Women To Watch Magazine 2024 by thepostsearchlight

WOMEN TO WATCH MAGAZINE 2024

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 06

Amanda Glover

Ana Baty

Letitia Oliver

Kayla Williams

Lachanda Mackey

Katie Marzolf

Jamie Sinko

Ami Batson

Dana Bryant

Marissa Hancock

Amanda

G row ing B ainbridge through bus ine s s and government

any people feel called to their chosen vocation, so much so they work there for the rest of their lives. Many do well in their field, but only some receive the recognition they deserve. One person who has decades of hard work under her belt, and the accolades to back it up, is Bainbridge Downtown Development Authority Director Amanda Glover. Glover was nominated by co-worker and City Special Event Coordinator Randee Eubanks. When asked what she thought qualified Glover, she replied, “I just thought about a woman who has accomplished a lot in Bainbridge and our community. She’s a great leader, and I don’t think a lot of people realize what a crucial role she had in downtown development.” Glover began working for the city of Bainbridge in 1999. As the director of the DDA, she works with developers and investors to help redevelop downtown properties, be it through facade grants or low-interest loans. “Downtown development is economic development, and it’s just not gonna end. There’s always something,” she said. With 24, going on 25 years of experience, she has been involved in many projects that define downtown Bainbridge. This includes the signage that dots downtown Bainbridge, as well as the directional signs along the bypasses. The Bainbridge entry signs that feature the town’s namesake trestle bridge was also a project Glover worked on. “I worked with Nikki Rich, a local graphic designer with Rich Graphics,” she explained. “We worked on it together, she drew it out like I envisioned, and she made it happen.” One of the most distinguishing features of downtown Bainbridge are the old brick streets. The brick was originally laid in 1912, and was paved over in the 1950s. Glover was a key part

in uncovering the original brickwork, which began back in 2016. At the time, Glover said, “It’s beautiful. It’s just bringing back a little bit of the history to downtown.” Uncovering the brick was just one part of the DDA’s master plan for revitalizing downtown Bainbridge. This plan has been an ongoing process, updated every few years, and has grown to include projects like the Downtown Dollars program and the refurbishing and use of the old Calhoun Street warehouse. Glover was also responsible for Bainbridge being designated as one of Georgia’s Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) communities. This was a pilot program under the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at the time, with Bainbridge being one of the first five cities to receive a GEMS designation. The program has grown since then, and includes prominent cities like Rome, Athens and Brunswick, to name a few. Under Glover’s guidance the city participated in other programs, like the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative in 2018, a three-year program aimed at assisting cities with addressing pressing economic development issues. She also served as the president of the Georgia Downtown Association in 2017. Eubanks described Glover’s efforts as having “transformed Downtown Bainbridge into a thriving hub of economic activity, cultural vibrancy, and community engagement.” And her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as the multiple awards and plaques shelved in her office attest. “It’s been a privilege being a small part of the revitalization of downtown Bainbridge,” Glover said, “and being able to help the investors and developers. It’s a big team effort with the city of Bainbridge and everyone, it’s been a true honor.”

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G l o v e r

Katie

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B alanc ing bus ine s s , c ommunity s erv ic e, and family

t has been several years since the Post-Searchlight published its last Women to Watch special edition. Much has changed in that time, not just at the paper, but in the community and, indeed, in the life of one of this year’s Women to Watch, Katie Marzolf. A repeat nominee of Women to Watch, Marzolf was last featured in the Winter 2012 edition of Bainbridge Living’s Women to Watch. Anyone who watched Marzolf’s career over the intervening 12 years would see that the credit is deserved. In 2012, Katie was the owner and CEO of HCAP Consultants, LLC, which specialized in helping small-to-medium-sized businesses “maximize on human capital.” She moved to Bainbridge several years prior with her husband, Care 360’s Dr. Landin Marzolf. Marzolf started a new position at the Southwest Georgia Oil Company a few years after her 2012 nomination. “Looking back from the first time until now, so much has changed for me personally and professionally,” she told the Post-Searchlight. Katie was not only operating her own business At the time but also raising her then-2-year-old son Logan, in addition to being involved in many local organizations and non-profit groups, having served on the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Board of Family Connection, to name a few. When she began her time with SWGA Oil, it was merely a consulting job, and Inland itself only had 24 convenience stores and roughly 300-400 employees. Since then, the company has grown to over 80 stores and 1200 employees across three states, and Katie has gone from just a consultant to a Vice President of HR. “This company has given me the opportunity to grow my career in ways I never imagined,” she

