Senior Spotlight: Lesly Vega

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: Lesly Vega

Activities, Clubs & Leadership Roles:
Cross Country; Track and Field; National Honor Society; Action Committee; Central Islip Marching Band; Varsity Club.

Most Meaningful Activity:
Most of the activities I do mean a lot to me, but the ones that especially mean the most to me definitely have to be running in Cross Country/Track and Field and being a part of the band and its marching band. Without those activities, I feel that I wouldn’t have found my footing, confidence, and perseverance. If it weren’t for these activities, I wouldn’t have met so many amazing people or made the friends I have now. I have been on the track team since 8th grade, and without that, I wouldn’t have formed such a strong bond as I do now with my two best friends. I give them so much credit for wanting to continue even if it gets hard at times and for always being there for me. Without marching band, I wouldn’t have met my partner, and I would’ve never known how important they would be in my life. I want to acknowledge them because of how much they’ve helped me get through so many obstacles and have always been by my side as my biggest supporter. Without these activities, I wouldn’t have met such amazing people who are so important to me, and I feel that I wouldn’t be where I am right now without them. They truly shaped me to become who I am now, and I am eternally grateful for it.

Plans After Graduation:
I plan to go to a university to complete my undergraduate degree and major in political science. I am currently still waiting on college decisions and have yet to decide where I want to go. However, I really have my eyes set on studying in the city because of its endless opportunities and diversity. I’ve always loved the city since I was a child because it has always fascinated me. I also plan to spend time with my family, friends, and partner this summer since I owe it to them for helping and supporting me throughout my whole high school career, and being with them forever is not guaranteed, so I must make the most of it while I can.

Future Career Goals:
I plan to major in political science for my undergraduate degree and later take the LSAT to attend law school. My goal is to become a lawyer, and possibly an attorney working in government. I believe we need more diverse representation in our government and more people who represent marginalized communities. I have always been an activist and an advocate for many issues in the world and in our country, and I’ve always dreamed of contributing to the change the world needs. I’ve seen and experienced many issues that I believe need to change and be recognized.

Staff Member Recognition:
I would like to recognize Coach/Mr. Murphy, as he is retiring this year. It is his last year as a Central Islip teacher and his last year coaching the boys’ cross country team, girls’ varsity basketball team, and girls’ spring track and field team. He is loved by many and has inspired so many. He is truly a one-of-a-kind teacher and coach who deeply cares for his students and athletes and is always there to help. I am so glad to have had him as my coach for three years, and I know the teams he has coached and Central Islip will miss him so much. His impact and legacy will live on in CI forever.

Role Model Recognition:
My eldest cousin has inspired me a lot since I was little. She is first generation, the first to attend and graduate college, and the first to have a successful career. She graduated from Brentwood High School in 2016 and attended Farmingdale State College as a Division III lacrosse commit, graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies. She now works for Northwell Health as a clinical research analyst. A fun fact is that when I was born, my mom asked her what to name me, and she chose my name. She has always been like an older sister to me, caring for me and looking out for me since I was young. I’ve always looked up to her for accomplishing things that had never been done in our family before. As a first-generation student, she did everything on her own, which is incredibly inspiring to me. Since my parents did not attend college, I often had to navigate things on my own, and she helped me a lot during the college application process. Even as a child, she helped me with my schoolwork. She has had a great impact on my life, and I couldn’t have asked for a better role model.

What Central Islip Means to Me:
Being part of Central Islip means seeing countless students who look like me and share similar backgrounds succeed in a place where that is not always common. It inspires many students to strive for success and motivates each graduating class to do the same or even better. Everyone has a unique background and story, and it means everything to me to grow up surrounded by strong representation of my culture and identity. It truly makes me proud to be part of Central Islip and its community.

Proudest Accomplishment:
One accomplishment I am most proud of is being in the top 30, even if it may sound generic. During the pandemic and middle school, I struggled and did not perform as well as I wanted to. However, throughout high school, I was able to find myself again, improve my grades, and push myself academically. I wasn’t in honors classes before high school, and even as a freshman, I had little knowledge of AP classes. Now, most of my classes are AP and honors, and I am receiving a strong education from amazing teachers. I am proud of myself for overcoming a difficult time and achieving things my younger self never imagined.

Advice for Underclassmen:
Do not be ashamed to take breaks or feel unsure at times. There were many moments when I felt overwhelmed and needed to step back, whether that meant taking a short break or resting before continuing my work. While it is important not to overdo it, taking care of yourself and your mental health is essential. Giving yourself time to recharge will allow you to come back stronger and do your best.