Waterford Union High School

Where are they now? 

We love to feature our students as they continue their life after graduation. If you would like to be featured, please email communications@waterforduhs.k12.wi.us to learn more. 

Megan Craig- Class of 2004
1.) What year did you graduate? I graduated in 2004. 

2.) What have you been up to since graduating from Waterford Union High School? I've worked since 2008 as a reporter and editor, covering just about anything. I've been lucky enough to write a weekly column, interview Barack Obama, dig into the lives of people banned for life from Six Flags and tell so many people's incredible stories. For many years, I worked as a reporter and then as a national/foreign content editor for the Chicago Tribune, but I took a break from journalism in 2015 to work as Director of Programs for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, creating educational programs for people living with kidney disease and kidney transplants. (I became interested in the work after donating my kidney in 2011.) But journalism remained my passion, and I freelanced throughout my time with the foundation. When Syracuse University invited me to teach in the Newhouse School of Public Communications (in the journalism department), I jumped at the opportunity to join academia. I now live in Syracuse, N.Y., with my husband and our dog and two cats, and I am in the process of applying to combined communications/social psychology Ph.D. programs to further study journalism ethics issues. 

3.) How did Waterford Union High School help prepare you for life after graduation? I'm glad to have received a well-rounded education in Waterford. Being in a relatively small, rural school district offered opportunities for more personalized education. I pursued a career in journalism because one teacher in particular -- Mrs. Rabe -- gave so much encouragement and positive feedback during my time in her writing-based classes. 

4.) Favorite memory while attending Waterford Union High School? When the new auditorium first opened, I was a junior in several of Mr. Machan's choir classes. He helped me land a role in that year's musical, "Hello, Dolly." I have horrible stage fright and was never going to be a famous singer, but for a few performances on that brand new stage, I felt like a star. 

Lauren (Purtell) Weisseg 

Class of 2004

What have you been up to since graduating from Waterford Union High School? After graduating from Waterford Union High School, I attended Cardinal Stritch University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. While in college, I was able to secure an internship with Wells Fargo and parlayed that to a full-time offer after college graduation. That job took me out to San Francisco for the next 7 years, where I made lifelong friendships and advanced my career.  In 2015, I wanted to move closer to home and found a job opportunity in Chicago working for J.P. Morgan.  Life in Chicago has been nothing short of sweet as I get to see my family more often, and I met my husband here, too!  

 

How did Waterford Union High School help prepare you for life after graduation? Waterford Union High School prepared me for the next chapters of my life by emphasizing that hard work pays off and the importance of teamwork.  I also met my three very best friends (who are my best friends to this day) while I walked the halls of WUHS, and I wouldn't be who I am without them.

 

Favorite memory while attending Waterford Union High School? I have a lot of great memories from my 4 years at WUHS!  My most memorable teachers were Mr. Jerome (Biology), Mrs. Rabe (AP English Literature) and Mrs. Schiltz (Spanish).  I can vividly picture Mrs. Schlitz, who was always walking around the classroom rapidly and called on students at random to conjugate a Spanish verb.  I also can remember Mr. Jerome getting way too excited about dissecting worms and frogs and his enthusiasm for all things DNA.  His lessons have come in handy during trivia nights!  The passion these teachers brought into the classroom is what made the lessons stick with me after all these years (16 -- yikes!).  I also cherish my memories from being on the Cheerleading team and spending a lot of nights and weekends with Mrs. Clarksen and Mrs. Werner.