It's the Simple Things: Lauren Vail Parenteau

Lauren Parenteau, Class of 2011, Watertown, NY

What are you up to? I am currently living in upstate New York with my husband. He is in the military and stationed here at Ford Drum. While I am living my life as a military spouse, I continue my path of elementary education and substitute at the local and surrounding school districts. The plans are to move back to CT in the next year or so. Although this has been an exciting adventure, we are looking forward to moving back and being with family and friends.

How'd you get here? I got where I am today with the help and guidance of some amazing friends and family. I have always had to drive to educate and work with children. From the age of 6, I played school with my dolls and had all the excitement of the first day of school. I like to think that my passion of education stems from my anxiety growing up. I struggled with anxiety at the beginning of 5th grade and looking back I can see how school staff and certain teachers were supportive of me and provided me with the tools to move forward. Going to college at CCSU, I focused on becoming the best teacher for my students, whatever that was to them. For some students, I’m a mom, a friend, or even someone to talk to. Quickly after graduation, I moved up to NY to be with my husband to support him during his contract with the military, just as he supported me through college.

What are your goals? My goals are to move back to CT, buy a home, build my career, and start a family. The typical family sitcom.

Lauren Vail, Class of 2011, Watertown, CT July 19, 2016

What are you up to? What am I up to? Oh boy. I am still in school. I am studying Elementary Education at Central, so I guess you can say I'll be in school for the rest of my life. While going to school, I work at the local Staples as a copy center associate, making copies for a living. So if you ever need a good copy, just ask for me! I have an amazing boyfriend who helps me get through the stress of work and school. He's my rock, as corny as that may be to say.

How'd you get here? It's crazy to say that going to school is what made me want to become a teacher. I suffered from severe anxiety growing up and I got bullied for that. I never really had a teacher that made me feel comfortable about my disorder, so I decided to become that teacher. Many kids are suffering from severe anxiety and many adults don't understand how to cope. I'd like to be the teacher that students feel comfortable talking to.

What are your goals? My goals are typical: Get a great job, marry the love of my life, and live a happy life. I'm not looking to move to the city or become America's Next Top Model. I want the simple things in life.

Advice for WHS Students? Cherish the moments. I can say there's a lot of things I wish I did back in high school, and I do have regrets. So here are some tips...

1. Don't get hung up on one boy. 
2. One true friend is better than 10 "friends".
3. Become friends with the teachers....they are the one grading your papers! 
4. Join an art class!
5. Don't be stressed about college! Apply to the ones you really want to go to. 
6. And lastly, don't hesitate to reach for what you want! Go for it!

What are the ingredients for a perfect day? The ingredients for a perfect day are: happiness, loved ones, fun adventures, and laughter.

TOWN - Survey

Finally, our last survey. We asked students what they thought of TOWN mag, and we won’t lie, we LOVED the responses. We think we'll keep on doing what we're doing. Are you an alumni and interested in inspiring WHS students? Share your story today. #townmag #whs 

After High School - Money Survey

We asked students about money and their understanding of loans, interest, and finances. We won’t lie, these results weren’t exactly straight A’s. We found that many students feel confused or unconfident when it comes to finances. We’re now wondering how the community can help make information about money, finances, and loans more accessible and understandable to all students so that they can make solid financial decisions. Let's get to 100% of students who understand loans, interest, and feel confident in their finances. 

What Field do you Work In?

So far - these are the fields of work of our story tellers. Pretty diverse, eh?

But, these are not all of the fields out there! Who is working in transportation, construction, fishing or farming? Who is working in entertainment or law? Let's show WHS students what is out there. We know a job is just one part of the story - but what field of work are you in? Tell us your story today.

Share Your Story

A Running RN: Jennifer D'Angelo

Jennifer D'Angelo, Class of 2008, Cheshire, CT

What are you up to? I'm very happy to be a registered nurse at Smilow Cancer Hospital, part of Yale-New Haven Hospital. I started working there in May, on one of the outpatient floors. My day consists of administering chemotherapy to hematology patients (patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), drawing their labs and giving them blood products as needed. I love taking care of oncology patients. They are the nicest, most grateful people I have ever met. I have taken care of cancer patients whose ages range from early 20s to 90s. 

