Sharon High Alumni Inspire Incoming Freshmen

On Tuesday, August 27, 2019, almost 300 freshmen were treated to a day filled with activities, tours, games, teacher Q&A panels, pizza, and team building organized by Vice Principal Elizabeth Gavin and supported by 40 Student Council Student Leaders. Two SHS graduates kicked of the event by inspiring the freshmen to make the most of their high school experience by exploring the diverse opportunities available to them.

Hanna Switlekowski, SHS Class of 2009, served on student government, participated in theater, was involved in various community service projects, and was a 2008 recipient of the Ordinary Hero Award from the Town of Sharon. She studied at American Jewish University in Los Angeles before transferring to Brandeis University, where she graduated in 2013 with a BA in Near Eastern Judaic Studies & Politics. In 2015 she received her Master's degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University, and was the recipient of the 2015 Keough Fellowship from the American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA). She currently works as the Legislative Director for State Senator Paul Feeney, and previously worked as Legislative Aide to State Representative Louis Kafka. She encouraged the freshmen to reach for new things, including forming relationships with teachers and mentors. She told the students that 10 years later, she still feels connected to her former teachers who definitely made an impact on her educational experience and ultimately influenced her career.

A lifelong resident of the Town of Sharon, Ted Philips, Class of 2001, earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Sawyer School of Business at Suffolk University. Upon graduating UMass, Ted returned home and immediately involved himself in his community. He joined the Town of Sharon's Finance Committee and has served ten years on that board, three of them as Vice-Chair. He is also a member and former Secretary of the Sharon Lions Club, a member of Sharon's Master Plan Steering Committee, and a former member of the Town of Sharon's 250th Anniversary Committee, which was celebrated in 2015. He works as an aide to Lou Kafka, Sharon's State Representative. Ted shared with the freshmen class that he entered high school thinking he would be a two sport star athlete; things turned dramatically, however, when he embraced passions for theatre (voted Class of 2001 "Most Likely to Be On Broadway"), community service, and student government leadership opportunities. Ted encouraged the incoming freshmen to open their eyes to the amazing range of opportunities and not to limit themselves because as he learned, SHS provides building blocks for re-creating oneself and paving a path for an exciting and fulfilling journey.

Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Murphy, Director of Visual & Performing Arts Meg Dussault, and Class advisor Joan Glasheen welcomed the incoming class and encouraged student involvement.