Anne Cobb
Vice President
Advisory Board Member
acobb@reachingoutnow.org
Anne Cobb was born and raised in Front Royal and graduated from Warren County High School in 1996. When she was 14, Anne experienced her first cultural exchange. She was given the opportunity in 1992 to travel to the Pine Ridge reservation to do a Bible camp for Native American children. This experience quickly turned from her teaching about Bible stories to Native Americans, teaching her about their culture. She was able to do this for 5 summers which gave her a broader view of the world outside of her small hometown. Anne’s desire to travel and understand people from every walk of life grew since that initial trip to the Pine Ridge reservation.
She became an adult and learned that she had two loves: the environment and teaching. Her roundabout path to fulfill these loves started with a degree from Virginia Tech in Forestry (she thought she’d teach environmental science or Earth science). However, Anne was able to begin her teaching career by becoming certified in special education, specifically for students with learning disabilities.
Lastly, what gets Anne up in the morning is her sheer desire to shine her inner light of positivity. There’s a debate between nature vs. nurture. Anne has definitely been nurtured by her family’s upbringing and the love from her partner, Jeff and her beloved friends. However, Anne’s true nature has always been to look at the sunny side of life. In a nutshell, she can take that philosophy and apply it to all her actions from the past and toward her goals for the future.
Marlena Conner
Board Member
Mentor Liaison (school support)
mconner@reachingoutnow.org
Marlena Conner was born and raised in Houston, Texas. As a child, she moved many times but had some wonderful experiences. Marlena has three grown children and one grandson, these additions have taught her so much about herself and who she is.
At the age of twenty-nine Marlena received a bachelors in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University, with endorsements in special education, bilingual education and the newest one, in mathematics. She now teaches the 8th grade as Skyline Middle School. She enjoys living and working in the community and wants to see it grow and flourish.
Michelle Rutledge
Board Member
Community Outreach Coordinator
mrutledge@reachingoutnow.org
Michelle is passionate about helping people in all walks of life. She is especially focused on serving and reaching youth in the community. Michelle has had over fifteen years of experience organizing events, planning and executing fundraisers, and sharing her knowledge with others.
Michelle’s varied experience with multiple organizations provides her with the unique ability to empathize, adapt, and reach a diverse community. As an Army wife, she experienced many cultures. Michelle has a better understanding of various backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, and home situations. Michelle has experienced the deployment of her spouse and single parenthood. This enables her to have a better understanding of how to support single-parent families. Raising five of her own children, mostly as a single parent, gives Michelle the ability to connect and empathize with other single parents who face unique challenges in raising kids.
Michelle has led the Family Readiness Group for Army wives. Has taught Sunday School for Children. She served as the Director of Children’s programs at her church in Germany. Currently, she is serving on the Board of Directors for Front Royal Little League. Michelle has been responsible for organizing the fundraising events for FRLL for the 2019 season.
