The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach would like to introduce some of our newest members! We have a total 28 in this year’s New Member class so, we will be introducing them in multiple posts.

Leah Askin 

(1) What made you want to join the Junior League? I joined the Junior League in order to meet new motivated and inspiring women.

(2) Even though this year will be a bit different, what are you looking forward to most during your new member year? I am looking forward to the blood drive as well as the social events.

(3) What activities, hobbies have kept you busy these few months during quarantine? I have loved working out and enjoy any kind of movement from yoga, to running, hiking, paddle boarding and weight lifting.

(4) Tell us something about you so, we can get to know you better! I love the color yellow, because it is happy!

Danielle Carpenter

(1) What made you want to join the Junior League? I really want to use my free time to serve the community and build relationships with women who feel the same way. I know the women of the Junior League have big hearts and I can’t wait to meet everyone!

(2) Even though this year will be a bit different, what are you looking forward to most during your new member year? I am looking forward to building some great new relationships and serving the community in a new way during this difficult time.

(3) What activities, hobbies have kept you busy these few months during quarantine? I LOVE reading and it has definitely kept me sane during quarantine life! I also love animals, so during quarantine we rescued a puppy, and we adore her! This brings out pet total to 5 rescues with 2 turtles, 2 cats, and 1 dog.

(4) Tell us something about you so, we can get to know you better!  I really enjoy martial arts! I did full-contact karate in college, then trained under an MMA fighter during my first year teaching. When we moved down here I had a hard time finding the place that was right for me, but now I do kickboxing with my husband and we LOVE IT!

Ryan Cobb 

(1) What made you want to join the Junior League? I joined the Junior League to become more consistently involved in the community and also meet new people!

(2) Even though this year will be a bit different, what are you looking forward to most during your new member year? I am looking forward to making new friends who have similar interests. It is always fun to help others and enjoy the company of others also involved.

(3) What activities, hobbies have kept you busy these few months during quarantine? This year has been a little crazy for us! My husband and I moved to Norfolk, we got a puppy, and we are expecting our first child in November! I also spent hundreds of hours taking the steps to achieve the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ mark and just passed the exam in September! Outside of these big life events, I spent a lot of time with family, planning, and playing soccer.

(4) Tell us something about you so, we can get to know you better! I am a Norfolk native, so I love to stay active and support local as much as I can.

Crystal Colohan 

(1) What made you want to join the Junior League? I wanted to join because I wanted to be connected with other like minded, motivated, community centered women who want to do good for the future in our community! Lots of community references, but that is where JL really excels in being the good in our community and for the future of our kiddos.

(2) Even though this year will be a bit different, what are you looking forward to most during your new member year? I am looking forward to finding new ways to be connected. Hopefully, I will carry that over into my work and family worlds as well! I’m looking forward to finding where my passion is driven the most and jumping in to action any way I can.

(3) What activities, hobbies have kept you busy these few months during quarantine? I started following my passion of creating coastal art with resin & natural elements from our local community like shells and sand. Being creative has kept me sane. I have my work in 3 local stores and have a following, along with local market appearances. I also painted with rocks from our neighborhood, with my twin 9 yrs olds and that kept them creative, active, & positive.

(4) Tell us something about you so, we can get to know you better! I was born in VA Beach and have twin 9 yr olds that were born 2 months early due to a medical emergency. Maternal health is huge for me. I have spent many years being an ambassador and working for the March of Dimes until recently when Covid eliminated our market. My twins have a giant picture hanging in the Sentara Princess Anne Hospital and were the first babies in that NICU. Like myself, they were born in Va Beach General. Media followed them around as they opened their NICU at SPAH. They have a huge space in our hearts and my girls collected Preemie clothing, blankets, & journals for their birthday this summer during their bday drive by parade. Giving back is a huge facet in our family.

Kristen Lowe 

(1) What made you want to join the Junior League? I have met a few of the women in JL and was interested in building friendships while serving our community.

(2) Even though this year will be a bit different, what are you looking forward to most during your new member year? I am most looking to meeting new people, learning about everything the JL does for the community, and becoming involved.

(3) What activities, hobbies have kept you busy these few months during quarantine? Working on a special project at work has definitely kept my attention….along with the hours of virtual meetings! Otherwise, zoom calls with family and friends on in person visits with my small circle have kept me happy. And of course bring watching Bravo.

(4) Tell us something about you so, we can get to know you better! I love concerts and am missing them in COVID world! I’ve taken road trips to see Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids on the Block.

Patsy Martin 

(1) What made you want to join the Junior League? I decided to join the league for several reasons. In March, I transitioned to life as a stay-at-home mom of my two boys, Liam and Shepherd. Previously, I worked as a development associate with Global Philanthropy at Operation Smile. I appreciated the opportunity to work for a medical-mission based organization nestled in my community’s own backyard that simultaneously was a global network of passionate individuals. The experience of working for a family-led nonprofit with a big vision truly enlarged my perspective of the importance and power of community and helping others. Empathy and passion leads us to action which leads to lasting change and a better world. That’s why I joined the league… because staying connected to a cause bigger than myself sorts out one’s own priorities while also bringing positive change.

(2) Even though this year will be a bit different, what are you looking forward to most during your new member year. I’m looking forward to learning about the history of the Junior League, and having a better understanding of the opportunities to serve others and the impact we have in our community.

(3) What activities, hobbies have kept you busy these few months during quarantine? Long walks and podcasts, a sandbox and swing set with my children, organizing my home, and definitely more baking/cooking than ever before!

(4) Tell us something about you so, we can get to know you better! I walk a fine line between Historical Dramas like Downtown Abbey, Victoria and Poldark, and comedic television like The Office or Parks and Rec. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is kind of a combination, which I bing watched during maternity leave and absolutely adore.

Catharyn Nosek 

(1) What made you want to join the Junior League? I joined the JLNVB to get more involved in the community, positively influence young women, and increase my leadership skills.

(2) Even though this year will be a bit different, what are you looking forward to most during your new member year? I am looking forward to making an impact on my new community and building new friendships with the other League women.

(3) What activities, hobbies have kept you busy these few months during quarantine? As a nurse, my job kept my pretty busy as I was still working full time caring for COVID patients. In my off time, I have enjoyed decompressing through exercise, baking and reading.

(4) Tell us something about you so, we can get to know you better! I recently relocated to Norfolk from living in Naples, Italy for two years, so I am happy to provide any European travel recommendations when travel is safe again.