Denise, Tristan, and Lisa keeping warm while handing out bags to our 2010 race participants.
Laisa Thompson, Race Chair
“My name is Laisa (Lacey) Thompson and I am 34 years old. I am a graduate of Joseph Badger High School (97′) and Youngstown State University (04′) with a Bachelors Degree in Business Adminstration. I married Chad Thompson in 1997 and we have two active girls, Addison 6, and Ella 4. We have both lived in the area our whole lives and run a local farm that produces small grains. I am the account manager at our family grain farm, the flexible schedule allows me to be home part-time with my girls. I ran my first 5-k the year I turned 30 and ran 3 other ones the same year along with the 5-mile Turkey Trot. Although I came into fitness late, I have made lasting changes about eating well, exercising, and getting outdoors that will forever impact my children’s ideas of health. My vision for the Patchwork Foundation is to get people out and excited about fitness and to no longer see out door activities as “exercising”. I want to motivate people to do something that they would otherwise not have done, especially women and children.”
Jessica Logan, Committee Member
“I am a mother of two amazing boys, Spencer (12) and Coleton (6), and the wife of my wonderful husband Dennis. My husband and I both attended Joseph Badger High School in Kinsman, Ohio. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Youngstown State University. I love my job as a preschool teacher for children with special needs. My kids at home and at school both make me so proud! I have been blessed to have a network of wonderful family, friends, and co-workers. I struggle everyday with making healthy choices for myself, mostly in the forms of food and physical activity (or getting over the guilt of having to sometimes choose between working out or having more time with my husband and children). I am lucky to have amazing role models, many of which who are my closest friends, who help me to continue to focus on the positive things in life as well as continually working through their own struggles for setting and achieving their goals of healthy and happy lifestyles. I hope that we my be able to inspire someone else to take the steps needed to make healthier choices for themselves and their family. I ran my first 5K at 30, my first 10K in 2011 at the Youngstown Peace Race, and ran my first half marathon this year in Akron. Thank you all for your support and I look forward to seeing you and your family at the race!!”
Tristan Rice, Commitee Member
I am married to my wonderful husband, Gary, and we have two beautiful daughters, Avery (4), and Brinley(2). I grew up minutes away from Kinsman, Ohio in nearby Bristolville and attended Bristol High School. My husband grew up in the Kinsman area and is an alumni of Joseph Badger High School. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Kent State University. I spend most of my days at home with our daughters, which is the most rewarding job I have ever had! I am also a self-employed accountant part-time throughout the year. When I was approached with the opportunity to make a difference in the community in which I now live by promoting physical fitness and education, I was thrilled to take on this new endeavor. I am proud to be apart of an organization that is committed to fostering healthy bodies and minds to each and every member of our community. Growing up overweight and speaking as a new mother, I struggle everyday with making the right choices as far as my family is concerned. I want my daughters to know the importance of making healthy choices for her body and her mind. Eating healthy and staying fit are two major concerns I have in teaching her the importance of making healthy choices. I also want to show her how much fun she can have by keeping her mind healthy through reading and learning. So, with that said, I hope to accomplish both through my involvement with the Patchwork Foundation and my participation in the K-town 5k. Your participation and support of our cause is greatly appreciated, and myself and my family will be waiting for you at the starting line!
Lisa Miller, Commitee Member
My name is Lisa Miller. I am a graduate of Shawnee High School in Springfield, Ohio. I received my bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2006 with a major in Agriculture Business and a minor in Animal Sciences. I married my wonderful and supportive husband, Ben Miller in 2006 and we were blessed in with our sons Hudson and Hunter. I am a full time Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. My husband is an alumni of Joseph Badger High School and works on his 4th generation family grain farm in Gustavus. As a mother of two, wife, and professional, I understand completely the balancing act that occurs in households daily to make healthy choices both for ourselves and our families. I realize the importance of being good role models for our children by showing them how the choices we make today regarding our health and education will forever affect our lives. I am very proud to be involved in an organization that focuses on forever instilling the values of health, fitness, education, and nature into our community. Although I am not originally from this area, I have had the privilege to live in this wonderful community for the past four years and I have been witness to just how kind, caring and welcoming everyone in the Kinsman area is. I don’t think that we realize just how lucky we are to live in such a close-knit community which has not lost the true meaning of being a good neighbor. This is also why I strongly believe in the importance of instilling these community values in our children. I thank you for your support of the K-town5k and I look forward to seeing you and your families in April!
Denise Berg, Commitee Member
I have always considered myself to be an active person. I have two sons 20 & 21 and have been married for 24 years to my wonderful husband Phil. We have lived in the area for over 20 yrs. My boys, Phillip and Jacob grew up playing sports and as a family we have always been active. Such as skiing, hunting, boating, swimming, camping, gardening, rafting, anything adventurous to have fun and keep healthy. A family who plays together stays together. I am a licensed hair stylist and work in Howland. I have volunteered at Maplewood High School since 1997, also as a soccer coach for the local community. I believe that anyone can achieve what they set their minds to do. Never would I have thought that I would run a race (first one in 2006) but with a bit of dedication and support of friends and family I completed my first Triathlon in May of 09′ at the age of 42. I also appeared with Billy Banks in a Tae Bo video in 2007. I love to motivate and encourage others to live healthier lives. I am proud to be on this committee and to work with people who have the same goals as I do; community awareness for a healthier body and mind.
Leslie Bates, Commitee Member
Leslie is an experienced runner. She is proudly displaying her 3rd place medal from the Chili Open which is held annually in Cleveland. She also participates in many local fun runs. You have probably seen her running around town. Leslie believes that running keeps her mind focused and her body healthy. (secretly she also runs so she can indulge in her favorite foods and still maintain her fit body). As a self employed woman with a very successful Mary Kay business, Leslie finds herself inspired to achieve the goals she sets for herself—all this from a dose of fresh air and great exercise! Running, for Leslie, is often a family event. Her son, Brandon, is a member of the BMS track/cross country team and they often run together.
