While she was in high school, Alyssa Morris and her dad watched the popular DIY show Fixer Upper starring Chip and Joanna Gaines. Seven years after graduating from Roxboro Community School, (RCS) it appears that she was destined to work with the Gaines’ company, Magnolia, in Waco, Texas.
After RCS, Alyssa attended High Point University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in communications with a focus in event management.
When asked recently how she ended up working for the iconic Magnolia brand, Alyssa said, “It's a rather interesting story! I came to work at Magnolia through an interaction with a woman that I met while visiting Magnolia on a girls’ trip last fall.”
While in college, she continued, she “was able to work in the Magnolia Showroom at the High Point Furniture Market. Over the years, I fell in love with the brand and what they stand for,” she said. “It was always a bucket list thing to visit the Magnolia Silos in Waco, and last year I was able to!”
Last fall, she went on a girls’ trip to Waco. She said, “We were there during one of the largest events of the year that Magnolia has, called Silobration. During this event I met a woman who worked for Magnolia, but I didn't know it at the time. We instantly bonded through fashion and common interests and once we really started talking, I expressed that I would love to move to Texas one day and she encouraged me to apply to jobs at Magnolia.”
Her new acquaintance offered to put in a good word for her, and Alyssa applied for an internship with the company’s event team. A few weeks later, she said, she was offered the internship. Two weeks after beginning the internship, she was offered a full-time position as an event coordinator.
“Never did I ever think I'd end up with such an incredible opportunity, but I've now been with Magnolia for four months and am excited to learn from the talented people at this company and grow in my position,” Alyssa said.
“I honestly didn't know event management was an actual career path until I was halfway through college,” she continued. “I started in college as an interior design major. I absolutely love design and the freedom and creativity it brings. However, I realized this major wasn't what I thought it was or what I really wanted to do, and a friend told me about the event management program at High Point. It was the perfect opportunity to combine my love for creating things and my keen eye for structure and organization. I dove into a few classes within the program and realized the world of opportunity it offered.”
She said favorite parts of her job include the opportunity she’s had to meet a variety of people through the wide range of events that Magnolia offers.
“Creating ideas and witnessing the teamwork that makes these ideas come to life” is exciting, she said, as well as “seeing the event come to life and the joy it brings guests.”
When asked how RCS helped prepare her for college and an exciting career, Alyssa said, “From a sports perspective I think that taught me a lot about the importance of community and that life is hard but it's a little less hard when you have people who love and support you.”
She played basketball and softball throughout her time at RCS, as well as serving on the yearbook staff in high school.
“From a classroom perspective,” she continued, “I think RCS prepared me for the realization that education after high school is truly what one makes of it. It's freeing, but it's also hard work! In order to thrive you have to take responsibility...which means being on top of due dates and learning a good school/life balance. No one is going to do it for you.”
Alyssa said her fond memories of RCS include, “Getting to be part of one of the greatest girls’ basketball teams that RCS has had (in my biased opinion!). We made it to state my senior year and although we didn't win it was such a great memory with some amazing gals!” She continued, “RCS brought me a few of my lifelong friends and I'll forever be grateful for that.”
Her advice to current high school students is: “Don't take this time for granted! Use all the resources you have available to you, but don't feel like you need to have it all figured out. There is so much life ahead of you so I encourage you to be present and embrace where you're at.”