Laurel Ridge Community College Distinguished Alumni Award: Cynthia Schneider
Release Date: 04/09/2026
Liberty, Legacy, and Quilts: What's New at Belle Grove Plantation
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael chats with Kristen Laise about an action-packed spring and summer season at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Virginia. From a moving community quilt project honoring the enslaved to a traveling American Revolution exhibit, there's something for history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and families alike. Topics Covered Memorial Quilts Two quilts honoring 270 enslaved individuals at Belle Grove, each name hand-stitched on individual quilt blocks Quilt blocks arranged into family trees to symbolically reunite families separated by slavery A three-year project involving 113...
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Opening the Hood: Inside Winchester's Civic Leadership Academy
The Valley Today
In this episode, host Janet Michael chats with Kit Redmer, Communications Director for the , and several of her fellow Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) classmates about their experiences in this immersive, nine-month program designed to connect residents with their local government. What is the Civic Leadership Academy? The CLA is a program run by the City of Winchester that gives civically minded residents an inside look at how their city operates. Participants tour city departments, learn about the budget, meet city staff, and discover ways to get more involved. The program runs September...
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Archery, Horses, and Tie-Dye: 4-H Overnight Camps in the Shenandoah Valley
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael sits down with Emily Shultz, Extension Agent, to talk about everything you need to know about 4-H overnight camps in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. In This Episode: What 4-H overnight camps are and who they're for Camp dates, locations, and county clusters Age requirements and the 4-H age cutoff explained What a typical camp week looks like (no screens!) Activities offered at camp The teen counselor and CIT (Counselor-in-Training) program Cost, registration, scholarships, and deadlines Why 4-H camp stands out from other overnight camps What kids take home beyond the fun...
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Community Health: Healthy Families NSV
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael sits down with Jodi Young, Executive Director of , and Tracy Mitchell, Manager of 's Wellness Services and Risk Reduction, to explore a free home visiting program that supports new and expectant parents from pregnancy through a child's fifth birthday — and why April's Child Abuse Prevention Month makes this conversation especially timely. What You'll Learn What Healthy Families is and how the home visiting model works Who qualifies for the program and how to enroll Why the first five years of a child's life are so critical for development How Valley Health supports...
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From Rescue to Resource: Join the Winchester SPCA
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael visits the — the original home of her own dogs, Briscoe and Miller — for a conversation with Executive Director Lavenda Denney about the organization's growing campus, April membership drive, and the community programs that make them more than just a shelter. Topics Covered The Winchester SPCA Campus — Located at 111 Feathered Lane in Winchester, the campus includes an adoption center, a 10,000 sq. ft. thrift store, a small vet clinic, an intake building, and a free coffee bar (with a second one coming soon to the lobby, courtesy of Timber's Cafe) What They Do...
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Building the Field of Dreams
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael welcomes back Guy Curtis — wearing his Little League hat this time rather than his one — along with Terra Walker, 's information officer, to discuss the organization's ambitious capital campaign to expand and improve youth sports facilities in the Winchester and Frederick County area. About Frederick County National Little League Established in 1984 Serves Winchester, Stephens City, Middletown, and the southern end of Frederick County Nonprofit 501(c)3, fully volunteer-run organization Currently 25–35 teams per spring season with over 350 active players Fall season...
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Art & History in Clarke County
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael talks with Nathan Stalvey about the 's spring Art at the Mill show, upcoming VA250 events in Clarke County, and behind-the-scenes updates on the historic . Art at the Mill – Spring 2026 Dates: Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, May 3, 2026 Hours: Sunday–Friday, 12–5pm | Saturdays, 10–5pm Location: Burwell-Morgan Mill, Millwood, VA Admission: $5 adults | $3 seniors | Children 12 & under free Free admission with a show postcard or print advertisement Submissions: 300+ artists, nearly 950 works Media: Oils, acrylics, pastels, pencil, charcoal, glass...
