MS VIRGINIA SENIOR AMERICA 2015,
JANIS E. THOMAS

Our newly crowned Ms. Virginia, Janis Thomas, was raised in the historic town of Harpers Ferry, WV, where she attended a small four room elementary school. She attended Shepard College attaining a degree in Language Arts and Library Science, and earned a Masters Degree in Counseling from West Virginia University. She moved to Virginia in 2000 to be closer to her job as an elementary school counselor. A lifelong dancer, her first formal dance class was at the age of 23, and she hasn't stopped dancing. An educator for over 36 years, she prides herself in helping students learn academically, socially, and emotionally.

Janis is the creator of a board game named the New Student Game published and distributed by Marco Products. She recently launched her consulting business, The Counseling Circular, and works with people to help them save money on their bills while feeding hungry children. She loves cooking 30 minute meals, exercising, reading, Jazzercise, walking, scrapbooking, cardmaking, and playing with her adorable grandchildren. After falling in love with the guitar, she is teaching herself how to play.

Janis is proud of the two succcessful children she has helped to raise and continues with the mentorship of her amazing two grandchildren. Family is of the utmost importance to her, and she enjoys every minute spent with them.

Her future goals are to continue to learn new things, build her business, continue dancing, have worldly excperiences, enjoy being Ms. Virginia Senior America, and share in other people's happiness. She firmly believes when you help others your own world becomes brigher and more productive. Her motto-- each day brings another oportunity to be great.