2026 Gala Spotlight: Neena Osman

1 day ago
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Please find the transcript of Neena Osman's, BJP Class of 2023, Annual Gala speech below. Neena is a junior at Dominican Academy, and a participant in the Garville Scholar’s program.

Neena Osman is an active member of her community. While participating in various clubs at Dominican Academy, Neena also returns to BJP to volunteer at events as she gets to know our current students and provides them insight on her high school experience.

Good evening everyone. My name is Neena Osman. I graduated from Brooklyn Jesuit Prep in 2023, and I am currently a junior at Dominican Academy on the Upper East Side.

Before attending Dominican Academy, I was nervous. I was going to a completely new school in a different borough, where I would have to adjust to new teachers and find my place in a predominantly white institution. I wondered if all the preparation I had received was enough.

I quickly realized that the foundation laid at BJP was more than enough. The late nights of finishing labs, doing freckle, and the high expectations from my teachers in middle school didn't just teach me how to pass a test, they taught me how to manage my time and work hard towards a goal. BJP instilled in me the concept of being a 'person for others,' and it was that specific mindset that gave me the courage to step up, speak out, and eventually take leadership at Dominican Academy.

Dominican Academy also has one of the most supportive and welcoming communities I could have hoped for, with understanding teachers and incredibly kind classmates. Although I wasn’t the only student from my BJP class attending, I was still worried about making friends. Today, I can confidently say that I have friends across all four grades, and I am truly grateful for the amazing community.

At Dominican Academy, I have been able to expand my horizons in so many ways. I’ve joined seven clubs and currently serve as the co-president of the Students of Color Association. I’m also a member of the track team and hope to become a captain next season. Through track, I currently hold the school records in the 55m dash, 100m dash, 300m dash, and 400m dash.

One of the things I love most about Dominican Academy is how it encourages us to step outside our comfort zones and excel in areas beyond academics. In October, some of the girls in my grade volunteered at an elementary school on the Upper West Side. We ran games, served food, and helped with arts and crafts for the children. I also volunteer as a tutor for underprivileged students who would not otherwise have access to tutoring.

Additionally, I continue to return to Brooklyn Jesuit Prep to volunteer at their well-known Saturday programs. I remember being a student here, and Saturday program was always my favorite activity. Being able to come back and help create the same, if not better, experiences for current BJP students brings me a sense of nostalgia but also accomplishment.

Service has always been a big part of my life. From my days at BJP, participating in service trips, cleaning up communities, and providing food for those in need, to now tutoring and working with younger students, it has always felt incredibly rewarding to give back.

I am truly grateful to be a Garville Scholar, and I’m thankful for the opportunity it gives me to make the most of the education and experiences I’ve been given, while continuing to give back to others.

Thank you so much for your time, and it is now my pleasure to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Garville to the stage.