We're Back: TownMag.co’s Transformative Year

Townies, we’re back and better than ever! This past year has been transformative for TownMag.co. I’ve had the time to invest in reflection and renewal throughout the pandemic. This has been a difficult and stressful year for all of us and our community has collectively been through so much. I took a step back to assess how TownMag.co fits in within this moment of history and I learned how we can grow to better serve our community.

After much deliberation, research, and conversation, we’ve rebranded to better fit our mission as a social impact product, made our site more accessible, and paved the way for growth. I’m excited to share our new changes this with you.

1. Brand: TownMag.co has new designs and a refreshed mission and vision. I explored the meaning behind TownMag.co and tried to answer the question as to how we can better represent it. TownMag.co has always been about conversations and connections that create something honest and beautiful. We’re a constellation of stories, returning to share them with current high school students to give them a map and help them navigate the many different decisions and choices in life after high school.

2. Policy: TownMag.co is a guaranteed safe space for all alumni to share their stories. Our platform has been a positive, supportive community since we’ve launched, but we acknowledged last year that we hadn’t received any alumni stories from Black alumni. We want to make it absolutely clear we’re doing everything we can to create an inclusive platform for all alumni to share their stories without fear of hate speech or harassment. Read our Hate Speech and Harassment Policy here.

   Additionally, we’ve created an Alumni Representation Policy. When alumni share their story with us, they become alumni representatives of TownMag.co. In the rare occurrence of certain public circumstances happen before or after an alumni story is shared, we reserve the right to take the alumni story off our platform once we are made aware of the event or circumstances, because the alumni no longer represents our values and mission. Read our Alumni Representation and Responsibility Policy here.

3. Accessibility: This website is now accessible for everyone to share their stories. We’ve upgraded our technology to allow alumni to share their stories through video and/or audio files in addition to submitting a written story. We now accept .mp4, .mp3, .pdf, .jpg, .png files. Check out our new process and share your story today.

4. Growth: We’re growing! We’re piloting TownMag.co in communities close to our hometown, and we’re accepting stories from Torrington High School alumni. If you’re a Torrington High School alumni, you can share your story today and we will share it with THS students! We’ll be starting to market and launch in Torrington this upcoming Fall 2021.

5. Reflection: I've been running TownMag.co for 5 years now, on an incredibly small budget with limited resources, and it’s been a success within our community. I’ll be exploring ways to grow TownMag.co so that other communities can utilize alumni relations and connections also. We're back up and running, growing, with an updated brand. We'll see where we go from here, won't we?

Thank you for being a TownMag.co supporter. I’m eager to grow and publish new alumni stories for 2021. Our core goal has never changed: bridge the gap between current students and alumni by sharing honest stories about life after high school.

Colleen Murphy

Founder of TownMag.co

Are you a Watertown High School alumni or a Torrington High School alumni? Share your story today!

Already Making Change: Hannah Jack

Hannah Jack, Class of 2020, Watertown CT

What are you up to? I’m currently working on finishing my Capstone which is creating an outdoor handicap accessible outdoor classroom in an old, abandoned courtyard. When I was in 7th grade I was physically bullied and ended up missing all of 7th and most of 8th grade. During that time, I spent my days working with the students in the special education classroom as I was unable to read or write from the traumatic brain injury I sustained. I am a full believer that the students I met in that classroom cured me. Their positivity and happiness kept me going to strive to get better. This classroom is dedicated to those students so I can give them the happiness that they gave me over 6 years ago. I have already raised about $400 but am looking to raise a minimum of $2,000 in order to purchase wheelchair accessible tables. I hope to have this classroom all put together before I head off to college in August!

How'd you get here? I have been a resident of Watertown all my life and have loved every second of being a part of the Watertown Public School community. I was extremely active in school as I was a varsity field hockey player, the lead in two WHS musicals, secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of Tri-M Music Honor Society, and I was also the President of Interact Club. This club raised thousands of dollars for Relay for Life which focused on cancer research. I love to get involved in community service which is why choosing my senior capstone was an easy choice.

What are your goals? My goals in the future are creating an outdoor handicap accessible classroom at WHS for everyone to enjoy. I’m going to attend Quinnipiac University in the Fall to major in Health Science and my goal for the future is to be a Neurologist!!

