Alumni Spotlight: Tess Roussin '10

Where have you been since Graduation? How was the college experience for you?

After graduating from Sierra Canyon, I began my undergraduate degree at USC. I was actually the first female student to attend USC from Sierra Canyon! I had a smooth transition into college academics because I felt thoroughly prepared in high school for organization and time management. I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and I was active on the standards board for two years. I also participated in Songfest as the Kappa board member, and then I went on to Co-President Songfest. During my senior year at USC, I operated as a rush counselor for Greek Life and myself and my partner assisted over 150 girls going through the runs of sorority rush. I studied psychology with a minor in forensics and criminality. My original goal was to work for the FBI as a criminal profiler or crime scene investigator, but I ended up becoming very interested in interpersonal relationship studies. Due to this interest, I still have an interest in going back to school to become a relationship counselor! However, I ended up jumping right into the work force after graduating from USC, and I began working as a property manager for a commercial real estate firm. I worked there for about six months, and then I moved to Aspen, CO. I moved to Aspen alone, I did not know one person there, and I didn’t have a job. I had grown up vacationing there, so I was comfortable in the town. I applied to a lot of random jobs and I eventually stumbled upon a newspaper ad for employment at my favorite clothing store there called Pitkin County Dry Goods. I learned a lot working in retail, and I gained some key customer service skills. I also worked some weekends at a nightclub as a coat check. One broken ankle later I still achieved 40 days of riding the mountain. Living in Aspen was a life-changing experience for me, and I highly recommend that everyone spends at least some time away from their home base.
 
I returned to Los Angeles in April 2016, and I began working at my dad’s computer supply company. I am the sole Human Resources employee here, supporting over 250 employees daily. During my employment, I also attended UCLA extension virtually to receive my certificate in Human Resources Management. 

When did you first come to Sierra Canyon and what was your overall experience like? Are there any classes, sports, clubs, coaches or teachers that greatly impacted you? Did SC prepare you for the rigors of college academic life?  

I am an SC lifer! I began school at Sierra Canyon in EK. I have so many amazing memories from SC at both the school and the day camp.
 
I was especially touched by Mr. Winetrobe, Mr. Schrode, and Ms. Whitlock-Trotter (aka DubT). DubT taught me how to be extremely organized in my note taking, and she helped to build my confidence. She taught me that you don’t always have to be the smartest student but if you are the most organized student then you will have a better chance at succeeding. Mr. Schrode fine-tuned my writing skills and gave me creative confidence. I am not the theatrical type but he chose to believe in me and offer me a role in his school play. I had so much fun stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring this new art! Mr. Winetrobe ignited my passion to become a Trojan and taught me how to be strong and to the point.
 
I honestly can’t say enough about the academics at SC. I took a particularly challenging legal writing class in college, and I felt like the foundational writing skills that Mr. Schrode taught me really benefited my creative spin on my papers. I still have my Mac computer from high school and it’s rather entertaining to go back and read my old papers. My writing style has definitely evolved, especially since being in the workforce, but I still hang on to some of the core concepts that I learned at Sierra Canyon.
 
I played volleyball at SC for as long as I can remember, I think maybe from 3^rd grade until 12^th grade. I absolutely loved being on the team in high school, but I believe that, for the time, I probably took it a little bit too seriously. Of course, I think that everything should be taken seriously in life if you are passionate about it, but the School and athletic program were both rather new. I remember crying at our Senior Volleyball game because we lost, but hey, I learned so much from the sport and it taught me to never give up! I played club volleyball outside of school, so I was very active in the sport. I also played soccer for SC in 9^th and 10^th grade. I was very close with my teammates and those are a few of the girls I am still in contact with. 

Are you still in contact with any Sierra Canyon classmates, coaches or teachers? 

I still speak with Mr. Fennell regularly, and I follow some of the other teachers or administration staff on Facebook. I love to keep up with SC people! I regularly talk to a couple of girls from my graduating class and a couple of the younger students. I was lucky enough to attend college with some Sierra Canyon alumni, so it was great to continue to nourish those relationships. I am always excited to attend the SC holiday time reunions and meet younger students and catch up with old teachers but let’s get some more participants! I would love to expand my SC family. 

Where are you and what are you doing now? Where do you see yourself in the future?

While I enjoy my career in Human Resources, I wouldn’t say that it is my ultimate goal. I really love to work with people, but my true passion is skincare or talk therapy. I have explored the idea of going back to school for either of these passions, but I always find some reason to not pull the trigger (I own a home, my family is here, I have a car payment). Until that day, I will continue to look at my goals list that I have in my office and keep giving myself those reminders to just go for it!

Any final thoughts to leave us with?

I now have two stepsisters who are in high school and I still find myself speaking so highly of SC to them all the time. I love to help guide them through the college application process and talk about what I would have done differently in high school. My SC days were so special to me and I really don’t have any bad things to say about the unique high school experience that I received. I truly miss the family vibe of SC and the devotion that the teachers give to their students.