Dancing with the Saints: Michell Ridder & Shawn Nelson

Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, John Ridder.  They have two Xavier Saints turned Hawkeyes, Ryann (X20) and Elsie (X22).  Michelle and John, who are members of St. Jude’s Catholic Church will proudly say that one of the best decisions in raising their children was sending them through Xavier Catholic Schools.  Xavier’s faith-based education model with a small-town feeling of community ensured that both girls were ready for each new chapter in their lives.  Michelle is able to live by the motto, “do what you love and call it work” as Director of Category Management at Lil’ Drug Store Products (15 years).  Her husband John is a twenty-five year outside salesperson at Truck Country. In Michelle’s free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.  Michelle also believes that giving back to a community that is so good to her is essential.  Her volunteer activities include:  2020 and 2021 Xavier Impact Fund Co-Chair at St. Jude’s, 2021 Xavier Post-Prom Co-Chair, Xavier Foundation Board Member (2021-current), Junior Achievement (2006 to current), Young Parents Network (2022 to current), Xavier Booster Club member and volunteer (2016-current), 2014 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Eastern Iowa Women of the Year, and 2015 LLS Eastern Iowa Campaign Co-Chair/Mentor. Michelle is grateful for this opportunity to give back to the community that has been so good to her and her family!

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This is Shawn’s third time participating in Dancing with the Saints. Shawn has been performing since he was a kid, with 15 years of dance lessons. He has also done theatre with Revival Theatre Company, Theatre Cedar Rapids and C.R. Follies. Shawn is excited to be doing what he loves, that being dancing.

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