The Profile of a Graduate: Wilbur Reporting Her Way to Success

That fact that township resident and recent Chatham High School graduate Kelly Wilbur, 18, loves to sing, act and perform on stage and in front of a camera has always distinguished her from her two older sisters, Jennie and Katie, who are 10 years older and Ivy League athletes. 

It's ironic, then, or appropriate, that the self-proclaimed "weird one" of the family has earned herself an MSG Varsity scholarship for reporting—what else?—high school sports.

Patch sat down with Wilbur, who will begin her double major in public relations and image consulting at Muhlenberg University in Pennsylvania next fall, to talk about graduating, her plans for the future, and how, in an ideal world, she would be a singer/songwriter like her favorite musicians, Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple.

How was graduation?

It was great, very much our grade. The rain made it so much better. Not so serious or sad. People were having fun. (Valedictorian) Cam (White)'s speech summed it up. It was a lot better that we can all laugh about it.

How did you get involved with MSG Varsity?

Mr. (Pat) La Morte, our media teacher, knew I was interested in broadcasting. There were a lot of opportunities I could take.

Had you done any broadcasting before?

Not live stuff, acting, yes. Not live TV. It's so different. It's more engaging. You're not in your own little world. It's easier, less pressure.

How long have you been acting?

Since birth, maybe the womb. I was a part of Paper Mill Playhouse (in Millburn) before I was legally allowed. (I went to) a lot of acting and music camps.

So you like being on stage, in the spotlight?

I feel comfortable there. I'm definitely the entertainer of my family. Always the clown or the entertainer. It's like being myself, only on a larger scale. That's why I like stage acting, because I can see everyone. I get more pleasure out of that because you can see how you're influencing them. It's the contact. It's more tangible.

What about your personality makes you suited to being on stage or in front of a camera?

I'm really outgoing, easygoing. The people who take themselves too seriously have trouble concentrating on anything but how they look on camera. I come from a very musical family. [My mom and sisters] have choreographed dance routines to Mariah Carey's Christmas album. Music is a huge part of my extended family. People get in circles and sing randomly. We think it's normal.

Tell me about growing up with your sisters.

My sisters are Ivy League athletes. We're best friends, but very different. It was great because we didn't have the sibling rivalry.  No one believes we're actually sisters.

Katie is business, math. Jennie is science, medical. I'm English, acting. The weird one. Mom is the same as I am.

How did your parents encourage your interests?

Instead of telling you you have to be the best, even though they are tough on me academically, they never made me feel like I had to get into an Ivy League school or pursue swimming.

What is image consulting?

People that control the people who control us. In an ideal world, I would want to be a musician.

Like a singer/songwriter? What kind of music do you like?

Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple. I write my own music. It always comes out a little weird.

Why Muhlenberg, why not a city?

I knew I wouldn't do work in the city. I didn't even look at schools in the city. (The people at Muhlenberg) were funny. The president wore a bow tie. I liked the school because it was so nurturing.

How do you feel about going off to college?

I'm ready to do something new. [My class] feels like we grew up really fast. It's the culture of our community. We grew up so quickly. People in our school don't dress like they're in high school.

The independence is going to be nice.

What motivates you?

I'm critical of myself. I feel like I want to do my best. I want to be part of the group of people that makes it good.

What do you hope for in the future?

I want to be happy. In order for me to be happy, I need to be in a constant state of creation. Having a good career, surrounded by good people. I want to have fun. I don't see myself settling down too soon. It's not my style.

Are you actually into sports?

I really only like hockey. I don't even watch sports that much. I do yoga. I love yoga. It's very relaxing. I have a lot on my mind. It's hard though—calming my mind is harder than talking in front of a crowd. It's something you incorporate into your lifestyle.

How did Chatham High School prepare you for college?

I could not talk enough about how much I love Chatham. I feel so academically prepared. I've never felt lost because there are always people there to help and now I sound like I'm sucking up.

Four years is enough of high school. I'm not too worried about the future. 

Check back throughout the week for more profiles of recent graduates.