I recently passed my oncology nursing certification and I am going into my 2nd semester as a graduate nursing student at Western CT State University in the Adult Nurse Practitioner Program. 

Even after tearing my meniscus and getting knee surgery in 2014, I'm still running. I ran my 2nd half-marathon last November; the Disneyland Half Marathon.

How'd you get here? Before my current job, I worked as a RN at Saint Mary's Hospital on an inpatient medical oncology floor. The floor was not 100% oncology so when I got tired of working the 3pm-11pm shift, I moved on to my current job. I absolutely love oncology nursing. If someone told me in high school or even while I was in nursing school, that I would work in oncology, I would have told them, "No way! It's too sad!" But after I graduated nursing school, I had two grandparents diagnosed with cancer. They passed away a year later. It changed me, in a good way. I really love being able to give back to these patients and their families.

What are your goals? In December 2018, I will be done with my MSN degree, take my boards, and become a certified APRN. My dream job would be to continue to work at Yale-New Haven Hospital as one of their oncology APRNs. After I graduate, I want to get married and have kids. 

I also want to run more half marathons and hopefully a full marathon if my knee cooperates.

Advice for WHS Students?

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Remember what makes you comfortable will never make you grow. 

Don't take your high school relationships seriously. You will change so much even though you may think you won't, you will. True love comes around when you LEAST expect it to. Don't go searching. 

Don't take things or people for granted. Be grateful for your health and for the people in your life who love you. 

May the force be with you.

What is your greatest weakness? I worry too much.

Baltimore Bound: Rebekah Wood

Rebekah Wood, Class of 2009, Baltimore, MD

What are you up to? Currently, I am enjoying my summer off while nannying 2 kids -  ages 7 and 10! How do I have my summer off? Well, between August and June, I am a 4th grade Math teacher in Baltimore City and recently finished my 3rd year teaching. Teaching is a demanding job that I enjoy and take very seriously. During the school year, you can find me lesson-planning for hours on any given Sunday. 

I live in Canton, Baltimore with two roommates and I am lucky enough to have my sister a couple blocks away! Who knew she'd become a teacher too and move to Baltimore! I am involved in the Baltimore Sport and Social Club (BSSC) club during the year playing volleyball, football, and softball. Most recently, I started working for the BSSC as a staff leader for softball. The BSSC has been a great way to socialize with friends and meet new people while doing something fun! There's also a first-ever boy in the picture. :-O We've been dating for a little over a year and he is from Maryland originally. That has been a whole new learning experience. Besides that most weekends I am either hanging out with friends, exploring Baltimore, spending time with Justin, or doing adult stuff (bleh.)

"I was not the best high school student. I skipped class often, had a few Saturday detentions, and was your average B/C student."

How'd you get here? I paved my way through high school by having a great personality, tons of friends, involvement in school things, and being the little sister to a straight-A student. I always knew I could do better. 

During my senior year, our school motto was "Achieve Your Potential"  (thank you Mr. Geary and Mr. Balanda). I guess it kinda-sorta sunk in, because I started doing just that. I became really motivated to go to college and move away from Watertown. Mrs. Veatch, my guidance counselor, recommended I check out Towson University in Maryland because she thought it would be a good fit for me and, boy, was she right! I visited Towson 3 times before I went. I couldn't get enough of it! It was so new and exciting!

After graduating high school at the ripe age of 18, my dad and I road-tripped down to Towson (for the second time) to move in. The only people I knew there were those random people you meet on Facebook. I totally lost my "Watertown security blanket", ya know? The one where anywhere you go, you'll see someone you know or someone to help you out? That was gone, but I didn't let it hinder me and I totally embraced my new surroundings. 

During my 4 years at Towson, I kept myself very busy with school, work, friends, and of course partying. School was HARD ... at first! Out of the 5 courses I took my first semester, I only made it out by passing 3 of them. This made for a lot of catch up work in my years to come, which motivated me to stay focused and on top of my school work because I didn't have the time or money to be a 5th year senior. I always had a job, whether is was working at the desk in one of the dorms or babysitting on the weekends for my personal spending fund. I was not privileged with an allowance from my parents and if I was going to make work at Towson, I had to make money. 

