Welcome to the

2025

INTeRWoveN

LEADERSHIP GALA

SchedUle OF The EveniNG

Start of Ceremonies

Welcome and Introduction | Kendallee Walker, Reaching Out Now, Inc

Pledge of Allegiance | Marie Coffron, YES Leadership Program

Opening Remarks | Joe and Samantha Barber, Reaching Out Now, Inc

SPECIAL AWARD

State Delegate Delores Oates, Virgina House of Delegates

Dinner Service

Prayer | Pastor Steve Sibert

Catering | DAH Cuisines

Tri-Color Pasta Salad
Sous Vide Herb-Seasoned Chicken Breast
Sauteed Bistro Steak with Sweet Peppers
3-Herb Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Pan-Roasted Broccoli Florets

Presentation Harlee Anne Hire Athletic Scholarship & Safe at Home Sponsor Recognition

Samantha Barber & Christie Sibert, Reaching Out Now, Inc.

Community Awards

First Responder | Officer Landin Waller
Sina May & Jess Mathews, Reaching Out Now, Inc.

Special MESSAGE

Mr. Andrew Coffron & daughter, Marie Coffron, YES Leadership Program, Reaching Out Now, Inc. 

Community Awards

Rising Light Award | Lexie Haffer

Entrepeneur of the Year | Cole and Danielle Haase

Kendallee Walker & Joe Barber, Reaching Out Now, Inc. 

Special MESSAGE

Julia Brody and daughter, Iris Shrader, YES Leadership Program, Reaching Out Now, Inc.

Community Awards

Service Above Self | Ellen Aders

Beacon in Education | Ken Knesh

Samantha Barber, Reaching Out Now, Inc. & Iris Shrader, YES Leadership Program

COMMUNITY PresentationS

HARTS of Front Royal, Michelle Smeltzer, Nichole Johns & Members of HARTS Board of Directors

Valley Health Special Presentation | Emily Burner

Samantha Barber & Sina May, Reaching Out Now, Inc. & Heaven Mathews, YES Leadership Program

Keynote

Student of the Year, Landyn Shrader, YES Leadership Program

Lillian Sloane Legacy Award

Vida Timbers

Samantha Barber, Devin & Teketia Smith, Reaching Out Now, Inc. and the Smith/Sloane Family

AWARD PRESENTATION

Advocacy Award, Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Academic Students of the Year, Youth Service Above Self, Voice Award

Samantha Barber & Susie Chamberlain, Reaching Out Now, Inc.

Safe At Home Awards

Kendallee Walker & Xenia Garay, Reaching Out Now, Inc.

Certificate Presentations

Teketia Smith and Marlena Connor, Reaching Out Now, Inc.  

HoNoReeS

First Responder | Officer Landin Waller

Our First Responder honoree is an individual who serves in a first responder capacity (fire, medical, law enforcement) and has gone above and beyond in this role and their greater role as a mentor and advocate for those they serve. This year’s awardee is Community Resource Officer Landin Waller.

Landin began his law enforcement career with the Front Royal Police Department in 2008 where he was in the Patrol Division from 2008-2014. During his first four years, he won the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award) from 2008 to 2012. In 2014, he was promoted to Detective, where he worked for seven years until 2021. In March of 2021, he was assigned to the Northwest Regional Drug Taskforce as a Task Force Officer until March of 2023. In December of 2024, Officer Waller was chosen to become the Community Resource Officer of the Front Royal Police Department. 

In 2021 and 2023, he received valor awards as a negotiator where two suicidal subjects were successfully taken into custody without incident. In April of 2025, while in the role of negotiator his skills were utilized in an intense standoff situation to bring a wanted and barricaded subject out of a residence and safely into custody.  

Since taking on the Community Resource Officer role, he has been able to attend various events that engage the community and the FRPD. In the role of the Community Resource Officer, he works as part of the newly started Warren County Adult Recovery Court. This is a very rewarding role where he can see the changes the program makes on the participants’ lives. He enjoys giving back to the community in any way he can, because without the community’s support, the Police Department is not a fully effective law enforcement agency. 

Rising Light | Lexie Haffer

This award honors a young adult (ages 16–25) who is lighting the way for others through their passion, purpose, and positive impact. Whether launching new ideas, giving back through service, or using their voice for good—this nominee is already making waves and leading with heart.

Lexie Haffer was born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia. She now resides in Middletown where she runs her mobile coffee trailer, Good News Coffee Co. She graduated from Skyline High School in 2022 and is currently a student at Laurel Ridge Community College. Her business was born from a God-given dream and a calling to serve! When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, dog, and her husband, Ayden. Her current goal is to find a new space to open a brick and mortar coffee shop!

Entrepeneur of the Year | Cole and Danielle Haase

This award goes to an business owner in our community, who works tirelessly in building their business while also supporting those around them. This year, the business happens to be a husband and wife pair, Cole and Danielle Haase, who run On Cue Sports Bar and Grill.

