The Eagle Eye Alumni Newsletter
Vol. 6 - FALL 2020
Remember to THANK a Veteran!
Welcome to the 6th Edition of The Eagle Eye!
Egg Harbor Township Schools launched the Alumni Association for a few reasons:
- To find out what roads you chose to follow;
- To see where you are now in your careers and your lives, and what interesting steps you took along the way to get where you are today;
- To gauge your feelings on how Egg Harbor Township Schools prepared you for your journey.
We also want to know what you think we can do better NOW to prepare current students for their future!
MEET OUR OUTSTANDING EHTHS ALUMS!
LOGAN MILLER - EHTHS CLASS OF 2010
“Shortly after I went to college, I realized I wanted to serve in the military. Around the same time, I made the decision to go to law school. The JAG Corps became the perfect opportunity for me to pursue both paths simultaneously”
Logan Miller’s favorite Egg Harbor Township High School memory is winning the conference championship his junior year as a member of the swim team. It wasn’t just the winning that he remembers so vividly, but the way they went about it.
“We had set the expectation at the beginning of the season that we could win the championship, but every one of us had to perform in order to make it a reality,” he said. “I think it is actually rare in life to set a goal, work towards it, and ultimately achieve it in such a linear fashion as occurred that year,” he added.
A realistic, goal-oriented individual who is steady under pressure no matter what is happening around him, Logan is a forward-thinker. When he sets his mind to something -- it happens.
After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in history, the EHTHS class of 2010 alum set his sights on law school. Logan was accepted into Villanova University School of Law, where he also served as a senior staff editor for the Villanova Law Review, a periodical that publishes articles by students and outside authors on a wide range of legal issues.
“Shortly after I went to college, I realized I wanted to serve in the military. Around the same time, I made the decision to go to law school. The JAG Corps became the perfect opportunity for me to pursue both paths simultaneously,” Logan said.
The U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps is the legal arm of the U.S. Army. Its practitioners, referred to as Judge Advocates, are licensed attorneys qualified to represent the Army and Army Soldiers in military legal matters. Judge Advocates have the option of serving as full-time legal practitioners on active duty, or as members of the U.S. Army Reserve.
After receiving his Juris Doctorate degree from Villanova University in 2016, he took the Pennsylvania bar exam, and then entered active duty in January 2017 through the JAG Corp’s direct commission program, which gave him the opportunity to serve his country as an officer and as a legal professional.
He served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC for three years. During that time, he traveled to Latvia as part of a multinational military exercise, and was deployed to Afghanistan for nine months with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division in Kandahar and Bagram, two large military installations operated by the U.S. and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies.
Logan credits his education at Egg Harbor Township High School for preparing him for college and for his future career. “My classes were always challenging and my teachers pushed me to think critically. All of my courses helped prepare me for college. I am grateful I had the opportunity to explore challenging topics while in high school. Dr. Park (Advanced Physics) challenged me to take ownership of my education and to tackle tough problems with confidence. She taught me to own my failures and to avoid making excuses. Mr. Murphy (AP English) helped me to really analyze what I read and hear and to trust my own intuition and judgment. I did not value my own opinions until he forced me to articulate them,” he said.
When asked what EHTHS could do better to prepare current high school students for the future he said, “… encourage its students to explore all options before they graduate. There is no correct path and there are many affordable ways to pursue work, education, or training. There are far more opportunities available than a student may realize,” he said. “There is enough anger, anxiety and insecurity in the world. I encourage students to find ways to generate positivity and demonstrate kindness during their high school experience,” Logan added.
Logan lives in San Antonio, TX with his dog, ‘Bob Dylan.’ He is a prosecutor for the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps at Joint Base San Antonio where he manages criminal investigations and criminal litigation. He also assists his command in addressing soldier misconduct through administrative and non-judicial means.
A member of the Pennsylvania Bar, Logan enjoys surfing when he “can find a beach” and also enjoys yoga, jiu-jitsu, and reading.
Thank you for your service Logan.
