Stephanie graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1995 where she was a member of the SWTSU Strutter Drill Team. After graduation, Stephanie became the drill team director of the A&M Consolidated Drill Team and contined there for the next 3 years. After moving back to Houston, she became the Drill Team Director at Klein High School, and has been there for the past 13 years.

Stephanie has served on the TDEA Board for the past 5 years as Recording Secretary, 1st Vice-President in charge of Curriculum, President-Elect in charge of facilities and is currently TDEA President. Stephanie was nominated for Drill Team Director of the Year in 2006, 2007 - and received this prestigious honor in 2008. Stephanie feels lucky to work with these extraordinary woman and hopes to share her knowledge of dance, drill team and leadership with others. She cherishes being a dance educator, and adores all of the friendships that she has made throughout the past 17 years - both adult and child.

Stephanie was blessed with an angel from heaven & love of her life in April of 2010, Harper Lively Patton. Her daughter is a spunky 1 year old that has filled her life with complete joy and happiness. She also has 4 crazy fur-babies - Macky, Millie, Pearl & Hogan (her 152 pound rottweiler).

After graduation from La Porte High School, Kelly attended Kilgore Jr. College where she was a member of the Rangerettes.  She continued her college education at the University of Houston.  While there, Kelly was involved with the dance department, University Dance Theatre and the Cougar Dolls.  During her college years she assisted in choreographing musicals for La Porte High School and conducted dance workshops for other high school dance programs.  Once Kelly earned her Bachelors degree, she received a job at Eisenhower High School where she taught dance and directed the drill team for 7 years.  Currently she is the Assistant Director at Klein High School, teaches dance full time, and is also a member of the Marching Auxiliaries Staff. 

Kelly has also served on the board of Texas Dance Educators Association for 4 years & had headed the Convention Assistant Committee for 10 years, choreographed several contest routines for various high school drill teams around Houston, conducted in-services for other dance educators, and has 21 years of adjudication experience.  Kelly has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award and will receive it at the 2011 TDEA Convention.

Kelly enjoys spending quality time with her husband Jack of 15 years, her daughters Peyton (13) and Baylee (9) and her dog Sadie.