2000 Rocky Point grad chooses business over music

JANELLE ROVEGNO

THEN
Age: 18
Year Graduated: 2000 Rocky Point High School
What’s ahead: Vocal performance major

NOW
Age: 29
Current residence: Manhattan
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University; Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Vanderbilt University
Occupation: Transaction Specialist for the Global Corporate Services Group at CB Richard Ellis

When Janelle Rovegno graduated from Rocky Point High School in 2000, she dreamed of majoring in vocal performance and becoming a singer.

And she did for a while at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music -- until her junior year when she decided to change her focus and study business.

“When I graduated from my master’s program and moved back to New York, I made the decision to not continue singing professionally but I knew music would always be a part of my life,” she said. “These days I sing mostly at weddings of friends and family.”

She now works at CB Richard Ellis in Manhattan and though she is no longer singing as a career, she still loves music and says she goes to see live shows often.

“I'll always remember it as a very exciting time,” she said about her mindset in 2000 as she was about to graduate high school. “I had no idea what the future held and was excited to begin the next chapter of my life.”