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!

Unapologetically Herself: Karina Sorensen

Karina Sorensen, Class of 2014, Oakville, CT

What are you up to? I am currently in my second year of school working towards my Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling at Albertus Magnus in New Haven (I LOVE this program) while working part-time at Images Studio in Watertown (and I LOVE this work family). I'm still involved with my own art on the side, including being hired to draw portraits (both humans and animals!). I also just had my artwork displayed at Hawk Ridge Winery for the month of October as their featured artist of the month! All of my work is at www.karinasorensen.com and on my Facebook page @artsmudges.

How'd you get here? I started out at Naugatuck Valley Community College, which I wasn't sure about at first, but I saved a TON of money and it gave me more time to figure out what I wanted to do. After I got my Associates Degree, I went to Western Connecticut State University to get my Bachelors in Art with a minor in Psychology.

During high school, Mrs. Ciampi had suggested art therapy to me. But at the time, I wanted to do something else and I kinda forgot about it. When my undergraduate career was coming to an end and I had to decide what was next, art therapy came back to my mind. I've loved art since day one and I've always been fascinated with psychology since I took AP Psych with O'C, and I know I'm on this planet to help others. So...it's really a perfect fit.

What are your goals? My goal right now is to finish this program, get my Masters, and begin my career! I really can't wait for my future as an art therapist. I'm not yet sure what that will look like, but I know I'm excited. I still have another 2 years in the program and I don't start internship until next year - but once I do, I hope to have a better idea of which population(s) I want to work with most. Art therapy is truly a remarkable profession - helping people work through their deepest traumas via creative expression is unlike anything else and I cannot wait to continue experiencing and learning everything it has to offer.

I also hope to further my art commissions. I've illustrated portraits, designed tattoos, created gifts, you name it...I absolutely love creating, and I love being able to create something special for someone! (Contact Karina here if you are interested in a commission)

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Be unapologetically confident, loud, and yourself. It is a waste to care about what others think and to not spend every second you can being yourself.

Always Smiling: Jeffrey Desena

Jeffrey Desena, Class of 1996, Watertown, CT

What are you up to? I am currently the District Resource Officer for all of the public schools in the Town of Watertown. I spend the majority of my day at Watertown High School but I also teach D.A.R.E. at Swift Middle School. The program is geared towards helping kids make smart decisions and really go over their options prior to high school. In my spare time I coach youth soccer in town for WAYS.

How'd you get here? It was a long road, to be honest. I graduated from WHS in 1996 and had no clue what career path I wanted to follow. I attended Naugatuck Valley Community College initially for Business Management. I felt like something was missing and took a few Sociology and Criminal Justice courses which really deepened my interest in Law Enforcement. I began taking police tests and was hired by the Town of Watertown. Over my 18 years here, I’ve worked night and day shift patrol, did a temporary Detective Bureau stint, and have been Union Vice President and Treasurer. The School Resource Officer position was posted in 2016 and it is something I always wanted to do. I felt like I would be a good fit because even though I had a great family growing up, I often found myself in trouble due to bad decision making and poor friend choices. I can relate to the kids and give them constructive criticism based on my experiences. I have been amazed at their trust in me and there is not a day that goes by where I do not go to work with a smile. It can feel like a burden when a lot of kids count on you, but I love it and would not have it any other way. I feel like I found my true niche in my profession.

What are your goals? My future goals are to continue working with kids, and trying to be a positive influence. When I retire I would ultimately like to move down south. The hotter the better.

What has been your biggest challenge? My biggest challenge has been trying to find myself within my career. Although I love policing, I always felt like something was missing being on patrol. A lot of your interactions with people happen in negative situations. Once in a while, you feel like you make a difference, but a lot of the time you have to uphold the law and be stern. As District Resource Officer, it me an opportunity to do the community policing I absolutely love to do.

What has been your happiest moment?: When kids tell me they appreciate what I do for them.

Advice for WHS Students? Just be yourself. High School is about finding yourself. I feel when you are being yourself - that is true happiness.

If you could tell your high school self one thing, what would it be? Listen to Mom and Dad! They were right.

Coaching with New Goals: Emily O'Connor

Emily O'Connor, Class of 2009, Watertown CT

What are you up to? Well, I'm in school... again. I just got into Waterbury UCONN's accelerated nursing program, where I'll receive my second bachelors degree. 

I actually still spend a lot of time at WHS. I coach during fall semester (volleyball) and spring semester (softball). Coaching has become a huge part of who I am and being able to do so at my alma mater makes it that much more fun! I coach the sports that I fell in love with, with all of the coaches who taught me. Yes - all my coaches are still there. Ally Demarest was my volleyball coach in Senior year of high school. Keith Borkowski and George Palomba have coached me since I was 13 year old. Now, they are the men I stand beside on the softball field, coaching. To have a full circle experience (playing, coaching and umping) has given me a better appreciation for each sport.

How'd you get here? After graduating high school I moved to New Haven and attended SCSU for 4 years and received my Bachelors Degree in Bilingual Speech Pathology. 2 years and approximately 20 graduate school rejection letters later (yes - 20) I decided to move on. I worked for one year as an ABA therapist; I worked one-on-one with children who where non-verbally autistic. While this was a rewarding job, I knew it was not my CAREER.

My new goal is nursing. I'll be the third generation of nurses in my family. I had to re-take EVERY science class I ever took at SCSU, because mine where now either too old or based on speech pathology (I was thrilled). I saved some money and did this at NVCC. During this time, I was coaching and working as the special events coordinator for Watertown Parks and Recreation. All of these things leads us to present day Emily. I'm still coaching, waiting for more schooling, and working at the Parks and Rec office (10 years later).

What are your goals? I would ultimately like to work in pediatric nursing nursing and eventually become a Nurse Practitioner. I love helping people, so cliche, I know... but I do.

Advice for WHS Students? It's okay to be rejected (coming from me, I was rejected over 20 times for graduate schools, I know the feeling). It's is not always negative, it's simply a change of plans. 

Also, stay in touch with your high school friends because while your college friends are great, my best friend has been the same person since day one. Thanks Han!

If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go? Ireland.

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