Cole and Danielle Haase, owners of On Cue Sports Bar & Grill in Front Royal, started their business with a dream, ambition, and hard work in late 2017. After 5 years in their previous location, On Cue’s growth led to an expansion to their current location in the center of Main Street, in May 2023, where it allows the couple to provide a rewarding work environment for their hard-working staff and an exciting family-friendly atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.

Cole, a 17-year Federal financial auditor with the Government Accountability Office, grew up in a small Ohio town and moved to the Front Royal area in 2012. Danielle, a past mortgage loan officer, now the General Manager of On Cue, grew up in the Fredericksburg and Manassas area before settling in the Front Royal area. Cole and Danielle have four amazing children that are sure to be lending a hand and mingling with guests at On Cue.

Presented with the opportunity to purchase the local restaurant, known then as Breaktime Billiards, the couple didn’t hesitate to take a leap of faith in their abilities and each other’s dedication to provide a spot where the community could have a great dining experience, enjoy live music, and catch their favorite sports teams while playing pool on their top-of-the-line billiards equipment.

Cole and Danielle have both been very active in their Front Royal and Warren County community. From being board members of the local girls’ little league, to forming relationships with community leaders, they strive to support the community youth, host a donation only Thanksgiving dinner to aid local shelters, and are involved in community committees.

Danielle continues to extend her community involvement as the Vice-President of Downtown Front Royal, Inc., a local non-profit aimed at supporting downtown businesses and improving main street. She heads up the Downtown Market, a farmers market hosted at the gazebo Sundays from May to October.

Service Above Self | Ellen Aders

The Service Above Self award goes out to an individual who puts their time and talents into serving others, oftentimes even before their own needs. This year the honor goes to Ellen Aders, State Farm Agent, President of Rotary and so much more.

Born and raised in Western Kentucky, along the Ohio River, Ellen knew Front Royal would be her home when she saw the Shenandoah!

State Farm selected her in 2010 to be the next generation State Farm Agent in Warren County. Her mentor told her to get involved in something that taps your heart, not just because it’s good for business. She partnered with the Humane Society of Warren County in 2012 to start what would become the organization’s largest fundraiser. After serving nine years on the Board of Directors, three as President, she retired from that endeavor.

In the fall of 2022, she began working with Downtown Front Royal, INC to build a board that contributes to revitalization efforts in Front Royal’s Historic District. She loves old homes (she lives in the Historic District!) and old architecture almost as much as she love dogs! And, she’s just wrapping up her year as President of the Rotary Club of Warren County. It’s important to her to give back to the community that supports her business.

Being able to help customers before a claim, making sure they have the right coverage, and then being there to help when the claim happens is the most rewarding part of her job. When she’s not at her office, you can find her digging in the dirt at her house, walking her sweet Golden boys Beau & Trigger, or hanging out on her front porch talking with her neighbors!

BEACON IN EDUCATION | KEN KNESH

This award recognizes an educator who goes far beyond the classroom to inspire, uplift, and impact the lives of their students and school community. Whether through mentorship, innovation, or unwavering support, this individual shines as a guiding light—igniting curiosity, confidence, and hope in the next generation. Our inaugural award in this category goes to Ken Knesh, Principal at Warren County High School. 

Mr. Knesh has been a proud member of the Warren County community for the past 25 years. He has supported Warren County students, parents, and staff as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He is blessed to share everyday with his everything and every reason, Eileen, and their amazing daughter, Abby.

He is guided by the words in scripture: “This is how they will know you are with me. When you love one another.” 

Lillian Sloane Legacy | Vida Timbers

The Lillian Slone Legacy Award goes out to an individual who has dedicated their lifetime to change, support, and make our community a better place. This year’s awardee is Vida Timbers, a retired teacher and counselor who has been working with our children and serving the community for over 50 years.

In 1967 Vida graduated from Warren County High School. She received a B. A. degree from Virginia Union University in 1971. In order to teach with
even greater success, Vida continued her education and received a Master of Education Degree in Counseling from James Madison University on May 9, 1981. After Elementary Counselors were mandated by the state of Virginia in 1989 she became a counselor with the Warren County School System. Vida has spent a total of 52 years in education as a teacher, counselor and a
substitute for Counselors.

Vida is a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Flint Hill, Virginia. She has served as the clerk of her church since July 1976. She also is a member of the Gospel Chorus, the Usher’s Ministry, the Christian Women’s Ministry, and for 15 years she help to coordinate both the Martin Luther King Jr. and the African-American History Programs.

Vida is a life member of the NAACP, a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a board member of the Blue Ridge Educational Center, Warren County Educational Endowment Committee, Warren County Retired School
Personnel, a former board member of the Front Royal Women’s Resource Center and the Warren County Mental Health Association.

