2024 Valentines Celebration Program

Developmental Therapy Center’s

23 rd Annual

Valentine Celebration Proudly Presented By

SATURDAY

10 FEB

7:00 PM

WILLOW RIDGE 6330 US-60 Barboursville, WV 25504

Evening Events Evening Events Cocktail Reception Dinner by Rocco’s Ristorante Dessert Dash DTC Presentation Head of Tails Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle Battle of the Heroes Crowning of Battles Dancing with DJ Phil Chapman Silent Auction Door Prizes

Emcees Jason Toy

Kindred Communications

Jason Toy was born a poor, but happy, child with a passion for radio in Tampa, Florida. Jason began his radio career in college, at Marshall University, where he was a tight-end on the 1992 1-AA National Championship Thundering Herd football team. Jason has won several NACB, West Virginia AP, and West Virginia Broadcaster Association awards for his play-by-play coverage of both college and high school football and basketball games. Outside the radio station, Jason is a pit-road reporter/play-by-play announcer for NASCAR’s MRN Radio coverage. You will also see Jason hosting various Marshall University sporting events throughout the year.

Jason is a proud parent but is aging quickly thanks to his daughter, Maddy, and son, Spencer.

Spencer Adkins WOWK 13 News

Spencer Adkins is the longest serving on-air personality on WOWK TV. He joined the station in March of 1993, after driving a U-Haul through the remnants of the “Storm of the Century.” That should have been a sign he would end up spending most of his time talking about weather.

He currently lives in Cabell County with his wife, four boys, and two girl dogs where they all lead a very busy life. Spencer says he has been very lucky to work with several other outstanding meteorologists in his department over the years.

Together they have won numerous awards for Best Weathercast or Best Weather Operation from various groups. However, Spencer says the best “award” he can receive is when someone says, “You got it right today!”

Annual Sponsors APG Polytech, LLC CJ Hughes Construction, Inc. Dixon Law Office PLLC Huntington Elks Lodge #313 Full Spectrum Inc. Generations Physical Therapy Huntington National Bank Huntington Federal Savings Bank In Memory of Jim Farrar J.B. Turman Engineering, PLLC Marathon Petroleum Corporation Marshall University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iCenter) Melody T. Farms, Inc. Moses AutoMall Huntington Natural Resource Partners L.P. Pam's Playmates Preschool and Child Development Centers, Inc. Rubberlite Incorporated Service Pump & Supply Setzer's World of Camping Allevard Sogefi USA Specialty Systems Electric LLC State Electric Supply Company Suttle & Stalnaker PLLC WesBanco Bank, Inc.

Valentine Sponsors Boujee Boards by Roz Brady Steps Charitable Foundation Chapman's Mortuary & Crematory Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. Desco Federal Credit Union Hammers Industries, Inc. Joe McDonie Marshall Health Network Marshall University Prim Law Firm, PLLC Ridge Top Photography SIP Downtown Brasserie St. Joseph Catholic Schools Strike Zone Bowling Center Summit Community Bank Texas Roadhouse The Fyffe Jones Group, AC The Jockey Club Three Birds Floral and Boutique The Wing 2 Wing Foundation

Dessert Dash Sponsors Bob Evans - Kinetic Drive Collin Meadows Dessert by Davis Food Fair Fratelli’s GR8 Pies Great American Cookies Griffin Hatfield Heather Blake Executive Director, (Ridge Kids Academy) Jake's Cakes & More Jolly Pirates K-Ticks Kreations My Little Bird Nomada Panera Bread - Barboursville Mall Playmates Preschools and Childcare Centers Rocco's Ristorante Rock City Cake Company S and Market Sweet Mama's Trendy Treats

Special thanks to the following for contributing to our door prizes and silent auction!