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Don’t procrastinate!!!

Congrats Class of 2020!

We’ve officially finished the Senior Class of 2020 mural and it’s ready for photos. Seniors - this is for you! We know, insta heaven.

Thank you to all those who have made this possible including: Volunteer Irene Pham, who is a part of the Senior Class of 2020, Images Studio volunteers, B Murphy Building, Chapman Lumber Inc, Pete Lupo Electric for letting us use this building wall, and all those who donated to make it a reality!

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Black Stories Matter.

Black stories matter. We have none. That is a problem. Our problem. 

We know in our small community there are all races of alumni; African-Americans, Latino-Americans, Asian-Americans, Native Americans, Middle Eastern Americans. 

Your stories matter. What you are up to, what you are doing now, how you got to where you are, matters, inspires, and educates.

To address this problem, the questions we are asking ourselves and reflecting on are: How can we better inspire black stories to be shared? How can we better inspire POC stories to be shared? How do we create a safer and more trustworthy space for these stories? How can we make ourselves a more trustworthy platform for black stories? What can we do to use our story-telling platform to create progress and change within our own communities?

We’re taking action.

Our plan:

1. Do our own research on how we can be a safer and more inclusive space for black stories. We’ll be reading about inclusive product design, inclusive marketing, and focus on black outreach to make sure that we are doing everything we can to send the message that www.townmag.co is a safe space for black alumni to share their story.

2. Black alumni marketing and outreach. We’ll be focusing on outreach to make sure all town networks know this is a space we can use to inspire and educate in our community. We just want to make sure our black community knows it’s here - something we have clearly failed to do.

3. Host a conversation. It’s time to have a conversation with our community about what we’re doing as a community to not only combat racism but make sure that leaders in the small town community are held accountable.

We’re sensitive to the fact that sharing your story, writing it, editing it, sending it in, takes work on your end, and you’re most likely exhausted. No worries, our goal is to make sure alumni know we are here as a platform for your story to inspire current WHS students when you’re ready, if ever, to share your story. We’ll be excited to celebrate it.

Black lives matter, black stories matter.

Virtual Townies Talk 2020

WHS and TOWN hosted our third annual Townies Talk, an alumni storyteller panel virtually on Friday, May 22, 2020 via Zoom. We were excited to be able to bring a bit of joy and inspiration back to the high school during this stressful time.

We had 12 different alumni speak about various paths they have taken after high school and gave solid advice to current WHS students. Advice ranged from how to choose a college, how to think about investing in education, and how things don’t always go as completely planned.

We laughed, we cried, we were truthful and honest. Our conversation lasted for two hours - so if you are thinking about watching it please set aside some time. Our mission is to tell real and raw stories of success and failure to bridge the gap between alumni and current students. This is a new kind of alumni network where we value "success" with an open mind.

Thank you to all the alumni who participated and made a difference. Thank you to WHS for your continuing support. Thank you to WHS students, for asking insightful and meaningful questions.

Please check out event details from the past two years here and here.

You're Invited: Virtual Townies Talk 2020

Virtual Townies Talk 2020 - Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm.

WHS and TOWN will be hosting our third annual Townies Talk, an alumni storyteller panel virtually on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm via Zoom. We’re excited to be able to bring a bit of joy and inspiration back to the high school during this stressful time.

To learn more about this event, please check out event details from the past two years here and here. It will be a little different this year, but the exciting news is that by using this format, alumni from all over the country can participate. We will have 12 alumni speakers, who will share their story and answer any questions students might have.

WHS students:

This is a great event for you to learn more about life after high school. If you’re a WHS student interested in hanging out with us, sign up below! If you have any questions, please, ask Leah Bellemare or Nicole Lewis.

SIGN UP IS CLOSED. Do you still want to watch it? Click here to see our alumni panel.

Alumni speakers

Chris Terzigni, 2008

Matt Frappier, 2001

Olivia Grella, 2013

Ashley Guerrera, 2012

Tom Frenette, 2010

Rick Mastroianni, 2009

April Carrara, 1986

Edward Norton, 2009

Matthew O'Meara, 2012

Miranda Weidemier, 2009

Dear Class of 2020

Dear Class of 2020,

You had plans. Many plans. And you’re most likely feeling angry and upset that those plans are canceled. We get it. We’ll be real with you, this pandemic quarantine is shocking and distressing. Your senior year is on lockdown and the future feels incredibly unknown. 