Kristen Beatty - EHTHS Class of 2009
From EHTHS to Television News Producer!
A mock presidential election held in her high school classroom in 2008 taught Kristen Beatty a lifelong lesson that she hasn’t forgotten: “Not everyone thinks like me, or agrees with my opinions, and that’s ok. I know not to assume I know how someone thinks. I can listen to and understand both sides of an issue.”
That lesson has served the EHTHS Class of 2009 alumna well in her career and in life.
As a news producer for 6abc in Philadelphia, Kristen is responsible for bringing news stories to life.
She selects the stories that air, writes the script content for the news anchors, researches video sources for editors, makes camera footage decisions, and calls the shots on all breaking news stories. Her position requires her to possess strong ethical reporting standards, discipline in assembling and verifying facts, and the savoir-faire to communicate those developing details effectively and efficiently – oftentimes at a moment’s notice.
A 2013 graduate of Syracuse University with a dual major in broadcast journalism and political science, Kristen credits her former teachers and school leaders for preparing her for life and a career after high school including Eileen Hannigan, social studies department supervisor; Dr. Terry Charlton, director of human resources; Dr. Phil Heery, former superintendent of schools; Mr. and Mrs. Gunther, former kindergarten teachers; and Ms. Eisenhut, first grade teacher.
“Looking back, I wish I would have been forced to take a financial/business course,”
she said when asked what she felt EHTHS could do better to prepare current high school students for the future.
At Syracuse, Kristen was a student-elected member of the Residence Hall Association, an Orientation Leader, and the captain of the Figure Skating Club. She pledged Alpha Gamma Delta, an international women’s fraternity founded at Syracuse University in 1904, and served as an elected board officer of the fraternal organization.
During the summer of 2010, Kristen traveled abroad to London where she interned at Wimbledon with NBC Sports. Remembering her roots, she also returned to EHTHS as a Project Graduation volunteer as a college student for two years.
Prior to joining 6abc, Kristen cut her teeth in broadcast journalism as a sports intern with NBC40 in Linwood, a public relations intern at Shore Medical Center, a communications intern with MTV in New York City, promotions manager assistant with the Syracuse Crunch American Hockey League team, reporter for Democracywise, a university-based, student-led political news website; morning producer intern with WBNG in Binghamton, NY., producer for WCTI in New Bern, NC, and producer for WJZ in Baltimore, MD.
(Whew!)
While at EHTHS, Kristen’s extra-curricular activities included Figure Skating Club, Mock Trial, Drama Club, musicals, Yearbook, National Honor Society, and the school newspaper. She and her family played a vital role in getting the EHTHS Figure Skating Club established and ultimately recognized as a U.S. Figure Skating School-Affiliated Club in 2011.
When asked what her former classmates would be most surprised to know about her she said, “I took myself on a spontaneous me-cation to Mexico; I was physically run over by a car; and I don’t ice skate anymore,” quickly adding “None of those three things are related.” Another fun fact: sometimes she even gets her dog, Penny, on TV!
Her favorite school memory is singing the song “Pizza Love” in choir in grade school. “To this day, I still laugh when I think about it. An entire ballad to tangy sauce and crusty dough,” she said. “I always enjoyed when we got to sing it for an audience.”
Kristen is single and enjoys working out, running, being a dog mom, hiking, paddleboarding, trivia, skiing, and going to Disney World.
JOB HUNTING JUST GOT HARDER! PREPARING FOR THE PHONE/VIDEO INTERVIEW
As job-seekers conform to new hiring practices and employers adapt to new hiring protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic, landing that dream job has gotten even harder.
Helpful tips to navigate your job search:
- Know that the hiring process could take longer than usual.
- Set aside time each day to search and apply for jobs.
- Keep your online profile updated.
- Make sure your social media presence reflects the best you possible.
- Use online job search sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor and set job alerts for each one.
- Be willing to take a job that is part-time or temporary to gain on-the-job skills and to demonstrate to the employer what kind of employee you are.
