MEET THE TEACHER LEADERS
Christie Heslip​
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Christie Heslip has been in the fitness industry for 30 years, its actually how she met her late husband Lewis Heslip. They spent 26 years together, prior to him passing away of an unknown genetic heart condition. They were best friends, workout partners, cycling teammates and partners in life. Lewis was always thinking of ways to encourage, serve, and make things better and Christie loved being a part of this.
Christie has spent the last couple of years along with some of Lewis and her own closest friends carrying on some of Louie’s wishes and dreams. A $25,000 scholarship was endowed in honor of Louie, a leadership class he started along with some co-workers at the Sherriff’s office continued in honor of him. One of the most rewarding “programs” Christie has been a part of is Captain Louie’s Future leaders, alongside her best friend Kelly McPherson.
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Tess Brooke​
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Tess is a kindergarten teacher at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School and is beginning her second year of involvement with Captain Louie’s Future Leaders. When she isn’t at school, she enjoys running, camping, and teaching Body Pump fitness classes at The Weight Club. Tess lives in Newport with her husband, Logan and their coop full of chickens!
Helen Fotinos
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Helen is the Gifted Resource Teacher at Margaret Beeks and Harding Avenue Elementary Schools. When she isn’t hanging out with kids, she enjoys cycling, hiking, being outside and reading. In addition to being a teacher, Helen is also a cycling instructor at the Weight Club where she first met friend and mentor Lewis Heslip. Helen had the great privilege of being trained by Louie and teaching beside him on Wednesday nights. Helen lives in Blacksburg with her husband, Andrew, and her two boys Owen and Asher.
Kelly McPherson​
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Kelly is a 5th grade teacher at Kipps Elementary school and one of the founders of Captain Louie’s Future Leaders. When she isn’t at school, she enjoys cycling and has been an instructor at The Weight Club for more than 10 years. That is where she met Lewis Heslip and had the great privilege of teaching beside him and being his friend. Kelly lives in Blacksburg with her husband, Dave and their two teenagers, Matthew and Molly.
Lisa Green
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Lisa is a transplant from Athens, Georgia. Go Dawgs! She has taught first and second grade for eight years and is currently the Gifted Resource teacher at Kipps and Belview Elementary. Lisa has a husband and a very spoiled black lab. In her free time Lisa enjoys all outdoor activities including hiking, biking, gardening, and boating. This is Lisa’s first year being part of Captain Louie’s Future Leaders. She looks forward to working with students as they strive to make a difference in the community.
Terri Vangelos​
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Terri Vangelos is the gifted resource teacher at Price’s Fork Elementary School. This is the first year PFES has participated in Louie’s Future Leaders and are excited about the opportunities to spread positivity within our community by serving others.
Terri grew up in Christiansburg and, after teaching in Dinwiddie and Chesterfield counties, she is very happy to now be back in Montgomery County. The family is lucky to have grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins (and labrador retrievers) who all live nearby. They spend as much time as they can at Claytor Lake, camping, or cheering for the Hokies.
Kelly Grigg
Kelly is a counselor at Harding Avenue Elementary School. She came to Blacksburg more than 20 years ago to attend Virginia Tech and loved Blacksburg so much that she decided not to leave. This has been home to her and her husband, Brad, for almost 25 years. Kelly and Brad have two teenage daughters who love dancing, theater, and diving. When they are not attending a competition, show, or meet, they enjoy family hikes, trips to the pool, and playing card or board games. Kelly and Brad met Louie while in college through the Weight Club. Kelly remembers that even when she would see Louie at the 6am abs class, he would greet everyone he saw with a smile on his face (Kelly was not so smiley that early in the morning)! After graduating from Tech, Brad began working at the Weight Club and both he and Kelly came to know Louie personally. He was an amazing person, and Kelly is proud to be a teacher leader in this program to honor Louie and to be a part of instilling his legacy in today’s youth.
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Eileen Wiegand
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Ms. Weigand works at Kipps and Gilbert Linkous Elementary schools as a community counselor. She has been working in Montgomery County for 5 and a half years, in Pulaski County for two years and as a Special Education teacher in North Carolina for 5 years before that. She helps kids with their feelings in these schools, spins at The Weight Club, does yoga and enjoys being outside near the New River. Captain Louie’s Future Leaders means so much because of how Louie was able to “see her” even in spin class and that he was someone who made a lot of people feel seen, which is so important.
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Michele Wrenn
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Michele Wrenn teaches 5th grade at Auburn Elementary School. She was born and raised in Montgomery County. Her father was a police officer for over 30 years, her son in currently a police officer, and her daughter is in training to become a dispatcher. She feels a special connection to all law enforcement and their families and is thankful for their service and sacrifice. During her free time, Mrs. Wrenn enjoys spending time with her family, especially visiting her son, daughter-in-law, and daughter in Northern Virginia. Music is a big part of Mrs. Wrenn’s life. She plays the handbells at her church, and plays the flute for special music. Mrs. Wrenn looks forward to marching with the Highty Tighty Alumni each year at the Virginia Tech Homecoming football game. Believe it or not, Mrs. Wrenn, her son, and her daughter were all cadets in the Highty Tighties and cherish being able to march together each year in Highty Tighty Alumni!!
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Allison Dinkel​
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Allison Dinkel is a 4th grade teacher at Kipps Elementary. She has taught fourth grade for 12 years. Before that she taught third grade in Floyd County.
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When she's not at school, she enjoys running, and watching her kids run track and cross-country. She lives in Christiansburg with her children, Landon and Sarah and her two cats Molly and Sharpie.
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