Carrie Rollings-Meynet ’85 and Jean-Charles Meynet ’84 prove it’s never too late to fall in love. The couple first crossed paths in the brief period that Trinity-Pawling opened its doors to girls—little did they know that destiny had planted its seed.
We chatted with the one & only married Trinity-Pawling couple on Valentine’s Day:
T-P: Carrie, what was it like to attend Trinity-Pawling—with it being an all-boys school for so long?
C: Quite frankly, it felt like a nearly all-boys school when I attended. My first year, there were seven girls, then four, then two. They graduated the girls off to go back to an all boys school. I wanted a girlfriend so badly and was grateful for Jenny Lynch ’84—she was amazing—a genuine and loyal friend. Trinity-Pawling was an exceptional and unique experience, which gave me huge opportunities to be independent, resilient, and tough skinned. I was truly grateful for the male friendships I had—and have now today. I feel I have many T-P brothers out there. Jean and I are dear friends with some to this day!
T-P: Jean, do you remember the first time you met Carrie?
J: I was in Cluett, on the basement level, near the old fireplace, my junior year. I met Carrie and watched her as she walked up the stairs in the fall of 1982.
T-P: Were you high school sweethearts at Trinity-Pawling?
C: No, we were not. We were in French Club and Theater Outing Club together, but we were not sweethearts then.
T-P: What was “your song” in 1984/85?
J: Billy Idol, “Rebel Yell”
C: Chicago, “You’re The Inspiration”
J & C: We can tell you that our song now, and at our wedding is Bryan Adams, “Heaven” —from 1984. We love 80’s music!
T-P: How did you reunite after 30 years? How many years have you been together?
C: There was a class reunion mentioned on Facebook, and Jean reached out to me—surprised that I was living in Los Angeles. He was living in Santa Barbara. We went out for coffee, and then a date—the rest is history! We have been together six years and married for four this April 18th.
J: We are blessed with three kids—Carrie has one daughter Tatiana (20) and I have two boys Daniel and Charlie (24,26).
T-P: What did you do after graduating from Trinity-Pawling?
C: I did my undergraduate at Lake Forest College (BA in Psych, Fine Arts, Art History) and got my Masters in Education at Louis University.
J: I followed my passion and went directly into motorcycle racing and went pro in 1987. And I still compete in motorsports today!
T-P: Carrie, you are a very successful realtor—what do you like most about the real estate business?
C: I have had three separate careers. I was a teacher after grad school and loved it. I taught at the first inclusion school in Chicago and was a master and mentor teacher when I moved to Los Angeles. I wrote curriculum for Los Angeles Unified School District, and was on the board of our charter school system while I was a full time teacher. When I had my daughter, I pursued a second career in fashion design. I actually made many of my clothes that I wore to T-P, loved it then and all the way through today! I started “Little T Wear”—designing and manufacturing children’s apparel. I loved the design work, pattern making, fabrics, but not crazy about overseas production. 13 years ago I went into real estate. I do both commercial and residential. Commercial being more male dominated, I feel right at home. T-P prepared me well. I love the designs of homes and structures, but what really intrigues me is the process of negotiations! I love that the most!
T-P: Jean, how did you get into the auto racing business?
J: I am a fifth generation racer and transitioned from motorcycles to cars in 2005. I help out other racers as well. I have been involved in all types of motor sports—it’s in my blood, as well as in my sons’.
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T-P: How do you think Trinity-Pawling laid the foundation for your life together?
J: It took a Colorado girl living in NY and a California boy to go to T-P to find each other.
C: I would say it was fate—we found each other briefly as friends in the 80’s, only to then reconnect in 2012. We had such an unusual experience at T-P that it bonded us upon our reunion.
T-P: What was your favorite place on the Trinity-Pawling campus?
C: I liked the chapel because I used to sing in the choir and also the volleyball court. We had only one girls’ team—the volleyball team. All the girls had to play, and we only had one extra girl to transfer in. After that, the girls graduated off. I was proud of our team—we only lost ONCE! True miracle!
J: The sports fields—hanging with friends, and the many adventures we had!
T-P: Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?
C & J: Traveling, involved with motorsports, being in creative businesses, surrounded by friends, family, and a lot of pets!