Triton High School alumnus Tyler Egan can’t say enough about college life.
The Triton Voice spoke to nine different alumnus, each with different experiences after high school. Although we heard a few similar responses, the one overall takeaway is that they are all successful so far, which as Triton students was comforting to hear. From many going to different universities, to one selecting the trade route, it was interesting to hear from our alumni. Although many thoughts go into picking what one wants to do in the future: where to go to school, whether even to go to school, and other complications, one of the most common paths of our alums leads to business. Five out of the nine alumni interviewed are currently studying business at different universities. Our most common university is UNH. The University of New Hampshire is the flagship state college of New Hampshire that has a well-known business program called Peter T. Paul College and brand new business school building that many rave about. In the article “UNH Paul College Top Public Business School in New England” (2024) by Sharon Keeler it states. “Paul College of Business is ranked 63rd nationally and among the top 50 universities in the country for academic experience.” Which is what makes the program so popular.
When hearing about Ayden Deebs experience so far at UNH he shared a quote that resonated with him. “When you are scared to jump, that’s exactly when you jump.” He said. A quote he heard his sophomore year of college that he goes off of daily.
Every year a new batch of Triton High School seniors hang up their school issued chromebooks and move onto something new. Although a chapter ends, a new one begins, but what does that chapter consist of for these Triton grads?
Matt Egan
Many paths await for the students after they walk across the stage at graduation. Some choose college, trades, military and many more. But, where are the kids who once roamed the halls we call Triton? Matt Egan, a Triton graduate of the class of 2021 chose to further his education at the University of New Hampshire.
In the article “University of New Hampshire” by John Aber of Wikipedia, it is said UNH is ranked number 7 best value public university in the country. UNH is a public institution located in Durham, New Hampshire, which is home to more than 15,000 students, making it a mid-sized school. It is best known for its prestigious business program where 20% of the 2023 class graduated with a degree in a business field. However, it has many other notable majors as well, where in 2023, 12% graduated with a biomedical sciences degree, 9% with an engineering degree, 9% in health professions, and many more. Making this a fabulous school for any path a person may choose.
Egan chose to major in sports management and leadership and is minoring in business. Although he joined one of the most prestigious programs the school offers, he had no trouble in his first year.
“My counselors and previous teachers were helpful in preparing me for college, in terms of what I needed to graduate and how to apply to colleges,” said Egan when asked about how Triton prepared him for college.
When he is not cooped up in his room doing school work you can find Matt at the gym or somewhere hanging with his buddies. He keeps himself busy as he is one of the founders of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at UNH. On top of that he works as a ticket office employee for the Wildcats hockey program. When asked why he chose UNH, the answer was simple.
“It has a nice campus and great social life,” said Egan. “My eldest cousin also attended UNH and I look up to him and wanted to follow in his footsteps.” Egan is in his fourth and final year at the university and he is actively searching to land a job in the sports or business industry doing sales or marketing.
Tyler Egan
Matt’s younger brother Tyler Egan who graduated from Triton in 2023 wasn’t the only one following footsteps as he also is attending the University of New Hampshire. He chose to attend the university for similar reasons as his big brother.
“I loved the campus and how good the business program was,” said Tyler.
Tyler is majoring in business administration in hopes to get a job in the finance industry once he graduates. Like his older brother, he is also in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he is looking to be the pledge master for next year. If his hands aren’t tied with Greek life, you can find him at the rink where he plays club hockey for the LUG league.
Getting used to college was a bit harder for Tyler than Matt as he exclaimed that Triton didn’t prepare him for college. “I had a 3.8 GPA in high school and now college work is so much harder and my GPA sucks,” said Egan. To help the current class of seniors here at Triton, Tyler shared a piece of advice. “Take advantage of the time you have left in school, it flies by,” he said.
Ayden Deeb
Another graduate of the 2023 class of Triton Regional High School chose the same path as his fellow classmate Tyler. The college choice was not as easy for Ayden Deeb as he was deciding between UNH and the University of Tampa. Two very different schools, it came down to just two things:
“Fantastic location and they have a great business program,” said Deeb.
Joining the two Egan brothers, Deeb is also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He’s currently majoring in business administration with a focus in finance. To gain better intelligence in the business world, he plans to join the professional sales club and the sports careers club in the future. During his time off from school you can find Deeb working at the Deck in Salisbury, where he will be returning for his third year in a row. Once he graduates in two years, he plans to do a little traveling before he hopefully lands a job in the finance industry.
“After I graduate college, I would like to backpack Europe, then land a job in the New England area, preferably in the finance industry,” said Deeb. Ayden was joyful to open up about the university and all of its glory. He was ecstatic to talk about the fairly new business school, Peter T. Paul College of Business, and all of the opportunities it provides. Access to individuals in a desired industry are always available, as are mock job applications and more.
To get to this point is not smooth sailing as Deeb provides some guidance to current Triton seniors. “If I had to give current seniors advice for their futures, I would say to stay on top of your work, don’t slack off, but make sure to have fun,” said Deeb. “The memories you make your senior year will carry with you for the rest of your life.”
