Marine Corps Birthday Ball

This year the Marine Corps Birthday Ball was held at the Marriott in Charleston, WV, on November 8, 2008. Marines and their families traveled to Charleston from Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and right here in West Virginia to celebrate the birth of the corps. The Marine Corps was created November 10, 1775, by a resolution of Continental Congress. Every year Marines everywhere commemorate the birthday of the corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history. I want to thank the Wedding Center in Lexington, KY, for providing me with a beautiful gown for this event. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES AND SEMPER FIDELIS!

Out of the Darkness Support Walk

On October 25 I particiapted in the Out of the Darkness Support Walk 2008. It was an early morning and one that many showed up ready to show support. It was a walk to remember the people who have lost their life to suicide and to celebrate the new research, treatment options and medications that are now available. I am a mental health therapist and I work with people that are in crisis. I know that mental illness has a stigma and I feel that it is my purpose to go out and be an advocate and educator. I want to thank the participants that came out for this walk and for all the people behind the scenes. What you do makes a difference, and I was honored to be a part of that.

West Virginia Symphony's 50th Anniversary

On Oct 19-20 I participated in the West Virginia Symphony's 50th anniversary fashion show held at the Clay Center in Charleston. I was honored to also meet Mrs WV United States, Christina Palmer and Miss West Virginia America, Kayla Laynam. It was a beautiful evening and one that I was proud to be a part of. I was asked to wear my gown from nationals that was provided to me from Miss Priss in Lexington, KY. I want to thank the staff at Miss Priss again for an amazing gown and the opportunity to represent them. I did my walk on catwalk and was so proud to be Mrs West Virginia America 2008!

Walk For Women

I particiapted in another breast cancer awareness event in October called Walk for Women. It took place on Oct 19, 2008 at Ritter Park in Huntington. Supporters came out dressed in pink to show support and raise funds for breast cancer awareness with the money staying in the state. Just another way West Virginians makes change.

Bridge Day

On Oct 18, 2008 thousands flocked to Fayetteville to witness jumpers from all around jump off the New River Gorge bridge. Since 1980, Bridge Day has celebrated the engineering marvel completed in 1977 by opening the bridge to pedestrians on the third weekend in October. I, along with my sister, decided to do a zipline off the bridge. We jumped from the catwalk of the bridge and dropped 850 feet. The bridge itself is the longest single-arch steel-span bridge, measuring 876 feet from the river below. It was a wonderful weekend and another event that make me proud to be a West Virginian.

Congratulations Angela

Dear Jo Ann, Angela McKeone has honored you by joining the select group of award recipients in the Dale Carnegie Course® program. Angela received the "Breakthrough" award in Session 12 on October 14, 2008. This is a great accomplishment! We know that you will want to congratulate Angela! David C LawrenceRegional Director324 Washington Avenue Suite CRoanoke, VA 24016

Liberty High

I was asked to be the guest speaker at Liberty High in Clarksburg WV on Oct 17, 2008. October is breast cancer awareness month and Liberty High and Robert C Byrd High Schools are having the first Volley for a Cure event in the state on Oct 18th and all the proceeds raised will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure WV affiliate. I was able to speak to all the female students about the importance of self breast exams and also talked about risk factors such as being a women, getting older, and family inheritance. With any money that is raised in the name of Susan G. Komen for a Cure, 75% of those funds stay in the state to be used to create grants while 25% goes to continued research.