Senior Spotlight: Brandon Urrutia

Welcome to the 2026 Senior Spotlight series! This weekly feature will run every week until Central Islip High School's graduation ceremonies. Enjoy!

Senior Spotlight: Brandon Urrutia

Activities, Clubs & Leadership Roles:
STEP @ NYIT; STEP @ Suffolk Community College; Science National Honor Society; National Honor Society; Varsity Tennis Captain; Marching Band Alto Saxophone Section Leader; Pit Orchestra for Shrek; Jazz Ensemble; Sophomore Club; Active member and volunteer at St. John of God Pantry and Thrift Shop; Volunteer at numerous PTSA events; LIU Honor Band.

Most Meaningful Activity:
While there are so many roles and activities that mean so much to me, if I had to choose only one, I would choose being captain of the Varsity Tennis Team. When I first started, our team was not in the greatest position, and my role as captain from 9th through 12th grade really allowed me to see not only my personal growth, but the team’s growth as well. The Central Islip Varsity Tennis Team went from being a team that other schools viewed as a free win to a team that schools genuinely struggled to beat. Even with major setbacks, especially this year being placed into a harder division, we defeated teams that we had not beaten in a very long time. What I am even more proud of is seeing our players go from expecting to lose to believing they could win and giving their best effort every match. Our team became a giant family, and as captain, I tried to inspire others and make sure everyone felt like they had a home here, leaving no one out.

Plans After Graduation:
After graduation, I plan to attend Hofstra University and then continue on to medical school to become a neurosurgeon. I would also like to continue playing my alto saxophone, as music is an essential part of my life that I want to continue expressing. In my free time, I hope to teach myself a few more instruments because I love making music.

Future Career Goals:
I plan to study Biology, minor in Music, and pursue a career as a neurosurgeon.

Staff Member Recognition:
I would like to recognize Mrs. Villatoro for fostering my eagerness to pursue medicine and become a neurosurgeon, but mainly because without her, I would never have become the strong person I am today. I would also like to recognize Mr. Ryan and Mr. Pyle for helping me find my artistic side through music and showing me that music can be used to help people who are in pain. They were some of the first familiar faces I saw in high school and gave me the opportunity to be part of Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Marching Band, which provided me with a huge family and helped foster my love for music.

I would also like to thank Mr. Kelly and Mr. LaRocca for being the reason I play tennis today. They gave me the competitive drive to win and make them proud, while also becoming another family I could rely on. Mr. Turk pushed me to be more outgoing and has always been a caring and respectable teacher who does everything he can to help his students. I would also like to recognize Mr. Cottrell, who is the reason I fell in love with Biology and decided to major in it. He is a teacher I deeply respect and someone who gives so much back to the community, which inspires me tremendously.

Lastly, I'd like to shout out Mr. Aaron Mitchell. He made tennis really fun and brought the livelihood and atmosphere of everyday tennis up. He was someone I have the upmost respect for and he gave our team the motivation to win, even when it was harsh we needed to hear it. He is such a great person to be around and has the funniest and relatable personality ever! 

Role Model / Inspiration:
My mom is the person who inspires me the most. She came to this country as an immigrant and gave up everything for our family. She volunteered at school long before I ever did and would do absolutely anything for me. All I want is to make her proud and show her how much her hard work has paid off. She is the best mom in the world, someone I can talk to about anything and still receive unconditional love no matter what mistakes I make.

What Central Islip Means to Me:
Being a part of Central Islip means being part of something greater than yourself. There is never truly an individual moment in CI. While individual recognition does happen, Central Islip is built on diversity and coming together as one large family that you can return to any day and still feel loved and supported. Central Islip may only be one chapter of your life, but that is all the more reason to cherish every moment and appreciate it for everything it is. Time flies incredibly fast, and CI will always be a part of who you are, even as you move on to the next chapter.

Proudest Accomplishment:
One accomplishment I am most proud of is receiving the Sportsmanship Award, which was voted on by players and coaches. Not only did our team work hard and succeed, but I gave everything I had on the court, made it all the way to counties, and helped leave behind a positive reputation for Central Islip. Being recognized for sportsmanship while representing CI meant a great deal to me because it showed that hard work, character, and respect can leave a lasting impact. I am proud to have helped other schools see Central Islip as a place where great students and athletes come from.

Advice to Underclassmen:
One piece of advice I would give to underclassmen is to truly appreciate what your school does for you. You won’t realize how lucky you are until you leave, so make the most of every opportunity and find the things you love. There are always people here who will help guide you toward your passions and support you along the way. Never forget how much teachers and staff do for us every day.