A letter to the editor by Robert J. Spiers, Jr. (C ’69), “My Memories of Performing at Calvary Baptist Church,” was published in the Roanoke Times on Nov. 14, 2020.

K & E Lawn Service, a landscaping business owned by Kenneth Hood (B ’88), has completed its 10th year of operation.

Steven L. Cooksey (B ’89) played the organ in the Winchester Chapter of the American Organists Guild’s Lessons and Carols program, which serves as a fundraiser for the Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter and the Winchester Rescue Mission.

J. Robert Spencer (C ’91) will be featured in A Place to Be’s short film, “Hope for Christmas.” A Place to Be was co-founded by Thomas D. Swetizer, Jr. (C ’95, ’11), who also serves as creative director. 

David Fiorello (C ’06) directed “New Faces Sing Broadway 1987,” which was the first virtual installment of Porchlight Music Theatre’s News Faces Sing Broadway series, which streamed throughout November 2020. Read more here. (Pictured to the left.)

“In the Ether,” created by Erica Gionfriddo (C ’06), premiered as a part of the Texas Theatre and Dance 2020/2021 season Dec. 2 through 6, 2020. (Pictured to the right.)

Tiffany Lawrence (B ’06) was featured in an article in West Virginia Executive on Nov. 18, 2020.

Nicholas Coleman (AS ’08) was named the director of counseling at Shenandoah University in November 2020. Read more here. (Pictured to the left.)

Reneé Dawson (EL ’10) presented along with her colleagues at the ExcelinEd’s EdPalooza; her presentation was called “Adding Purpose to Personalized Learning Getting Smart.”

Kirby Talbert (AS ’14) began working as an allocations analyst at Dollar Tree, Corporate in October 2020.

Matthew Edwards (C ’15) gave a presentation and masterclass on “How to Teach any Style,” for the International Voice Teachers of Mix Virtual Conference and presented a CCM Voice Pedagogy workshop for Puget Sound and Tahoma chapters of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). He was a guest on the Voice Masters Live Stream; and shared a talk on “How to Teach any Style” for the Vocology in Practice International Virtual Conference. He also served as a judge for the first round of the American Traditions Competition. Read more here. (Pictured to the right.)

Chelsea Wert Witherspoon (N ’15) and her husband, Brandon, purchased a new home in October 2020 and are expecting their first child in January 2021. (Pictured to the left.)

Jessica Repucci (N ’17) married William Knight in November 2020.

Kyle Savage (AS ’17) and Emily Davidson (AS ’17) were married on Oct. 30, 2020, and took photos all around Shenandoah’s main campus, including at the Sprint Field at Shentel Stadium. (Pictured to the right.)

Dorothy “Dot” Kelly (C ’18), as a part of her duties as Miss Virginia 2019, will promote healthy choices and substance use prevention to students in Virginia elementary schools as part of a Virginia ABC education and prevention program.

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In Memoriam

Carol Miller Seely (D ’47) passed away on Jan. 22, 2019, in Chesapeake, Virginia. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ernest E. Stone (D ’59) passed away on Nov. 29, 2020. He taught music in elementary schools and band in junior high and high schools, and led church choirs both in Florida and North Carolina. He then worked as a principal for 37 years and served in various roles at universities and community colleges. He was actively involved in his church for his entire life. He is survived by his wife, son, step-daughter, many grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and his brother.

Ann K. Werner Van Dyke (C ’68) passed away on Nov. 12, 2020.

James F. True, Sr. (AS ’79) passed away on Aug. 11, 2016. He was a medic for the U.S. Army for 22 years, which caused him to move often. Later in life, he was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Mount Zion Church of Christ and Vine Grove Christian Church in Savannah, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife, eight sons, ten daughters, his sister and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jonathan G. Ringstaff (AS ’07) passed away on Nov. 17, 2020. He worked as a contractor in the heating and cooling industry. He is survived by his daughter, his siblings, his nieces and a nephew.