Stephanie Dean – Award of Honor
Stephanie was born and raised in Rome by her parents, Steve and Faith Dennis. She is a Rome High School alum who went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in education from Jackson State University, where she attended on a soccer scholarship, serving as captain of her soccer team. Stephanie received her master’s degree in educational leadership from Columbus State University. Stephanie is the Co-Founder & CEO of Mike Dean Athletics (MDA). Stephanie and her husband, Mike Dean, serve about 400 student athletes within our community and surrounding communities at their gym, MDA Sports Academy located here in Rome. Stephanie feels extremely blessed to be able to say that she is the mother of MJ and Andre Dean, who are both national basketball players, lovers of God, humble servants of others, and caring human beings.
Prior to starting MDA, Stephanie worked in Rome City Schools for twelve years. She is the former Assistant Principal at Main Elementary where she made her mark raising student achievement, improving teacher retention, streamlining budgets, and decreasing student disciplinary issues. She was named the Rome City Schools District Teacher of the Year in 2019 and West Central Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2018. Stephanie also served as a Rome City Schools professional development instructor and facilitator for several years.
• New and Living Way Church – Served for 13 years as the Director of Youth
• Hospitality House – Volunteer
• Good Neighbor Ministries – Volunteer
• The Boys and Girls Club – Volunteer
• Floyd County Teen Plus Center – Volunteer
• Bloodline Believers/REACH Ministries – Volunteer
• United Way – Volunteer
• Backpack Buddies – Volunteer
• Murphy Harpst – Volunteer
• Habitat for Humanity – Volunteer
• ESP, Extra Special People – Volunteer
• Restoration Rome – Volunteer
• Keep Rome Beautiful – Volunteer
• Youth College and Career Expo – Volunteer
• Soles Desire Shoe Drive – MDA collects new and gently worn shoes to donate to those in need within the community and surrounding communities.
• MDA Thanksgiving Community Feast – Families within our community sign up to receive a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day. MDA families join together to serve in love.
• Winter School Daze – Organizes a winter school supply drive to support students with needed mid-year supplies
• Blessing Bags- MDA families collect toiletry items and compile them in bags for those in need.
• Luv Michael- MDA partners with Luv Michael to raise funds and awareness for adults with Autism.
• MDA Eats Fund- Provides groceries and food for MDA athletes during the summer and school breaks
• Open Gym Nights- MDA offers a safe place for kids to hang out, hone their skills, and be around positive, forward-thinking coaches and adults.
• Georgia Milestones Bootcamp- Prepares MDA student athletes for their annual state standardized test by offering free tutoring services.
• MDA Scholarship Fund- Supports many student athletes do not have the funds to play travel sports, but they have the talent. The Fund also helps support former MDA players who attend college.
Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc. – Business Award
Established in 1972, Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc. is a locally owned, second-generation real estate brokerage specializing in the purchase and sale of residential and commercial properties. Guided by a philosophy that strong communities are built by developing relationships through service and connection, TTW fosters a culture where agents and staff are encouraged and empowered to invest their time and resources to support and enhance our area’s vibrant quality of life.
• Provided Christmas gifts and clothing for Pre-K children from disadvantaged families as part of an annual service project.
• Formed agent teams to ring bells to help fill red kettles with donations for the Salvation Army.
• Hosted donation drives and awareness events, including gloves for guests of the Davies Shelters, an adoption and microchip event for P.A.W.S., bottled water for Summerville flood victims, and food and supplies for victims of Hurricane Helene through its Arms Across Burnsville initiative.
• Coordinated regular Adopt-a-Mile clean-up projects with Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful.
• Initiated a partnership with Brighter Birthdays to provide birthday party supplies for underserved students.
• Provided sponsorship and in-kind support for community events and nonprofits, including: Cancer Navigators, Fork Spoon & Plate Hunger Ministry, Chiaha Harvest Festival, Coosa River Basin Initiative, Rome Shakespeare Festival, Sexual Assault Center, South Rome Alliance, and YMCA Arsenal Soccer Club.
• As individuals, members of the TTW team have:
o Recognized for humanitarian efforts with Heart of the Community Awards of Honor and by other organizations such as the Exchange Club Family Resource Center and the Greater Rome Board of REALTORS.
o Served in leadership and/or advisory roles for the Rome Floyd Chamber, Community Foundation, the Davies Shelters, DIGS, ESP Rome, Free Clinic, Harbor House, Open Door Home, Rome Area Heritage Foundation, Rome Home Builders Association, Rome International Film Festival, Rome Symphony Orchestra, and the YMCA.
o Been appointed to serve on governmental bodies including the original Greenway Partnership, Housing Authority, Parks & Recreation, Planning Commission, and Special Committee on Housing, as well as various school auxiliary organizations.
o Actively involved in community-based organizations and civic groups, including Rome Rotary and Optimist Club, as well as an array of different area churches.
Ciara McKnight – Young Heart Award
Ciara McKnight, a proud Rome, Georgia native and the youngest of seven siblings, combines her passion for family, community, and personal growth in all she does. With a bachelor’s in social work and a master’s in clinical Mental Health from Jacksonville State University, Ciara began her career in 2013, working with adolescents and later transitioning to roles supporting adults in the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Her heart for youth empowerment led her to found A Teen’s Choice, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to guiding teens through adolescence with confidence and resilience. Ciara’s innovative “Maximizing Your Value” curriculum, along with her expertise in leadership, communication, and life skills training, has made a significant impact. She also serves as a Field Coordinator and Adjunct Teacher at Kennesaw State University and supports local nonprofits by sharing her expertise as a certified trainer.
• Founder of A Teen’s Choice, Inc. – Providing resources and support for youth in Northwest Georgia.
• Founder of A Dream Ball Gala – Raising scholarship funds for students in Northwest Georgia.
