Training for Adventure: Kristin Mabry

Kristin Mabry, Class of 2013, San Dimas, CA

What are you up to? I’m currently living in California. I road tripped here from my hometown, Watertown, CT in 2018. I’m a personal trainer and nanny as well. I am working hard every day to grow my own personal business in personal training in hopes to be a successful entrepreneur that allows me to travel the world and take work with me wherever I go. My aspiration is to inspire others to feel empowered to be their best selves physically, mentally, and emotionally.

How'd you get here? I came to California because my boyfriend lives here and we were doing long distance for a while. I decided to make the move when I felt like it was ready to take the next step. I also also dreamed of living in California and it all seemed like a dream coming true. ALWAYS trust in your journey, through the good and the bad. God works in amazing ways and everything happens for a reason, don't rush it.

What are your goals? Ah jeez, I have too many! I plan to be successful as a health and fitness coach sharing my passion for helping others around the world. I have met some INCREDIBLE people along my journey that helped me become better every day. I also want to travel the world, have a healthy and happy family one day, and to open my own gym (way in the future) once life settles down after adventure,

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? RELAX. Things don't need to be planned out. You never know what life will throw you way and it's important to enjoy each day and live in the moment. Don't rush growing up, it's not as free or fun as you may think. Looking back, high school was one of the BEST times in my life. I wish I enjoyed it more rather than wanting to get out so quickly. You only have these moments and days ONE time, so soak it in and ENJOY.

Life Throws You Curveballs: Shelby Iava

Shelby Iava, Class of 2013, Watertown, CT

What are you up to since the last time you shared your story? Well, my career path has taken a total 180, but I guess that happens! Currently I work in Human Resources at Waterbury Hospital.

How'd you get here since the last time you shared your story? Once I graduated from college I was on the immediate job hunt just like everyone else. That very same summer I was offered my first job as a sports reporter! It was amazing and I was on cloud 9. And, not to mention, I was the only female sports reporter for the entire company, which covered two daily newspapers. But unfortunately college doesn't prepare you as well as you would think. Although I loved what I did, the company was less than ideal. That being said, I stuck it out for a year and a half and got out! It just goes to show, even though you think you have your life planned out, it doesn't always work that way, but it's okay. I love where I'm at with life and couldn't be more happier.

What are your goals now? Have they changed? For right now my goals are just to try to strive to be the best that I can each and everyday. I hope I dabble back into reporting eventually, there are aspects of it that I miss, a lot! But for the time being I’m just going to let life happen.

Shelby Iava, Class of 2013, Keene, NH, June 21, 2016 A Senior and Sports Editor

What are you up to? I'm currently entering my senior year of college at Keene State College. I'm going into my senior year, but I have already finished my Bachelors of Arts in Journalism. 

How'd you get here? After driving through almost every state in New England to get to school, there's not a doubt in my mind that I would change anything. Over these past few years at Keene, I've managed to work with almost every single type of news outlet there is (from newspaper to TV). I have been involved in our award winning newspaper The Equinox, and this year, I will be the sports editor. I have also worked behind the scenes and anchored for KSC-TV.

What are your goals? My goals? Jeeze, I barely know what I'm going to have for dinner. I would love to be able to work in the sports industry for a little while, ESPN and all that jazz. Later on down the road, I would love to work for a magazine or maybe travel the world, get a glimpse at what is out there. I'd love to use my degree to show everyone that not all media is mainstream/untrue and that some of it is actually the truth.

Advice for WHS Students? My advice, time moves faster than you think, especially the older you get. Enjoy the time you have now and don't hold anything back. Cliché, I know, but it's the truth. Also, keep your true friends by your side, because no matter who you are, or where you go, people will come and go, but thats life and your true friends will be there by your side. When one door closes, another one is just about to open.

What is your favorite color? My favorite color is red.