The sports you trained for, the school play you were excited to star in, the spring concert, prom, graduation, the list goes on. Every single milestone you’ve been excited to cherish - cancelled. We’d be angry too. We’d be sad. You’re allowed to be upset. Get it out. Scream. Get in the car and sing to the saddest song. Go for a long run. Punch your pillow. Mourn this loss. Grief can take a while. Take your time and don’t be too hard on yourself. Everything you’re feeling is valid. Let yourself feel all of it. You need to feel it to get through it. 

School was a safe place where you could connect with your friends. It was where you had teachers who checked up on you, a community that surrounded and protected you (whether you liked it or not). Now, for some of you, it may feel like you’ve been thrown into the real world too soon. Maybe the traditions that have been cancelled don’t really matter to you, the worst of this is losing your part time job or your family struggling to make ends meet. This is a tragic time, and our losses and feelings have different levels of depth. The stress is real, and we feel for you. 

But, despite it all, there may be something that you will gain from this experience that no one else will. 

You will persevere, no doubt, and what you create and how you survive will be completely new. You will gain resiliency. You will build a community of people together who are feeling what you’re feeling and have found ways to see a positive, new view. We already see it happening; from your WHS Student Broadcasts to the Class of 2020 instagram account highlighting Seniors, your creativity and resiliency is already lighting up the world.

You can do things that will help change the world, big or small. You can do simple things like grocery shop for your elderly neighbor. You can get creative, and create a weekly senior video chat or make that piece of art you’ve been ready to create. You can make long-term decisions, like deciding this event has really pushed you to pursue becoming a doctor or nurse, or to major in biology. You can write all of your thoughts and feelings down since it might be hard to process everything right now, so that you can read it later on in life to look back. You can check in with a friend to make sure they have lunch to eat. You can create cards to send them to family members who live alone. You can ask your parents to teach you about budgeting, about gardening, about car maintenance, about cooking your nonna’s famous dish. You can read those books you really wanted to read. You can finally become Tik-Tok famous. You can plan a post-pandemic prom and graduation ceremony (six months won’t make a difference). You can make post-pandemic plans, a bucket list of everything you’ve ever wanted to do. You can simply get outside everyday and watch the flowers bloom; it’s a slow Spring after all.

Whatever you decide to do with your time, make sure to take care of yourself, center yourself, and find moments of laughter and happiness. You'll end up foraging the path that feels right for you and your community. You'll be leaders again, you'll build friendships again and you'll create a future that we would have never imagined. While you do that, we're here for you, to listen and to support you, and to cheer you on. 

We believe in you, Class of 2020.  We don't have all of the answers for you and may never will. So, we’re also excited to learn from you. You are the future, after all. 

Alumni, can you share some words of encouragement for the Senior class of 2020? Share them in the comments below.

Loading up on Education: Valdrin Sadiku

Valdrin Sadiku, Class of 2009, Prospect, CT

What are you up to? I’m in my final year at The University of Hartford, studying Risk Management and Insurance. I also just started a full-time position at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, CT working in the claims department. I have also been very fortunate to work with a start up company Tauruseer, a Risk Management Platform, for this Spring semester.

How'd you get here? After my high school career was in the books, it was a rough road of working countless hours. I wasn't interested in going to college right after high school, so I moved to Florida in 2010 and worked for a home improvement company loading trucks at Raymond's Building Supply Company. The long physical hours put a big toll on my body, physically and mentally, and I knew that this was not where I wanted to be. I felt that the only solution to make something of myself was to pursue my education again.

After years of being away from school, I finally enrolled to Pasco-Hernando State College in Wesley Chapel, Florida in 2015. I found myself with a new generation of students where I thought I was never going to fit in, but man was I wrong. Joining the institution was a great eye opener for opportunity as well as understanding that age is just a number. In 2017 I received my AA (associates degree). This was just the beginning of a long road in education.

