Sporting Events

Napoli!! 

I absolutely love going to huge sporting events, especially soccer games. I love watching the Sunday games with my family on tv with the Italian leagues battling it out for the European Cup. My favorite team is Napoli, out of the whole A series league. Just a couple of weeks ago, during spring break, I was in Italy and was at one of the big stadiums where the Italian teams play. The game I had went to go watch was Napoli against Juventus. When I entered the stadium, it looked insane. There were lights beaming from every angle possible, and people all over the place scattered like ants. As the game progressed, it got intense. As I was sitting down watching the game, I got this jolt of adrenaline rush  seconds after Napoli had scored. Soccer, in my family, is huge and is taken as seriously as the Super Bowl here in America. I could remember the crowds going nuts, and people screaming and banging into each other with horns and whistles going off. It was quite the memory that I will never forget, as it was my first time ever attending a Soccer game live in another country. 

Juventus!!

My Local Fire Department

Brand new truck to our fleet!! 

During my free time, I volunteer at my local fire department as a way of me giving back to my community for all that it has done for me. I currently volunteer at my local district, which is Carle Place Fire Department. I love working with a great team of people who care as much as I do about my community. It fills me with joy when I know that I have impacted some one else and made their day better. Giving back is huge with me, I believe strongly in it, and it's what I look forward to. On my way to the fire house, I get this sense of great confidence and pride because I know that it will be another day of lending out a helping hand to one who needs it most. 

Second truck added to our fleet!! Currently the most operated. 

 

My Italian-American Family

My Father and Mother at HighSchool
Graduation. 

I am from a family of 5 and am the oldest child. There is my mother, Carmela, my father, Giovanni, and my two younger twin brothers named Giovanni Jr. and Nicholas.

My father was born and raised in Italy, specifically southern Italy in Naples. My farther is the only one in the house with a very heavy accent, but being around it my whole life, I got used to it and understand him well. My mother, brothers, and I were born here in the United States. My mother speaks fluent Italian, and the majority of her family has come and moved here to the U.S. from Italy. My father's entire family is unfortunately  back in Italy, and at times, it can be hard, but we still keep in very close contact with them. I am extremely  thankful that I come from a very supportive, loving, caring family. My younger twin brothers are complete soccer addicts and are both fourteen years old. 

My brother's Confirmation.

My family and I love to spend Sundays together. For example, we have gone, and still go on occasion, to The Nautical Mile in Freeport, NY and have dinner by the sea. Family bonding is important to us as a whole, and I feel that it only brings us closer. When the Italian Soccer leagues are playing, we will get together and watch them battle it out for the European Cup. 

My passion for the Drums

Drumline crew!!   

On my free time, I play one very special instrument, and that is the drums. I have been playing the drums since I was four years old. I have such a strong passion for them, and it started at a super young age. One Christmas, I woke up and remember opening up my presents and seeing this drum set!! I was so excited and couldn't wait to open them up and start playing. It was tiny but did the job. As I got older, I began progressing and getting much better at playing. I had taught myself how to play at the time, but as time began to progress, I got really good. As I moved throughout middle school and high school, I got involved in the Jazz band and Drum line. It was something I truly loved and found that I was really good at. I could remember when my percussion group and I would play at big sporting events and competitions. I could remember hearing the crowds going nuts and screaming so loud after we finished off strong. I remember feeling the adrenaline rush going through me. I feel that when I play the drums my emotions come out, and I show it through my playing, as one can tell based on how I'm playing. I also use the drums as a way for me to let all my frustration out, and also as a way of therapeutic relaxation. When I play, I feel that I'm letting all that is bottled up in me out, so that when I'm done, I feel like I'm in a better state of mind. The drums, for me, is a way to get away from everything and go to my happy place. Playing the drums and listening to music is what fuels me and gets me right back up when I'm feeling down.

Me and the group performing at the Middle school
winter concert. 

First Flight Up in the Air

Football Field over Farmingdale, New York

Aviation has been a deep passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I would go out to the Airport every weekend with my parents, and I would sit and watch all the planes takeoff at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York. I would be there from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. As I got older, I began to grow more and more interested in Aviation and became more involved, as well. For example, in 2016, I volunteered at the Air Power Museum on the grounds of Republic Airport.

My father, Giovanni Portelli, owns a landscaping and irrigation business. In 2009, when I was 8 years old, on a weekday, I was studying and received a call from one of my father's customers, Al. As I began to speak with this man, I realized he was a pilot himself. I began to go into a deep discussion about his aircrafts and what he did for a living. I was so fascinated and intrigued at what this man had at his disposal. As we progressed into the conversation, he proceeded to ask me if I would like to go flying with him in his aircraft. I was in shock, just trying to  absorb what he just asked of me. I quickly responded with a jolt of excitement and said, "Yes!"

Flying over Jones Beach. 

The next day, I got to see Long Island up at 4000 feet, and it was just spectacular. No words could describe how cool it was to be sitting inside of such a complex machine, flying and being around what I love.

Getting ready to board Al's Helicopter.