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. :-)

Giving Hope: Heather Humphrey

Heather Humphrey, Class of 2008, Oakville, Connecticut

What are you up to? I work as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for an outpatient behavioral health program. I care for both patients with mental illness as well as substance abuse. I provide medication assisted treatment (such as Suboxone) to individuals with Opiate Use Disorder and work with an amazing group of clinicians to provide group programs and services to these patients. 

Other than my career I’m a mom to two beautiful boys and I have an amazing husband.

How'd you get here? Growing up I’ve had a lot of personal experience with substance abuse and mental health. Seeing first-hand what it can do to someone and their loved ones pushed me to find a way to help those in need. Watertown High School have me a great starting point, as I started in the CNA program there. From there I went to college for to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and began my career as a Psychiatric Nurse on an inpatient floor. I became manager of the floor while I pursued my degree as a Psych Nurse Practitioner. Once this was done, I started working at the outpatient program. They had a need in their addictions program, so I offered to help there (not realizing at the time I had an interest in addictions). I fell in love with working with those patients and the rest is history. I now work with those who have mental health issues as well as those with substance abuse problems.

What are your goals? The goal I have for my practice, and life in general, is to give people hope. Hope that there is help out there and someone who cares. Hope that the addiction doesn’t have to continue to run their lives and that they can and will overcome it. My goal is to help people realize that mental health as well as addiction are a disease. I believe there needs to be more education about mental health and substance abuse problems and more support from our communities to help these individuals.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? As much as I love my life and where I am both personally and in my career, there are days I wish I traveled more, tried new things, explored the world. Be fearless, don’t let anyone tell you what should make you happy or what kind of life you should have.

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.

Creativity and Communications: Amber Spiotti

Amber Spiotti, Class of 2008, Jacksonville, FL

What are you up to? I recently started a new position in the Communications and Advancement Department at a prep-school (think the southern version of Taft School). Essentially I write news articles, manage our social media accounts, serve as a photographer and event coordinator. Now that I'm closer to the ocean, I spend the weekends riding my bike at the beach, planning my next vacation (California road trip) and exploring Jacksonville.

How'd you get here? Since college graduation I worked with NBC and Fox News, within their news and marketing departments. It's an exciting job field. After spending so much time up north, I wanted a change, so I moved down here. I was able to stay within the communications field and put some of my creativity to work.

What are your goals? Transition into PR, travel to Ireland, get my Masters and pick up piano lessons again.

Advice for WHS Students? It's okay if you don't know exactly what it is you want to do with the rest of your life. A lot of us are still figuring it all out. But don't be afraid to get outside of your comfort zone. Embrace change and make the most of your post-high school experience. And travel - always travel!

What is your favorite color? Blue

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.

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