Gryphon Beat: Tra’Shaundra Mealy ‘10
What are you up to lately?
I am currently working with Dominion Energy as a Revenue Analyst. I’ve been with the company for six years now. I still live in RVA and am a dog mom of two little doggies, a shih tzu named Cairo and a yorkie named Denim. After work, I volunteer with a high school marching band as their Booster support president and auxiliary coordinator. I’ve also been a dance coach at Virginia Union University.
What’s something you're excited to try, learn, or do in the next year?
In the next year, I am excited to learn a new hobby. I’ve been trying to teach myself how to sew in hopes of being able to make dance uniforms. I’m also hoping to go out of the country this year for the first time.
What are some of your favorite memories of middle school?
There are so many! Some of my favorite memories from middle school are the concord trip, our class creating our own production of hairspray, signing the walls in the basement during construction, choreographing the Michael Jackson tribute talent show, base groups, thrones, making a rap album with my friend Sydney, our class taking a trip to Wintergreen, decorating lockers, going to the field for capture the flag, shadow boxes, and the MANY class pets we had for science class. I think we had frogs, mice, Puff the chinchilla, those Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and I’m sure some others I can’t think of right now.
What is your favorite Orchard House tradition?
My favorite OHS tradition would definitely be Terabithia. Our class was actually the group that came up with the idea of creating our own Terabithia. It started off as a small nook in the infirmary, then the basement staircase. I’m happy to see that it’s grown so much since then!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
My quilt square would say a pediatric nurse, however, in college, it shifted to wanting to open my own all-girls school similar to Orchard House, but with a specialization in STEM.
Are there any childhood hobbies or interests that you’re still interested in now?
Dance has been and forever will be my favorite hobby. Although I don’t dance much myself now, I’ve had the opportunity to step into many teaching and coaching roles at different levels that still stay true to my love for dance.
Were you on any sports teams or part of any clubs?
I was on the basketball team for 8th grade, but I wasn’t any good lol. We didn’t have a lot of clubs, but I was one of the people who always gathered the playlist for our school dances!
How did OHMS shape you as a person?
As a person, OHS showed me that there’s no such thing as limits. I was exposed to a whole new world within Orchard House, and I will forever be grateful for the experience. This school allowed me to see that I did not have to be a product of my environment, and I will consider that one of the single most important lessons that I will ever learn.
If you went to college, where and what did you study?
I graduated from Virginia Union University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with computer science.
Were you involved in any clubs, sports, or leadership roles?
In both high school and college, I was on the marching band dance team. In college, I had the opportunity to be captain for three years. I joined two sororities in college as well, Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, where I served as president of programs, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Did anything from your OHMS experience help prepare you for high school and or college?
Absolutely! It was a leaf that Ms. Russo gave me one day in carpool. It moved me so much that I wrote my 8th-grade graduation speech about it. The leaf was a symbol of being able to take steps toward whatever my heart desired for the future. Although my desires changed, I will never forget our conversation and the lesson behind it. It taught me to always push forward. I think I still have that leaf!
What's the most interesting thing about your job, and do you have a cool story to share?
The most interesting thing about my job is the people that I encounter. Although it’s not completely a customer-facing role, I do have the opportunity to speak to many of the customers within our company’s territory. It’s always nice to hear about the lives of all the different people. I can’t recall any crazy stories specifically, but I’ve heard my fair share!
Is there a way Orchard House still shows up in your life today?
Yes, actually, I have a niece Mi’yan who is currently in fourth grade and is applying to OHS for next year. It’s been great to share my experiences with her and teach her all about what OHS has to offer.
This coming school year, 2025-2026, will be Mr. Hollander's last year before he retires! Please share any special memories you have of Mr. Hollander and his class. We’d love to hear how he's impacted your time as an OHMS student and beyond.
Mr. Hollander’s retirement is well deserved. He’s such a great and consistent teacher who made history fun to learn! (And history is my least favorite subject). I remember how my class always talked about the way he said “boat” with his Canadian accent, him helping us not crash our canoe when we went to Concord for our 8th-grade trip, and of course, the infamous pancake flip on the last day of school. I wish him nothing but success in this new journey. Thank you for all that you’ve done!
