Newtown Resident Showcased In 2004 Calendar

Recently receiving honorable mention for her submission to a scholarship contest sponsored by Integrity Graphics, Inc, a Windsor-based graphic communications company, lifelong Newtown resident Terry Laslo feels like her life has begun anew.

After a 15-year career in the insurance field, Ms Laslo is pursuing a career in web design. She expects to complete her digital arts program at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury by this summer.

“When my [now 15-year-old] son was young, I chose to stay home with him,” explained Ms Laslo. “When he became older I had the opportunity to return to my career — though I decided I wanted to do something different from insurance.”

Always interested in computer technology, she decided to take part in a then-new digital arts program offered at Naugatuck about two years ago.

Her honorable mention-winning piece, “Classic Grilling,” was a final project for a class with Naugatuck Valley graphic arts instructor Steven Parlato.

 She used an old photograph of her great-aunt Connie Gunderson, now 85-years-old, and great-uncle John Topolosky to create the basis of her design, augmenting the work with computer-generated color.

“I love my aunt,” said Ms Laslo. “She is just an amazing woman.” Though her aunt’s life was fraught with considerable tragedy, Ms Laslo said, particularly the deaths of her husband and two children from cancer, she has retained a strong sense of humor and spirituality.

“Classic Grilling” is among 12 entries drawn from photography, printing, and graphic arts categories featured in Integrity Graphics’ 2004 company calendar. The top three finalists were each awarded a $2,000 scholarship.

Though initially intimidated by her return to academia, in which many of her classmates were closer to her son’s age than her own, Ms Laslo said she soon relished the diverse age range among Naugatuck students.

“I would say about 15 to 20 percent are older women, many of whom are pursuing second careers,” Ms Laslo said. “They were inspiring!”

These older students, she continued, were often very determined to do well — not unlike her.

“Of course, I have to get all A’s,” Ms Laslo laughed. “People tell me that I make [going to school] look easy, but they don’t see the tears on the other side!”

Despite the difficulties, she credits her son and husband for their support since she returned to school. “My family has been wonderful,” she said.

Ms Laslo plans to continue designing websites for small companies until the end of her last semester this spring.

“Then I’ll go all the way,” she said. “I’ll really focus on marketing myself and getting work.”

She wants to continue making sites for smaller companies and artists. She has done work for individuals including David Urso, a New York-based jeweler, and is in the planning stages of designing a site for Shortt’s Farm and Garden Center in Newtown.

Visit Ms Laslo’s website at www.wingcatwebdesign.com.