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!!!

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.