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L AT I N M A G A Z I N E
A L U M N I
Latin alumni talk about the
unconventional choices they
have had the confidence to make
because of their Latin experience.
Wendy Morton
Imagine that your job is constructing the Wampa,
a snarling abominable snow creature for Star Wars:
e Empire Strikes Back. Perhaps a bit of a surprising
career choice for a Latin graduate of the 1970s? Not
according to Wendy Morton '74, a professional
puppeteer and puppet maker. Morton credits Latin
with sparking her interest in the performing arts
and encouraging her to build a career she loves.
Morton's experience of creating her own unique
path through life is one that many Latin alumni
have in common. It is tied to the cornerstones of
Latin's mission to help students identify and pursue
their passions. According to alumni, it also comes
from the confidence they developed as a result of
having the foundation of an excellent education and
teachers who supported their dreams.
Building sets, making costumes and performing
under the tutelage of Latin's Performing Arts
Department ignited Morton's creative passion.
"Frank Wukitsch, then head of the department, had
high, professional-like expectations," she recalled.
"It was so exciting to think that somebody thought
you could be that good."
Wukitsch's enthusiasm for the performing arts
energized his students, as did his zeal for Shakespeare.
He inspired Morton, who struggled with reading
and later was diagnosed with dyslexia, to read
all of Shakespeare's plays during the summers.
Music teacher John Austin also was a huge support,
she said.