• Founder of the CASH Program – A six-month initiative offering hands-on training, certifications, and stipends to empower teens with practical skills and knowledge.
• Afterschool Program Provider – Offering academic support and enrichment activities for youth.
• Open Gym Coordinator – Creating a safe, structured space for students to socialize and stay active.
• Trainer for Teen Communication – Teaching agencies strategies to effectively connect with teens.
• Senior Program Leader – Assisting high school seniors with college tours, applications, and scholarship opportunities.
• Substance Abuse Group Facilitator – Leading recovery-focused sessions for youth at local Youth Detention Centers.
• Mental Health Advocate – Promoting awareness and resources to support teen mental health.
• Youth Mentor – Offering guidance, encouragement, and support to teens.
• Board Chair for Chattooga Family Connection – Strengthening family and community support systems.
• Organizer of Home for the Holidays – Providing meals and essentials to families during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Back-to-School Drive Organizer – Distributing supplies to 300-400 students annually.
• Prevention Group Facilitator – leading wellness and self-care programs
• Family Well-being Workshop Host – strengthening family relationships through programs like Strong African American Families
• Community Service Collaborator – working with agencies to support local needs
Wanda Whitten – Board of Governors Award
Over the last 50 years, if there has been a major event in Rome, Wanda Whitten has been part of it. She came to Rome without any family but quickly became part of the fabric of this community. She devoted her life to her work at the hospital, but she has also devoted her time and her heart to our community. She has been part of numerous events and organizations over the years. For years it has been known that if you need something to happen in our community, call Wanda.
Durning her tenure at AdventHealth Redmond, Wanda Whitten served in a variety of roles. A registered dietician, she was the hospital’s first Director of Nutritional Services. She eventually moved into the Marketing and Community Relations department, serving as the Director of the hospital’s former H2U Senior Adult Program. In this role, she coordinated health events, trips, and published a quarterly newsletter. During her time with the hospital, she received the Dr. Thomas F. Frist Humanitarian Award for outstanding service.
• Former President of the Georgia Dietetic Association
• Former President of the Southeastern Conference for Dieticians
• Exchange Club of Rome (22-year member): Former Board member, Former Chair of Youth Awards, Former Chair of Santa for Seniors, Volunteer of the Year – Rome Club, Georgia District Volunteer of the Year
• Exchange Club Georgia District’s annual Volunteer Award is now named in her honor.
• Coosa Valley Fair Association: Former Board member, Started the Senior Ms. CVF pageant, continues to volunteer every year at the fair
• Senior Promotions Council: Member, Former Chair of the Council, and 13+ years as the Chair the annual Senior Inforum
• Pilot Club of Rome: Former Member, Past President, and Former Lieutenant of the Georgia District Former Member Rome Festivals Council
• Volunteer with initial years of the Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge (helped direct, coordinated judges, etc.)
• Miss Rome Competition: former Executive Director
• Miss GA Competition: current Miss GA Field Director, and VP of the Miss GA Four Points Scholarship Fund
• Former Event Coordinator for the Heart of the Community (17 years), overseeing numerous award galas and service projects including the Heart House.
• Dr. Thomas Frist Humanitarian Award for outstanding community service (2002)
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, nine of Rome’s “unsung heroes” will be honored at the Heart of the Community Foundation Awards of Honor black-tie gala. The ticketed event will be held at The Forum River Center with the silent auction and reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by a seated dinner and awards program at 7:00 p.m. Returning this year will be the post-party celebration immediately following the awards program.
For 39 years, AdventHealth Redmond has served as the presenting sponsor of the Foundation and awards program. The mission of The Heart of the Community Foundation is to recognize individuals for their commitment to outstanding community service in Rome and Floyd County.
The 2025 recipients include: Wanda Whitten; Ciara McKnight; Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc; Stephanie Dean; Lynn Green; Virgina Barrow Harmon; Dave Roberson; Mimi Weed; and Marquita Wright-Davis.
Brooks Mathis, a native of Rome, has been appointed chairman of the 2024-2025 Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors.
Brooks is the Business Development Officer for LGE Community Credit Union. He is a graduate of Leadership Rome and now serves on the advisory committee for the Rome Floyd Chamber Leadership Rome program. Brooks serves on the boards for the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia, ESP Rome Champions, and Hospitality House for Women. He has been selected as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s 40 Under 40 as well as the publications list of Most Notable Georgian’s.
The mission of the Heart of the Community Foundation is to recognize individuals in Rome and Floyd County for their outstanding community service. Recipients of these annual awards are honored at a black-tie gala presented by AdventHealth Redmond and the Heart of the Community Foundation, Inc. The 39th annual event will be held on February 22, 2025.
The Heart of the Community Foundation also supports local community agency projects with heart-health and humanitarian missions. Proceeds from this year’s event will support similar community agency programs in Rome and Floyd County. Previously funded projects have included the Heart House for families of critically ill patients on the AdventHealth Redmond campus, AED units in public facilities in Rome, a fitness course at Ridge Ferry Park, fitness equipment at the Thornton Center, swimming scholarships at the YMCA, exercise equipment for Summit Quest, and grants to various humanitarian and heart related agencies in Rome and Floyd County.
Additional members of the Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors include: Shannon Newby, Chair-Elect; Megan Treglown, Secretary; Sara Molnar, Treasurer; Andrea Pitts, Immediate Past Chair; Kevin Allen; Kristy Brown; Luke Chaffin; Eric Collins; Ella Givens; Courtnay Griffin; Jake Hager; Chris Jackson; Sarah Martin; Carey Pilgrim; Mimi Richards; William Richardson; Michelle Rikard; Heath Rogers; Kelly Sanker; Lauren Sklar; Dwight Stout; Jim Talley; and Emma Wells.
