when she asked for an extension on a major term paper. “I just didn’t manage my time well,” she admitted. “My professor gave me some grace, but she also made it clear that I needed to do better. That talk changed how I approach my responsibilities.”
Karissa had a similar situation but wasn’t granted the extension. “That failing grade was tough,” she said, “but it forced me to start using my breaks to get work done and not expect extra time. College taught me to hustle smarter.”
Despite the academic challenges, both young women are thriving. Charlotte enjoys the diversity of the college experience: “You meet people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. It really broadens your view of the world.”
Still, they both miss the close-knit vibe of BRHS—the comfort of seeing familiar faces every day, traveling through the years alongside their classmates, and sharing daily moments with favorite teachers and friends.
Staying local and commuting to school has helped them stay grounded. They’ve learned to balance academics with personal growth, using their time wisely to explore their city and make meaningful connections.
Alumni Spotlight: BRHS Graduates Charlotte Espinal & Karissa Sing Share Their College Journeys
On Monday, April 28, Bronx River High School welcomed back two of its proud alumni—Charlotte Espinal and Karissa Singh—who returned to volunteer and reconnect with the school community. Both graduates of the Class of 2024, they’re now navigating college life with fresh perspectives and valuable lessons to share.
Charlotte is currently a student at Lehman College, where she is pursuing a degree in Child Psychology under the prestigious Lehman Scholars Program. Karissa attends John Jay College of Criminal Justice, majoring in Criminology. As we sat down to talk, both young women reflected candidly on the realities of transitioning from BRHS to college.
“College holds you accountable in ways high school never did,” Charlotte shared. At BRHS, she recalled being reminded daily—every period—about assignments and deadlines. “If I missed a deadline, I could often talk my way into submitting it late without penalty,” she said. “That doesn’t fly in college. You really have to figure things out on your own.”
Karissa agreed. “The classes are longer, and professors expect more,” she said. “No guided notes, no outlines—you have to listen, take notes, and stay disciplined. If you don’t, your grade will definitely reflect it.”
Both alumni stressed the importance of self-motivation and time management, especially during the junior and senior years at BRHS. They encouraged current students to start relying less on reminders from teachers and more on building personal accountability.
“Honestly,” Charlotte said, “high school should include moments of failure—missed deadlines, lower grades—so students learn to bounce back early. That sting is important. You won’t get those second chances in college.”
She recalled a moment from her first semester at Lehman, when she asked for an extension on a major term paper. “I just didn’t manage my time well,” she admitted. “My professor gave me some grace, but she also made it clear that I needed to do better. That talk changed how I approach my responsibilities.”
Karissa had a similar situation but wasn’t granted the extension. “That failing grade was tough,” she said, “but it forced me to start using my breaks to get work done and not expect extra time. College taught me to hustle smarter.”
Despite the academic challenges, both young women are thriving. Charlotte enjoys the diversity of the college experience: “You meet people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. It really broadens your view of the world.”
Still, they both miss the close-knit vibe of BRHS—the comfort of seeing familiar faces every day, traveling through the years alongside their classmates, and sharing daily moments with favorite teachers and friends.
Staying local and commuting to school has helped them stay grounded. They’ve learned to balance academics with personal growth, using their time wisely to explore their city and make meaningful connections.
Looking ahead, Charlotte and Karissa hope to return to BRHS again—not just as volunteers, but as mentors. They envision hosting roundtable talks to help current students prepare for life beyond high school.
“We want to be the voices we wish we had,” said Karissa. “College is a different world—but with the right mindset, BRHS students can rise to the challenge.”
“We want to be the voices we wish we had,” said Karissa. “College is a different world—but with the right mindset, BRHS students can rise to the challenge.”