said. “I have learned that you should challenge yourself every day and that you should take every opportunity that is presented to you.” She described one of her main goals as helping her fellow team members “realize their full potential and give them the tools needed to reach it.” While raising her son and the increased demands of her position have taken up much of her time, Katie still seeks to get involved in the community. She remains active in the Bainbridge Service Club, helping the club with fundraisers such as the yearly Dashing Through the Glow 5k and fun run. She has also served on the Bainbridge Country Club board and helped with the Backpack for Kids program. “Katie has been a hardworking member and officer in Bainbridge Service Club for a number of years,” Service Club member Suzi Bonifay said. “She is our reigning Member of the Year and received that award last May for her contributions and leadership. Her fundraising ideas and chairmanship have helped BSC double our monetary commitments in the community.“ Family has remained an important part of Katie’s journey. “My family brings me great joy, and I would not be where I am now in my career without their support,” she said. Dr. Marzolf expressed that support for his wife, saying, “She is one of the smartest and hardest working people that I’ve ever known. Her hard work and determination is evident in everything that she touches.” Katie was positive about her future at Inland: “I am very excited for the future of the company I work with and hope to continue to help them expand,” she concluded. “I will always carry my strong work ethic and be ready to take on the next challenge.”

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Ana

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B ringing B ainbridge together through athletic s and c ommunity developement

f you’ve been to a Bainbridge Decatur County Recreation Authority (BDCRA) athletic event, you know Ana Baty. If a Facebook post from the Rec Authority reminded you to sign your child up for a sport, you know Ana Baty. If you’ve been to community events such as Scare on the Square, you know Ana Baty. Baty is the Community Development Manager at the BDCRA and a woman to keep your eye on in Bainbridge. “She’s always going to be willing to do more,” said Joel Holmes, the BDCRA’s executive director. “She loves our community, and she’s passionate about it, and she’s always going to want to be involved and do the best that she can to make our community as good as it can be.” 2024 will mark Baty’s fifth year in Bainbridge and third year with the BDCRA. She lives with her husband, Caleb, and her four-year-old daughter, Virginia. “I found home here,” Baty said. “This is the first place me and my husband got our feet, we love Bainbridge. We’re homeowners here, and everybody’s super kind to my Gini-bug.” Baty started at the BDCRA as an intern in the summer of 2021. She said she needed the internship to finish her recreation degree at Georgia Southern University, and initially, that was all it was going to be. “We got so much more than an intern out of her,” Holmes said. “She was always willing to go above and beyond, and anything we tasked her with, she jumped right on it.” Baty finished the internship in August and was immediately offered a job. “It was a good opportunity to get a young

person that’s really got a lot of talent and drive,” Holmes said. Baty has “worn many hats” at the Rec Authority since starting, but her main impact has been on the BDCRA’s program offerings and online presence. “When I came along,” Baty said. “I tried to look at, with my knowledge of recreation, look at what the authority needed and strengthen areas where it was kind of lacking.” The BDCRA emphasizes offering programs and events that reach every population of Bainbridge. Baty plays a prominent role in creating new programs, and she spearheaded a program for the special needs population in the community last year. The special needs population is close to Baty’s heart. Baty’s daughter has Autism and ADHD, and Baty and her husband work hard to support her. She said they’ve received excellent outside support from Milestones Pediatric Therapy and Jones Wheat Primary School, and that it inspired her to offer something of her own to the special population of Bainbridge. Baty started a tennis program for special needs children in Bainbridge in Sept. 2023. The program focused on adaptive learning and personalized one-on-one instruction with the participants. “It was a good time,” Baty said. “A lot of the response from the parents was, ‘Thank you for allowing us something to do.’... A question I’m getting a lot now is, ‘What’s next?’” Holmes said the sky is the limit for Baty’s future. He said you should look out for Baty starting new programs at the BDCRA and impacting Bainbridge in a positive way.

