Like any seasoned journalist, Associate Director of Strategic Communications Rose Vardell is never without her trusty notebook and pen, ready to capture a breaking story or jot down the next favor she’s happy to fulfill. In fact, she has a rainbow of leather notebooks brimming with 10 years of meeting notes, to-dos and ideas. Beyond the notebooks, Vardell’s memory also contains a digital archive. One only has to describe a tiny detail from an event, the color of a student’s clothing, the season in which a photograph was captured, and she can locate a file within minutes. Stellar organizational skills, a vault of a brain and enviable intellect aside, Vardell is the consummate team player, ready and willing with a nod and an enthusiastic “yes.” Asset is an understatement.
The good news is that WRA has just the award: the Leonard S. Carlson honor bestowed annually upon a staff member who has shown a profound commitment to the school, an exemplary work ethic and merit that warrants recognition. Vardell can check all three of these (and many more) boxes.
And like a failed balloon launch (hilariously remembered and described by Vardell) to celebrate the grand opening of Seymour Hall post renovation, Vardell never saw the Carlson award coming. “I was so surprised, overwhelmed and full of joy, gratitude and shock. All of the positive emotions!” Vardell said. “It took me so long to realize Tom was talking about me. I just feel so appreciative of the love in the room. So much about why I love working here is wrapped so tightly around the people and our team.”
Naturally, Vardell’s favorite part about Reserve is the community. “Before I came to work here, I had all of these different jobs in different industries. The thing that I learned really early on is that the projects that are most meaningful are the things that you don’t do by yourself, you do in collaboration and partnership with your incredibly talented and creative teammates.” Vardell teared up when remembering asking for photoshoot support this fall. The project was a large one, and the community showed up with everything from cornhole boards, to a telescope, to the positive energy evident in our striking new homepage images.
Likewise, a highlight of Vardell’s daily routine is the fact that Reserve isn’t very routine at all!
“Every day is a little bit different. Even the days when I’m head down, changing colors of a building one by one on an illustrator map is mindless, but meditative. On a different day, we’re corralling students, grabbing food and props and running across town with such high energy,” Vardell said. “That’s what gets me out of bed and makes me fall in love with this place. There’s always one part of my day where I just sort of take a breath and say to myself, ‘Oh, that’s really cool.’”
If our honoree has any advice to offer new community members, her first instinct is to share the joy.
“You're gonna have so much fun.”
And then she gets down to business.
“There’s so much to absorb, take your time and keep your ears and eyes open. Talk to people. Talk to the people who have been here the longest. And pace yourself,” she said. “There will be a time in your first year where you think you have a handle on things. And then three years roll by and you think, ‘Okay, I’m starting to get it now.’ And then five years go by and you think, ‘I’m starting to predict things.’ And then by the seventh year you think, ‘Never think you can predict things. Just roll with it.”’
Vardell shared a quote she read recently: “Predictable in its consistency, infinite in its variety.”
“This feels like Reserve!” she said.
The evening of our WRA Employee Celebration, the love in the room was palpable – love for employees celebrating milestones, transitioning to new adventures and reflecting on illustrious careers. Vardell would like to be remembered for exactly what she works so hard to promote.
“I’d love to be remembered as a super fan of Reserve,” she said. “I hope that by the time I retire, our team will have made such an impact, that my wildest dreams have come true and the national conversation around boarding school has shifted to become a little warmer, a little more curious. I hope I’m remembered as the ultimate team player.”
Vardell need not worry.
Reserve isn’t the only object of Vardell’s affection. She expressed heartfelt gratitude toward Chief Marketing Officer and head of the Communications & Marketing department Meg Colafella for her endless guidance and support these past ten years.
“Meg has been the most extraordinary mentor and leader of our department. I think I've learned more from her than any person I've studied under; she's truly incomparable,” Vardell said. “Working alongside her is a masterclass in effusive creativity, joyful collaboration, heartfelt compassion and magnetic intellect. She radiates light and brilliance like the Bicentennial Tree she brought to life! I'm endlessly grateful to see her every day, and I'm a better person — and professional! — for it.”
It’s only appropriate to end with a checklist (that isn’t nearly comprehensive) of Vardell’s most impressive accomplishments and qualities:
- Best aunt to sweet baby Addie
- Loyal sister to actual sisters and all
- True friend (and bridesmaid!); fierce advocate
- Patient teacher; AP Style guru
- Interview queen; writer extraordinaire
- Magnetic wanderluster; powerful (and often hilarious) storyteller
- Endlessly creative designer; bold thinker
- Maximalist collector of joy-sparking treasures
- Excellent baker, tea aficionado and adventurous foodie
- Tireless supporter of the arts at WRA and beyond
- Explorer of her beloved Cleveland, Ohio and the world
Consider the above checked off, crossed out, finished, complete, done. The only thing left for Vardell to do is use more vacation time!
