The Lit Interview:

Michael

Casiano,

former NDHS student… Who is he now? By

Maya Gomez

MG: How did your experience as a student make you want to work at NDHS?

Cas Quote: “But to live doesn't mean you're alive”- Nicki Minaj

Cas: My experience as a student was one of the best, I was a super senior when I graduated. I started off at a different school. My parents wanted to move to Florida. They were like “let’s do suburban life.” I learned about different social groups in high school. I wasn't successful in high school over there but I made some friends for life. I felt like I didn’t trust anyone in the other schools, especially the adults because they were super traditional. At New Design though, connecting with the adults, being exposed to different programs, the amount of people that were vibey and just super chill and super creative made me love this place. Made me think, “Yo, when I graduate I want to work here in some capacity.”

MG: What is your role at NDHS?

INSIDE STORIES!

Snacks: Snacks For Next Valentine’s Day / p. 2

LitxDesign Gallery: Art & Poetry / p. 3-4

Rant of the Month

“We’re the smallest school in the damn campus. Why is it so hard for people to move at the middle of the hallway? Is walking too hard or what?”

Cas: I’m part of the restorative team, which is me, Jessy, Edwin, Jacky, and Eric, whom I love. Our roles are like the deans. I've been here for 12 years so in those 12 years I've been a teacher, guidance counselor, basketball coach, and director of student success, which is like an administrator. I used to process kids’ working papers, getting them internships, exposure to internships, and I got kids to have fundraisers here. That role was as a director of events. When we had fundraisers here like with Rico Nasty or American Eagle or Little Wayne or those things, I would work with these companies and make sure they would have a spot for kids.

MG: What do you enjoy most from working at NDHS?

Cas: There’s many things that I enjoy so I feel like when I get that question I want to get cheesy and say everything! But I will narrow it down to one thing, I really enjoy speaking with youth. I like hearing them, hearing their story, whether it’s like they’re having a bad day or what they experienced or what they want to experience years from now. So many ALL FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN OF Y’ALL! I feel bad sometimes because I don’t get to hear everyone’s story. There’s only so many times and minutes of the day. But sometimes you gotta let that happen organically. I wish I had more time to do that with everyone.

MG: What would you like for NDHS students to know about you?

Cas: I want New Design High School students to know I am here for them! Even if we’ve never chatted or have, I’m always an ear to listen!

(Bonus question on back page!)