B a t y

Jamie

Improv ing B ainbridge through c iv ic s erv ic e and relations hip building

amie Sinko is making waves in the Bainbridge community. Sinko works as the Director of Development at Memorial Hospital and Manor (MMH) and is involved with 13 other organizations in town. “She is the most civilly engaged person I know,” said Karen Williams, the Director of Human Resources at MMH. “She tirelessly devotes so much of her time to enriching the lives of our citizens.” Sinko is on the board of directors for the Rotary Club (social chair), the United Way and At Ease Campground. She has been selected as the President-elect for Rotary, and her term will start in 2025. She is a member of Toastmasters and the SWGA Mardi Gras Society. Sinko was part of the Toastmasters founding team and is starting her first year with the Mardi Gras Society. Sinko is involved with Family Connections, the SWGA Veteran and Family Alliance, Decatur County Leadership 22-23, Alzheimer’s Team Leader, the Salvation Army Supper on Scott initiative and three Chamber of Commerce Committees: Tinsel Trail, Chamber Awards and Rivertown Days. She said she’s enjoyed working with the Chamber and that it has been a fulfilling experience. “It’s been really fun and rewarding,” Sinko said. “It’s nice to kind of be in the know and then able to help coordinate these events and give back to the community.” Sinko is also a patron of the Bainbridge Little Theatre and Firehouse Art Gallery. She admitted it can seem like a lot at times but said she has a passion for people that makes it all worth it.

“I just love people,” Sinko said. “My passion is people connecting people and getting them plugged in where they’re going to grow as well. I want to be able to help people find their niche, and the more involved I am, the better I can do that.” Sinko is passionate about her work as well. She pours herself most into the Georgia HEART program for MMH. Georgia HEART is a state program that secures funding for rural and critical access hospitals. MMH is categorized as a rural/critical access hospital, and these establishments face a financial crisis due to demographic, economic, and healthcare industry challenges, according to the Georgia HEART website. The program counteracts the financial struggles by redirecting tax dollars to hospitals in need. Sinko’s role is to raise awareness for MMH and encourage people and organizations to allocate their tax dollars to the hospital. She raised more than $1.7 million in 2023. Sinko grew up in Bainbridge but moved away after graduating from the University of Georgia in 2006. After 18 moves across six states and three countries, she moved back to the area in 2020. Sinko said Bainbridge changed a lot in 14 years, and she was encouraged by it’s progress. “I grew up here, and I felt like there wasn’t a lot going on,” Sinko said. “I had just wanted to move out of town, I didn’t really have plans to come back here. Now that I have, I’ve watched as Bainbridge has grown, and I want to be a part of the next steps.” Sinko enters the new year with one thing on her heart: It’s never too late for anyone to make the change they want to see

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Letitia

C aring for B ainbridge familie s and c apturing their pre c ious moments

or any young family just beginning to grow, every moment is special, a first for both parents and children. Photos and videos are a great way to capture and preserve many of these moments, to give the family something to look back and remember. Letitia Oliver specializes in this field; as a recent Registered Nurse graduate, she is employed with the family care unit at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and has previously worked as a birth/postpartum doula. But not only that, she also operates her own photography studio, Letitia Oliver Photography, where she specializes in family photos. “I enjoy growing with families,” Oliver said. “From maternity, to birth, and through the first year, I want to be a part of something bigger than just me.” Oliver has been an avid artist from an early age, winning a blue ribbon for an oil pastel in first grade. She continued to expand her repertoire over the years, adding poetry and, eventually, photography to her skills. Her passion for art led to her studying for a Bachelor of Arts in college and a minor in art, with a focus on photography, and she would finally open her studio in 2022. It was her own upbringing that caused her to focus her photography on families. “I don’t have many photos of myself as a kid, and the only photo I have with my mom was well into adulthood,” she said. “I want others to understand the importance of having a photo, it may be all that you have of someone when they’re gone. Aside from her photo business, Oliver has also helped host father-daughter dances in the

community, and volunteers with non-profits and family services. “I aid in preparation of birth, and I’m a certified breastfeeding specialist, so I help moms with lactation, having trouble or questions about nursing and things to expect after birth and at home.” Oliver was nominated by a former client, Alyssa Rollins, who praised her work. “I met Mrs. Letitia my senior year of high school,” Rollins said in her nomination. “She took some senior portraits for me… She is amazing at it. Her patience alone makes her even better. She takes her time to make sure she executes your vision.” Oliver hopes to continue her medical studies and become a midwife, with the ultimate goal being to open a birthing center while also furthering her love of photography. Oliver concluded with a quote, “‘If it is to be, it’s up to me, and if you can dream it, you can achieve it,’” also adding, “I know I can’t change the world single-handedly, but I can give It my best and wake up every day and try!”

