Brother and Sister Twins to Graduate from C.W. Post, Fulfilling Late Mother’s Wish

May 8, 2005 — Brookville, NY – You have to wish a dream before you can make it happen. In the case of the 27-year-old Guga twins from Glen Cove, it was the wish of their late mother that they pursue a college education. They know that she would be proud that her two children are graduates of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University; Joseph with an M.B.A. and Jennifer with an M.S. in Special Education.

Their mother’s death in 1998 meant that the twins became each other’s main support system. Attending school full-time is enough of a challenge for any student, but the Guga twins also worked full-time while earning both their Bachelor’s and their Master’s degrees from C.W. Post. Jennifer is a Patient Care Associate at North Shore-LIJ University Hospital at Glen Cove and Joseph is a Certified and Registered Central Service Technician at North Shore-LIJ University Hospital in Manhasset. For them, a shoulder to lean on has been a necessity, not a luxury. About their schedules, Joseph said, “We’ve been on our own and we know what it takes.”

Jennifer works the evening shift at the hospital, but her day begins early at Robert M. Finley Middle School in Glen Cove. “I wanted to give back to my community so I decided to do my practicum at my old middle school,” said Jennifer, referring to the training that education degree candidates undertake once they have completed their student teaching. She works with high needs 5th and 6th grade children in self-contained classes.

Although his schedule cannot rival his sister’s for sheer volume, Joseph is busy planning his wedding for next year, as well as working and completing his degree. He has concentrated his academic studies on business and he is hoping to parlay his work experience in the medical field into a managerial position.

In his present position, he is currently being considered for a lead supervisor position. The fact that he passed the state exams and became a Certified and Registered Service Technician speaks volumes for his work ethic. Certification is not mandatory in New York but it puts him in an excellent position for future employment anywhere in the country.

Once he graduates, Joseph and his fiancé want to explore moving to Atlanta, Georgia or another area south of New York. About his sister’s reaction to the possible move, “She’s not open to it.” He said it would be hard, noting that “it would be weird being that far away from each other.”

After graduation, foot surgery will delay his sister’s search for a job as an elementary special education teacher. Once she is up and around, however, Jennifer would consider venturing off Long Island for a trip to Peru. There she would finally meet her late mother’s extended family.