SOTA Board Members

Denise Southard - Vice President

Denise holds a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Bloomsburg University and B.A. in Mathematics from Duquesne University.  She currently is an Adjunct Instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Bookkeeper/Office Manage for Casale, Bonner, Hillman & Southard, P.C. where she is also a Notary Public. 

Denise has served on the JV Brown Library Friends of the Library as a board member since 2020 and lector at St. Jospeh the Worker Parish since 2021.   In prior years, she was active in Odyssey of the Mind, Girl Scouts of America, the Junior League of Williamsport and a variety of other volunteer organizations. 

Denise has been married to her husband Bret for 30 years. Together, they raised two wonderful young women, Amy Olson, who is a pediatric nurse practitioner living in New Jersey with her husband Bill, an attorney and their little boy, Declan; and Amanda Southard, who is a lieutenant in the US Army stationed in Fort Bliss, TX as a helicopter pilot.

"SOTA was a huge part of my daughters’ childhood.  They both danced and took piano lessons for many years.  Amanda danced with Miss Theresa from the time she was 3 until she graduated from high school.  They still speak very fondly of Miss Theresa and all the life lessons she taught them.  Being able to dance in the wonderful Christian environment helped shape who they are today."

Bonnie Mahoney - Treasurer

Bonita “Bonnie” Mahoney earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation and Parks Administration in 1974 and spent the next 46 years serving several communities and non-profit organizations in Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania. In 1981, Bonnie and her husband Tim made their home in Williamsport PA and raised their three daughters.  All three daughters grew up attending the dance education program at St. John’s School of the Arts. 

Bonnie currently volunteers as the Treasurer of the Board of Saint John’s School of the Arts.

Lenora Georges - Secretary

 Lenora Georges holds a BS in Business Administration from Juniata College and is the mother of Anastasia, who danced with St John’s School of the Arts for 14 years. Her daughter also took several music lessons through the school. 

     Lenora is widowed. She works part time at the YMCA, and as an online tax associate. She loves seeing all the dancers, and the music they dance to often become her favorite songs. She considers her work on the board as an outreach for the beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ and His message of salvation. 

Zoraida Carey

My name is Zoraida Cary, and I am a mother to 5 wonderful children.  I enjoy spending time with God and my family.  We moved here in 2013, after my husband's enlistment with the Marine Cor[ps. We have since fallen in love with North Central PA, and now call this our home.  

My family and I enjoy serving. We desire to promote a positive culture surrounded by Christ in, and around our community.  I recently reentered the workforce, after being a stay-at-home mom for 8 years.  I am currently employed with National Sporting Companies, where I work as the Executive Assistant for all five locations. Prior to this I worked as a Paralegal for over 10 years. 

Three of my children are currently enrolled in SOTA.  I appreciate SOTA and its intentionality to come alongside our children, by creating a loving environment that is inspired by Christ love.  This is truly a gift.  

Rebecca Hutchinson

    Becky holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from Mount Holyoke College. She teaches Psychology and Sociology at Williamsport Area High School where she is also the Model UN Advisor. Becky also teaches preschool Sunday School at First Church, Williamsport and volunteers with Vacation Bible School.

      SOTA is important to Becky because of the influence it has had on all three of her children. They have all taken music lessons and two of them have taken dance classes. "The instruction they received is top notch and I love so much that it is a Christian environment to encourage their faith."

Kelsey Swift

      Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science with an Art History Minor from Muhlenberg College and is a Biology Teacher at Hughesville High School, having previously taught Biology at St. John Neumann Regional Academy. She is a volunteer at Camp Susque and City Church in Williamsport. 

      Kelsey has been involved with SOTA since 2004: first as a dance student, and now as a parent. She is passionate about SOTA because she wants future generations of students to benefit from the loving and supportive Christian environment she has experienced here for twenty years.

Jillian MacInnis

Jillian MacInnis, CSP is a risk control professional with 12 years of experience in safety. She is passionate about the well-being of her community and has dedicated her career to improving the safety of healthcare workers so that they can be their best at home and at work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Pennsylvania College of Technology and is pursuing her MBA at Carlow University.

Jillian and her family have been part of the SOTA community for six years. She appreciates that SOTA offers children training that fosters self-confidence and a positive self-image, while also emphasizing the importance of using one’s talents to serve others and glorify God. In her leisure time, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, reading, and volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at her church.

Mike Lundy

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lock Haven University and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Bloomsburg University, and earned his Supervisory and Administrative certifications.  He is currently employed by the Williamsport Area School District, Williamsport Area Middle School as a seventh-grade math teacher where he serves as the club advisor of the WAMS Builders Club, co-advisor for the WAMS National Junior Honor Society, and has coached multiple sports (in Williamsport and surrounding communities) for more than 30 years.  He also serves as a Board Member of the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation.  Mike attends First Church where he is active with various youth programs.  In 2009, Mike began volunteering as a Team “Uncle” Host for the Little League World Series each August and enjoys the opportunity to practice his Spanish with baseball teams from around the world.

Mike lives in Williamsport with his wife Melissa and children: Elizabeth (graduate of the SOTA dance program), Nathan, and Madelyn (current member of the SOTA dance program), dog Hershey and cat Cuddles. He enjoys cooking, grilling, fishing, and all things Penn State.  SOTA has been an important part of the Lundy family since 2006 when Elizabeth began dancing for Him.  “We have been blessed to be part of the Christian based SOTA family.  The Nutcracker and Spring Dance Recitals have been gifts to our family (and community) each year and will be for years to come.”

Romey Fagnano

      Romey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Lycoming College, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Baker College. He is the President/Owner of RDF Tax Service in Williamsport, PA. Prior to his current firm, Romey was the Finance Director for the Lycoming Housing Authority and a CPA for William R. Hoffman, Ltd.

      Romey has been involved in and around Central Pennsylvania in a number of positions including: Current Board Member of Lycoming Economic Development Foundation; Past Treasurer and Board Member of Konkle Library in Montoursville, PA; Past Member of Finance Council of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Montoursville PA; Past Board Member of the Northcentral PA Estate Planners Council; Past Treasurer and Board Member of Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy in Williamsport PA & served as the Past President of Northcentral Chapter of Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Todd Kendall - SOTA Director

Todd is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Messiah University with degrees in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting. He is recently retired from the Williamsport Area School District where he was a Band Director for 32 years, is an ordained Elder at Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church, and is an adjunct faculty member at Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Todd is passionate about Arts Education and pleased to lead the SOTA team as they pursue excellence in a Christian atmosphere.