LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Mary Tisi was nominated by her superintendent, Gillian Chapman.

Although Ms. Tisi's official title at Jackson Hole High School is Community Outreach and Registrar, there is no better title for her than LifeChanger. She knows each of the 765 students at Jackson Hole High School by name.  She celebrates their academic successes, numbers of baskets scored in the game, tackles on the field, recent birthdays, and anything else she can use to establish a connection with each student.  When a student makes a poor choice or is struggling with the challenges of being a teen, Ms. Tisi is there to pick them up, encourage them and stand by their side. She is the type of person everyone wishes was their mom.  

Ms. Tisi is no stranger to raising kids, as she raised two fine young men who attended Jackson Hole High School.  She knows first hand the challenges of growing up in a resort town, the pressures that teens face, and the dreams of their futures. She is always present and makes people feel like they are the only ones she cares about.  

Ms. Tisi coordinates all community events at Jackson Hole High School.  She brings in community members and connects her school to the community in positive ways.  One of her creations is the JHHS Veterans Day celebration, where more than 100 local veterans and their families are invited to have a steak meal with student hosts. Then, they are honored in an all-school assembly for their service.  Speakers are selected, and each veteran has the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk about their service. Standing ovations throughout the assembly rarely leave a dry eye, and as Veterans exit the auditorium, students line the hallways cheering and clapping for them.  Students, families and veterans are connected to a greater purpose, and Ms. Tisi brings it all together with her expert coordination and eye for detail.  

Every year, the community raises funds for more than 100 different scholarships and nearly $900,000 to provide scholarships for seniors. Ms. Tisi coordinates the applications and encourages every senior to apply for at least one scholarship. She guides them through the application process, interviews, and finally, the awards evening, where it takes approximately three hours and 20 minutes to hand out nearly one million dollars. It's an amazing night, and students leave more financially capable of handling college, but the most important aspect of the night is that students know they have an entire community backing them and supporting them as they move on to college. This is truly priceless.

Last summer, Ms. Tisi spent her time off in the company of students as they traveled throughout Europe.  As a co-sponsor, she trekked along with students as they explored cities whose vast history shaped our world and culture.  She did not miss an opportunity to develop relationships with students, even though it meant missing time with her family.  

Ms. Tisi has a heart that radiates goodness, a smile to light up the room, and the ability to turn any negative into a positive.  While she is small in stature, her New York accent and rapid-fire speech keeps everyone marching to her pace. She is the kind of person who adults and students alike will gravitate towards. They know confidences can be shared with her, and that she will follow through and support them, no matter what.