Alumni Shannon

Alumni Profile:
Shannon Ross

Class of 2014

Shannon Ross joined Oak Grove for her senior year in high school. After studying and traveling the world, she is back in Ojai and runs her company Springer, which develops innovative products for pets.

This alumni profile was featured in the 2024 Annual Fundraising Tea program

Joining Oak Grove

“I joined Oak Grove for my senior year, and I distinctly remember my first day. I had come from a big public high school. I got out of my car and locked it, and then I locked my locker. The other students (in a loving way) laughed at me. Nobody else locked their car or locker. Within the first week I felt this wall fall down, and I sank into this abundant feeling of community. That year at Oak Grove really taught me the importance of community.”

Senior Trip to India

“The highlight for me was the senior trip to India. It’s an experience that I still reflect on to this day. I even named my dog Rishi after Rishi Valley School. This trip really unfolded a deep desire to learn about other cultures, one that has since led me all over the world to over 35 countries. India is a mirror, cracking you open and revealing parts of yourself you’ve never encountered. It challenges your need for control and teaches you the lessons you need to learn. This kind of travel was completely new to me – painful, joyful, and sometimes full of sorrow. It was the biggest adventure of my life at that point. It opened a door for me to see the world through a new lens, which has enriched my life beyond words.”

Alumni Shannon in India
Alumni Shannon in India

“Being in an environment that felt safe allowed me to learn how to ask the right questions and taught me the strength that comes from vulnerability and keeping my heart open. ”

Life after Oak Grove

“After graduating, I chose to attend Willamette, a small liberal arts school in Oregon. Although people thought I was crazy for turning down UCLA, the smaller class sizes and sense of connection I experienced at Oak Grove resonated with me more. I earned degrees in exercise science and anthropology and after college spent several months traveling through Asia. Eventually, I moved to Austin, Texas, where I started my company, Springer. Inspired by the joy and connection my dog Rishi brought into my life and by how much my community valued their dogs as family, I saw the potential for thoughtful, smart design to enrich the bond between humans and their pets.

“Starting a business has been a profoundly soul-opening experience – something I never anticipated. Regardless of what happens with the business, I feel like I’ve already won because of the knowledge and personal growth I’ve gained. Oak Grove truly sparked this mindset in me, teaching me to view every experience as an opportunity for self-inquiry and growth.

“Prior to Oak Grove I struggled to feel secure enough to take risks. Being in an environment that felt safe allowed me to learn how to ask the right questions and taught me the strength that comes from vulnerability and keeping my heart open. This mindset has been instrumental both personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur, one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned is to iterate instead of giving up. At some point, things will go wrong. Success isn’t just about making the right moves; it’s about being open to failure and not letting it deter you. Embracing risk means delving deep within yourself, and that’s where true growth happens.”

Keep in Touch!

Are you an Oak Grove alumni? We’d love to hear from you! Please make sure you visit the alumni page and we’ll keep in touch with an occasional update about what’s new at Oak Grove, alumni events and opportunities to stay connected.

Recent Blog Posts:

Tea 6th Grade Hosts

Annual Fundraising Tea 2024

, ,
Watch the full Annual Fundraising Tea event including a musical performance and speakers, all reflecting on our theme for the year.
2024 Theme Video

Video: A Light to Oneself, A Light to the World

, , , , , ,
Each year, a guiding theme for the year is chosen. This theme provides opportunities, throughout the year, for our entire school community to reflect on a specific topic of discussion.
Violet's Tea Poem

Violet’s Tea Poem

, , ,
Violet McMurray '25, a student passionate about writing and horse riding, shared a poem during this year's tea.