By my junior year, I continued to work, joined a sorority, and moved off campus. It was then that I realized I wanted to make Maryland home. In order to do that, I'd have to get a teaching job after college. Over the next two years, I had 4 different teaching internships. Because I already knew what I wanted, I treated each one as if it was a job interview for a future position. To my surprise - it worked - and I was SHOCKED! Here I was, the former B/C high school student ... never first for anything and I NAILED a job first in my cohort of teachers eventually becoming an example for them! Not only that, but I was hired in March before I even graduated in May! I was set. It was then that I knew my hard work paid off by reaching my end goal of a job in Maryland and I realized that I CAN achieve my potential! 

I can't believe that was 8 years ago, and I have just finished up my 3rd year teaching. I have established a GREAT support system in Maryland and am looking forward to was the future holds! :)

What are your goals? It was difficult to remember to set new goals after graduating. I had a "I MADE IT" feeling and had to motivate myself again. Now that I have, I have made many goals and am always trying to better myself. 

• Better myself physically and mentally. There is always room for improvements in yourself to make a better you.

• Finding a new school / position. This year was tough. I was surplus (budget cut at my school, so I had to find a new job and transfer) in October. It was the toughest thing ever to start the school year again in November. I persevered and will teach for one more year at my current school until looking for another school that is a better fit.

• Continuing my education. I am currently working on my Masters in Instructional Technology at Towson. I have a love for technology and use it constantly in the classroom. I am always finding new ways to engage and motivate my students through technology.

• Thinking WAY into the future ... I would like to take my Masters and teach new teachers how to use technology effectively in the classroom at a college level.

Advice for WHS Students? 

• Achieve your potential and don't let anyone/anything hold you back! My family wanted me to go to a state school and become a teacher in CT. I am where I am today because I told them "no".

• Ask questions, plan ahead and assume nothing. Have a tentative five-year plan but be ready for possible adjustments. You never know what can happen.

• People don't get lucky in life. They work hard to get what they want. Hard work does pay off.

• Lastly, Watertown will be there forever. It'll become a great place to visit and catch up with old friends. Expand your horizons, there might be another life out there for you!

What are the ingredients for a perfect day? The sun, good music, good beer, and good company for lots of laughter :)

こんにちは! Γειά σου! ¡Hola! and Hello!: Demosthenes Gakidis

Demosthenes Gakidis, Class of 2010, Watertown, CT but headed to Philadelphia, PA in August 2016

What are you up to? I am attending the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education for an M.S. Ed. in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language). At UPenn, beyond studying, I'll be working as a Graduate Assistant in the Graduate School of Education-- talking to prospective students, helping professors with research, and a few other administrative assistant responsibilities. Alongside this, I'll be a Graduate Associate in the College Houses assisting undergraduate students, organizing presentations, and taking trips around Philadelphia. 

How'd you get here? After graduating from Watertown High School, I attended UConn with a major in English. I knew I liked reading and writing, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my interests in the "real world." At UConn, I joined a volunteer group to assist adult English as a second language classes at the local high school next to campus. Here, I had a chance to interact with and work with people from countries such as China, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and Austria. I realized I loved teaching ESL and meeting people from around the world. I applied for jobs abroad and eventually taught English in Kochi, Japan to elementary school and junior high school students for two years with the JET Program. The experience, as cliche as this sounds, changed my life. It's hard to sum up two years in a foreign country in a few sentences, but I'll try my best. I saw a new way of life and immersed myself into a culture I knew nothing about previously. I began to trust myself more and became really independent. I studied Japanese daily and eventually was able to communicate with people in my schools and town. I had an incredible time traveling around Japan (visited 23/47 prefectures) and to countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. The food was so good; I still dream about it to this day. Now, I'm going to graduate school to learn all the theoretical background in the field of teaching English as a second language and to study language acquisition. 

