Scott Van Lyssel, Class of 1988

Current Employment: Executive Vice President & Partner, Sierra ITS – Information Technology Staffing and Consulting Firm.
Current Location: Libertyville, Illinois
Education: ST. TERESA HIGH SCHOOL, University of Illinois – B.S. Political Science
Family: Wife of 19 years, Laura. Three sons; Nathan 14, Benjamin 12, Charlie 12.
Volunteer: President, Libertyville Youth Baseball Board. Board of Directors, Libertyville Little League.
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Activities involved in while attending St. Teresa:
Football, Baseball, Drama Club, Student Council, and Mission Club.

Your favorite memory of your time at St. Teresa:
I have plenty of memories from my time at St. Teresa, but what sticks with me the most is being a member of the 1986 football team that played in the state championship game.  We lost the game but feeling the support of the students and teachers (and the entire community) before and after that game made a lasting impression, and taught me a number of important life lessons.

What does “leadership” mean to you and how do you utilize leadership in your daily life?
I believe that true leadership occurs when passion meets action.  You don’t need to find a passion, let it find you, then take visible action – this will inspire those around you.  Add some strategy, accountability, and resiliency and you are ready to lead!

How was your St. Teresa education helped you with your current position of leadership?
One word – discipline.  The academics at St. Teresa taught me how to push my mind to (and often beyond) its capabilities while the athletics taught me that it was ultimately up to me to earn success through hard work and dedication.  Now, as I work to be an effective leader in my business and my community, I call on some form of discipline that I learned at St. Teresa each and every day.

What advice would you give to a current student?
Work just a bit harder than you think you should.  Right now, you are forming patterns of thought and action that will stick with you for the rest of your life.  You become what you think about, so think about good things!

What would you say to a family considering to attend St.Teresa?
St. Teresa is a place of faith, tradition, pride, and family.  If you seek an environment that provides a foundation for success while feeling like an extension of your own family, St. Teresa is the place.