As the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, another group of hundreds of students are counting down the days until they leave Smithtown East’s doors for the very last time in their educational lives. From doctors to trade workers to reporters, there is truly no limit on what these students will accomplish or where they will end up, but they all will share one common characteristic. They will all be Smithtown East Alumni. 

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview Theresa Notartomaso, a 1998 Smithtown alumni who is currently working in marketing and following her musical passion as an artist and performer. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she has a plethora of messages and wisdom to share. 

Being successful in the music industry is no easy task, but Notartomaso claims your success all comes down to your perspective. She explains how throughout her years, no matter where she was or on what side of the industry, she kept her values close to her. One of the most important tools to succeed is the ability to see things from others perspectives, but making sure those perspectives have value to you. From behind-the-scenes commercial marketing to producing her songs, Theresa kept her ideas at the front of her mind. While it is easy to overanalyze your work from comments or criticism, she reminds us to keep going toward our dreams. 

Creativity is another trait that Notartomaso believes is critical for success. Growing up and moving up in schooling or work does not mean that trait has to go away. Everyone has that “itch” for their creative freedom that she has proven is achievable, no matter what it might be. For her, this creativity can be credited partially to Madonna, her inspiration who Notartomaso believes has truly brought back her creativity. She applauds Madonna for all she has done, just as our seniors applaud their idols. 

There is such an idea imprinted on teens that growing up is nothing more than getting a job, having a family, and going through the same paths as those around you. The reality is that a fulfilling life is a good life, and a successful life is fulfilling. From Manhattan College to her view of Manhattan Notartomaso has found joy from her surroundings. She has shown that dreams change, plans change, and life changes, but that’s all okay. As successful as she is, she still describes her life as “feeling unreal.”  The same ideals exist in everything, for example, that major you plan on pursuing might not be the field you end up in. You will face challenges, but you are capable of overcoming everyone. 

Notartomaso has had many rewarding experiences throughout her journey, from working on a Virgin Voyages campaign to producing and releasing 15 of her songs. She loves helping to create branded content and performing, so much so that she performs her birthday show annually! From her experiences, she has also had many hardships, but as our graduating seniors will, she has grown from them and continued to persist. Her dreams have changed, she has more interests she would love to pursue, but ultimately, she has made a life for herself that she is happy with. As she states, “Times will get tough, times will get dark, but if you believe in yourself and surround yourself with good people, the work will be worth it.”