What are your goals? My future goals at the moment include teaching international students, refugees, or immigrants in the United States or Europe in universities or community centers. I hope to eventually earn a higher degree in Linguistics/Social Anthropology or study Immigration Law. I also plan on traveling extensively throughout the world and want to constantly be experiencing new things, eating delicious food, and meeting a diverse range of people. 

Advice for WHS Students? My advice for WHS students is that it is okay to fail. You'll fail many times before you reach your goals. The difference is how you react to your failure. If you take your failure as a lesson, and learn from your mistakes, you'll have a better chance for success. Also, it's never too late to discover what you want to be. You don't need your whole life figured out at age 18. Don't worry. Live your truth and follow your passions.

What is something that bugged you today? The heat and mosquitoes. 

Roots Matter: Meghan Fogarty

Meghan Fogarty, Class of 2009, Watertown, CT

What are you up to? I'm currently working at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as an Escalations Specialist in Customer Service. I love my job because I love helping people. Currently, I assist on-shore and off-shore vendor representatives. I teach them how to work their calls and correctly assist members with daily inquiries. This job is not something I would have ever been able to predict would fall onto my lap, but I'm so glad it has. Anthem has become a second home for me, I love the people I work with and enjoy getting to help people!

How'd you get here? I got here because I networked. I graduated from Iona College in 2013 with a degree in psychology. I was working at a family daycare (which I loved... really) but it kind-of ran it's course. Once college loans started coming in I knew I had to move onto bigger and better opportunities. It's so easy to stay in a job that's comfortable, but it's important to push yourself and continue to do so in any career path you choose. I asked around for any kind of job openings that family and friends might be able to refer me to. My uncle told me Anthem was hiring and, to be honest, at first I turned my nose up at him. A customer service job didn't seem like a job that I ever wanted to partake in. I'm so glad I did because, as I've found out, Anthem is a company of ladders to not only higher positions but to many versatile careers. It's dedication that will move me up in the company and I can't wait to see what's in store for me.

What are your goals? My ultimate goal, career-wise, is to become a Provider Contractor Specialist. I want to make connections and draw up contracts with providers and hospitals who choose Anthem. Moving from the bottom of the company to the top tier is something that can be obtained with the knowledge of every moving part in Anthem. I have worked in the Customer Service department for two years and now I am currently interviewing for an open position within Anthem, which will only get me closer to that goal. 

*Update: I got the job! :)

Advice for WHS Students? My biggest piece of advice: Never turn away from your true friends. Life after college can bring you right back home or far away from home. Either direction, always keep your true friends from high school - no matter where you or they go. I'm living in Watertown, working in Wallingford, and I still have a close-knit group of friends and family who have known me from the beginning. It's biggest sigh of relief at the end of the day, knowing they are there for me. To have people around you that are routing for you to succeed, and have never stopped, is empowering. We all need a community. So keep your friends from high school close; that is the best piece of advice I can give. I can't thank them enough for getting me where I am today, for making me who I am today.

How hungry are you right now? About to have a yogurt and a banana!

Behind the scenes: Rick Mastroianni

Rick Mastroianni, Class of 2009, New York City, NY

Where do you live? In October, my fiancée and I left everything behind in Chicago to start a new life in New York City. It's great to be back on the East Coast, but life has never been so busy.

What are you up to? We decided to move to New York City with no job or even apartment, just big dreams, a little money, and a lot of love. Admittedly, we got lucky. Within our first month, I landed a professional career as a studio manager of the top acting studio in the country. A short time later, my fiancée got an awesome position overseeing sales for a company that offers conferencing solutions for clients like the United Nations and Bank of America. We stay busy, to say the least. I'm very proud of what I do, but I've never worked so hard in my life. When you advance professionally, the responsibilities add up quickly. Right now, I'm in charge of the entire admissions department at the studio (which is a lot of work), but in addition to that, I oversee all day to day activities including the company's accounting, classes, and even group workshops. Essentially, we develop beginner actors for work on major networks like Disney, Fox, Nickelodeon, and even Netflix. Sometimes I work six days a week, ten to twelve hour days - but it's worth it to see these people get picked up by major agencies and management companies throughout the city.