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O l i v e r

Ami

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Helping the pe ople of B ainbridge through hard time s

orking in the funeral business is not an easy job. It is a profession that requires a heavy dose of compassion. Ami Batson, who works as the Manager and Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer of Ivey Funeral Home, understands this to a T. “The main thing with families is just trying to meet their needs,” Batson explained. “We come to them with a heart of compassion. Even though this might be every day for those of us who work in the funeral industry, it’s not for them. We just have to understand that this is the first time for them. This is their loved one.” Richard Ivey, founder of Ivey Funeral Home, noted her impressive work ethic and the impressive manner in which she helps families through the most difficult situations. “She really does care about what she’s doing and how she does it,” Ivey said. “She always goes above and beyond for the families, and she is really an excellent person.” Her job alone sets her up as a pillar in the community, helping families with the process of grieving and honoring their loved ones. “I’ve helped lots of families numerous times, and they know to look for me,” she said. “I am the one who kind of walks with them from the beginning to the end of the whole process.” Batson’s focus is meeting the families where they are and meeting whatever needs arise. “I just try to listen to the families and do what they need me to do and to meet their needs,” Batson stated simply. “Because different families have different needs. Some don’t want to be touched, and others need a hug.” Batson is a member of First Baptist Church, and keeps her faith apparent in her work, while still respecting a family’s situation.

“Everybody that comes through here to this funeral home,” she explained, “whether they’re religious or not, I always try to meet them wherever they are. I pray for my families, and I let them know that I pray for them. If somebody comes in and they don’t practice the same faith as me, I always bend over backward to honor them, their faith, and their loved ones’ faith in whatever way I can.” Her impact on the community exceeds the major role she plays in the Ivey Funeral Home. She is also involved in Bainbridge’s Rotary and “Women on the Go” at First Baptist Church. Batson has always led a diligent life. She graduated from OWCC Collegiate High School in 2003 with an Associate’s degree. Before graduating high school, she was already working in the funeral industry. “When I started in the funeral business 20 years ago in the town that I’m from, I was the first woman,” she said. “I was the first woman that worked there... I want my daughters to know and any women that are growing up to see other women in business and industry, excelling and being at the top of you know, their career.” Batson has four children, three of them daughters. She expressed that she finds it important to have female role models in the eyes of the community. “No matter what I do in life, I want my daughters to know that they can do anything they want to do,” she elaborated. “And if it weren’t for people stepping out and making new trails in new industries, there would not be a path for those to follow behind us.” Her accomplishments in the community, in her work, and as a mother have designated her a Woman to Watch as she continues to make strides.

B a t s o n

Kayla

B ringing eas e of bank ing to every generation

ayla Williams has made major strides in and for Bainbridge’s First Port City Bank in the past few years. She started in an entry-level job in 2019 and now works as the main branch manager. “You learn something new every day in banking,” Williams explained. “You never know what’s coming at you. Finances are a sensitive thing for people, and everyone has different needs.“ Williams has propelled the banking education of her fellow employees, bringing more ease and proficiency to the complicated systems surrounding banking. One of her co-workers explained that the systems can often be difficult for new tellers to navigate, but Williams has brought new resources to the table to help bridge some major gaps. “She continuously looks for ways to help others to learn banking,” said Williams’ co-worker. “Kayla is an active member of the Community Bankers Association Education Committee. These educational programs help to enhance the knowledge and skills of banking professionals in Community Banks and throughout the banking sector.” Williams explained that getting people to attend the training had been a roadblock for a while but that she was excited about a new project she had been working on that would make the classes far more accessible. “Tellers and frontline employees can’t always travel two hours to attend a training,” she explained. “So we were able to come up with a frontline training series where they will travel to different banks, and other banks could join virtually. It would give everybody the opportu-

