In mid-March 25 years ago, the Norwich Free Academy’s class was just three months from its graduation. Among its five hundred students was the talented flutist Janelle Handy.

In this episode, we learn how a flute-playing math major ended up in the most selfless of careers working for United Community & Family Services. Listen to learn how Janelle’s refreshingly blunt approach (or, in her words, acting as a “2 by 4”) has made her so valuable to her Connecticut clients. Janelle is now married with kids and living in Ledyard. “Red & White @ Silver” cohost Ian is also a Ledyard resident, which necessitated trivia about their new home town (although somehow listing Henry VIII’s wives make their way into an RWS episode for the second time in three weeks). Janelle’s episode closes with a reflection on her time at NFA, including her memories of being in the great NFA marching band and unforgettable classroom experiences courtesy of, who else, Mr. Rourke. Janelle also gives our podcast a 4.5-star rating, a personal best for RWS.

Her name is Janelle Handy, now Janelle Turley, and she’s a member of the NFA Class of 2001.