21 at the Frederick Academy Sports + Outdoors Advance Auto Parts - Barboursville Advance Auto Parts - 29th Street Adventureworks Zipline Angel Dog Grooming Applebee’s Restaurants, LLC - 3rd Avenue Archer's Flowers & Gallery Arrowhead Bike Farm Austin's at The Market B&E Menswear, Inc. Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar Barbie’s Formals Barboursville Park Shelter Rental Bare Arms Indoor Range, LLC Baskin-Robbins Bear Wood Company LLC - Hurricane Bellacino’s Grinders Big Lots Stores, Inc. - Route 60 Blenko Glass Company Blessed Furever Dog Training LLC Blooming Rose Bob Evan's Restaurants - Kinetic Park, Huntington Buddy’s All-American BBQ Buffalo Wild Wings - Cross Lanes Butter It Up C.F. Reuschlein Jewelers, Inc. Camden Corner Casa Grande Chili's Grill & Bar - Barboursville Christopher’s Eats Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Cinemark - Barboursville CLIMB Works - Smoky Mountains (Zipline Tour) Cold Stone Creamery Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Country Inn & Suites - Beckley Courtyard by Marriott - Columbus Easton Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Delta Hotels by Marriott - Ashland Downtown Delta Hotels by Marriott - Downtown Huntington Delta Hotels by Marriott - Huntington Mall Dog Haus Biergarten Doggy Stylez Drug Emporium

EarthWise Pet - Ashland ECO-FIRST, Inc. Elk Springs Resort Esquire Golf Course Fairfield Inn & Suites Ashland Fairways Bar & Grill Fat Patty’s - Huntington Firecreek BBQ & Steaks FireSide Grille Firestone Complete Auto Care Barboursville Food Fair Market - Barboursville Fratelli's Italian Restaurant Fuel Counter, Barboursville Gino’s Pizza & Spaghetti House Glenn's Sporting Goods GoMart Goliath Games Greenbrier Outfitters Greenside Indoor Golf, LLC Griffith & Feil Soda Fountain Guyan Golf & Country Club Hampton by Hilton - Charleston-Southridge Hazelett’s Triple H Drive Inn Hedgecock’s Studio of Professional Photography Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park Holl’s Chocolate The Home Depot - Barboursville The Honey Baked Ham Company, LLC Huntington Museum of Art Inland Reef Pet Store - Cross Lanes IHOP Restaurants LLC Jewel City Seafood Restaurant & Market Jimmy John’s Sandwiches, 4th Avenue Jim's Steak & Spaghetti House Jolly Pirate Donuts Kasja Brown Photography Kenny Queen’s Ace Hardware Kim’s Greenhouse King’s Island Kirkwood Winery Kustom Kreams La Famiglia LaFontaine’s Tobacco & Wine Le Bistro Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

Special thanks to the following for contributing to our door prizes and silent auction!

LongHorn Steakhouse Lowe’s - Barboursville Lowe’s - South Point Macy’s Malibu Jack’s - Ashland Mammus’ Kitchen and Catering Marco’s Pizza – Route 60 Marco’s Pizza - 5th Avenue Marshall Artists Series Marshall Thundering Herd Football Massage Envy Mediterranean Breeze Mel’s Diner MickSparkins Pet Care, LLC Mountaineer Casino Resort Nikki Simpson at Karma Salon O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar - Barboursville Oglebay Wilson Lodge The Old Village Roaster Olive Garden Ona Speedway O’Reilly Auto Parts -31st Street Oscar’s Breakfast, Burgers, & Brews Outback Steakhouse Paint & Sip Paramount Arts Center Paula Vega Cakes Pet Supplies Plus - Barboursville Pies & Pints Pittsburgh Steelers Pizza Hut, LLC - Barboursville The Pottery Place Pretty & Poised Professional Accounting Solutions, LLC Pump Up the Fun Queen Bee Vinyl Creations Ramsey’s Diner Rapid Fired Pizza - Huntington Red Lobster Hospitality LLC - Huntington Rio Grande 0 4th Avenue Rocco’s Ristorante Roll-a-Rama Skate Center Rustic Ravines Sam’s Club - South Point Sam's Hot Dog Stand - 5th Avenue, Huntington Scary Creek Paintball Games Shaffer’s Drive In Sheetz, Inc. - 5th Avenue Sheetz, Inc. - 6th Avenue

