This year’s Dare to Dream Luncheon honored women whose courage and determination continue to inspire our community. Each recipient embodies the spirit of growth and resilience that defines the FRWRC mission. From advancing careers in healthcare and behavioral services to launching nonprofit programs and outdoor initiatives, these women are turning challenges into opportunities. Their stories remind us that dreams thrive when supported by belief, education, and community.
Together, we celebrate their accomplishments and the bright futures ahead — proof that when women lift each other up, the entire valley shines.
Megan Hahs has found her passion, working in the funeral industry for more than four years and supporting other families through one of the most difficult circumstances of life. She is currently enrolled at the Pittsburg Institute of Mortuary Science, and plans to sit for her national exam to become a fully licensed funeral director and embalmer, an opportunity that will allow her to grow her successful career and significantly increase the income she will have to support her own family. Megan will use her $4,000 Elaine Bromfield Memorial Scholarship for education costs.
Jennifer Robison has been a registered nurse at Blue Ridge Hospice for 14 years, observing additional health care challenges people face when they are home-bound. She is currently completing a Nurse Practitioner degree from Radford University in adult and geriatric primary care. She dreams of providing “house call” primary services to people in our community who can’t travel to health care locations. She will use her $2,000 Elaine Bromfield Memorial Scholarship for education costs.
Mary Carter, a mother, wife, and college graduate with a Music degree, dreams of teaching at Warren County Public Schools. Mary will use her Dare to Dream Grant to fund her education classes at Laurel Ridge Community College as she works toward her teaching license.
Janet Counts has used her Business Management Degree to support and grow both large and small businesses. Now she is focusing on her own dream of developing a digital business that uplifts other entrepreneurs. She will use her Dare to Dream Grant support website design for her emerging business.
Charli LaMattina is a wife, mother and retired emergency medical services professional. She has now pivoted, finding greater fulfillment while helping to support her family, and connect with community, by cultivating her passion in homestead gardening. Charli will use her Dare to Dream Grant to grow her business by purchasing a drip irrigation system and greenhouse.
Karina Segura took a huge step to improve her life and the life of her children by embarking on a career as a HVAC tech. The only female on her team, Karina not only enjoys the work, she also strives to be a role model for other women facing challenges in life. She will use her Dare to Dream Grant to gain additional HVAC certification and purchase needed work boots and tools.
Sally Price is a self-supporting woman with a long career of helping to advance missions of nonprofit organizations. Now serving as a consultant for several local businesses, Sally does not shy away from learning new technical skills. She will use her Dare to Dream Grant to purchase an Apple computer to be compatible with her current wor
Haley Dawson has always enjoyed helping people. Currently working at Valley Health, and taking the state test for her CNA license, she’s ready to achieve more. She will use her Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation Grant to support LPN classes at Laurel Ridge Community College.
Lori Howard is an advocate for helping others in the community. Despite challenges, she doesn’t lose sight of her greater goal. Lori will use her Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation Grant to support specific key supervisor training that will help Harvest Missions, a nonprofit she founded, become the first faith –based certified Matrix Recovery Program in the state.
Morgan Meredith, born in Front Royal, has already achieved a lot in her young life. With a master’s degree in applied Behavior Analysis and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, she now works as a Clinical Director at Liam’s Chance Behavioral Services. Morgan will use her Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation Grant to continue her professional growth to better serve vulnerable populations in our community by participating in a Behavioral Feeding Therapy workshop.
Lexi Painter is focused on making a better life for herself and her family. She is currently enrolled in the nursing program at Laurel Ridge Community College. Between college and clinicals, she also works part-time to help pay costs. She will use the Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation Grant to help support her education expenses.
Susan Tschirhart is beginning a new chapter in her life after facing multiple challenges. While completing the Appalachian Trail, she is coordinating with other women to develop Next Bend Adventures, a program that supports women walking the journey together. She will use her Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation Grant to complete The Wildernes