Meet Jenna Rolin, a 2016 graduate of Buford High School. Jenna was born in Buford to Shannon and Stacy Rolin. Jenna was also raised in Buford and has lived here since. Jenna has four older brothers — Zachary, 32, Matthew, 30, Cameron, 30, and Spencer, 28. Jenna began at Buford in pre-K and continued through her senior year; she is a “Buford baby”, or as others like to call it, a lifetimer.
Throughout her high school career, Jenna was heavily involved in extracurricular activities. She participated in the Buford Lady Wolves volleyball program up until the 10th grade and she also participated in Buford’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes all four years of high school where she was a part of the leadership team.
At Buford High School, Jenna’s favorite classes were her economics and government courses. Despite her love for those courses, however, the teacher who had the biggest influence on her throughout her high school career was her freshman year math teacher, Mrs. Laura Graves (Laura McAdam now).
“She was always so helpful when I needed help which was a lot — haha! Mrs. Graves was more than a teacher, though,” Jenna said. “She became a friend and was always there to talk to when needed. We are still friends to this day and I am so thankful for her!”
When asked what she has learned at Buford High School and taken into adulthood, Jenna explains, “Buford had high expectations for students. Teachers and staff expected hard work and determination. Even when I didn’t think I had it in myself, my teachers always believed in me.” She continues, “This has helped me far beyond high school. Once I got to college, I felt more prepared than I ever thought was possible. Sometimes, there are things that feel too hard to even attempt, but having been through many years of being pushed beyond my limits, I know that I can do anything I put my mind to.”
Following her high school graduation in 2016, Jenna went on to attend the University of Georgia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. There, Jenna received such high performing grades that she made the dean’s list, and to say the least, we didn’t expect any less. Jenna graduated from UGA in May 2020 and she plans to begin her master’s degree in the summer of 2021.
Jenna is a second-grade teacher at Buford Academy, the same school she once attended herself many years earlier. Jenna explains her desire to become a teacher, saying, “Knowing how influential my past teachers were helped my decision in teaching at Buford. I was ready to give back the love and dedication that my teachers gave to me growing up, to my own students. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!”
The 2020-2021 school year is Jenna’s first year teaching. In the midst of a global pandemic, Jenna continues to rise above and show the world what she is capable of overcoming.
“What a year to begin my career,” she said. “It is nothing like I imagined it being, but I wouldn’t change this crazy and unpredictable first year for anything. My sweet students make it all worth it!”
Jenna resides in Buford, where she is very close to her family. She grew up with two amazing parents, four older brothers and now she has four awesome sisters in law! She became an aunt in 2020 to two sweet baby boys and she absolutely loves being an aunt. At the moment, Jenna is not married, however, she plans to be in a few years!
Without a doubt, Jenna Rolin is a true Buford Wolf. Every day, she continues to prove her greatness and show the world what it means to be strong. Jenna Rolin is a hardworking, intelligent and genuine young woman who will go on to change the lives of many students. Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!
— Emily Hammond
The Buford High School alumni spotlights are made possible by the generosity of the City of Buford.