SIP Downtown Brasserie Skeffington’s Formal Wear Skin by Naj Smoky Mountain Llama Treks Smoothie King Soul Food Twist South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena Southside Wellness Studio Splittin’ Hares Axe Throwing - Ashland Spurlock’s Flowers, Inc. Starbucks Coffee Company - Pullman Square Starbucks Coffee Company - 5th Avenue Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs Strike Zone Bowling Center Sun Kissed Bronze Bar Sweet Mama’s Bakery - Hurricane Target Brands, Inc. - Barboursville Taste of Asia TGI Fridays - Cross Lanes Clay Center Highlands Museum & Discovery Center The Human Bean The Juice Box - Hurricane Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter The Red Caboose The Vintage Rose Boutique The Winchester The Wine Shop The Woods (PIZZA) The Yankee Candle Company Three Birds Floral and Boutique Tickers and Timbers - Barboursville Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum True Soul Boutique Tudor’s Biscuit World - 20th Street Tudor’s Biscuit World - Barboursville Twisted Laurel Twisted Vine Family Vineyard VC Boutique Walmart Inc. - South Point Walmart, Inc. - Wayne Wears Valley Farmhouse Wholi Moli Winterplace Ski Resort Workingman's Store West Virginia Golf Association West Virginia State Parks YMCA - Huntington

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Dr. Carol Templeton

Dr. Carol Templeton is the principal of St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Central Catholic High School. Her professional career spans over twenty years of educational experience as a teacher, department head, director of curriculum and assessment, and administrator. Dr. Templeton has experience working in both public and private schools in England and the United States. She completed her Bachelor of Education Degree from Birmingham University, England; a Master of Administrative Leadership, Curriculum Supervision, and Superintendent Degree from Marshall University, West Virginia; and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Morehead State University, Kentucky. She has two wonderful boys, Liam and Lucas, who attend St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Central Catholic High School.

Mrs. Breana Moore

Mrs. Breana Moore is the school counselor, as well as the middle school's Latin teacher, at St. Joseph Catholic School. She is an alumna of St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Central Catholic High School. Mrs. Moore obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Marshall University, West Virginia; as well as a Master of Arts in Education Administration from Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia. She began her career at St. Joseph Catholic School in 2007 as a preschool teacher. In 2009, she became the counselor, and since that time, she has been in the classroom teaching Latin. She and her husband, Patrick, are blessed to have a wonderful family with two beautiful and fun little girls who also attend St. Joseph Catholic School.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Mrs. Angel Blake

Mrs. Angel Blake has been a PreK-4 teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School since 2016.

She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood and a Master's Degree in School Counseling from Marshall University, West Virginia. Mrs. Blake has experience working in both the public and private sectors in Cabell County, West Virginia.

In collaboration with her husband, Mr. Brad Blake, they are the co-founders of Brady Steps Charitable Foundation. The foundation was created in honor of their son, who was born with spina bifida. They work to raise awareness about spina bifida and help families of children with spina bifida who are in need. Mrs. Blake lives in Huntington with her husband and their children, Riley and Brady, who also attend St. Joseph Catholic School.

Mrs. Amanda Webb

Mrs. Amanda Webb has taught mathematics at St. Joseph Central Catholic High School since 2008. She was born and raised in West Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Marshall University, with an emphasis in math and general science. She completed an MA in Secondary Education: Instructional Processes and Strategies, and an MA in Special Education from Marshall University; and an MA in Educational Leadership from Wheeling Jesuit University. Mrs. Webb and her husband, Joe, were blessed with twin girls, Katherine and Emily, in 2020.

KitKat and Emmy love their PreK-3 class at St. Joseph Catholic School.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Mrs. Holly Moore

Mrs. Holly Moore is the Dean of Students and middle school math teacher. During her tenure at St. Joe, Mrs. Moore has taught first and fourth grades and computer science. She is currently a coach for Vex robotics and the middle school Math Field Day team. Mrs. Moore graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Math and a Master’s Degree in Literacy Education. Prior to coming to St. Joe, Mrs. Moore worked in the College of Education at Marshall University for 11 years. She is married to Mr. Brandon Moore, who is an engineer. They have two boys, Brandt (11) and Judson (9), and a dog, Buster.

