Huron Valley Educator Works Hard to Give Back to Community

Scott Rolando is not not your typical teacher. Rolando, who also has the title of student activities director at , plans school events and dances, DJs during lunch and announces several sporting events at the school. Most recently, Rolando put together White Lake's first Family Carnival at Lakeland High School.

Earlier this week, White Lake Patch interviewed Rolando about life in Huron Valley, and his work in the community. Here's what he had to say:

White Lake Patch: How long have you lived on the area? What do you like most about the Huron Valley community?

Rolando: I have lived in the area since 2001. I love the people in the Huron Valley Community. To me it is the people that make a location a great place to live and work, and the Huron Valley community has some of the greatest and nicest people I have had the chance to meet.

White Lake Patch: What community and civic organizations are you currently involved in?

Roland: I am currently involved with the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce. I am a proud member of the Milford Memories Summer Festival Steering Committee. I have also been involved with the Highland/White Lake Business Association and the Huron Valley Optimist Club in the past. I have enjoyed working with all of those groups.

White Lake Patch: What drew you to your profession and what do you find most interesting about the work you do?

Rolando: What drew me to the profession of teaching in general was the kids. I really felt that my place was in the realm of academia. I have always liked school and all of the aspects that make it up. What drew me to the Student Activities Director position was the chance to interact with students on a bigger level and to help pursue the cause of getting more students involved in their school and their community and to learn the benefits of extra-curricular activities.

White Lake Patch: What personal and professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

Rolando: Professionally I am very proud of the Mock Car Crash that we put on every other year at Lakeland. I really believe that it is the most educational student activity that we do at Lakeland. Showing the dangers of drinking and driving, and texting and driving, to our students is an ongoing mission that I am happy to work on. I am also proud of the awards that the Huron Vally Board of Education has given me. It is always nice to be recognized by your employer and co-workers for doing good things for others. Personally, I am very proud of winning the 2007 Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award. Winning that award was a real defining moment in my life. I am so proud of my work in the Huron Valley community and I always encourage others to get involved.

White Lake Patch: Who is most influential in your life?

Rolando: The most influential people in my personal life are my parents. They have always been there for me and I am proud to be their son everyday. In my professional life I would have to say Randy Pausch, the author of a book called "The Last Lecture". Though I have never met him, and I can't now that he has passed away, his book has shown myself a great way on how to live your life and what it means to do the right things. I also credit Lakeland Athletic Director Mr. Greg Michaels as a someone who has been a big influence on my professional life. He has always taken the time to listen to me and to understand where I am coming from and believe in me. For that I am grateful. My fiancee Sue Ellis also had had a big influence on me personally. She has helped guide me in the right direction so much as of recent. I owe her a lot.

White Lake Patch: What person—professionally or personally—do you most admire?

Rolando: I think I most admire Randy Paush overall. As I said I never met him, but I think his book shows that you really can make a difference in the big picture world from my world of academia. His ability to "leave a positive legacy" on the world encourages me to leave one myself.

White Lake Patch: What are key ways other people can make a difference locally?

Rolando: I think that a big way that people can make a difference locally is to get out there and volunteer for various community organizations and groups. Join a community group and participate in what is going on in your community. If you can't join a group, at least getting out there and participating in activities that those local groups put on is a great way to show support for your community.