BOOKS AND CARDS. Tepp’s desk is full of colors and warm messages of supportive quotes she gathered from students.
Stacy Tepp – Dean of Students
While in high school, upper school Dean of Students Stacy Tepp did it all, from participating in her school’s marching band to being on the dance line and playing softball. But for Tepp, it was being in the marching band that had the biggest impact on her, as it was in this group that she made some of her closest friends. “The group I had in band, that was my core group,” she said, “I only keep in touch with a few people still from high school, but it’s people from that group.”
[In high school,] you’re trying to figure out who you are, and it’s like trying on clothes. Like, I’m going to try this club on, I’m going to see how it fits, I’m going to see if these are my people. And if it doesn’t fit, I’m going to let it go and I’m going to try something else. And it’s okay that it takes some time and is not linear. Know you’re going to have bumps [in the road]… [but] give yourself some grace, because it’s all going to come out clean in the wash.”
— Stacy Tepp
When asked what advice she would give to her high school self or to high schoolers today, Tepp said to take more risks, as it can help you find your people and your passions. And while getting out of your comfort zone can seem scary at first, Tepp assures students that it’s all a part of the journey of high school, and eventually, things will sort themselves out. “[In high school,] you’re trying to figure out who you are, and it’s like trying on clothes. Like, I’m going to try this club on, I’m going to see how it fits, I’m going to see if these are my people. And if it doesn’t fit, I’m going to let it go and I’m going to try something else. And it’s okay that it takes some time and is not linear,” she said, “Know you’re going to have bumps [in the road]… [but] give yourself some grace, because it’s all going to come out clean in the wash.”