While most high school students look forward to the weekend to relax, senior Mark Gregory looks forward to weekends so he can go into the city – to work.

Mark has been spending available weekends at his father’s firehouse in Brooklyn since he was young and has been going out to calls since he was 5 years old.  When it comes to firefighting Mark is “100%, 100% of the time.”

Firefighting is a family thing – everyone on his dad’s side does it.  He said, “We just like helping people.” Because he was exposed to firefighting as a little kid, Mark has gained the rewarding feeling of helping others.

Mark’s biggest inspiration is his dad. He admires the respect his father has gained in his 26-year career and how he was able to come back from all the losses of September 11^th.

In the fall, Mark plans on attending John Jay college and hopes to major in fire and emergency management. After college Mark wants to officially become a New York City fireman. Being in the city for college will allow for him to get the experience he will need for the job.