Member Spotlight: Heather

Name: Heather Summers

League role/ position: Gala co-chair and Financial Strategies Committee Member

Number of years in the Junior League: 7

Have you been a member of other junior leagues?

Yes, Junior League of Greenville in South Carolina

Tell us a little bit about where you work:

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for almost 10 years but I’m rarely at home. Prior to having children I was a Sheriff’s Deputy. People that didn’t know me then have a hard time imagining me wearing a uniform and carrying a gun.

Where are you from and where have you lived?

I grew up in South Carolina. I moved to Maryland in December after my husband was transferred.

Tell us a little about your educational background:

Winthrop University–a small liberal arts school. I have a BA in Psychology and a Masters of Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina.

Favorite hobbies?

I refinish and paint furniture to sell at vintage markets. I spend a lot of time at auctions and “junking.”

What about family?

My husband was also a deputy. We met while working. We have never had a “normal” schedule. He is now a Secret Service Agent assigned to the Biden family. We have two boys, Carter and Gavin.

Tell us something unique.

I participated in an exchange program at a police academy in Russia.

Finish this sentence: Being a member of Junior League inspires me . . . to give back.

Why do you love Junior League of Annapolis, Inc.?

I love to be with other women who are passionate about the mission of JLA and doing what they can to make an impact on the community.

{Special Announcement! Tickets for the 2014 gala event, Casino Night, are now on sale! Tell your friends and buy your tickets today!}

Member Spotlight: Heidi

Name: Heidi Schmidt

League role/ position: Vice President of Communications

Number of years in the Junior League: 5

Have you been a member of other junior leagues?

Yep! I originally joined JL Stamford-Norwalk in CT

Tell us a little bit about where you work:

Right now I’m freelance writing and doing part time marketing work. My writing has been in the Bay Weekly, and various websites including The DC Ladies, Blast Bombshell (a women’s interest website), and for my blog.

My part time work is for a consulting firm here in Annapolis that does Salesforce consulting.

Where are you from and where have you lived?

I grew up in Vermont, went to college in Boston and loved it. However, promptly after graduating I packed my bags for DC where a couple of months later I would meet the man who would become my husband three years later. After getting married we lived in Stamford, CT for a year before moving back to the DC area. Rather than living inside the beltway however, we picked Annapolis as our new home.

Tell us a little about your educational background:

I went to college in Boston at Northeastern University.

I studied Political Science focusing on Public Policy & Administration. I interned in the State House, on Capitol Hill and for Senator Kennedy. I worked on a presidential campaign and a senatorial race. I loved every minute of it but eventually, after a couple of jobs post-college I found my passion in communications and marketing.

Favorite hobbies?

I’m a social media geek so you’ll likely find me on my computer if I’m not attending one of many play dates with my little boy or out for a run or at a yoga class. In re: to those play dates? One of my pals once called me a play group hussy. I call it play group networking.

What about family?

My family is comprised of my husband Adam, my son Ethan and our two cats Sally and Joba (after the Yankees pitcher. Not the hut.)

Extended family: I have two older siblings (a sister and brother) and two younger step brothers – all of whom still live in VT.

Tell us something unique.

Not necessarily unique but definitely interesting: I was on stage when John Kerry accepted the presidential nomination in 2004. I was an alternate delegate to the DNC and our delegate coordinator  asked if I wanted to be on stage so I said sure! It was a pretty amazing experience. At that same convention, we had a delegate breakfast that Barack Obama spoke at.

Finish this sentence: Being a member of Junior League inspires me . . . to constantly do better. To love our community and constantly find ways that we can work together to improve it and to constantly be advancing myself and bettering myself professionally.

Why do you love Junior League of Annapolis, Inc.?

This league has become home to me. The women in this league inspire and motivate me in so many ways. I love the community impact projects we do that help improve the lives of others. I love the friends I’ve made and the laughs we’ve shared – at league events and meetings and outside of the league as well. I love that as a league we can quantifiably say “we’ve made this difference in AA County” – it’s a pretty powerful thing and an amazing group to be a part of.

Member Spotlight: Sophia

Name: Sophia Santillan

League role/ position: Nominating and Placement co-chair

Number of years in the Junior League: 6

Tell us a little bit about where you work:

I’m a high school teacher at a school in D.C.

Where are you from and where have you lived?

Texas! I’ve lived in NC, NH and RI!

Tell us a little about your educational background:

Duke University (math and mechanical engineering.

Favorite hobbies?

I love running, climbing, and eating!

What about family?

I’m a Texan! I grew up in the panhandle and moved to the east coast for college. My family is now spread out across the country, but they live in locations that are very fun to visit (Colorado and California)!

Finish this sentence: Being a member of Junior League inspires me . . . to contribute to my community.

Why do you love Junior League of Annapolis, Inc.?

I love meeting people in JLA and getting to know people in the League and in the community that I wouldn’t otherwise meet. Being in JLA has made me feel like a true Annapolis resident!

Volunteers on the Run 5K Renamed in Honor of Member Jenn Barrett

Jennifer Summers Barrett epitomized a strong, dedicated Junior League woman who cared deeply about her community and especially our children.  She understood the importance of literacy for youth and established the Talk, Play, Read program, connecting Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. with underprivileged neighborhoods.

Jenn’s Talk, Play, Read program offered members the opportunity to read to the children from these neighborhoods and encourage ways to continue reading at home, establishing a lasting love of reading and books. Jenn knew that this could be a gateway to a better life for these families.  She reminded us all that these amazing children are our future and it is equally important to take care of them, just as we would our own children.

Jenn tragically passed away on July 27, 2011 from a bacterial infection.  She was the biggest supporter of the Junior League’s annual Volunteers on the Run 5k fun run event. In memory of her support and her efforts as a member of our organization and community, we are pleased to announce the official renaming of our annual fun run event, in her honor. The Jennifer Summers Barrett Volunteers on the Run 5K serves as a reminder to us all of Jenn, her legacy, and her hard work in our community and the importance of caring for our children.

Member Spotlight: Megan

Name

Megan Esposito

League role/ position

Fun Run Co-Chair

Number of years in the Junior League

5

Have you been a member of other junior leagues?

No

Tell us a little bit about where you work.

After graduating from the Naval Academy, I spent seven years in the Navy, stationed in San Diego. I left the Navy to start a family and now stay at home with our two boys.

Where are you from and where have you lived?

I am originally from New Jersey and have lived in Rhode Island, San Diego, and now Maryland.

Tell us a little about your educational background.

U.S. Naval Academy – Oceanography

Favorite hobbies?

Mostly chasing after our boys but love anything outdoors!

What about family?

My husband and I were classmates at USNA, but didn’t really meet until we were stationed in San Diego. We would love for our boys to follow in our footsteps and become members of the class of 2030 and 2033!

New update! Megan and her husband are expecting twin boys in early 2014 – congratulations!

Tell us something unique.

I served on two surface ships stationed in San Diego and have deployed twice—once to the Middle East and once to the Western Pacific.

Finish this sentence: Being a member of Junior League inspires me . . . to work harder to help others.

Why do you love Junior League of Annapolis, Inc.?

It provides an excellent opportunity to meet people while also serving the community. Being a stay-at-home mom, it is easy to get wrapped up in your own little world. JLA exposes me to many aspects of the community that I would not get to see without seeking them out myself.