JP Alloza '17: From RLC to Mexico City

At Rosseau Lake College, the stories that stay with us longest are the ones rooted in relationships, resilience, and values that extend far beyond campus. For JP Alloza '17, RLC was not simply a school — it was home.Arriving in 2011 from Mexico City, JP spent six formative years as a proud RLC “lifer,” growing through academics, athletics, boarding life, and entrepreneurship. From five-day outtrips and long sports travel days to snowboarding competitions and quiet weekend traditions, RLC shaped  his character, confidence, and sense of purpose. Today, JP is an entrepreneur managing an AI-focused investment fund and the owner of a newly launched nightclub in Mexico City. While the industry may seem far removed from boarding school life in Muskoka, the values guiding his work are unmistakably RLC: integrity, responsibility, community, and care for others. We recently sat down with JP to reflect on his journey and the role RLC played in shaping it.

Looking back, he credits RLC with forming the person he is today — not just through academics or athletics, but through the structure and rhythm of daily life. “The person that I am today, it’s completely based on the RLC structure.” Some of JP’s most vivid memories come from moments of cultural adjustment and shared experience. Early five-day outtrips were a shock at first — “What do you mean there’s no bathrooms?” — but quickly became highlights of the year. Weekends filled with cookie baking, trips to the movies in Bracebridge, and long Wednesdays travelling with the snowboarding teams left a lasting impression.

When JP talks about RLC, however, it’s the people who surface first. He speaks with deep gratitude about the Smyth family — a long-standing local family whose children have been part of RLC since 2012. Reggie Smyth, JP’s classmate, became one of his closest friends, and the entire family quickly felt like his foster parents during his time at RLC. “They were my second family,” he shared. “I called Gina my mom, and she introduced me as her adopted son. They pushed me academically and supported me in every way.”

Teachers and staff also played a defining role — from Mr. Len Beaulne's firm but caring guidance, “He was such a parent—disciplinary and military, but also a loving father figure,”  to Bob the cook’s warmth and humour, to inspiring teachers like Trent Howell. As JP put it simply, “RLC taught me that you can be anyone you want — like Zootopia.”

Today, JP lives in Mexico City, where he continues to carry those lessons forward. Opening a nightclub may seem worlds away from boarding school life in the village of Rosseau, yet the values guiding his work remain rooted in RLC.

“I hate nightclubs. I don’t drink,” JP admitted. That’s precisely why he wants to change the industry model. “The nightclub I want to build is a safe place where people can go and have fun.” He is firm about prioritizing safety over profit, even turning away high-spending patrons if they compromise the environment. “If I can’t look a parent in the eye and say your kid will be home safe at 2 or 3 a.m., that doesn’t go with my model — because of all the values I learned at RLC.”

The Station’s grand opening is scheduled for January 17, and it represents a bold example of how RLC values can influence even the most unexpected industries.

Looking ahead, JP shared his hope to one day give back to the school that shaped him. “I definitely would love to build something great at RLC and leave my mark behind,” he said. For JP, future philanthropy isn’t just about financial support; it’s about investing in the people, programs, and experiences that helped him grow. His desire to donate reflects a deep sense of gratitude and an ongoing connection to the RLC community, one he hopes will continue for years to come.

JP’s story is a powerful reflection of what Rosseau Lake College strives to cultivate: confident individuals grounded in values, curiosity, and care for others.

We are deeply grateful to JP Alloza '17 for sharing his journey so openly and for continuing to carry RLC’s spirit into the world. His connection to the school remains strong, and we look forward to welcoming him back to campus in the future.

“Don’t be afraid of anything — failure is just a stepping stone.” — JP

Thank you, JP.

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