Otter Valley Union High School – Joey Massores, 2010
Hometown, current residence, age: I grew up in Pittsford and live in Rutland (currently). I’m 25.
Family: My parents are Holly and Joe Massores.
What I am up to: I am currently working at General Electric in Rutland. I have just recently completed the Apprentice Machinist/Toolmaker Program and am taking one more class to get the Associate’s Degree associated with the program.
How I got to where I am now: After graduating high school, I attended Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a minor in Mathematical Sciences. Upon college graduation, I was offered an Accounting Specialist job at Heritage Family Credit Union in Rutland, where I had been a teller and an intern throughout college.
An opportunity arose where General Electric was offering the apprentice program again, and I chose to apply and was eventually hired. Unfortunately, the line of work I am doing now is not what I went to college for, however it has been a great experience learning skills that I would have never learned elsewhere. The experience at both businesses has been truly insightful and I am thankful for both opportunities.
Adults to whom I can attribute my current success: I would not be the man I am today without the guidance and wisdom from my parents. They have supported and guided me throughout my life with whatever I have done.
I have a different way of thinking and viewing things from a day-to-day outlook thanks to many people in college — especially my good friend Ken Ukaigwe, and my favorite professor, Tzarina Prater. They have a unique way of making me think deeper into a topic or situation, rather than forming a simple conclusion.
How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today: There truly is no place like no home. It was an easy choice for me to return to Pittsford after graduation from Bentley. The small-town vibe of being able to go into town and have the potential to see a few friends or someone you have not seen since high school, is refreshing after being in a busy town near Boston. Life slows down in a small town and that type of life is that I enjoy.
My memories of high school: The high points in high school were when I was playing sports. The memories I have with different people playing on the various football, basketball and baseball teams are things we still reminisce about today.
The low point in my high school years was when we lost a classmate and when I lost my uncle. Our classmate was taken from us too soon in an unfortunate four-wheeling accident and it hit the school hard. As a small-town school, everyone was there for each other in this time of need and the community came together for the family. I am close with all my family, but my uncle had been my biggest fan growing up and I miss him every day.
My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors: There is so much advice I could give to the graduating seniors that I wish I was given when I graduated. But, to condense it I would say: Do not settle, work your tail off, regret nothing and experience everything you have wanted to do.