In August 2020, Laura Orn, now a senior at Morgan, moved from Dudley, Massachusetts to Clinton, Connecticut. She was starting eighth grade in a new state, ready for a new start. Growing up, Orn had a big family, consisting of six siblings. Her family was a host family, welcoming her brother’s friends from the military who couldn’t go home.
Orn’s brother, along with her “host brothers” were stationed in New London, CT after they went to Portugal. All year round, the Orn family home was open to service members needing a place to stay during leave.
“I loved being a host family.” Laura said. “We had new people in our house who I made connections with which gave me social skills due to the fact they were older,” She added.
When she moved to Clinton, it was a different change because Dudley, MA is a small town compared to Clinton. COVID-19 was at its peak, with the lockdown and hybrid classes in full swing. When she entered middle school, it was difficult to branch out and make new friends, due to the fact of hybrid learning and COVID-19 restrictions. To get through it, Orn found sports.
“I began talking to people once I joined sports like basketball and softball,” Orn mentioned.
In eighth grade, Orn joined the Eliot girls basketball team. She began talking to the girls on the team, like Alana Zirlis and Nina Fishman, both current seniors, who welcomed her with open arms. Then, she joined the Eliot softball team with familiar faces from basketball who introduced her to even more people.
“Laura is an amazing friend.” Zirlis said, “Even though we started getting close freshman year, we have made so many good memories together,” Zirlis explained.
As Orn entered high school, she was stuck between the decision of field hockey and volleyball. “I originally signed up for field hockey, but during the volleyball camp, I made a great connection with the captains at the time and Mrs. Luther, which led me to choose volleyball,” Orn explained. That choice made all the difference.
“Volleyball was the moment that made me feel welcomed to Morgan,” said Orn. The seniors were really welcoming to her and the underclassmen. Pasta parties, Sunday brunches, and going to the beach to play volleyball were a few of the activities that made her feel like a “Husky.” Making these connections helped her grow as an individual to find herself.
Volleyball is still an important part of her life. Orn’s older sister Jill played it, which inspired
her even more. Jill was one of her coaches for the club volleyball team Orn particapted in during middle school.
“Jill was in high school, and I was in middle school, so she would come down and coach.” Orn shared how this sparked her interest in the sport, and she wouldn’t of played it if it wasn’t for her older sister.
Laura Orn is the current captain of the Morgan girls softball team. Orn has played softball since she could have remembered. Her father, Glenn, was her coach growing up. She finds pride in this position and hopes to work together with the other captains to make the rest of the season memorable.
Orn has gained several friendships and life lessons throughout her high school athletic and academic career here at The Morgan School.
“In the beginning, I was sad to move to Clinton, but i’m glad I did because of the new friends and opportunities I was given,” Orn said.