Mrs. Tiffany Carroll

Mrs. Tiffany Carroll is a first grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School and a graduate of Marshall University. Her busy family includes her husband, Gabe, and four sons, Sterling, Stevie, Sullivan and Shepard. When not teaching, Tiffany also enjoys working as a choreographer with the Huntington Area Regional Theater.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Cassidy Wood

Cassidy Wood comes to WOWK 13 News from Beaumont, Texas where she worked as a reporter for two years. During her second week on the job in Southeast Texas, Hurricane Harvey hit the area. Cassidy then went from covering a major flood to a World Series. Two years later, a second hurricane hit, Hurricane Imelda. So, while in Beaumont, she was thrown into big news very fast.

Cassidy was born and raised in San Diego, California, and graduated from Oregon State University, so she loves the outdoors; She loves to explore beaches, mountains, lakes, and rivers. She’s also a football fanatic. Cassidy loves all sports, but football is at the top of the list. Her family is originally from Fairmont, West Virginia and Pittsburgh, so she bleeds gold and black and twirls that terrible towel high above her head.

Merrily McAuliffe Merrily McAuliffe began her journey as a sideline reporter for Heat 99, a local television station in Richmond, Virginia, where she enjoyed interviewing players and coaches of high school sports. After graduating from Mills E. Godwin High School in 2007, she attended Concord University in Athens, West Virginia. While at Concord, she was a field reporter and an anchor for the student-run television station, WMLT. She completed her internship at WRIC in Richmond, before graduating in May of 2011 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Merrily was hired out of school to be a reporter at WVNS in Beckley, West Virginia, where she would later solo anchor the morning show on weekdays, as well as produce and solo anchor the noon show. While working at WVNS, her morning news team was awarded “Best Newscast,” by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association in 2013. In July of 2014, Merrily joined WOWK as a weekday co-anchor on the morning and noon shows, serving 32 counties in central West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio. In October of 2020, she started co-anchoring the 5 PM, 6 PM, 7 PM, and 11 PM newscasts.

Merrily is a triplet with two brothers, who both live back home in Richmond, VA. She also has an older sister, who lives in Washington, D.C. In Merrily’s spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, going to the driving range, spending time with her rescue dog, Pebbles (from the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association), and attending Mountaineer games with her husband, Justin, at his alma mater, West Virginia University.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Ashley

Maggie

Jalen

Tevan

My name is Jalen, and I am the 4year-old teacher at FABCare. I started back in August 2019.

My name is Tevan, and I am the older toddler teacher at FABCare. I started back in June of 2022.

My name is Ashley, and I am the Pre-K teacher at FABCare. I started back in December of 2017.

Jonell My name is Jonell, and I am the 3year-old teacher at FABCare. I started back in August of 2002.

My name is Maggie, and I am the 4year-old teacher at FABCare. I started back in November of 2020.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Kristen Rucker Kristen Rucker has been an English teacher at Chesapeake High School for 20+ years where she also teaches drama and has choreographed The Wizard of Oz and Singin’ in the Rain. She started dancing at age five and has taught ballet, tap, and jazz classes at local studios since she was a teenager. When she isn’t devouring a book, she enjoys acting and choreographing for Alchemy. Sometimes, they even let her have speaking parts.

Cindy Westbrook Cindy Westbrook enjoys participating in theatre and dance whenever she can. She is a Spanish teacher for the West Virginia Virtual School, and she also teaches Spanish at Mountwest. Cindy has two teenagers and appreciates your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Hillary Brewster Hilary Brewster is an Associate Professor of English and the Director of the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program at Marshall University. Her writing has been featured in numerous academic and creative outlets, and she is a featured speaker at the MU TedX event later this month. She is an active member of Alchemy Theater Troupe, dances with the JDG project at 4th Avenue Arts (though is better at tap), and was recently in a GoMart commercial. She lives in Huntington with her grumpy old dog and loves hiking, traveling, thrifting, and yoga.