Work is work, though - and just one part of life. I'm thrilled to say that In February, I proposed to the love of my life in the middle of Grand Central Station. It was an amazing experience! We were surrounded by hundreds of random people, cheering for and congratulating us. The wedding is at the end of August. We're getting married in Central Park and our reception is across the East River overlooking the Manhattan skyline. It's truly a dream come true. Oh and I can't forget - we have two beautiful dogs and the coolest cat in the world. We're taking our love and our family to the next level and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him!

How'd you get here? Immediately after high school, I moved to Chicago to attend film school at Columbia College.

"I had no idea what to expect and seriously took a huge risk by moving half way across the country with zero life experience. I was eighteen years old and had just come out to my parents a few months prior. Life was a whirlwind of change; I was so hungry for something new and really went out there on a whim. Fortunately, it paid off."

A few months in I met my future husband on a dating website and we hit it off almost immediately. We moved in together rather quickly because I couldn't stand living on campus and he knew it. Yuck - the thought of living so boxed in with so many rules still gives me the chills! Anyway, to pay the rent and make ends meet I held several jobs throughout college - all full time. Essentially, forty hours a week working, twenty five hours in class - plus homework, scripts, essays, and term papers...I still don't know how, but I made it work. College was good, but definitely not amazing. I feel like I learned more about making deadlines, cramming for exams, and manipulating my grades than I did about the actual film industry. I always envied the fact that many of the people I went to school with only had classes to worry about - they'd spend all of their additional time on set filming, writing, or just being creative instead of needing to make money. But, life is about getting done what you need to. Long story short, I graduated college while I was working at a massive high end salon in Lincoln Park. I became the Assistant Manager there, but life became so routine for both of us. We decided to quit our jobs, drop everything and move to New York... Crazy!

What are your goals? We have a five year plan that's pretty in depth - but one of the biggest goal for us is to have kids. There's a bit that needs to happen before that's a reality for us, but I'm so excited to build a family.

Advice for WHS Students? Growing up as a gay boy at WHS was terrifying. Even in the last ten years, society has changed tremendously - but I know there are definitely kids and teens out there going through what I (and many others) did. It's true that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but that's easier said and understood now than it would have been then. Even early on in grade school, I knew I was different. I grew up thinking if I said or did one "wrong" thing, I'd be outed, humiliated, and shamed. I suffered terrible anxiety because I was born different than a lot of the other kids I knew. When it came to these feelings, high school was the worst! I know how hard it is and if you're like me and reading this, I just want to you to know you're not alone. There's so much to life after high school and college...it will all come together if you let it. Gay or straight - life in general is confusing. I still have to constantly remind myself to just let it all happen. I struggle with this every day, but I'm slowly learning to go with the flow, control the controllable, and appreciate everything.

What is something that bugged you today? Slow walkers make my morning commute extremely annoying.

A Techie Townie: Shelley Wu

Shelley Wu, Class of 2008, Boston but soon to be San Francisco

What are you up to? Professionally: Exploring the cloud computing tech space through software and client driven business analytics. I will be moving to SF soon to be a HR systems analyst for a skincare/dermatology line. Recreationally: Suffering through the millennial identity crisis of our generation, on the search for the perfect latte, and becoming music festival enthusiast.

How'd you get here? Since graduating college I worked as a software business consultant for a boutique company that just got acquired by IBM. Getting the chance to work with clients from all different industries ranging from on-line clothing design companies to financial institutions made me realize how much I despised the software implementation lifecycle. I wanted to be at the heart of the tech space, on the client side, this is where the move to SF comes into play.

What are your goals? To go back to school part-time to get my Masters (still undecided on what though), travel to Venice before it sinks, learn how to grill the perfect steak, and attend Coachella.

Advice for WHS Students? Whether we like it or not we're all grouped into stereotypes in high school, but you shouldn't let these preconceived notions prevent you from connecting with people. Some of the most interesting people I've met throughout my life have also been the most open-minded.

What is something that bugged you today? All the Kimoji posts on Instagram today.

Inspired? Share your own story now!