Artie Stanley
Artie Stanley was a graduate in the Class of 2022, and went on to attend college at the University of New Hampshire. Stanley will be graduating college in May of 2026. Currently Stanley is studying business with a focus in marketing.
“Since high school has ended I have just been doing school work and making connections,” Stanley said. “I have worked in multiple different places and have done internships, trying to figure out what I want to do with my future after college.”
Stanley detailed his goals after college: He hopes to work with companies preferably out of Boston in sales or marketing a business.
“I hope to begin working on becoming an entrepreneur, using my job to be able to fund my venture.” Stanley said. “The end goal is to be the owner of multiple businesses.”
At the moment Stanley states that he is not currently working but he is set to start an internship soon with Jersey Mike’s. He will be working alongside the store manager to expand his skills and learn how to run a franchised business. When not focused on his classes and jobs, Stanley is involved in the entrepreneur and sports analytics club while also enjoying his time by playing intramural sports with his friends.
What did he learn at Triton?
“Triton showed me the importance of showing up every day,” Stanley said, “In college it’s easy to fall into a rhythm of not going to classes and prioritizing less important things. But being present and getting up and around campus every day is crucial to your academic and personal success.”
Reese Renda
Reese Renda graduated from Triton in 2024. With her love and passion for criminal justice she decided to further her education at Salem State University by pursuing a masters in criminal justice when she graduates from her college in 2028. Since her high school days, she has worked at the Poynt, a local high end restaurant in Newburyport, four or more days a week. Although she loves working there, she hopes to eventually become a police officer or work in the FBI as well as indulge in a good amount of traveling.
How did Triton prepare her for college?
“I think Triton prepared me by making sure I was on top of my work and handing things in on time,” she said.
Renda is using these life skills at triton to carve her future in criminal justice at her college Salem State.
Billy Thistlewood
Billy Thistlewood graduated high school in the Class of 2024 and for him college wasn’t something he felt was fitting.
“I didn’t attend college because for me personally I don’t think it was the right choice,” Thistlewood said.
Thistlewood describes himself as a very hands on person and prefers to just be working rather than in a classroom. About a month after high school he started applying to available jobs and he landed working at a landscaping company. Long term, Thistlewood expressed that he would love to have his own business.
What did he learn at Triton?
Not attending college Thistlewood has different thoughts about how Triton prepares students for their life after highschool. He explains how he feels that Triton can be helpful for people attending college but lacks to provide students with skills for situations and jobs outside of college.
“I think Triton did a poor job at preparing me for after high school life,” Thistlewood said. “ I have had to ask my boss so many simple questions about the ‘real world’. I think these are things Triton needs to be better about.”
Maggie Reilly
Another graduate that was part of the class of 2023 was Maggie Reilly. Reilly’s lifelong goal was to go to school at Syracuse University in New York, the same college her dad graduated from. From taking psychology specific college classes in high school, Rielly decided that is what she wanted to do in the future. At the New York campus Rielly is involved in many different clubs. One of which being her sorority Alpha Phi. In Alpha Phi, Reilly is involved in many fundraisers, sister bonding and cherishable life memories. When not in her sorority, Rielly is working on Fetch, a student-run magazine. After graduating college in 2027 Rielly hopes to move to Boston and pursue her psychology career.
Lia Hatheway
One of our Triton graduates Lia Hatheway has also been very successful in her college life. Hatheway graduated in 2024 and has been dreaming of being a nurse. After being accepted to many different schools for nursing, Hatheway found her home away from home at the University of Rhode Island.
As for Hathaway’s future, she has big plans.
“Once I graduate college, I plan to have my bachelor’s in nursing, With that I want to work as a travel nurse for a few years to get my feet on the ground and then ultimately go back to school to get my license as a nurse practitioner, which will then allow me to open my own practice working in aesthetics as a nurse practitioner”
Before heading to URI Hatheway gained experience at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, which truly showed her that was her passion.
“Triton prepared me for college because there are alot of classes for diverse interests,” she said. “I took anatomy and physiology junior year and i’m so thankful I did because it helped me through the first semester of nursing school so much”
Maya Sullivan
A member of the Class of 2023, Maya Sullivan has many things to share about her experiences post high school. Sullivan has been studying marketing at the University Of Connecticut, but that isn’t the only thing on her plate. When not in her classes you can find her in one of her many clubs, Marketing Society, Women In Business as well as Husky Thon. Sullivan is also involved in one of the top sororities at UCONN, Alpha Phi. This past fall semester she was involved in a marketing internship, and this opportunity will help Sullivan gain more experience in her intended major.
“For the most part, Triton prepared me. I picked my classes that I thought would benefit me in the future, like Marketing and Finance which were really beneficial when I started taking them in college. Another thing was taking AP classes. I feel as though they prepared me for the faster pace in some of my classes now.”
Over the summer when Sullivan is not in college you can find her waiting on customers with a smile at Turner Hill, a nearby Country Club.
When asked about her goals after college Sullivan replied with “After college I hope to get a job in Boston doing marketing or something related to the business field where I can use all of my new knowledge.”