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Frederick County Homesteaders Spring Farm Hop
The Valley Today
Guests: Sam Armel – Founder, ; local real estate agent Kristin Tesdall – Five Roots Farm () Jaclyn Mommen – Laurel Grove Wine Farm & Patty's Place () What We Cover: Why Frederick County Homesteaders is switching from a farm crawl to a farm hop — and what that means for families, those with mobility challenges, and anyone who couldn't make it farm-to-farm How the new centralized format opens the door to more farms, vendors, nonprofits, 4-H clubs, and demonstrations than ever before The bigger mission: doubling farm profit margins by connecting consumers directly with local...
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Wheels for Wellness: Setting the Table for Good
The Valley Today
In this episode, host Janet Michael talks with Traci Toth, Executive Director of Wheels for Wellness, and Ann Lamanna, board chair and volunteer driver, about the vital free medical transportation service they provide to residents across the Winchester, VA region — and their upcoming 10th annual fundraiser, Tablescapes. About Wheels for Wellness Wheels for Wellness provides free transportation to medical appointments for people who lack other means of getting there. Their service area covers: Winchester Frederick County Clarke County Warren County Northern Shenandoah County Who they...
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Laurel Ridge Community College Distinguished Alumni Award: Cynthia Schneider
The Valley Today
Guests Cynthia Schneider — CEO, ; 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Laurel Ridge Community College Liv Heggoy — Associate Vice President of Development, & Executive Director, Brandy Hawkins Boies — Director of Public Relations & Special Events, Laurel Ridge Community College Episode Summary Host Janet Michael sits down with three guests to celebrate Cynthia Schneider's recognition as Laurel Ridge Community College's 2026 recipient. The conversation covers Cynthia's winding career path, the transformative power of community college, and how it's never too late to...
info_outlineGuests
- Cynthia Schneider — CEO, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber; 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Laurel Ridge Community College
- Liv Heggoy — Associate Vice President of Development, Laurel Ridge Community College & Executive Director, Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation
- Brandy Hawkins Boies — Director of Public Relations & Special Events, Laurel Ridge Community College
Episode Summary
Host Janet Michael sits down with three guests to celebrate Cynthia Schneider's recognition as Laurel Ridge Community College's 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. The conversation covers Cynthia's winding career path, the transformative power of community college, and how it's never too late to start a new chapter.
Key Topics Covered
The Distinguished Alumni Award
- Awarded for over 40 years to community members who have distinguished themselves in their career and service
- Recipients are honored each year at the Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation luncheon
- The luncheon brings together donors and scholarship recipients to celebrate the college's impact
Cynthia Schneider's Story
- Began college at James Madison University before transferring to an unaccredited college in Kansas to pursue her faith
- Built a 25-year career in specialty food manufacturing, rising from data entry to Director of Operations
- Found herself jobless at 57, newly empty-nested, facing one of the lowest points of her life
- Enrolled at Laurel Ridge through a grant opportunity — a turning point that rebuilt her confidence
- Landed at the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber as Director of Finance & Administration, eventually becoming CEO
- Reflects on learning to step out of the background and embrace a visible leadership role
The Laurel Ridge Difference
- A nurturing, intergenerational learning environment serving students ages 14–70
- Cynthia's memorable classroom moment: learning to take a photo of the board instead of writing notes — sitting next to her son's classmate
- Cynthia's daughter Sarah went from a 1.9 GPA in high school to the Dean's List at Laurel Ridge, then transferred to JMU via the guaranteed transfer program, earned her degree in Communications, and went on to complete a master's program
On Reinvention & Lifelong Learning
- Cynthia's message: at 69, she feels like she's "just starting"
- The value of community and mentorship in leadership
- Encouragement especially for women and those in midlife to embrace new opportunities
Quotes to Highlight
"Learning is lifelong — and she is such a wonderful example of someone who has just advanced so much in her career." — Liv Heggoy
"I would never have thought of myself as a distinguished leader. I'm better, more comfortable in the background." — Cynthia Schneider
"No one's path is straight. I've not met one single person here at the college that knew exactly what they were going to do." — Brandy Hawkins Boies
Resources & Links
- Distinguished Alumni nominations: laurelridge.edu/alumni
- Visit & registration info: laurelridge.edu/visit
- Fall 2026 credit class registration is now open
- Workforce & continuing education classes register year-round