Suzanne Bishop, a Homer High language arts teacher, assigned a mini-biography project to her senior students. These short narratives helped strengthen student’s writing skills while also celebrating their peers. Each week, the Homer Independent Press will feature a student written Senior Profile, offering insight into the unique lives, experiences and personalities of Homer High’s Class of 2027.


Vincent Black has been a kind, hilarious and memorable part of Homer High School and the community of Homer. Initially moving here with a couple of his siblings, he’s been back and forth between his home in Philadelphia and Homer until recently, as his family has finally settled down in Homer.

Vincent is an avid athlete year round with two football state championship titles and individual accomplishments in wrestling and baseball. When he’s not out competing on the pitch or wrestling mat, he’s at the gym or active outside with his older brother and role model, Bernie. “He has taught me to work at a lot of things, and it was cool for me to inherit his football jersey number as a sophomore,” which proves how this relationship has had a profound impact on the man he has become.

Vincent said he recommends that everyone read Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” Alfred Lansing’s biographical account of the Endurance voyage and the Bible. He was especially compelled to recommend the biography on the Endurance because of the captivating story and the fact that it actually happened, unlike the fictional planet of Arrakis from Dune.

A hidden talent of Vincent’s is his rapid ability to learn new things, for example, he learned American Sign Language in elementary school and still remembers it to this day, which shows his natural adaptability and good memory. This will serve him well later on, as he hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy after high school and learn a maritime skill which he can hopefully use later in life.