Nora Ankrom Nora Ankrom is the Executive Director of Alchemy Theatre. Nora helped found Alchemy Theatre and the WV Shakespeare Festival. She has performed on stage and film in the Huntington area for the past 10 years. Aside from the performing arts, Nora is a classical educator, teaching at Covenant School, Marshall University, Libertas Educational Services, and Ankrom Academy, where she instructs her own children.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Alison White Allison White is the owner of Sip Downtown Brasserie located in the heart Huntington. She is a graduate of the MBA program at Marshall University and earned her culinary degree from Johnson and Wales University. Allison is married to Dr. Scott Keffer and has an adorable 6-year-old girl. She enjoys staying active, cooking, and attempting to entertain folks with her lip-syncing skills.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Mindy Maxey

Mindy Maxey is a dedicated wife and mother to two incredible kids, aged 16 and 22. Nothing brings her more happiness than sharing moments with my family and friends.

In May, she embarked on a thrilling new chapter as the CEO of Tri-State STEM+M High School, seamlessly blending her business background with the dynamic world of education.

The anticipation of what lies ahead fills her with enthusiasm, and she eagerly embraces the challenges and opportunities this new path presents.

Beyond the confines of the boardroom, her deepest joys are rooted in shared moments with loved ones and the great outdoors. Whether immersing herself in the tranquility of a camping trip, navigating the waters in a kayak, or embarking on journeys to uncharted destinations, she finds solace and inspiration in wide-open spaces.

Diana Erwin

Diana Erwin is the English and Art teacher at Tri-State STEM+M. As a proud book nerd, she can usually be found with a novel of some sort on most occasions. She is also a big fan of the “Dance Like No One is Watching” approach if a catchy song is playing. An avid fan of both dressing up and dancing, Diana loves any occasion to wear either fancy dresses or costumes. This is her first attempt at a lip sync battle, so please remember to be kind!

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Dusti West

Dusti West is an accomplished and dedicated educational leader currently serving as the Principal at Tri-State STEM + M High School. With a passion for fostering a dynamic learning environment, Dusti has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence in education.

Dusti earned her Bachelor's in Education from Marshall University, where her enthusiasm for shaping young minds first took root. Building upon this foundation, she pursued and successfully obtained her Master's in Educational Leadership from WV State University, further honing her skills and knowledge in guiding educational institutions.

Married and a devoted mother of two, Dusti understands the importance of education not only in her professional life but also in shaping the future of her own family. Her personal experiences as a parent enrich her perspective as an educational leader, emphasizing the significance of a well-rounded and supportive academic environment.

Undeterred by her current achievements, Dusti West is poised to embark on the next phase of her educational journey. Starting her Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies in the summer of 2024, she seeks to deepen her understanding and contribute to the field of educational leadership at an even higher level.

Dusti's leadership style is characterized by innovation, inclusivity, and a focus on nurturing the potential within each student. Tri-State STEM + M High School benefits greatly from her vision and commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and personally. As Dusti continues to pursue her doctorate, she remains dedicated to shaping the future of education and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle

Bethany Himes

Bethany Himes is a musical specialist at Tri-State STEM + M High School. She is a Marshall University music education graduate and has served as a music specialist in WV and Ohio schools. Bethany has starred in several community theater productions and has directed children’s musicals and choirs in several churches of the Huntington area.

Alex McGinnis

Alex McGinnis, a local artist in the music industry, began his artistic journey through music theatre and show choir. Growing up with a love for the arts, he evolved into a skilled music producer. By blending his theatrical roots with modern production techniques, McGinnis created captivating and immersive musical experiences. His ability to navigate various genres made a lasting impact on the industry through collaborations and contributions.

In addition to his music, Alex McGinnis explored his creative side through photography. As a dedicated photographer, he expertly captured moments that told engaging visual stories.

McGinnis' commitment to photography added a unique perspective, complementing his musical talents. With a dual commitment to both sound and visuals, he became known as a versatile artist, leaving an inspiring mark on the creative landscape.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle HOMETOWN

Brad D. Smith

Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University, is recognized worldwide for his philanthropy and leadership roles. Mr. Smith served for 11 years as the chief executive officer of Intuit and most recently served as the executive chairman of the board. He formerly served as chairman of the Nordstrom board and served on the boards of Momentive (formerly Survey Monkey) and Yahoo. He was recently appointed to the board of directors at Humana.

In addition, Mr. Smith co-founded the Wing 2 Wing Foundation with his wife, Alys. The foundation provides increased access and support for education, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and investment and works to position West Virginia “as a showcase for the nation.” One of Wing 2 Wing’s signature initiatives is Ascend West Virginia, the nation’s premier remote workforce recruitment program.