nity to learn.” Williams’ passion for education has always been a driving force in her life. She explained that she was incredibly academically active in high school, and at an even younger age, the importance of learning was emphasized. “Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the public library; that was just something my mom did with my sister and me,” she elaborated. “During the summers, we didn’t get a break from school. We still went to the library, and reading became an outlet for me, so to speak.” Because of the impact reading had on her life, Williams dedicates her time to Southwest Georgia Regional Library to read to toddlers and invest in their education. “They do the toddler time with the little kids every Tuesday,” she said. “We read books, we have crafts, we do sensory play. We do a little bit of everything while they’re at a young age. It’s more than reading.” Williams’ co-worker and nominator explained she provides activities such as gingerbread houses and translation books to discover new languages, pouring out into young minds. Her nominator also expressed how impressive Williams’ growth has been and that she is a leader well worth noting. Her short time at First Port City Bank has made a lasting impact. “I chose her because she is like a shining star,” her nominator explained. “She is called upon by so many people to help in different areas and handles it all each day. Her demeanor is that of a much more mature person for her age. She is very intelligent. She learns quickly, and she’s willing to help others.”

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Dana

C aring for the B ainbridge c ommunity in every way s he c an

nspiring, empowering, hardworking, dedicated, enthusiastic, Bainbridge’s “biggest cheerleader.” These are just some of the things said when people were asked to describe Dana Bryant. Bryant has lived in Bainbridge her entire life and leads a legacy of uplifting the community. “Dana has become a beacon of inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those around her,” said Randee Eubanks, the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Bainbridge. “Her enthusiasm, positivity, and genuine care for the well-being of our community have created a ripple effect of unity and camaraderie.” Bryant serves as the Family Services Coordinator at Bryant Funeral Home now, but spent more than 20 years touching the lives of the community throughout various positions in the Decatur County School system. Bryant started as an elementary teacher in 1992. She taught 3rd grade for a year, 5th grade for a year, then 1st grade for five years. She enjoyed her time in the classroom and said she thought she’d teach for the rest of her life when she started. “I always thought you’d find me at my desk over an arts and crafts project where I just keeled over and finally expired,” Bryant said. After the ‘99 school year, Bryant followed a new calling. She started a five-year stint at the Professional Counseling Services of Americus, where she assisted adults with developmental disabilities. Bryant eventually found her way back to working in education but said the career change helped her understand herself in a better way. “Leaving that classroom was a big deal,”

Bryant said. “Throughout my journey, I realized there are seasons of my life that are going to be different… I have learned to trust that when God is calling me out for something, he’s saying, ‘Okay. This season’s done, and this is a new season, and this is what I want you to do in this season.’” Bryant returned to the Decatur County School system as a Services Coordinator in 2005. She would go on to hold four administrative positions in the school system through 2014 when she then pivoted again to a new career path and season in her life. Bryant became the Family Services Coordinator at Ivy Funeral Home in 2014. The position was something new, but the work wasn’t foreign to her. Bryant said her call on life is “at-risk people” and explained that “at-risk” looks different for everybody. “Every person is at risk for something,” Bryant said. “My students may have been at risk on any given day for not having a meal. I may have a student at risk for failure. I may have a student at risk in the mental health realm. There’s different ‘at-risks’... I walk on a grief journey with lots of families, their ‘at-risk’ is different.” Bryant fulfilled her position at Ivy, then took on Family Service Coordinator responsibilities at Bryant Funeral Home when it opened in 2021. Though she had many different roles in her time in Bainbridge, one thing remains constant: She is caring for other people. “I want to do all the good that I can,” Bryant said, as tears welled up in her eyes. “With all that I have, for as long as I can, for as many people as I can, for every day that I can.”

