Harbor Country Day School recently had a proud moment when one of its alumni, Philomena (Philly) Bubaris, was selected to deliver Stony Brook University’s Class of 2013 Commencement Address. A member of the Class of 2013, she represented her class, speaking before a crowd of over 10,000 people. She is the epitome of many Harbor students – happy, confident learners and leaders who strive for excellence.
Philly, who grew up in Fort Salonga, NY and resides in Nesconset, NY, is a 2013 graduate of Stony Brook University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She is currently serving in a 10-week internship at Bloomberg TV, but will continue her education next year to complete her MBA. She credits Harbor for helping her become the person she has.
“Since I graduated from Harbor, I have had my Harbor family behind me, helping me every step of the way. I am so grateful for the connections I made there,” said Philly. “Adolescence is tough, but as a Harbor student, my early life was much easier than it is for most.”
As with most of us, there were certain teachers who left an indelible mark in Philly’s life. One such teacher for Philly was Mr. DeKnipp.
“Mr. DeKnipp, who recently retired from teaching, certainly made my Harbor experience worthwhile,” she continued. “He is still someone I speak to frequently and reach out to for advice. I remember my first trip to Frost Valley (an overnight camp) in 4th grade when I couldn’t sleep. Mr. D stayed up with me and told me stories and made me laugh.” In addition to remembering Mr. DeKnipp and other Harbor teachers fondly, Philly talked about her academic experience at Harbor.
“My favorite subject was always English,” added Philly. “I attribute a lot of my writing abilities to Harbor. I was given a lot of individual attention and assignments that taught me to write creatively and grammatically correct. I was always allowed and encouraged to speak up and ask questions, and was spoken to like a mature young adult,” she said.
It is not surprising that sports too played a role in Philly’s growth and development. While “not so good at sports,” in her own words, she was encouraged to play on a team and did gain the experience of what it feels like to be “a real asset.” Sports also provided one her funniest memories of Harbor. It was when she was playing on the Harbor basketball team against another school.
Philly recalled, “I finally got a hold of the ball and took a shot! I never, ever got the ball in the net, until this one time, when I shot at the wrong basket!”
Based on that recounting, sports may not have been Philly’s strong suit, but school spirit was. Her proudest memory of Harbor was when she became the namesake to the Harbor Country Day School Spirit Award.
“I still think about it and get a little choked up,” said Philly. “Looking back, I realize that Harbor was one of the best times of my life. I didn’t realize how monumental my experience was there until I grew up. The Philly Bubaris Spirit Award reminds me to always be myself even when times get tough and I feel misunderstood. Being spirited and confident is what got me that award, and if I don’t stay positive as I go through life, than I am not the Philly Bubaris I want to be,” she added.
For parents who may not be sure about the value of a private school education, Philly has these insights to share.
“The value of a private education depends on the child and on the school,” stated Philly. “I was always an outgoing kid with a lot to say. I was always ahead of the class and needed personal attention in order to excel. At Harbor, because of its small size, I was able to get the personal attention that I needed and build close relationships with other students; something I struggled with in public school.”
She continued, “All of the moral code that I apply to my daily life today developed and solidified while I was a Harbor student. Some people say private school is silly because it is so small that kids won’t ever learn to be in a big group or make friends. I disagree. Because it is so small and tight knit, you have no option but to make friends. You have to learn to work out your differences and get along. That social experience is what helped me pick and choose the people I spent time with in high school and in college.”
Perhaps Philly said it best when she said, “Private education is a tough choice, especially because parents always want what is best for their kids. But sending a child to Harbor will always be a good decision. It really is just a great place.”
Philly is not the only member of her family to attend and graduate from Harbor. Her sister Dessy Bubaris was a Harbor graduate in 2008 and was the recipient of the school’s Headmaster’s Award. Their parents are Joan and George Bubaris. Mr. Bubaris serves on the Board of Trustees at Harbor.