Studying Bio in the Midwest: Elizabeth Mendes

Elizabeth Mendes, Class of 2013, Evansville, IN

Update: “In Indiana the sky goes on for miles regardless of the direction you're looking in. Almost everyone who has asked me where I went to college has asked me why I picked Indiana (specifically UE). I didn't want to live in Connecticut. The only school I applied to in CT, and my only rejection, was Yale. I think I applied to around 12+ colleges including: Boston University, University of Miami (Florida), Penn State, and Colorado State (just to name a few). Out of all of those I picked a small private liberal arts school in the middle of the US that I HAD NEVER VISITED BEFORE! Why? I honestly don't really know. At the time I was between archaeology (UE) and environment engineering (Umiami), and I just kind of decided to go with what 7 year old Elizabeth would have done. UE had a great program, gorgeous looking campus, small class sizes, and gave me a wonderful scholarship. ⁣⁣
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So one hot day in August I loaded up a mini -van and made the trip out to UE for the first time. It was the best choice I could have made. In Indiana I made friends I consider family, grew as a student, and met professors who truly believed (and still believe) in me. I look back on every individual experience I had throughout my undergraduate career and reflect on how truly precious it was. ⁣⁣
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I am in graduate school, but it doesn't compare to those first few years where you discover who you really are. High schoolers or people reading this post thinking about going to college. Go with your gut. Pick a place that is sticking out to you (even if you don't really know why) and just do it, it might be a truly treasured experience. ⁣Do not be afraid to "let college consume you", I think if you are going for a career / path in academia, that is kind of what you have to do. I KNOW there are many other roads to take, but I love the one I traveled. ⁣⁣

"No memory is ever alone; it's at the end of a trail of memories, a dozen trails that each have their own associations." ⁣⁣

What are you up to? I'm a Biology Major and a senior at the University of Evansville.

How'd you get here? Applied to college right out of high school and ended up choosing to go to the  University of Evansville.

What are your goals? I want to eventually go to graduate school and get my PHD in Animal Physiology.

Advice for WHS Students? Don't give up. It doesn't get easier when you graduate and go to college and it probably never will, but the wisdom and experience you gain through the work you put into your future will pay off.

What do you lie about? I try not to lie.

Determined and Filled with Coffee: Olivia Grella

Olivia Grella, Class of 2013, Willimantic, CT

What are you up to? I'm in my senior year at Eastern Connecticut State University. I study psychology and have done a lot of research in the areas of eating disorders, body perceptions, cultural standards, and exercise behaviors. Other than that, I run cross country and track. I also work in the Advising Center where I help freshmen and sophomores with any school counseling problems or concerns.

How'd you get here?  A lot of coffee to carry me through long nights of sitting behind a computer running statistics. My roommates would rotate who would come to the lab and bring me the next cup. To be completely honest, I never thought I would become so invested in the research aspect of psychology.

When I first started psych I was completely set on becoming a high school guidance counselor and didn't want to spend time in any other area. But after I took a class where I conducted my own research on physique anxiety and exercise behaviors, I realized I wanted to keep doing more. I became close with some of my professors and started helping them with their own projects. I also became a TA for research classes and started helping other students with their research projects. With the guidance of one of my professors, I did an independent study where I looked at cultural standards, body perception, and eating disorder rates. It wasn't until I built these connections with my professors that I went back to my original research and starting doing more with it. This past December, I was given the honor to present this research at Eastern’s Psychological Science Conference. I’m in the process of finding new conferences, possibly ones outside of Connecticut, to present at. 

What are your goals?  I really want to go to graduate school and become a licensed clinical psychologist. I submitted applications to master’s programs in the area of clinical mental health counseling for the time being. Once this degree is completed, I plan to move onto a PhD program in clinical psychology and meet those licensure requirements. I plan on continuing to research and to start focusing more on eating disorders. I really want to use my degree to do something that will make another person's life better. This is where I feel the most passionate. My dream is to become an Eating Disorder Specialist and work on developing new prevention programs. Even though I "narrowed" it down to a concentration, I could still go in so many different directions. That's the great thing about psychology: even if I don't get there right away, the thought of working on a college campus as a clinical mental health counselor or working at an outpatient center with a mixture of patients would make me just as happy because I would still be helping other people improve their mental health.

Advice for WHS Students? Don't pick a path just because it's comfortable. For me, I wanted to be a guidance counselor because it was the only aspect of psychology that I really knew. I was comfortable knowing that the job was actually out there and it was attainable. I'm so happy though that I experienced different parts of psychology and found the research aspect to it as well as the clinical/counseling side. So I really encourage you to explore new things. I know it sounds cliche, but you only know what you've experienced and it's hard to make a life decision if all you know is what's happening around you. If you have an interest in a field, explore every part of it because you never know what you may discover. Also, I highly encourage getting to know your professors, especially if, you have any plans of going to graduate school. They really want to help you succeed and if you build relationships with them early on then you're going to be the one they remember for awesome opportunities. Overall, if there is something you are passionate about, pursue it. Don't let being afraid hold you back. More importantly, don't let others make the decision for you. Your dream may sound crazy now, but with lots of hard work and dedication, you'll be amazed at how much easier and attainable it seems to be.

What are the ingredients for a perfect day? Going for a long run in the morning and coming back to coffee and a good book!