Floral Park Memorial High School proudly hosted its first Career Day, which was an inspiring event designed to help 10th-grade students explore how interests, passions and experiences can evolve into meaningful careers.
The event, held during periods 1-3, brought together a diverse panel of professionals representing fields from business and beauty to healthcare, engineering and public service. Each presenter was carefully chosen to highlight how success can take many forms — and how passion, perseverance and purpose can lead to a fulfilling career.
Students rotated through small-group sessions in a round-robin fashion, allowing them to hear from every presenter and engage in Q&A sessions with questions they prepared in their English classes.
Among the featured speakers were:
TJ Lopez, founder and CEO of Athletic Movement Protocol, a multi-location training company serving athletes and adults across Long Island. With over a decade in business and recognition as “Gym Owner of the Year,” TJ shared how his leadership, drive and love of performance training built AMP into a nearly $2 million company.
Jessica Walker, supervisor of school district services at The Nicholas Center, discussed her journey from teaching assistant to counseling and supporting adults with disabilities. She spoke passionately about her mission to empower students, including those in Floral Park’s Life Skills Program, to build confidence and independence.
Samantha McCann, owner of Studio SL, reflected on how a childhood fascination with hairstyling led her to open a successful salon that just celebrated five years in business. She shared how creativity and dedication helped her turn a passion into a lifelong career.
Dana Vella, licensed esthetician and owner of Dana V. Esthi in Franklin Square, shared how personal experiences with skincare inspired her to help others feel confident in their own skin and open her own business during the pandemic.
Steve Pinto, entrepreneur and creator of custom RC cars, described how his love for automobiles evolved into a booming online business serving celebrities, athletes and collectors around the world.
Dr. Elvin Sam, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and Sheena Sam, nurse practitioner, spoke about their paths in healthcare, emphasizing compassion, education and a genuine desire to care for others as the foundation of their success.
Cebin Panicker, healthcare IT specialist, explained how his background in medical informatics allows him to merge technology and patient care, using data to improve healthcare outcomes in New York City’s public health system.
Members of the Floral Park Fire Department, including 1st Assistant Chief Eric O’Connor, 2nd Assistant Chief William Lauria Sr., Captain William Lauria Jr., Ex-Captain Patricia Luger, and Firefighter Thomas Steck, shared how their experiences as FPM alumni and volunteer firefighters helped shape their leadership, teamwork and career success.
Tina Elias and Shreya Gupta, structural engineers, encouraged students to pursue curiosity and creativity through engineering and STEM, showing how problem-solving can be both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Staff Sergeant Sebastian Gaviria, United States Marine Corps, spoke about his distinguished military career, which began in 2012 and has taken him around the world — from training in Parris Island to serving in Okinawa, Japan, Afghanistan and Guam. He shared stories of leadership, resilience and service, highlighting how discipline and lifelong learning have guided his success. Staff Sergeant Gaviria holds a B.A. in Law and Society from Penn State University and is currently preparing to attend law school to pursue a Juris Doctorate.
Throughout the morning, students listened attentively and engaged with enthusiasm, gaining a deeper appreciation for the many ways one can define success. Whether through entrepreneurship, education, public service, healthcare or engineering, presenters emphasized that career paths are rarely linear and that passion, curiosity and persistence are what truly drive achievement.
Floral Park Memorial looks forward to making Career Day an annual tradition that continues to connect students with local professionals and alumni who inspire them to build bright, purpose-driven futures.