In 2018, I moved back home to Connecticut and had the goal of finishing my education in a well respected university. I chose The University of Hartford to study in the Barney School of Business. By working hard to meet deadlines and to be the best student possible, I achieved membership status in the National Honor Society, which is truly something I thought I would never accomplish.

Just remember that it doesn't matter what your background is or how old you are, the opportunity to grow starts with the will you have in yourself.

What are your goals? I am grateful to be employed and start a career with a well established company at Travelers. I feel this is just a starting point in my career where I can learn the principles of the insurance industry and keep moving forward. I plan to work hard and become an Underwriter or Risk Manager for a well respected firm. The ultimate goal is to own my own business or reach the level of a Vice President in the insurance field. Don't let fear get into the way as risk can be a valuable reward. The sky is the limit, if you want it bad enough.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Crack the books harder. Be responsible for your positive outcomes, learn from the negative.

Thank you, Alumni

Thank you nurses, doctors, health care professionals. Thank you grocery workers, chefs, restaurant workers. Thank you truck drivers, delivering essential groceries and goods. Thank you first responders. Thank you everyone staying safely home. Thank you teachers adapting creatively to teach our children. Thank you childcare workers babysitting for essential workers. Thank you business owners, for adapting your business to still serve the community. Thank you to those who signed up to volunteer their skills and time in creative ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Thank you WHS alumni, we know that these heroes are you. You are the nurses on the front line, going into the hospital everyday. You are the parents at home with your children, trying to figure out common core math. You are the principals, going live online to read to your students virtually every night. You are restaurant workers closing your dining rooms but doubling your deliveries. You are the yoga instructor, teaching your classes virtually. You are the cashier at the grocery store, helping us get our food safely. You are the teachers, comforting WHS students, because the school year suddenly seems confusing and a bit lonely. You are the ones, from this little town, scattered throughout the country, helping us through this pandemic. We see you. Your stories matter.

TOWN was created to help future generations reach new heights and discover a multitude of divergent paths in life beyond the doors of Watertown High School. We host alumni stories on our platform www.townmag.co so that students can read the stories and make educated decisions about their own future. But it’s always been something beyond that: you inspire an entire community.

We can’t thank you enough. Your stories matter and always have.

Though we’ve been focusing our effort on www.townrelief.com as a rapid response to COVID-19, we’ll always be collecting alumni stories. We will be publishing them as usual. Your story matters and can lift someone else up and inspire them. If you’re looking for something to do during this time, share your story. Inspire the current WHS class. Inspire our community. Go to www.townmag.co/share-your-story.

Law Degree in DC: Ellie Miske

Updated Story: Ellie Miske, 2011, Washington, DC

What are you up to since the last time you shared your story? When I shared my story three years ago, I was in law school doing a semester in DC program through UConn School of Law. Since then, I graduated from law school, passed the bar exam, and started a job as an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, DC.

How'd you get here since the last time you shared? I connected with as many people as possible during my semester in DC. Even though over two years had passed before I moved back to DC, I stayed in touch with many of the people I met through emails, phone calls, and meeting for lunch when I visited. This helped me secure my current job. I also clerked at the Connecticut Appellate Court for a year after graduation. This allowed me to develop my research and writing skills with one-on-one mentoring from a judge.

What are your goals now? Have they changed? While in law school, I was focused on getting a job doing something I cared about. Now that I have gotten a job in the field that I want, in the place that I want, I am starting to think long term. Do I have a good work-life balance? Do I picture myself here in 5 years? 10 years? More? What do I like about my job? What don't I like about the job? Is it flexible with leave and benefits? Can I work from home? Essentially, my goals have changed in that now I can focus on if my job is right for me long-term, and if not, what I envision for myself in the future.

February 13, 2017: Ellie Miske, Class of 2011, Washington, D.C.

What are you up to? I'm currently in my second year of law school at University of Connecticut Law School. I'm participating in the "Semester in D.C." program. In this program, I'm working on the Judiciary Committee portfolio for Senator Blumenthal. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over federal judges and other issues regarding the federal courts. For example, handling the Attorney General appointee (Jeff Sessions)  hearings, as well as the upcoming hearings for the Supreme Court nomination. I also do a variety of other projects (many of which are regarding current events).

