Chloe Hummel, the valedictorian of West Haven High School’s Class of 2020, has continued to build on the experiences and interests that shaped her time at WHHS. During high school, Hummel was involved in Varsity Lacrosse, served as Mock Trial Captain, was a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in Peer Advocates. Today, she works as a seventh grade ELA teacher while continuing to pursue her interests in writing and fitness.
While many teachers at WHHS influenced Hummel, she said two English teachers, Mrs. Plumey and Ms. Fanelli, left a lasting impact. Their influence became even more meaningful as she pursued a career in education. “Now that I've become a teacher, I can truly appreciate how they inspired my creativity and helped build my critical thinking skills,” Hummel said.
Hummel also credits her involvement with Mock Trial for helping shape her confidence. She said her Mock Trial coaches played an important role in developing her public speaking skills and confidence in verbal communication, lessons that have stayed with her since graduating from West Haven High School.
After graduating from WHHS, Hummel attended the University of Connecticut, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in 2024. She then earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction in 2026. While at UConn, she continued to explore her interests as president of Her Campus and president of Turn the Page.
Today, Hummel works as a seventh grade ELA teacher at Amity Middle School in Bethany, Connecticut. She is also a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor and spends her spare time publishing poetry and short fiction. Her work brings together her interests in teaching, writing, and fitness.
“The connections I made at both West Haven High School and the University of Connecticut helped me to explore lots of opportunities and find my path,” Hummel said. “I think it's important to try as many things as possible!”
For current West Haven High School students thinking about life after graduation, Hummel encourages them not to feel pressured to have everything figured out right away. “It is okay to enter college or the workforce feeling unsure about the future,” she said. “If you keep an open mind and give yourself permission to try and fail at lots of different things, you will eventually find your way.”
One lesson from her time at WHHS has continued to guide Hummel. She credits one of her Mock Trial coaches, Mr. Conlan, with teaching her the value of kindness and giving back to others in the community. He also helped her understand that there is no “correct” timeline for achieving your goals. “The worst thing you can do is compare yourself to someone else,” Hummel said.
From her time at West Haven High School to her education at UConn and her work today, Hummel’s path has been shaped by her willingness to explore different opportunities. Her story is a reminder to current students that they do not need to have every step of their future planned out. Sometimes, finding the right path begins with simply being willing to try something new.