What is the most cherished lesson learned at St. Joseph’s College? For SJC Long Island graduates Ashley Perrone ’17 and Danielle Myles ’18, it’s the meaning of friendship.
SJC Besties Danielle Myles ’18, left, and Ashley Perrone ’17 at a Campus Activities Board event.
Perrone, a psychology major, and Myles, an English secondary education major, met in a speech communication and poetry class and quickly became SJC Besties.
“We have so many great memories, but when we first got together for lunch was my favorite,” Perrone said. “Danielle had to take the fall semester off after a few weeks, but I had her phone number, so we texted every day since I didn’t see her in school.
She continued: “That following January, we finally got to hang out! After all of those months not seeing each other, we still maintained a friendship. I knew from hanging out with her that she would be a friend for life and I am so thankful SJC brought us together.”
Responding to a questionnaire conducted by St. Joseph’s Office of Alumni Engagement in honor of I Heart SJC Week, Perrone said it’s easy to make close friends at the College.
“Since the campus is small, it makes it easier to see your best friends every day and develop a friendship,” Perrone said. “There are many places on campus to hang out.”
Perrone and Myles are one of many life-long friendships formed on St. Joseph’s College’s two campuses. Below, meet some other SJC Besties who responded to the survey:
Victoria Mahoney ’19 and Rebecca DeRosa ’21
SJC Besties Victoria Mahoney ’19 and Rebecca DeRosa ’21
Who they are: Mahoney was a mathematics and computer science major, while DeRosa studies nursing at SJC Brooklyn.
How they met: They were paired to live together at the off-campus residence hall, St. George/Clark Residence, while Mahoney was a junior and DeRosa was a freshman.
Their favorite SJC memory: “Every memory from inside our dorm room,” Mahoney says. “#1071Forever!”
What they’ll be doing when they’re 90: Mahoney will be knitting, while DeRosa naps. When they both are awake, they will rant about their lives over some microwave popcorn or dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets.
The fictional BFFs they best represent: Timon and Pumba from “The Lion King.”
SJC Besties Gabby Cinquemani ’18 and Vicky Panicola ’19
Gabby Cinquemani ’18 and Vicky Panicola ’19
Who they are: Cinquemani and Panicola both studied biology at SJC Long Island. Today, Cinquemani is studying to be a physical therapist, while Panicola works in invasive species management at Davey Resource Group.
How they met: They sat across from each other in chemistry class.
Their favorite SJC memory: Completing their thesis research on the Patchogue Lake with the help of Dr. Konstantine Rountos.
What they’ll be doing when they’re 90: Still going to Swell Taco and devouring the entire plate of pulled pork nachos!
The fictional BFFs they best represent: Monica and Rachel from “Friends.”
Gianna Carotenuto ’20 and Antonia Leone ’22
SJC Besties Gianna Carotenuto ’20 and Antonia Leone ’22
Who they are: Carotenuto is a child study major and Leone is a speech communication major at SJC Brooklyn.
How they met: They are in the same sorority.
Their favorite SJC memory: Meeting each other!
What they’ll be doing when they’re 90: Hanging out and enjoying a cup of tea.
The fictional BFFs they best represent: Meredith Grey and Christina Yang from “Grey’s Anatomy.”
SJC Besties Alexandra Romanoff ’21 and Briana Ferguson ’21
Alexandra Romanoff ’21 and Briana Ferguson ’21
Who they are: They are both child study majors at SJC Long Island, and are involved in the Educators Club and Student Government Association (SGA). Romanoff is the SGA secretary, while Ferguson is the treasurer.
How they met: Through the honors program.
Their favorite SJC memory: Performing a dance together at an Alpha Gamma Delta fundraiser (Romanoff is a member of the sorority). They are excited to continue making SJC memories together this spring when they travel to Greece with the Honors Program.
What they’ll be doing when they’re 90: Hanging together with their grandchildren.
The fictional BFFs they best represent: Mia and Lilly from ‘The Princess Diaries.”
SJC Besties Grace Degiovine ’21 and Sarah Collins ’21
Sarah Collins ’21 and Grace Degiovine ’21
Who they are: Child study majors at SJC Long Island.
How they met: Sitting next to each other in class this past fall semester.
How they knew they met their bestie: “SJC is right next to Dunkin’, and you know you’ve found your lifelong bestie when you’re stressed and they’ll drive across the street to Dunkin’ for you.” –Sarah
Their favorite SJC memory: A week-long study session for finals where they helped each other study and kept each other sane.
What they’ll be doing when they’re 90: Shoe shopping as always.
The fictional BFFs they best represent: Alex and Harper from “Wizards of Waverly Place.”