How'd you get here? After graduating from WHS, I went to University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I double majored in Political Science and Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies. I graduated a semester early and interned in the Northwestern District Attorney. I started law school the following fall. 

While in undergrad, I was involved in student government and campus activism. I was working on women's issues such as combatting campus sexual assault and domestic violence. I also worked at our women's center as a rape crisis counselor.

I became interested in law while working on these initiatives. I worked closely with our Title IX Coordinator and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. Both of these women had law degrees even though they weren't practicing lawyers. One of my favorite professors at the time also had a law degree. I started talking in depth to these mentors about a law degree and realized how flexible it was. I realized with scholarships (and especially UConn's in-state tuition) this could be an option for me.

What are your goals? I want to work in a position where I am making a difference. I'd love to work in government, public policy, or at a non-profit. I am also interested in labor law and will be working at AFSCME's International headquarters in Washington, D.C. this upcoming summer.

Advice for WHS Students? Don't be afraid to ask to grab lunch or a coffee with people who have jobs that you find interesting. Getting to know people helps you learn what your options are and then when opportunities come up in the future, they'll already have you in mind. "Networking" is a buzz word, but it is also a really helpful skill and the earlier you master it, the more opportunities you will have.

What do you feel grateful for today? I feel grateful that I have been able to continue my education and have had guidance from people who went out of their way to support me. Which is exactly why I want to "pay it forward" and reach out to help any students at WHS who wants to learn more about my career path.

Announcing TOWNrelief

We’re excited to launch TOWNrelief. Our goal is to provide the digital connection between Watertown volunteers and community members who will need relief during the COVID-19 crisis.

Social distancing is going to keep people alive. We must work to flatten the curve and avoid overwhelming our healthcare system. While we are practicing social distancing, we can still provide relief to those who need it, such as community members who are high risk (immunocompromised or elderly) or hourly workers impacted by this crisis. If you do need relief during this time, this can be your resource to find it.

By focusing on volunteer tasks that require little to no physical socialization, we can help not only relieve hardship but bring the community together. We are in this together (always 6 feet apart). We’ll be piloting this site for the next week, so we are always open to feedback. Please, check it out.

Creating Art and Inspiring Peace: Ashley Guerrera

Ashley Guerrera, Class of 2012, Watertown, CT

What are you up to? I’m currently a Milieu (Crisis) Therapist and Art Therapist at Newport Academy in Bethlehem, Connecticut. I work on the female campus. Newport is an impatient teen residential facilities in which we treat a variety of mental health issues, eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma.

How'd you get here? Throughout my entire life, art has always been a passion of mine. In high school, I made sure to take all of the art classes Watertown High School provided, including AP Studio Art with Mrs. B. The goal was to build my college art portfolio for art school. After high school, I attended an art school in Portland, Maine, Maine College of Art. I was working on getting my BFA in ceramics. Soon after my freshman year in art school, I realized it wasn’t my purpose and that I wanted to do something more with my career, something that focused on utilizing art to help others. I immediately thought back to Miss. Uryse’s ceramic class; she showed a slide show to the class about art therapy. At that moment, I knew that was what I wanted to do moving forward.

Soon enough, I transferred back home to Connecticut and went to Albertus Magnus College in New Haven. I graduated with my BA in Studio Art and Art Therapy in 2016. During my undergraduate program, I interned at The Harold Leever Cancer Center for my art therapy practicum. I got accepted into the Masters of Art in Art Therapy and Counseling program (MAATC) at Albertus Magnus to get my double masters degree. This program was absolutely amazing ! The best 3 1/2 years I have ever had. I had the opportunity to intern at Oak Hill in West Hartford where I worked with children/teens with intellectual disabilities. Additionally had the opportunity to intern at Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center in Waterbury, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital in New Haven working on the Child Life Unit in the Arts for Healing Program, and a private practice in Bridgeport working with families, children/teens, and adults with a variety of mental health issues.

Right after graduate school, I applied to Newport Academy and was offered my current job as a therapist.

What are your goals? I currently have my associate license (LPCA) and am working to get my LPC and my art therapy license (ATR). My goal one day is to open my own holistic wellness center that provides a wide range of experiential therapies. I also want to get my reki and doula certifications.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? You will do some amazing things one day. Never doubt yourself and the power you have with your art. You will touch many.