Originally from Kenova, West Virginia, Mr. Smith received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Marshall University and a Master’s Degree in Management from Aquinas College in Michigan. He has two daughters, Devon and Payton.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle HOMETOWN

H. Toney Stroud

H. Toney Stroud, an accomplished attorney with more than 24 years of experience in complex compliance and regulatory issues, currently serves as Marshall University’s Chief Legal Officer. In addition, he leads the University’s Government Relations team and serves as Director for External Affairs, a role that involves workforce and economic development. Mr. Stroud is actively involved in the community, including currently serving on the boards of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Education Alliance, Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO), Leadership West Virginia, the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia, St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation, and River Cities United Way. He is an avid runner, having completed more than 30 marathons. He and his wife, Cassie, and their two daughters live in Ona.

Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle HOMETOWN

Barry Burgess

Barry Burgess is a member in the tax and business consulting areas of Suttle & Stalnaker, PLLC. Mr. Burgess received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Marshall University in 1985. He is very active in the community, serving on various not-for-profit boards and is the President of the Developmental Therapy Center Board of Directors. He is a huge KISS fan and has been lip-syncing since he was 12. He and his wife, Rena, have three children and six grandchildren.

James Lundy

James Lundy has been an electrician for 40 plus years and has owned Specialty Systems Electric since 2009. Specialty Systems Electric is an electrical contracting company offering a wide range of electrical services including residential, commercial and industrial. He is married to Kathy and has two daughters and one grandson. James has been a KISS fan since 1978 when introduced to them by Barry Burgess.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes

Ridge Kids Academy - where your child's education and well-being are our top priorities! With thirty years in the childcare business, we take pride in providing high-quality care and education to children of all ages. At Ridge Kids Academy, we understand that the early years of a child's life are crucial for their development, which is why we offer a variety of programs designed to promote learning and growth.

Our experienced and dedicated staff consists of over one hundred employees, each committed to providing your child with a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. We have three locations with beautiful new facilities and resources to support your child's learning and development. Whether your child is an infant, toddler, preschooler or school-aged child, we have programs tailored to their needs and interests. At Ridge Kids Academy, we strive to create a welcoming, inclusive community that celebrates diversity and encourages children to learn and grow together. By working together with parents and families, we can help every child reach their full potential.

Tonight, we have eight employees representing us in the Battle of the Heroes. Miss Jessica Mooney is the Director of our Woodville location.

Miss Sarah Miller is the Director of our Barboursville location. Miss LauraBeth Meade is the Director of our Collis location. Dancing with them is Emily Fletcher, who is the education specialist at Woodville; Katie Bills, lead teacher at Collis; Aryazzelia (air-ih-zel-ee-ah) Meade, paraprofessional at Collis; Belle Miller, paraprofessional at Barboursville; and Erica Harmon, assistant director of the Woodville location. This group has a combined total of over 100 years of experience with Ridge Kids!

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes Our Lady Of Fatima Parish School

Amanda Day

Amanda Day is the Physical Education and Health teacher at Our Lady of Fatima Parish School. She has taught for 18 years and has been at Our Lady of Fatima for 15 years. She is an alumnus of Our Lady of Fatima and Huntington Saint Joseph High School. Her degrees from Marshall University include Athletic Training and Physical Education. She is a Nationally Board-Certified Athletic Trainer. Amanda has been married to her husband Matt for 18 years and has two children, Alaina, and Christian. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys running, reading, crocheting, and watching her children play sports. Amanda is ready to bring her unique blend of education and entertainment to the stage.

