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Meet Stephanie
Growing up along the Husky Highway, Stephanie is a life-long resident of Marion County. She fondly retails memories of riding her bicycle to the Mannington pool, fishing at Rachel Dam, sled-riding parties at the Nick Saban Football Field in IdaMay and marching out under the Friday-Night lights of Woodcutter Stadium.
As a high school student at North Marion, Stephanie was active in athletics, the Marching Band, and FFA while working part-time at Red Dot Pharmacy. After High School, she continued working while earning degrees and certifications in Biology and Secondary Science Education from West Virginia University and Fairmont State College.
Tomana is a well-respected teacher, coach, mentor, and community volunteer.
In The Classroom
Stephanie has served our community as a science teacher in the parochial and public schools of Marion County for nearly 20 years. Her students have enjoyed immersive hands-on activities such as field trips to the Challenger Learning Center, Science Fair competitions, Star Lab, and maintaining a classroom greenhouse.
Most recently, Stephanie was nominated for the 2021 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and was named the 2022 recipient of the J. Kevin Scanlon Award for the promotion and enhancement of science education.
In The Community
With 'see a need, fill a need' as the family mantra, Stephanie has dedicated her time to many roles in our community. As a youth sports enthusiast, "Coach Tomana" spent
many years coaching Track & Field, Cross Country, and Recreational Soccer.
Stephanie has served for many years as a Catechist in St. Patrick's Parish and as a volunteer with the IdaMay Improvement Association. She is most honored to have served as a foster mother and as Co-Chair for the Vicariate Pastoral Council.
The Tomana's
When asked about their love story, Stephanie's husband Chris says, 'we've known each other most of our lives. My parents and her stepfather grew up in IdaMay and played in bands together throughout the years; music has always been a big part of our lives. We were often at neighborhood picnics or at softball tournaments together; my earliest memory of Steph is watching this 'curly black haired little girl' running through the yard laughing while her mother chased after.'
With a few years age difference, Stephanie was attending University while Chris began his career in industrial construction, he was often required to travel cross country or to Europe to work in oil refineries, power plants, or textile mills. On a visit home, the couple reconnected and dated for a few years before marrying. With strong family ties to the community, it was only natural that Chris and Stephanie chose the once bustling model coal town of IdaMay to call home. The central location allowed the family to build strong community ties throughout the county while raising their two daughters.
Their daughter Sophia is currently pursuing degrees in Exercise Science and Physical Therapy and their youngest daughter Lillian is still at home. The family enjoys the company of their two dogs, Gus and Lady Mae.
