News Post

For our upcoming blog series, we are thrilled to introduce you to some Vista students who have reached a significant milestone this year...our Vista 2021 graduating class!

We hope you enjoy!

For our fourth 2021 Vista graduate, we would like to introduce you to Catherine Saviano. Catherine is from Old Saybrook, CT, and Harrison, NY, and joined Vista in 2018. She is one of our graduates who live in the Discover transition condominiums, which is helping her prepare for living independently in the greater shoreline community. Catherine spoke with us about her Vista journey thus far.  

Catherine Saviano, Class of 2021

What are you known for at Vista?

I am known for my sense of fashion. I like to wear fun, different looks. Jordan, one of the staff at Vista, says I am a trendsetter in the Discover Program!

I am also known for being a Student Ambassador for the Discover Program. I give tours to prospective families and teach them about life at Vista. I like getting to know people and talking to them. Building relationships is something I am good at, and it helped me get a paid job recently!

Catherine loves fashion and exploring her closet

What are some of the goals you worked towards while in Vista’s Discover Program and what are you still working on?

A lot of the skills I learned when I lived in the dormitory have allowed me to live more independently and to get a job. I learned how to take care of my household chores, like doing my laundry on my own, which helped me move into the transition condominiums.

In the dorm, I practiced maintaining a healthy lifestyle by using portion control with my food. In the transition condos, I still do that, but I also take cooking lessons and practice using the stove, microwave and toaster. My Life Skills Instructor and I find a lot of great recipes in magazines and on the internet to cook. We’ve made things like chicken pot pie together.

In the dorm, I also learned how to take the bus by myself, read a bus schedule, go to the beach and explore the community in general—now, I take the bus to go to work. One thing I am still working on is keeping track of my budget.

Catherine enjoys helping others, something she developed as an intern receptionist for Vista

What are some of your proudest achievements while at Vista?

I am proud that I have worked on my job skills and gotten a paid job at Walmart in customer service! Before that, I interned as a receptionist for Vista. The internship helped me get my job at Walmart because it gave me experience greeting and working with people. I am happy to get along with my coworkers and work in customer service.  

I worked hard to become ready to move to the transition condominiums. My Life Skills Instructor has helped me a lot in getting used to living more independently.

What are you looking forward to after graduation?

I am looking forward to living in the community, spending time with my friends and getting to know people more. I plan to continue to build the relationships I made in Discover.

Catherine values building and cultivating relationships with her peers at Vista

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

I would say shopping (I am a bit of a fashionista!) and spending time with family and friends. I like talking with my friends and can spend hours talking to them over the phone. In my free time, I listen to music, usually country or pop music. I like dancing as well…one of my favorite Vista activities has been taking the Latin Sizzle dance class.

Bonus question: What is your favorite food?

I would go with pasta, sushi, chicken and pizza, which are things I am learning to make with my Life Skills Instructor. I also like mushrooms...I love to get them on my pizza!

Stay tuned to meet the final Vista graduate from the Class of 2021!

To register and attend our 2021 Graduation Ceremony, click here!