Micah O’Connor

Micah O'Connor is the current principal at Our Lady of Fatima. She is committed to academic excellence and is passionate about providing quality education and fostering a positive school community. In addition to leading the school, Micah is a devoted parent to three daughters and a dog named Max. This family-oriented mindset reflects her dedication to creating a warm, inclusive environment for students, staff, and parents. Outside of work, Micah is an avid fitness enthusiast actively teaching group fitness classes at the Marshall Rec Center, sharing her passion for health and wellness with others. She is thrilled to be taking the stage with the extraordinary educators of OLOF, who are trading in their lesson plans and unleashing their hidden talent on the dance floor.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes Our Lady Of Fatima Parish School

Sheridyn Collins

Sheridyn Collins is Our Lady of Fatima's afterschool director and two-year-old preschool aide. She is dedicated to nurturing the minds and souls of the school's youngest learners.As the music starts and the dance floor beckons, Sheridyn transforms from teacher to performer, captivating audiences with her infectious energy and dazzling moves. Prepare to be enthralled by this preschool teacher, ready to conquer the dance floor and touch hearts with her remarkable talent.

Colleen Nowlin

Colleen Nowlin is the kindergarten teacher extraordinaire from Our Lady of Fatima. She has taught kindergarten there for three years. She spends as much time outside as possible, both at school and at home, with her husband, James. Colleen will channel the energy of her 18-head "hype squad" and her toddler daughter to fuel her team to a "Footloose" victory.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes Our Lady Of Fatima Parish School

Kailee Dement

Kailee Dement is the PK-2 teacher at Our Lady of Fatima with a heart full of love and hands ready to guide. She is dedicated to nurturing the minds of the school’s youngest learners. This is her third year teaching there. Her dedication goes beyond the classroom as she coaches the Fatima Knights Cheer Squad. She has enjoyed time with her coworkers preparing for this event and is ready to “Cut Footloose.”

Savana Robertson

Savana Robertson is a passionate and dedicated first-year teacher at Our Lady of Fatima. She is excited about her teaching career after graduating from Marshall University last spring. When she is not teaching, Savana is either working on arts and crafts projects, fishing with her fiancé Nick, or playing with her two dogs, Tig and Harley.

She is ready to knock the socks off the competition with the support of her 4th Graders to bring her “Footloose” team to victory.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes

We would like to thank last year’s Battle of the Badges Champion, Huntington Police Department, for graciously donating their time and talents to offer us an encore performance in this year’s Battle of the Heroes! We appreciate HPD’s service to our community and DTC. The Huntington Police Department is a dynamic, full-service police organization. They pride themselves on being a multi-agency that is focused and recognizes the importance of working with other law enforcement agencies. Community collaboration remains at the forefront of the HPD policing model. HPD believes that effective policing is accomplished through collaboration and partnerships with the community they serve. Open communication and demonstration of operational transparency is paramount to maintaining public trust. Such philosophy will remain their priority.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes

Anna Stone

Anna is the owner of Elite Performance Academy. Anna was a founding member of Elite and has been dancing and teaching since the doors opened in 2003. Following her high school graduation, she commenced her teaching journey with her first class in tap-jazz, a pivotal moment that fervently fueled her passion for the art.

Anna's passion for cultivating young minds led her to a dedicated tenure at a daycare facility during her academic pursuit at Marshall University, where she focused on Communication Disorders.

In addition to running a dance studio and teaching dance six days a week, Anna contributes as a substitute school teacher in Cabell County during regular school hours. Outside her professional commitments, Anna dedicates her free time to powerlifting and reading as much as possible. Her personal pursuits are complemented by cherished moments spent with her family. Anna loves participating in fundraisers and doing what she can to give back to the community.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes

Maddie Ray

This year, Ms. Maddie assumes the role of instructor for several styles of dance, while also participating in competitive endeavors featuring lyrical, contemporary, and jazz numbers, as well as multiple solos and duos. During her extensive training at Elite, Maddie honed her skills in ballet, pointe, contemporary-lyrical, acro-tumble, tap, hip-hop, and jazz. As a dedicated student, she assumed a teaching role, assisting in classes focused on ballet, contemporary-lyrical, and jazz. Maddie further enriched her dance education through participation in prestigious summer dance intensives on scholarship, including the Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary in NYC, WVU Dance Camp, and Dancerpalooza in Long Beach, CA. Outside the realm of dance, Maddie achieved a significant academic milestone by completing her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology at Marshall University. Currently, she applies her expertise as a Speech Language Pathologist at St. Mary’s Medical Center as a member of LinguaCare. Maddie is known for fostering meaningful connections with her students, guiding them to articulate themselves through the art of movement, and actively encouraging the pursuit of their aspirations.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes

