Education is nothing without staff that cares about their students, and Ross High School is no exception. RHS is proud to welcome 12 new staff members for the 2019-2020 school year.

Ms. Karen Trousdell, Cafeteria Manager

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A:  “While attending Purdue University, I worked all four years in my residence hall cafeteria. After graduation, I worked for 24 years in retail management. When I made a life change, I met a food management owner and she needed help at North College Hill. I spent one year there, learning how to be a Food Service Director, then I moved to New Miami and spent the next 10 years there as the Kitchen Manager/Food Service Director.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “My favorite part of working at Ross High School has been meeting all of the great students and staff. Everyone has been friendly, helpful and encouraging. The students are so polite and courteous. I am looking forward to talking to everyone and trying to provide for everyone more excitement for our breakfasts and lunches.”  

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “My biggest challenge has been helping all of the four schools’ kitchen staff employees and managers to be ready for the first week of school. There is always a lot of cleaning to be accomplished and . . . coordinating . . . to make a menu and have all the food items ready for the beginning of the school year.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “Enjoy the here and now of your high school years, but keep looking to the future and all the possibilities. Take advantage of the great opportunities to learn new things and to make lifelong friends.”

Q: When did you realize you had an interest in cooking?

A: “I grew up helping my grandmother and mother in our church kitchen, learning how to cook for large groups of people. Making people happy as they are eating is always a plus.”

Officer Corrie Lives, Student Resource Officer

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “I attended the Butler Tech Police Academy. I also served as a Mt. Healthy Police Officer for two years before transferring out here.” 

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “The kids– they are so happy and uplifting. I love interacting with them and getting to know them.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “I would say probably getting to know the students and staff.” 

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “Don’t be afraid to speak up if something happens. You don’t need to be afraid of being a snitch.”

Q: What made you want to be a police officer?

A: “I wanted to help people and make a difference in the world.”

Mrs. Ria Collins, Drama Teacher and Director of RAM Studio Theatre

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “I am a local Actress, Director, and Instructor. I earned my B.F.A in Acting, emphasis in Musical Theatre, from Wright State University. I am a Guest Teacher and Director at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, the Madcap Education Center, the Musical Arts Center, and several local high schools. I have performed with numerous local and regional companies . . . my favorite was with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, where I met my husband while performing around the world. Some of my featured performance credits include: Spring Awakening, RENT, 25th Annual…Spelling Bee, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Little Women, and Les Miserables.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “My favorite part about Ross so far are those moments when I see a student (in my classes or shows), even for a brief moment, jump back realizing that they are more powerful or capable than they thought they were. It’s that spark of possibility and belief in themselves that really makes my heart glow.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “My biggest challenge has been marrying the necessity for grades and measurement with my belief in ‘Process Over Product.’”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “I have a wealth of valuable lessons from my own high school experience in theatre, but I think one of the biggest lessons I got was to ‘Be Bold’. That is one thing my HS director always told us in rehearsal. It was her way of telling us that we have the power to impact the world, but it will only happen if we are brave enough to make bold choices – not just on stage as a character, but bold choices about who we are, what we do, how we do it, and why we are here in this life.”

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “My all-time favorite quote is by Marianne Williamson, from her book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of ‘A Course in Miracles’.” 

Find the complete quote here.

Ms. Samantha Rutowski, School Counselor 

Q: What was your favorite past experience from your last job?

A: “My favorite experience of my last job (college soccer coach) was definitely getting all of my girls to the final four and getting to go through that experience with them.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “This is a hard one. Probably the students and getting to see all of them succeed in their goals.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “So much work in such little time.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “Come into high school with an open mind.”

Q: What is the hardest part of working with high school students?

A: “I want the best for all of you, but it doesn’t necessarily work out.”

Mrs. Ann Roberts, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “I worked at Lakota West High School for the past 22 years as a satellite teacher for Butler Tech.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “Hands down the people: students, staff, teachers and administration.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “Figuring out the crazy schedule changes! Just when I think I know when the bell is going to ring, I don’t.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “Avoid the drama when possible, it can bring you down fast.”

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “‘If you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.’”

Mrs. Hudak, American Sign Language Teacher

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “I moved down here to teach the deaf for two years at the middle school level in the Hamilton City School district. There I taught everything but math to students who were deaf or hard of hearing. Two years later I was asked to move up to Hamilton High School to teach 1/2 day ASL and 1/2 Deaf education, and in 2014 the demand for the class was so great that they made it a full time class.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “My favorite part of RHS is how welcoming, accepting, and kind all the students . . . are towards not just me as a new teacher, but their friends . . . and other staff members.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “For 16 years I have taught 50 minute classes, so the biggest challenge is the 90 minute block classes. I want to make sure that I am challenging my students but also want to make sure that I am using my time wisely and not burning them out.” 

