Return to Headlines

November 2023 Alumni Spotlight

Joe Shiman

Hometown: Canterbury, CT

Currently Living In: Simsbury, CT

WA Class of: 1990

Best WA Memory: I have a bazillion favorite memories, like Coach Emmerson driving the school bus past our cross-country team while we ran along a skinny stonewall-lined road back to campus. I think he dropped us off close to Massachusetts. It was so far and we were all laughing about it, which made it fun.

Favorite Teacher: Mr. Clifford—English. I’ve reread most of the classics as an adult and thought of him often along the way. His style was “don’t rush to figure everything out; you will miss too much.” I could list a dozen more teachers. It was a time in my life when many of them meant so much.

After Graduation:  I went to college then worked in finance. WA helped prepare me by helping me see that I can succeed in the midst of change. Changing buildings between classes, adjusting tracks and difficulty of classes based on success, an ever-adjusting diverse student community providing support, academic competition, and growth. WA showed me a path to success within change.

Today: I manage a boutique wealth management firm in West Hartford. I have an amazing wife who writes. We are busy raising three children and a dog named Bagel. Through luck (or whatever) I seem to get into adventures daily.

WA Takeaways: If a door opens and your instinct tells you it’s a good one, run through it.

Advice for Future Centaurs: While I was in the middle of my time at WA it felt typical. To this day, when I share elements from my high school experience with others, I see that the independence, encouragement, and support I experienced from teachers/students reminds me that it was anything but typical. My advice—jump in!