- Volunteer in your community. Employers like to know they are hiring 'givers.'
- Always tailor your cover letter and resume to the specific job.
- Practice a virtual or phone interview before the actual one happens.
- Practice telling your professional story.
- Consider taking a class or course that will enhance your skill set.
- Prepare yourself for numerous representatives to be in on the interview process.
- Eye contact is very important! Look at the webcam when you are speaking instead of the screen so that your eyes align better with the interviewer's eyes.
- Be optimistic in your responses and remember to smile!
- Body language counts! Don't slouch, sit straight with both feet on the ground.
- When the interviewer is speaking, give him/her your full attention. Nod, smile, and do not interrupt.
- Avoid talking about politics.
- Humility goes a long way.
- Be yourself.
Before your video interview:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Dress professionally — the interviewers can see everything around you, so be sure the background is neutral and professional.
- Check the technology ahead of time to ensure it works. Check both sound and video.
- The video interview requires practice. Make time to practice, review, and correct.
Before your phone interview:
- Take the phone interview seriously. Make sure you are in a quiet place and not distracted.
- Make sure that you have strong cell coverage.
- Be aware of potential time differences. Always confirm the time zone when scheduling the interview.
JOB OPENINGS!
The Egg Harbor Township School District are looking for qualified candidates for the job openings pictured below. Continue to monitor our website at eht.k12.nj.us and social media @EHTNJSchools.
For more information you can see all job openings and apply online at: https://www.applitrack.com/eggharbor/onlineapp/
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT EHT SCHOOLS?
Follow the Egg Harbor Township Education Foundation at https://www.facebook.com/EHTEducationFoundation/and the Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools, Inc. at https://www.facebook.com/communitypartnershipEHT/ to learn about upcoming events they are planning that benefit student scholarships, teacher mini-grants, capital projects, extra-curricular activities, instructional technology, and academic enhancement.
SEND US YOUR CLASS REUNION NEWS via email to: gregorye@eht.k12.nj.us
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC & MENTAL HEALTH
(Submitted by our friends at the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County)
The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County offers a variety of virtual wellness initiatives, support group meetings and discussion groups. More than 30 virtual meetings are offered each week on a wide range of topics. Some groups and meetings are focused on wellness topics such as gratitude, stress management and coping with COVID.
There are also groups for individuals living with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and hoarding disorder. Other groups are focused on people with similar experiences and needs such as parents, individuals age 18-30, veterans, survivors of suicide, the LGBTQ community, college students, individuals living with a disability and those experiencing grief and loss. The agency also provides meetings in Spanish.
A complete list is available online www.mhaac.info and https://www.mhanj.org/virtual-support-and-learning-opportunities/. Meetings are offered 7 days a week at a variety of times of day.
For more information, call 609 652-3800 or find details on Facebook - Mental Health Association in Atlantic County or Instagram @mhaac.info.
In addition to the virtual groups, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Call Center is providing free emotional support for those affected by COVID. Call-in and text options are available. Text NJHOPE to 51684 or call 866-202-HELP (4357). This service is provided 7 days a week 8 am to 8 pm.
ARE YOU A PROUD EHT ALUM?
$5 "PROUD ALUM" CAR MAGNETS can be purchased at the High School Store, or ordered via email to: gregorye@eht.k12.nj.us
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING EDITION OF THE EAGLE EYE?
SHARE YOUR STORY!
Maybe you chose a traditional academic path, or perhaps you took the road less traveled and blazed your own trail. Regardless of how you got to where you are today, we are grateful to you for putting Egg Harbor Township School District on the map, making a difference in the world, and for helping us become better educators. In each edition, we hope to share your stories, inspire opportunities for you to reconnect with us, and invite you to participate in exciting things happening in the Egg Harbor Township School District.
PLEASE SEND EMAIL INQUIRIES TO: gregorye@eht.k12.nj.us
EHTHS Alumni Office
13 Swift Drive
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 646-8441, ext. 1017
Email: alumni@eht.k12.nj.us