The efforts of her endeavors have not gone unnoticed. She has won several awards. They are the following: in 1983, 1986, and in 1988 the American Cancer Society’s Sword Award, in 1986 the Outstanding Young Woman of America Award, in 1988 the Who’s Who Among Human Service Professionals Award, in 1998 the J C Penney’s Golden Rule Award, and in 2000, the Apple Valley Counselor of the Year Award.

LeAdeRSHiP STudeNTS

Brielle Bryner
Marie Coffron
Adriana Garay
Sophia Garay
Madison Jessee
Heaven Mathews
Paiselee Lou Mathews
Elijah Roberts
Jesse Robinson
Landyn Shrader
Iris Shrader
Adisyn Waters
Aniyah Waters

SpoNSoRS

Thank you for each of our event sponsors for helping bring this beautiful evening together. We are so appreciative of your time and energy given in supporting our communities.

DAH Cuisines

The George Washington Hotel

The Ivy Chest Floral and Decor

Memories Engraving Plus

ReWed Bridal

Summit Events

Toy Box Studios

SpeciAL RecogNiTioN

Lillian Sloane

Born and raised in Linden, VA, Lillian grew up in a loving home with her parents, two sisters and an older brother. You guessed it, “she was the youngest”.

She attended a one room elementary school where she spent a lot of time helping the underclass members and listening to upper class member’s classes. She went on to attend Manassas Industrial High School in Manassas, VA. This was a boarding school for her because she lived too far out to commute.

Upon completing high school, Lillian attended Virginia State College graduating in the class of 1948.

She went on to start her teaching career in the fall of that year. She completed a total of 32 years in Warren County and 5 years in Fauquier County for a total of 37 years.

Lillian is a mother of two daughters, Sheila Smith (Robert), Debra Beasley (Ron), Grands Devin (Teketia), Cori (Rodney), Chase, Linden, Great grands, Jadelyn, Will and Kaleb and a Widow of Mr. Pete for 21 years.

Her service to the community during the years includes: Charter member of the Blue Ridge Arts Council, Beautification Club of Front Royal, Board of Zoning Appeals for 17 years for the Town of Front Royal, Director of Osage Street playground, and member of the Salvation Army Board. She is currently a member of Front Royal United Methodist Church, a Diamond member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a Lay speaker at the United Methodist Church.

HARLee ANNe HiRe

Harlee Anne Hire “Hah” entered fully into the presence of our Lord on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Harlee was born August 31, 2005 in Ridgecrest, CA; she was only 16. In 2014 Harlee, her parents (Brian & Toby) and siblings (Madelynn, Alexa & Otto) made Front Royal, VA, their home.

It did not matter how old Harlee was or which coast she was on, her laughter, smile and antics were sure to catch your attention. Her contagious smile and whole body laughs brought joy to those around her.

Harlee started playing softball shortly after moving to VA. She played for Little League, Fire, Unity, and Skyline High School. She loved the game so much that she was willing and could play almost every position on the field very well . Harlee’s favorite positions to play were catcher and shortstop.

Harlee managed to letter in tennis her freshman year at Skyline High School. This only took place because of a “contract” she made with her Dad to get a nose ring. Meeting the almost impossible demands of this contract is just one example of Harlee’s tenacity. This served her well on and off the field. She did get the nose ring.

Harlee was a certified welder. After completing welding at Blue Ridge Technical Center, she took her certification test. She loved welding. It was definitely the highlight of her day, if she wasn’t playing softball. She even helped fabricate and weld a vehicle for the Shenandoah Valley Electric Grand Prix with the BRTC team. She expected welding would become her career as well as her passion.

Harlee Anne volunteered with multiple organizations. Her favorites were Reaching Out Now and Abundant Life Church. Harlee began helping deliver meals with Reaching Out Now even before she had her driver’s permit. She also helped RON with multiple events and was in their Girl of Destiny Leadership Program. At Abundant Life, her favorite way to volunteer was to help with child care. She also attended CRAVE student ministry at Abundant Life Church in Stephens City.

Hah loved a good time: random dance parties, singing at the top of her lungs, playing in the rain, mud or snow. You knew how competitive she was and how big of a heart she had for littles if you ever played kickball or wiffle ball with her in a driveway, on a street or at The Farm. She liked her room to be clean and everything to look pretty. She was an athlete to the core. Harlee has participated in organized leagues of flag football, tackle football, soccer, cheer and of course softball.

Harlee loved working at both Abundant Life Day Care and Checkers. She loved to travel and any adventure. She loved smiles and hugs and made sure to include as many people in her “good time” as possible.

Harlee is missed beyond measure. What comfort we find is found in knowing she is seated with Jesus and we will see her in eternity. #doinit4uhah 

ThaNk YoU foR JoiNiNg uS!