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B r y a n t

Lachanda

Impac ting B ainbridge by going above and bey ond every day

hen Lachanda Roberts-Mackey speaks, you listen. When she gives you constructive criticism, you take it into account. When she tells you “good job,” you’ve earned it. “She’s just a phenomenal leader,” said Moses James, the superintendent at the Bainbridge Probation Substance Abuse Treatment Center (PSATC). “She is not shy at addressing and identifying needs and issues. She has a very likable personality. She can be very direct. She’s fair. She’s consistent. She’s honest… Those are the qualities you look for.” Roberts-Mackey works as the assistant superintendent at the Bainbridge PSATC. As assistant superintendent, she assists the Superintendent with the daily operations of the facility, oversees staff, and supervises approximately 384 male detainees. James says the job description isn’t enough to describe Roberts-Mackey’s daily impact. “I’ve been able to assign tasks to her, and she’s able to take them and run with them,” James said. “She goes above and beyond those little things I assign to her.” Though she has a nice, wooden L-desk in her office and monitors to work on, Roberts-Mackey said she’s called to do more than just sit at her desk all day. She said she strives to lead by example. “I try to work harder than my people that I work with,” Roberts-Mackey said. “If I’m working hard, then I feel like they’ll come and bring at least 100%... Even though [Assistant Superintendent] is an administrative type, you’ve got to get up and you’ve got to go see what’s going on. You’ve got to be present.”

Employee morale is important to the Bainbridge PSATC, according to James. He said low morale is an “issue” statewide but not in Bainbridge. Roberts-Mackey has led multiple initiatives to boost employee morale, such as holding events for employees, giving out employee rewards and fostering an environment that encourages employees. “If you come in and do 100% of your job every day, that’s just minimal qualifications,” Jones said. “A lot of times, you don’t get recognized for things like that, but she saw it was necessary to make recognition, a platform to recognize these people for doing those jobs… [the Bainbridge PSATC] is considered the flagship facility within the department and it’s because of things like that.” It’s been a long time coming for Roberts-Mackey to reach the assistant superintendent role. She began her career in 2001 as a Correctional Officer at Autry State Prison (SP). In 2004, she transferred to Bainbridge PSATC as Correctional Officer II. “When she got here she immediately started promoting up,” James said. In 2012, she was promoted to Behavioral Health Counselor II, and in 2016, she was promoted to Lead Counselor. Roberts-Mackey was promoted to assistant superintendent in March 2022, and James said he expects one more promotion for her. “She’s someone who’s going to be able to take my seat when I decide to retire,” James said. “I know that she can run this, she’s ready now… I think other people saw it in me before I moved up into the position, and I see those same qualities in her.”

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R o b e r t s M a c k e y

Marissa S upporting the s pe c ial ne e ds c ommunity of B ainbridge

eachers have one of the most important jobs: educating and shaping the minds of the next generation. Some teachers specialize in different subjects and areas; for BHS teacher Marissa Hancock, that area is special education, helping teach students with mental and developmental disabilities. Hancock described her position as teaching her students academics, social, vocational, and life skills, preparing them for life in the world after school. “I am a case manager to each student, managing and developing educational plans specific to each person’s unique needs alongside other team members in the school system,” Hancock said. Each student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) tailored to their unique learning needs. “I provide ongoing assessment measures to collect data in a variety of forms to measure my students’ progress according to their specific goals throughout the school year,” she explained. Hancock has been teaching at BHS for three years and teaching special education in general for six. Having grown up working around children, she began getting more involved with special needs children in high school, acting as a Sunday school teacher for disabled children and helping with her high school’s Special Olympics. In college, Hancock would go on to work on the Special Olympic Games planning committee at Georgia Southwestern State University and also volunteer with the Tim Tebow “Night to Shine” event, a prom for adults with disabilities. She would acquire an Associate’s in Special Education from Darton State College and both her Bachelor’s and her Master’s from Georgia Southwestern State University.

“My main purpose,” Hancock said, “for working with individuals with disabilities is to give them the voice they don’t always or often have or to bridge the gap between our neurotypical population in society and those that may seem different or have special needs.” One program Hancock began to help teach her students social and vocational skills was Latte Love. This program delivers coffee and sweets by cart to any BHS faculty and staff who sign up to participate; additionally, the club now does candle sales with deliveries. One of the goals of the program, Hancock said, is to raise enough money to support different local programs for adults with disabilities. She also continues to work on the planning committee for Decatur County’s Special Olympics and has hosted for Seminole and Grady County in previous years. Hancock’s husband, Rolie, also has a background in education and saw the extra lengths she would go to for her students as notable. “With a handful of her students, she’ll actually take them to events outside of the classroom,” he said. “She goes out of her way to do this for them.” Hancock stated her goal for the future was to continue improving the lives of her students and individuals with special needs. “What I want people to understand is that when we start trying to make the world a better place for others, the world becomes a better place for everyone involved. When you touch one life, you begin to touch many.”

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