By Parker Silberman
Longwood High School
Whether she’s writing, performing on stage or imagining her future as a journalist, the 17-year-old rising senior at Baldwin Senior High School is constantly looking for ways to express herself and connect with others. With a passion for writing, a busy schedule and ambitious career goals, she is already working toward turning that passion into a profession.
Briana will spend her senior year taking all of her classes at Nassau Community College. “I’m excited to step into a new environment and make the best out of my experience there,” she said.
She lives with her parents, her older sister and her older brother. She also has a dog and a cat that are an important part of her life. “I’ve had my dog since I was five years old, and as an animal person, I love taking time out of my day to spend with Raven and Harley.”
Outside the classroom, Briana stays active playing softball, riding her bike, baking and spending time with her friends.
This summer, in addition to attending the Robert W. Greene Summer Institute, Briana Dworsak alongside her mother, plans to visit her aunt in Ocean City, Maryland, as well as continue playing softball for Plainedge’s community league.
Her interest in journalism has been growing for years. “I wanted to join this program because ever since I was in school I have always had a love and desire for writing and creating stories,” Briana said. “That love remained all through middle school, and now as a rising senior I realized journalism and writing are a lost art that isn’t thoroughly explored and praised enough. The use of artificial intelligence recently made me want to explore journalism more and put my perspective out into the world.”
Briana hopes to pursue a career as either a psychologist or a feature writer for The New York Times. She plans to apply to colleges with strong journalism programs, including Stony Brook University and Syracuse University, where she can continue developing her writing and storytelling skills.
One of her favorite childhood memories was performing in her first school play, “Into the Woods,” in fifth grade. “I was shy, but performing in front of an audience actively helped me become more confident,” she said. The experience taught her to step outside her comfort zone and helped shape the confidence she carries herself with today.
Her mother, Erica Dworsak, has watched that determination grow over the years. “Brianna has always been extremely passionate about her hobbies and especially her main interests like journalism. She has big ambitions and will do anything to make them reality.”
As Brianna prepares for her senior year and looks ahead to college, she remains focused on the goal that has inspired her for years: telling stories that matter. As she put it, “I have always had a love and desire for writing and creating stories.”