Creating His Own World: Robert Barkow

Robert Barkow, Class of 2016, Brooklyn, New York

What are you up to? I'm a video game developer and the creator of the massive multiplayer adventure Ruinic which is set to release on Steam soon! I currently live in Brooklyn, New York and anything computer related is what I'm up to, whether it be programming, graphic design, or web design!

How'd you get here? After graduating from Watertown High School, I decided to take a gamble and not join the military or go to college so that I could focus on my goals. I continued to work on my computer development projects, which date back to when I was 10 years old. Between then and now, I have taught myself a vast array of computer skills. I was also given the opportunity to work on various projects by other developers, which in return gave me recognition in various communities. In 2018, I was given the opportunity to sign an agreement with VALVE Corporation (which is the developer of the software distribution platform Steam) for my video game Ruinic In November of 2018, 5 days before my 21st birthday, I signed. Soon enough, I realized that investing time into your goals and never caving under pressure will always lead to success.

What are your goals? It has been my goal for as long as I can remember to make a video game that people can enjoy, so I would say I am currently living my goals. However, my main goal right now is to keep developing Ruinic and make sure it's stable for release. I can see myself developing other video games after I finish Ruinic, traveling, or finding a new passion to chase. I’m developing most likely as you're reading this, so great things are being worked on beyond this page!

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? You can never fail, you can succeed and if you don't succeed, then you will learn.

CANCELED: You're Invited: WHS Sophomore Career Fair

Sophomore WHS Career Fair

On the morning of Wednesday, March 25th, WHS will be hosting a Career Fair for our sophomore students. WHS is looking for volunteers to come back to the high school and speak about their career paths to current students.

The event will be organized similar to a trade show or college fair, where participants will be stationed at tables and students can visit tables and chat with participants. This way students can learn about the necessary training/schooling needs, what it is like to work in that field, and have the opportunity to ask questions in a more personal and focused manner. In the past, students found this event meaningful and helpful for their post-secondary planning.

Sign up for the WHS Career Fair today:

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Can’t make the event? Share your story!

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Conquering Goals: Chris Terzigni

Chris Terzigni, Class of 2008, Holliston, MA

What are you up to? I’m currently the principal of Founders Academy, a small charter middle school in Woonsocket, RI. I live in Holliston, MA with my beautiful fiancé, Laura. We relocated back to New England in October after spending the last 10 years in North Carolina, where we both attended school at High Point University.

How'd you get here? After graduating from WHS, I attended High Point University in High Point, NC where I earned a bachelor's and master's degree in Elementary Education. After I graduated, I found a job as a 4th grade teacher. Between then and now, I have taught 4th grade, 6th grade and K-5 STEM. I was also given the opportunity to work outside the classroom as a Personalized Learning Coordinator, where I oversaw the implementation of a one-to-one tablet program for two different middle schools. In 2017, I was given the opportunity to return to school at High Point University on a full-ride scholarship to earn my master's degree in Educational Leadership. I earned my Educational Leadership master's degree in May of 2018. Soon enough, I served as an Assistant Principal at an elementary school in Greensboro, NC before relocating to Massachusetts and accepting my current position as principal.

What are your goals? It has been my goal for as long as I can remember to teach and then to become an administrator, so I would say I am currently living my goals and at a point where I need to start building new goals. I can see myself going back to school to earn my doctorate within the education field and after I have gained some valuable experience, look into leadership roles at a district level. I’m getting married in October of 2020, so starting a family and settling down is definitely on the horizon for me as well.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Take more classes that would earn you college credit... college is expensive, the less classes you have to take, the less money it will cost you. :-)

Drawing Young Blood to Radio: Caitlin Duffy

Caitlin Duffy, Class of 2011, Middletown, CT

What are you up to? I’m in the medical field where I am a licensed phlebotomist. I currently work in a gastroenterology practice (stomach & intestinal doctor) where I assist with blood draws, as well as medical records and billing. In addition, I am active in the Connecticut arts community and host my very own radio show on WMRD 1150AM, Middletown, Connecticut’s grassroots station. I play an eclectic mix in the same vein as I did on college radio. My hope is to use an old-school platform to elevate musical voices close to my community. I like to keep my ear to the floor by attending community jazz and classical concerts.

