The following is this week’s I AM, YOU ARE, WE ARE Honorees by Erin Gregory
Kady and Jordan Richey
“This couple has made a huge impact on the community; they are highly involved in dramatic productions, particularly with DLO and at DHS.”
Kady and Jordan Richey may not be from the Danville or Vermilion County area, but they certainly have been making themselves at home in Danville. Originally from Benton, Illinois, Kady and Jordan have known each other since the 7th grade. They were in musical productions, speech, and several other activities together.
During their freshman and sophomore years of high school the two decided to give dating a try. Jordan says, “We didn’t even think about it until a mutual friend brought up that we would be a cute couple.” They stayed together while apart at different colleges, Kady at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for her bachelors and masters, and Jordan at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Kady received her bachelor’s degree in communications sciences and a master’s degree in speech language pathology. Jordan received his bachelor’s degree in science and an associate degree in fine arts. He also just finished his master’s degree a few weeks ago.
After graduating, they were searching for the right jobs in their professional fields, which is how they happened upon Danville.
“The interview process was so amazing, and everyone was so kind. After my first interview with Danville, I called Jordan and told him this was our place”, said Kady. Once they moved into the area, Danville quickly became their home. Newly married and freshly relocated in the summer of 2021, Kady and Jordan Richey found themselves stumbling onto the board of directors for Danville Light Opera and serving as the director and assistant director of theater at the high school. Jordan says, “We had a theater director in high school that showed us what was really important through supporting us, and we want to do that for other children and teens.” While serving the community they are showing kids that it is important to work hard and care about what they do.
Everything they do in Danville is because they genuinely love to see the kids of the community thrive in the arts. “There is so much talent in the schools of Danville. I just want people to realize how much talent we have in this community,” Jordan shared with me. Recently, Jordan and Kady took How the Grinch Stole Christmas to the elementary schools. They wanted to show the small children that theater can be fun, and it also showed the highschoolers involved in the play that they can have a major impact on others with art.
Everything that the Richey’s have done for the community in such a short time is truly amazing and it shows what good can come if you put a little love into an area. They have only been here for a few years, and they have already made a huge impact on Danville. We cannot wait to see what else the Richey’s will do for the community in the future.
If you have someone you would like to share,
visit https://forms.gle/deCPiQ1cxn1pDLhZ9
or contact Ashton Greer, City of Danville agreer@cityofdanville.org or
Nicole Van Hyfte, Vermilion Advantage nvanhyfte@vermilionadvantage.com.
