On the Runway - Shine Bright

We’re Kat Mellen and Kathleen Granger, colleagues at Scotts Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield where we teach Spanish and French, respectively. Every day we work with middle schoolers, but now we’re stepping outside our comfort zones and onto a runway to support something that matters deeply to both of us and to so many in our community.

Kat lives in Newtown with her husband and two sons and has been teaching for 17 years. She is walking in the Ann’s Place “Shine Bright” Fashion Show because cancer has touched so many lives in our community, and Ann’s Place shows what it means when compassion truly becomes community. She especially appreciates that Ann’s Place is hyper-local to the greater Danbury area, providing comfort, connection, and support to families during some of life’s hardest moments. Kat is walking in honor of her best friend, Danielle Kornhaas, who was immensely grateful for the support Ann’s Place gave (and still gives) her family. Danielle was the kind of friend who always showed up for everyone with strength, honesty, and humor, and Kat hopes that stepping onto the runway is one small way she can still show up for her.  Kat also serves on the host committee for the ABTA BT5K in New York City, part of the American Brain Tumor Association’s Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K series.  In her free time she loves to read, spend time with her family, and travel.

Kathleen lives in New Fairfield with her husband and two children. She has been teaching French for 26 years and is also a real estate agent. Kathleen is walking in honor of both of her parents, who died of cancer, her mom 26 years ago from colon cancer and her dad 16 years ago from lung cancer, and to support the incredible work of Ann’s Place. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family (often traveling when her teenagers’ activities allow), cooking, baking, and reading. She also volunteers with Second Chance Kitchens in Brewster, NY, helping provide meals for those in need.

We’re proud to support Ann’s Place and the vital programs it provides to individuals and families facing cancer throughout our community. If you’re able, please consider supporting this incredible organization and the families who rely on it.

Kat Mellen and Kathleen Granger teach Spanish and French, respectively, at Scotts Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield. Kat, a Spanish and Phys Ed teacher for 17 years, currently teaches 6th–8th grade Spanish and has coached girls softball, boys basketball, and coed volleyball in Greenwich. She also serves on the host committee for the 2026 New York BT5K, part of the American Brain Tumor Association’s Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K series. Kathleen has taught French for 26 years and is also a real estate agent. She volunteers with Second Chance Kitchens in Brewster, NY. Kat is walking the runway in honor of her best friend, Danielle Kornhaas, while Kathleen walks in memory of her parents, who passed away from colon and lung cancer. Together, they proudly support Ann’s Place and the families it serves.