And They're Off...

And They're Off...

March Alumni of the Month, Millie and Mia

By LAURA SPAULDING, Staff Writer/Consultant and ANDREA DORR, Reenrollment and Student Placement Coordinator

We recently caught up with two TJS alums who share a passion for all things equestrian! While Mia and Millie graduated from The Joy School six years apart, the similarities in their stories go far beyond their love of horses.

Millie Lecoq, TJS Class of 2021, came to the Joy School after struggling in her local Clear Lake ISD public school led to a dyslexia diagnosis. When she first arrived as a fourth grader, much of her spark had been hidden behind the frustrations she’d faced early in her school journey. It did not take long for us to uncover her fierce creativity, supreme work ethic, and contagious joy. Getting to know Millie also meant following along on all her exciting stable adventures which included competitive horseback riding. After graduating from The Joy School in 8^th grade, Millie attended Briarwood High School where she thrived both academically and socially. It did not surprise us one bit that she was instrumental in establishing several new student engagement opportunities and senior traditions for her high school.

Millie is currently in her freshman year at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia. Ranked as the #1 art school in the United States, SCAD has been the perfect place for Millie to continue to explore her passions as she studies Fashion Marketing and Equestrian Studies. When not in class she competes on the school's equestrian team, runs the team’s social media, cheers on her hometown Astros, and promotes her own business selling personalized horseback riding kits. Millie will always be remembered for her welcoming smile and commitment to our community.

Mia Holstead, TJS Class of 2015, came to the Joy School after hitting a wall academically as a 4^th grade at St. John’s School. Her struggles with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) had started having a significant impact on her confidence and ability to keep pace with her peers.

Like Millie, Mia has always been an avid animal lover and began riding horses when she was still young. During those years Mia struggled to keep up in school, it impacted everything, including her progress in the saddle. TJS gave her the gift of time and the encouragement to continue to pursue her passions, all while enabling her to make significant academic gains. While she was here, we loved being wowed by her keen sense of humor, her fierce independence, and her impressive knowledge of animals. Her peers especially loved learning about each of her horses and her rather large and unusual assortment of pets.

No surprise to anyone that Mia’s strong determination and competitive spirit have led to her childhood dreams becoming a reality. She still loves animals and has quite a herd of tortoises. She is also currently a full-time professional horse trainer and equestrian show jumper, training and competing throughout Florida, Kentucky, and Texas.

We are so proud of Millie and Mia for their achievements both in school and in the saddle. While at The Joy School, these girls were encouraged to embrace their natural strengths and to pursue their interests with passion. But they were also encouraged to embrace their weaknesses and face their challenges with resilience and determination. By intentionally balancing working hard and playing hard, TJS students learn to succeed and fail with grace within a community of learners that never stops cheering one another on.

Stay tuned for more Alumni updates every month in 2026. If you are a TJS alum interested in being featured as an Alumni of the Month on our blog, reach out to Andrea Dorr at alumnirelations@thejoyschool.org.

For more information about how we can help your child reach their unique social and academic potential, join us for a parent tour.