Returning to The Bishop’s School campus last weekend after 25 years, memories resurfaced for Melissa Winter — the locations of her locker, the headmaster’s office and detention. But the most prominent recollections for the 1985 alum, who’s now among the highest ranks in East Wing of the White House, involved the teachers who spent countless hours after school helping students with the tough curriculum because they “genuinely loved teaching.” “Once you step back from the situation you get more clarity,” said Winter, Deputy Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama. “Not only was it a beautiful campus, but the quality of education was amazing. It really laid the groundwork for me.” Winter was presented on Oct. 23 with the Ellen Browning Scripps Distinguished Alumni Award, meant to honor alumni who have had a broad impact in the pursuit of their goals and attracted wide recognition for their accomplishments. She accepted the award at the school’s sixth annual Ellen Browning Scripps Celebration, which took place at the school, located at 7607 La Jolla Blvd. After her primary education in La Jolla, Winter attended Skidmore College, a private liberal arts school in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. She has worked alongside a number of notable politicians, such as Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and former U.S. Secretary of Transporation Norman Mineta. Winter, who was Mrs. Obama’s first hire, is responsible for the operation and administration of the First Lady’s office. But the most interesting part of her job, she said, is getting to travel with Mrs. Obama whenever she goes out of the country. Highlights include attending the G20 summit in Toronto, seeing the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in Oslo and helping earthquake victims in Haiti. She was first offered the job when she was working for Lieberman, and she “immediately dismissed it,” she said, because it required her to move to Chicago. But in January 2007, she interviewed with the First Lady in the Obamas’ living room, and by February 2007 she had found an apartment in Chicago. But back in 1985, when she strolled from class to class through the lush Bishop’s School lawn, Winter said she never imagined she’d end up where she is today.
