Alumni Spotlight: Nichole Huenergardt '09

Catching up with Nichole Huenergardt, Class of 2009.

How was college?

I graduated from the University of Southern California in 2013. I was so used to being on a small campus that when I went to USC, I felt like a little fish in a huge pond. Joining a sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, creating the USC Ice Girls and being employed at USC events all made it easier to find my place on campus. In 2010, I established the USC Ice Girls, a figure skating spirit squad for the USC Ice Hockey team. I also began a shoe company in honor of a dear friend who passed away from Leukemia. 

What Degree did you receive?

BA in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Photography. 

What have you been doing since graduating college? 

After graduating, I began working with a photography company as a second shooter. While there, I was still figure skating and joined the “It’s Christmas Snoopy” cast at Knott's Berry Farm. After completing the show season, I continued to work in photography and established my own wedding photography company. In 2014, I started to work part time in Graphic Design at Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment making their manuals and graphics. I was promoted through the ranks, from Graphic Artist to Assistant Marketing to Director of Marketing. As for my photography company, it turned into a small production company that has produced one multi award winning documentary short and an upcoming documentary short. 

Are there any SC activities/classes/teachers that impacted you? 

Most of my time during high school, I was figure skating every day and therefore I was not able to partake in most activities. Sierra was so great in allowing me to have a flexible schedule in order to pursue a career in figure skating. One of the most impactful teachers I had at Sierra was Mr. Fennell. His care for students and charismatic personality always made learning fun! Another teacher was Mr. Salamon, who helped me believe in myself and in my writing.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years? 

In 10 years, I see myself producing a large-scale production and/or T.V. show and still working my way up at Chapman/Leonard. Wherever life leads me!
 
What advice can you give?

The best advice I can give is to not be afraid to fail, always stay positive and remember to not take life so seriously. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’ll never achieve your dreams because if you set your mind to it and you work toward that goal, you're already achieving so much! Always live in the moment!
 
Do you keep in touch with SC classmates? 

I sure do! They say you make your lifelong friends in college, but I’ve made a few lifelong friends in high school that I still talk to on a regular basis. It’s so fun to laugh at the old times when we were in high school!
Lower School: 11052 Independence Avenue
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311  | 818.882.8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.