HHS alumna Madison Castàldi graduated class of 2017, but since then, she’s gotten her Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) at Webster University. Castàldi gets to create things for people from marketing content to help boost businesses and she also gets to be creative with art for mental health. 

I decided to go to a local university,” Castàldi said. “I found a study abroad opportunity for myself to go to Havana, Cuba. This happened a week before “the world shut down” as I like to say. I was 21 years old and still living with my parents- meanwhile the world was falling apart. I am now a content creator for a small business, and get paid to create.”

There is always doubt running around, but for some people they learn to overcome doubt. 

“If I doubted myself, or let people’s doubts about me affect my life choices, I wouldn’t have the fond memories I have today,” Castàldi said. “I just want to thank Mrs. Leyes-Woods, Mrs. Benker, and Mrs. Cummiskey for believing in me, never doubting me, and pushing myself when I had no motivation to push myself.” 

But as time moves on so do some friends that were thought to be ‘lifelong.’

“My circle is not anything like it used to be,” Castàldi said. “Over the years friendships have ended. Support shifts, and it’s nothing but love from a distance.” 

Castàldi has one more thing she would like to share to anybody reading this. 

“I’d like to leave anyone reading with this: All that matters is how you see yourself. It doesn’t matter where you grew up. It doesn’t matter where you went to school, What matters is how you conduct yourself in society. Are people going to judge you because you went to Hancock? Maybe. But it only matters if you allow it to. It only matters if others’ doubts about you define you. Instead define yourself- because I am one proud Lemolian (slang term for a resident of Lemay).