How'd you get here? I hold a Bachelor of Arts in French from Drew University from which I graduated in 2015. I was going to pursue a Master's in Teaching but gratefully discovered that public education isn’t my arena. For now, I am focused on developing a lucrative career with the skills I have. In the future, I will travel to France to work. The late Madame Mary Jane Miller was a huge influence on me. She was my favorite French teacher and helped shaped who I am in a critical time of my life. She inspired me to pursue my passions regardless of how others felt about them, or of how I come across. She helped me find confidence in being quirky which I have carried with me throughout adulthood.

What are your goals? I have plans to take classes in the fall for medical billing and coding so that I can further develop my skills and reach my financial goals. As for radio, WWUH and WESU are on my radio as potential platforms to share my taste for Northeastern, US music. My hope is to interview more local musicians and elevate their work to a broader audience, namely young people who wouldn't normally think to "tune in" to local radio. Please see any of my shows on demand on wliswmrd.net!

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Forget about the haters, we all end up going off and doing our own thing anyway.

Professor of Music: Steve Leisring

Steve Leisring, Class of 1981,  Lawrence, Kansas

What are you up to? I am currently Professor of Music, School of Music, The University of Kansas (Jayhawks) Lawrence, KS.

I teach Applied Trumpet, and courses that go along with it such as brass pedagogy, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire. My students are music majors who play trumpet as their main instrument who are majoring in Music Education, Music Therapy, Performance, Composition, and Jazz. My current students have come to Kansas from 10 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 4 countries, including China, Afghanistan, South Korea, and Costa Rica.

Most people do not know that a professor's role at a Research 1 institution like KU goes far beyond teaching. Only 40% of my contract is teaching. This is typical at major flagship universities. 20% is Service to the university such as committees or recruiting, and 40% is Research, or, in the case of an Applied Music Professor, it is Creative Activity. My Creative Activity is musical performance. Since coming to KU in 2003, I have performed and taught in 17 countries, including in more than 20 cities and universities in China. In the last two years, I have performed and/or taught in Spain, Estonia, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, France, China and Taiwan. Highlights of my career: performances as soloists with symphony orchestras and bands in China, performing with the National Orchestra of Spain in October of 2019 in Madrid; 100 performances with the Kansas City Symphony including the National Anthem at Game 6 of the 2014 World Series; twice featured at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Umbria Jazzfest in Italy, "Jazz en Vienne", France; Kennedy Center; with the Tokyo Symphony in Japan; performing in Sidney Australia; and with Ellis and Delfeayo Marsalis at Tanglewood in MA. In 2015, was given my greatest honor from my former WHS Band Director, Robert Pettinichi, who nominated me for the Wall of Honor at WHS, and was selected.

How'd you get here? After high school graduation, I spent 6 years getting degrees in Music Education and Performance at the University of North Texas, followed by a Master's degree in Orchestral Performance at the Mannes College of Music, New School University in NYC. Immediately after, I was chosen for a position in the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, Canary Islands, Spain, where I was from 1989-2003. While in Spain, began teaching a lot, played about 100 concerts a year and performed at two World Expos, in Sevilla '92 and Lisbon '98; recorded about 25 CDs; performed all over Spain, and in London, Germany etc. I also re-lived high school life playing semi-pro baseball in Spain's top baseball league for 3 years. I was selected for tenure-track position at the University of Kansas in 2003, after an international search.

What are your goals? I want to continue as a music professor, and hopefully continue to be performing in new countries and return to others. I’m excited to be judging a competition in Lviv, Ukraine in March 2020 and also returning to the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki Finland to teach, as well as Poland and Central Conservatory in Beijing China, where I have taught almost each of the last 15 years. I’d like to continue to help students from all over reach their dreams. I am happy to respond to any WHS students with questions about music in college.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Find someone who is doing what you want to do, and talk to them about it. Most people don’t end up doing exactly what they studied in college. The best thing to do is follow your passions. There are so many more careers out there that are connected to your passions that you can’t possibly know about in high school. Do not be afraid to leave. Look outside of your area for college, the Midwest and West are very different places and may offer great opportunities for study. I was so lucky a former Little League coach suggested I look West. It was the best decision for me to go to college outside of Connecticut. Be serious, work hard toward toward your passions and it will work out.

