Where are they now? Arlene Olvera ’05
Alumna reflects on how tuition assistance made a difference in her life, empowering her to pursue her dream of working in the fashion world in London.
When I first joined La Jolla Country Day School in the seventh grade, I never realized what a long-lasting impact it would have on my life. The curriculum was so dynamic, from Wednesday assembly which developed my love for classical music and the arts to engaging classrooms that empowered us to approach solutions with critical thinking.
Not only was there so much support at Country Day, but the school ensured that we were taking full advantage of our resources, which is often the guidance a teenager needs.
In Upper School, it was my college counselor who helped me tell my story for college applications and who was instrumental in guiding me towards a liberal arts education at Pitzer College, which I am forever grateful for.
At The Claremont Colleges, I double majored in Psychology and French and studied abroad in France, an experience I had looked forward to since foreign language class in Middle School.
The encouragement to explore the world and other cultures from such an early age is what fostered my curiosity and led me to London after college, where I lived for nine years. I launched my career in fashion there, and the U.K. will always be my second home.
My first job was full of excitement, working for the founders of All Saints and styling bands such as Placebo, Muse and The Prodigy before going to work at Diane von Furstenberg where I managed the Planning & Merchandising department. In 2018, I transferred to New York City and I am now responsible for U.S. Wholesale.
It has been 22 years since receiving tuition assistance and I can definitively say that my LJCDS education has played an invaluable role in shaping my path and it instilled in me a reminder to carry the six pillars of character in everything I do. Now, I am grateful to be in a position to give back to the institution that gave so much to me.
