S P O T L I G H T O N YO U N G A L U M N I —By Vickie Pleus
Allison Mella ’97 allison.mella@verizon.net PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT—On the outskirts of the hustle and bustle of sprawling Los Angeles, the Law Offices of Allison Mella hold a Santa Monica, California, address, but are grounded in a Winter Park experience. Originally from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, Allison Mella ’97 moved to Boca Raton during her high school years and put Rollins on her radar almost immediately. During her time at the College, she devoted most of her energy to her studies as a psychology major and her sorority, NCM (Non Compis Mentis). “My psychology classes were truly enjoyable. Many professors had a big impact on me,” Mella said. “I also have fond memories of living on campus. Rollins was a wonderful environment in which to enter my adult years. I hope today’s students are getting as much out of the experience as I did. My advice to them is to enjoy as many aspects of the Rollins life as possible while keeping their goals in sight.” She’s speaking from experience: In 2001, Mella achieved one of her greatest goals when she graduated with a law degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Shortly thereafter, she accomplished another admirable feat when she became a sole practitioner of law just two short years out of law school. Now in her fourth year as an attorney, Mella practices entertainment law in Santa Monica, representing film and television writers, producers, and directors in contract disputes. “I have the privilege of working with very artistic and creative people and I really enjoy that about them,” she said. Her cases have involved such popular shows as Entertainment Tonight, The Insider (Paramount), and NEXT (MTV). Mella attributes much of her success to an important lesson learned at Rollins: the skills of time management. “Time management is knowing when to work and when to play, and how to balance those aspects of your life,” she said. “It’s crucial in my profession because you have a lot of deadlines and you have to be on top of them. People want their projects to move forward in a timely fashion, and you need to be cognizant of that. I want to give my clients the best possible service.”
Lisa Olen Tobin ’98
’94 Heather Kerst to Maximiliano Menna ’94HH, 5/29/04 at Grace Episcopal Church in Washington, DC; attendee: Paige “Alex” Frederick-Pape. ’95 Elisha Contner to Philip Putnam, 5/22/04 at Knowles Memorial Chapel; bridesmaids: Melissa Dent Curry, Sarah Wiley McKee ’94, and Elizabeth Folger Conover. ’97 Julie Godwin to Carlos Alberto Segura, 9/5/03. ’98 Alexis Bohrnstedt to Mark Rapp, 1/1/05, during a small ceremony at the home of her grandfather Garrett F. Connell ’85HH ’91MA in Heathrow, FL; bridesmaid: Kristin Dearth ’04HH; attendees: Joda Connell ’74HH and Mike ’99 and Kristen McCabe Welker ’99. Alexis is the daughter of Tars Men’s Tennis Coach Ron Bohrnstedt and his wife, Cheri.
editor@fivestarreviews.com A LIFE IN BALANCE—Having been homeschooled all her life, Lisa Olen Tobin ’98 knew exactly what she wanted when she set about choosing a college: an intimate environment where teachers were accessible and students were more than their Social Security Numbers. She found what she was looking for at Rollins College. “I've always been an independent learner who had a solid relationship with my teachers and tutors,” Tobin said. “Rollins had a great reputation—that was obviously an important factor. But what sold the deal was the bond between student and professor, as well as the interactive classes, which simply appealed to my type of lifestyle.” While her educational background was unique, Tobin had no trouble fitting in and finding a home at Rollins. “Even if you didn't belong to a sorority, you could find your niche and be accepted by different social groups,” she said. Tobin, who admits to having been a “sheltered and shy bookworm” during her youth, blossomed at Rollins. After graduating, she married her longtime sweetheart, Michael, and together they launched into cyberspace with an online magazine, www.FiveStarReviews.com, featuring original, affordable products and services that are recommended by consumers. The business venture suits the couple’s ambitions well. “Michael and I wanted personal freedom to create a business that had integrity and make a living doing something we truly love to do together,” she said. “But we also believe that success involves being healthy and living a lifestyle that includes an abundant life outside of work to enjoy the money you make.” The Tobins credit their decision to live by this philosophy to the experiences of a mutual friend, Daniel, who introduced them at age 13. Daniel was trapped in one of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. The attack and subsequent frantic search for their friend greatly affected Lisa and Michael. “Michael and I realized then that we were each other's best friend, and we both decided that now was the time to stop fearing the world, to go out there and live the life we've always wanted to,” Tobin said. “This shocking experience brought us together and caused us to evaluate how we live our lives.” The couple wed September 12, 2004, with Daniel giving away the bride. 36 ROLLINS ALUMNI RECORD
’98 Christopher Crain to Carina Bradshaw-Mack, 4/23/05 at the Windsor Club, a resort in Vero Beach, FL. ’98 Pippa Till to Alex Klumb, 6/18/05 in Aspen, CO; maid of honor: Lauren Till ’02; groomsman: Adam Till ’01;
attendees: Jimmy Ritman, Bart Jennings ’00, Nicholas Wilhelm ’02, and Patrick Wilhelm ’99.