Jonela Hasani, a graduate and current employee of Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School. (Photo: Errol Lewis/THECollegiate)
Albanian born Jonela Hasani, 33, is a graduate of Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School (MCNDHS). Currently completing her final semester at Alfred University, as part of the Masters in Education Program, with a concentration on School Counseling, Ms. Hasani emigrated to the United States at the age of 18. Although she had already graduated high school in her home country, her lack of proficiency in English hindered her in moving ahead. After speaking with someone she had befriended shortly after her arrival to the U.S., Ms. Hasani discovered MCNDHS when she was 19.
“They initially recommended me to go for a GED,” says Ms. Hasani of her arrival at the school. “After seeing my grades, and speaking with me in person, they saw my potential and gave me the opportunity of enrolling.”
Founded by Howard Friedman, principal emirates, the first of its kind high school was geared towards overaged and under credited students (17 to 21 years) who found their education interrupted due to various circumstances, each unique to the student themselves.
Just over a year and a half later, Ms. Hasani graduated from MCNDHS, and even had the distinction of sharing her journey with The New York Times (At School for Hardest Cases, Perseverance, Night and Day).
“I was lucky that one of my grade advisors saw the uniqueness of my story, and gave me the courage to share it with others,” Ms. Hasani explains.
At the age of 21, and a recent high school graduate living in New York City, Ms. Hasani began to question her next stage in life. She knew that college was an option, but didn’t know how to go about enrolling, or what she was interested in doing for a career. She did know she liked finance, however.
“I wanted to go to Baruch College,” says Ms. Hasani. “I wanted to be a businesswoman. I loved the concept of working for a big corporation and dressing up in a suit, like you would expect from a sophisticated lady. While it became a passion of mine, I quickly learned that to want something and to get something are two very different things. Therefore, because of those differences, I was unable to attend Baruch College.”
Instead, Ms. Hasani enrolled at City College of New York (CCNY), where she began studying engineering. After a few courses within her first semester, she decided to change her major to finance, where she could finally accomplish her dream. However, there were issues that came about and hindered her from accomplishing her dream. As a result, she was forced to transfer out of CCNY to LaGuardia College, where she decided to take up Nursing.
“I could not complete the Nursing program because it was very competitive and I didn’t want to waste any more time in trying to fulfill my dreams,” she says. “I decided to go back to CCNY, and this time, surely, complete the Bachelor’s Degree for Human Services.
“I realized that by taking different courses under Human Services that I fit better within the concentration of Psychology. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2014, and passionately continued my education and enrolled at Alfred University for their master’s program in school counseling.”
Ms. Hasani’s path to success is unique. During her high school days, she had no source of information about the future. While there was a College Department within MCNDHS, she felt there wasn’t enough resources available to her based on her situation at that time.
“You don’t have that someone explaining to you in great detail what to do when you don’t have documents,” Ms. Hasani recalls. “I kind of lost myself, and I chose to finish high school. I said to myself that when I received my papers I would spend time applying for college because I wanted to be like everyone else.” She wanted to become someone, have a better life and a better education. “I wanted to be a better me,” she states.
While she’s moved on with her life and is gearing up for the next stage, Ms. Hasani will never forget where she started when she came to the U.S. She would like to say to anyone who is either coming from a similar background to her own, or someone struggling to find out what to do after completing their secondary schooling, that they need to talk to someone.
“Always be ready to share what’s going on with you, particularly with the right people. Get early intervention because it’s important that you are getting exactly what you want. Make sure not to be stuck in a place that leaves you lonely and unable to perform in ways that’ll help you succeed.” She adds, “You definitely want to be somewhere that you feel happy and is helping make a difference.”