Alexis Williams

Alexis Williams is an accomplished dance educator, specializing in a diverse range of styles, including hip hop, jazz, ballet, pointe, and lyrical. Her journey in dance commenced at the age of seven at Elite, where she devoted eleven years as a prominent member of the Elite Dance Company. Her commitment to dance extended beyond the studio walls during her high school years at Huntington High School, where she actively participated in theater and Show Choir, demonstrating both her performing and choreographic abilities in various productions. Upon graduating in 2017, Alexis seamlessly transitioned from student to staff member, quickly securing a position at Elite. In the competitive arena, she earned accolades for her choreography, receiving an overall Choreography award for her 1st place Junior Hip-Hop number, "Level Up," and achieving 1st overall in Petite Small Group Hip-Hop with her captivating "Fresh Prince" routine. Her accomplishments also granted her a coveted invitation to compete in Star Talent Nationals. Beyond her dance pursuits, Alexis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and continued to get her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. Alexis remains steadfast in her commitment to sharing her profound love for dance with the community and those around her.

Local Celebrity Battle of the Heroes

Laura Ptakowski-Phillips

Laura is the owner and director of Ultimate Dance Legacy in Huntington, West Virginia. Since opening her studio in 2014, they have been awarded the Associations of Dance Competition and Convention Studio of Excellence Award every year. She has been teaching dance for the past 20 years and many of her students have received numerous top score awards, both regionally and nationally. Laura was also fortunate to be the head coach of the Marshall University Dance Team for four years. She received her formal dance training from the Conservatory of Performing Arts Program of Point Park University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in ballet from one of the top dance programs in the country. Her choreography has been awarded and recognized at multiple competitions over the past years. Laura also travels the United States, judging for the national dance competition, Starquest. Laura’s students have gone on to pursue dance in college and other performance opportunities, such as Marshall University’s Dance Team.

She is thrilled to have been asked to choreograph for this year’s Developmental Therapy Center’s Battle of the Heroes. Laura wants to extend her gratitude to the staff from Ridge Kids Academy, as well as the coordinators from DTC, for allowing her to be a part of this fabulous event!

Developmental Therapy Center’s Team Leslie C. Comer-Porter, MA, CCC-SLP, Executive Director Brandi Duesing, Billing Manager Kelly Merritt, Educational Therapy Service Manager Isabel Morris, Marketing and Events Manager Heather Ferrell, Occupational Therapist Cagney T. Sargent Thompson, Occupational Therapist Sydnee Tweel, Occupational Therapist Emily Blizzard, Lead Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Kylie Angel, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Clorissa Brown, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Hanna Hopper, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Emily Hudson, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Christopher Parsons, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Sara Kidder, Physical Therapist Sunni Unger, Physical Therapist Keely Darnell, Physical Therapist Assistant Tim O’Connor, Physical Therapist Assistant David Roush, Physical Therapist Assistant Allyson Perry, Speech-Language Pathologist Angela Rorrer Hopkins, Speech-Language Pathologist

Developmental Therapy Center’s Board of Directors Barry Burgess, President Mitch Farrar, Vice President Michael Bonner Griffin Hatfield Kelly Leonard Terresa T. Pratt Dr. Ben Eng Taylor Hood Collin Meadows Leslie Comer-Porter John Bauer Belinda Chapman Melissa Lane

Developmental Therapy Center’s Ambassadors John Bauer Belinda Chapman Melissa Lane

Special Acknowledgments Dinner Catering Rocco’s Ristorante VIP Catering Boujee Boards by Roz Photo Booth Three Birds Floral and Boutique Emcees Jason Toy and Spencer Adkins A Special Thank You to our Presenting Sponsor The Wing2Wing Foundation A Special Thank You to our Cocktail Reception Sponsors Playmates Preschool and Child Development Centers CJ Hughes Full Spectrum, Inc.

Thank you The Board of Directors and Staff of Developmental Therapy Center would like to thank you for your generous support. By joining together many hands and many minds to reach one goal, we form a network of strength for those in need.

With your continued support and involvement, many in need will benefit from our care. We trust you will continue to support our Center and the valuable services we provide.