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “A piece of advice I live by is to always be yourself. The world needs more positive interactions and everyone should feel safe to be who they are. I follow the quote ‘Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind’ – Dr. Seuss.”

Q: Why did you choose to be an ASL teacher?

A: “I actually read a book in fourth grade for a book report on Helen Keller . . .and fell in love with the language . . . I took my first formal ASL class in college where I was studying to become a teacher of the deaf. I graduated in 2003 with a degree in Deaf Education . . . I want to teach everyone to sign to help break down communication barriers. If you can communicate with someone effectively and make them feel welcomed, they will come back and you will have a lifelong customer.”

Mrs. Jane Schlicter, Attendance Secretary 

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “I was an attendance secretary at Mt. Healthy for 3 years.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “All the students are really nice and respectful.” 

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “Learning all the kids’ names.” 

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: ”Have fun and don’t take anything too seriously.”

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “‘Everything’s gonna be alright.’ – Kenny Chesney.”

Miss Jerger, Geometry Teacher

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “Yes. I taught three years at Hamilton High School.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “The small community atmosphere. I attended smaller schools all my life and then taught at a large high school (1800 kids for three grades) for three years before coming to Ross. I forgot how much I missed the ‘small town’ feeling and the sense of community here is amazing.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “The complete change in student dynamic and scheduling. I came from a school where we taught 6 periods and had a prep that were 50 minutes a piece . . . Ross has a completely different style (4 blocks that are 90 minutes a piece) and challenging my students more academically is a big change of pace for me. I love the change, but it is taking me a little bit of time to adjust.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “Always strive to work hard and try your best. There will be times (in the classroom and in life) where things aren’t always easy or don’t make sense. That is the best time to ask questions or try to receive help. There isn’t any shame to admit you don’t know something or if you are confused. All of us face that from time to time. As soon as things get difficult, what are you going to do to make a change? You can give up or you can try to find a way around it, but that choice is always up to you.”

Q: What made you decide to join the math department?

A: “I have always enjoyed math. It was an easy decision to take that route when I started leaning towards becoming a teacher. I enjoy the challenge it presents, so I am always thinking. I also hope to bring some excitement into a math class. Many students I have taught have told me ‘they don’t like math’ or they are ‘bad at math’. So, I hope to change that mindset to something they look forward to. I don’t mean that it will be easy, but I hope to find a way to bring a less negative stigma into a math class.”

Ms. Michelle Tamburo, Director of Choral Activities 

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “I was previously a kindergarten to twelfth-grade Vocal Music Teacher where I was in charge of kindergarten to sixth-grade general music, seventh to eighth-grade choir, ninth to twelfth-grade choir, and was the assistant band director.”

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “My favorite part of RHS so far is getting to know all of my students and making some wonderful music with them.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “The biggest challenge I have had to face so far is learning almost 120 kids’ names.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “I always tell my students that if you are really passionate about something, continue working towards that goal and never give up. Adults are consistently reminiscing on the things they regret not doing while they were younger, so take advantage of the multitude of opportunities you are provided with now.”

Q: What is your favorite song from the show choir performance this year and why?

A: “My favorite song that Legacy will be performing this year is either Big Time or Overpass. They are both really energetic pieces and the kids have proven they’re up for the challenge of singing and dancing completely different styles to really put on an amazing show.”

Ms. Stephanie Hollandsworth, Sign Language Interpreter 

Q: Do you have any past experience working in this field?

A: “I have been a sign language interpreter for 10 years.” 

Q: What has been your favorite part of RHS so far?

A: “I love how awesome the students and staff are. Everyone is so welcoming.”

Q: What has been the biggest challenge since coming to RHS?

A: “My biggest challenge so far this year . . . would be trying to walk through the halls with all the students.”

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to high school students based off of your own high 

school experience?

A: “My advice would be to be nice to everyone. You never know what someone is going through. A simple smile can go a long way.” 

Q: What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

A: “My favorite home-cooked meal is fettuccine alfredo.” 

Mr. Ogborn, Custodial Staff- Unavailable for comment

Ms. Kelsey Listerman, School Psychologist – Unavailable for comment

This article was a collaborative effort by our 17 new Ross High Times staff writers:

Michael Kahmann, Isaac Fathman, Mikaila Morgan, Layla Fagaly, Katie Geraci, Jacob Caldwell, Skylar Angel, Chloe Rack, Nevada Thomas, Alyssa Melton, Kelley Dunn, Ashley Caudill, Anna McDonald, Gracie Elliot, Lauren Saylor, Lisa Brandenburg, Chyanne Jackson