Music and Massage: Linda Norton

Linda Norton, Class of 2004, Watertown, CT

What are you up to? I’m 34 years old and I’m a licensed massage therapist for the state of CT for 8 years. I’m the owner of Relaxing Getaway Massage at 621 Main St. in Watertown, which I established 2 years ago. Currently, I’m also a member of The Hartford Chorale. I’ve been a second soprano with them for 2 years now.

Also, I’m an auntie to eight nieces and nephews, one step-niece, and one-step nephew. Pictured is my niece Isabella (Bella) & I at a Taylor Swift concert. We are both big fans!

How'd you get here? I have been singing in school choirs since second grade and I was a member of WHS choir from 2000-2004. I went to Naugatuck Valley Community College and joined their choir and opera society ensemble. While pursuing my associates degree in Liberal Arts, I also attended music classes (music theory, ear training, etc).

What are your goals? I would love to be a member of a Glee Club, where they sing radio and broadway hits and gives members a chance to have solos or duets.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Be in the moment!

TOWN Year in Review: Reflection and Intention

We value the fresh start of the new year, and the tradition of reflection. One year ago, we created 5 goals we had for 2019. We’re happy to say that not only did we accomplish 4 out of our 5 goals from last year, we’ve added 6 more accomplishments on top of that.

✔️ We published 13 new alumni stories

We had the goal to publish 12 alumni stories this year. Thank you to everyone who shared and updated your stories. We had a total of 13 alumni stories. We heard from alumni around the country, each navigating life after town on divergent paths with the common goal to inspire and grow. Read our 2019 stories here.

✔️ We held Townies Talk with 12 alumni speakers

We hosted another Townies Talk event and doubled the amount of speakers that came back to talk to a packed room of students. Read more about it here.

✔️ We created TOWN videos

We created multiple professional videos interviewing students and alumni that brought new life to the brand. Watch them here.

✔️ We started a new monthly series called Wisdom

We created a blog dedicated to giving current students specific insight into life after high school, written by one of our very own alumnus, Demosthenes Gakidis.

✔️ We raised $2,000

Thank you to every single person that donated, it has made a difference and allowed us to push forward new ideas and keep TOWN up and running.

✔️ We hosted two additional alumni events

We promoted and hosted two new events, WHS Alumni Night at the football game and one that is happening this Saturday, the WHS Winter Alumni Recital. Each focused on reaching different types of alumni, from sports fans to musicians and giving the community something different to do.

✔️ We created and produced amazing TOWN merchandise

The community can support TOWN and also look stylish while doing it. Shop to donate today!

✔️ We reached over 6,000 unique visitors

We grew our audience, which means more people are being inspired. Make sure to share with friends and family!

✔️ We laid the groundwork for growing in 2020

We’ll have an announcement soon, so stay tuned.

❌ Grow “The Hard Things” series so that we can be more real, raw, and honest with our content - This was one goal we didn’t accomplish. We were unable to start a real series because it’s hard for people to talk about the hard things. But that being said, we did receive one brave submission for The Hard Things - an amazing, truthful and raw story. Read Allison’s story here.

These accomplishments prove that we are finally reaching WHS students and bridging the gap between alumni and current students. Our intention was to give public school students truthful education, information, and connections they need to make informed decisions about their futures.

We have goals for 2020, but we are really focused on our intentions of 2020. We are determined to help future generations reach new heights and discover a multitude of divergent paths in life beyond the doors of public high schools. There is a reason that many private schools have robust alumni networks not only to raise money for the schools but to keep students connected to alumni who may influence their entire futures. Why can’t public schools do the same? We hope that by opening new doors for students to peek through, we’ll be able to help bring prosperity and connection to the community. 

Alumni storytellers, teachers, principals, board of ed members, donators, sponsors: Thank you for supporting us in 2019 and helping us to grow. Find us on social media and spread the word to friends. If you haven’t shared your story yet, share it today and inspire someone.