MEET DARA HADLEY

Dara Hadley is our new Challenge & Conquest Coordinator, implementing our faith formation for 3rd-6th graders. 

My family joined St. Michael's parish after relocating to Cary when I was when I was 11. I still remember walking into the church for the first time. The first thing I noticed in the sanctuary were the organ pipes. I love music, so I was excited to see them displayed so prominently. To think that walking into a church would change the course of my life may sound radical, but it is true. Without the St. Michael community, I would not be where I am today, spiritually or professionally.

My most spiritually impactful experience was the Challenge program. I attended public school and found in Challenge a like-minded community and a group of girls with whom I felt comfortable sharing my faith. I met some of my closest friends through Challenge.

After being a participant for four years, I became a Challenge Team Leader, and I truly realized my love for the program. I enjoyed being a participant, but Team Leading was my passion. To watch the girls grow in their relationships with Christ and one another was an extremely rewarding experience. Now that we are adding Conquest, the corresponding program for boys, I hope to give the youth of the parish experiences like mine.

I love working with kids, and I volunteered at a pediatric hospital for several years. I like music, especially live performances. I enjoy creating and viewing art, particularly photography. The idea that a moment in time can be captured and saved is fascinating to me. I love to learn, and history is my favorite subject.

I can’t wait for Challenge and Conquest to begin in September. I have high hopes for these programs, and for our youth, and I look forward to seeing all we accomplish together this year.