Background: Deputy Director of Programs, Headwaters Foundation, under-six coach with the Rappahannock County Soccer Association for four seasons, T-ball coach with the Rappahannock Culpeper Baseball League, clerk of Thornton Gap Regular Baptist Church and SperryFest volunteer. Moved in 2014 from Michigan to Rappahannock County where she lives on Tiger Valley Road with her husband, Travis, and their two sons.
The Spark: My grandmother was a very welcoming person. She stood out as the maternal centerpiece of our family, always making sure everyone was taken care of in her orbit. Everyday after school, we would go to her house and I’d watch her interact with people. She was always empathetic, treating friends and neighbors with respect and love. I never saw her get angry or frustrated. Her strong, positive character had a very big impact on me. I also want to recognize all the people who have supported and encouraged me on my journey.
Proudest Achievement: Building the After-School Enrichment Programs at the Rappahannock County Elementary School. When Jane Bowling-Wilson hired me as an assistant in 2014, she gave me free reign to design and run the program. It is immensely rewarding to build relationships with the kids, parents and school staff. We strive to make our programs interesting and challenging so that it is where the kids want to be. By offering a variety of programs , we keep the kids engaged. Recently we added a line dancing class and the young dancers ended up performing at the Black Twig restaurant. What fun for them and us! Having the flexibility to come up with new activities really contributes to the program’s success.
Biggest Challenge: There are a lot of moving parts to the enrichment program and the Starfish mentoring program which I also oversee. We are always seeking to build on our successes with the schools. Collaboration and mutual support are the keys to making these programs work. Because the elementary school is small, we have lots of options for new projects. Recently we started a junior agriculture club where the kids will be able to regularly visit a chicken coop at the school and learn about raising chickens. On a personal note, I sometimes find it challenging to keep all the balls up in the air. My sons see me helping 60 to 80 kids after school three days a week, so I have to make sure that I’m there for them at the end of a long day.
Why It Matters: Interacting with the kids is where I thrive. Given the many hours we devote to planning, it is really rewarding seeing them so enthusiastic about our programs. Even at their young ages, I think our enrichment programs are making a positive and lasting impact on their lives. People are putting their children in our care and we owe them our very best. Our team strongly believes that each child isn’t just a “number,” and we always focus on creating a supportive and inclusive environment for every individual. I couldn’t do this without the support of our staff, devoted board members and the families that we serve.
Rappahannock Treasure: Whether it is at the schools, public events, or in civic organizations, Rappahannock gives everyone a unique opportunity to participate in the community and be their very best. People here know each other and look out for each other. I treasure our community’s close-knit bonds.
— By Bob Hurley for Foothills Forum
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