August 5, 2026

On the Scene: Lake’s 2026 Stepping Out for Education Raises Thousands

4 min read| Published On: August 5th, 2026|

By Nicole Hamel

On the Scene: Lake’s 2026 Stepping Out for Education Raises Thousands

4 min read| Published On: August 5th, 2026|

The Education Foundation of Lake County celebrated the 20th anniversary of Stepping Out for Education with two nights of dazzling dance performances during its Velvet & Vinyl-themed event. Local celebrities teamed up with professional dancers after just 20 hours of rehearsal, helping raise more than $368,000 for local education. Dr. Stephanie Luke was named Top Rising Star and Audience Choice winner, while Sharon Nobles earned Top All-Star honors. Dance It Studio’s Eddie Rivera also was recognized as the 2026 Scott A. Strong Business Partner of the Year.

Photos: Nicole Hamel

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About the Author: Nicole Hamel

Nicole, born and raised in Maine, is an award-winning photographer with more than 15 years of professional experience. After relocating to Kentucky, she began her career photographing military families and volunteering with several organizations, including Operation Homefront (Tennessee/Kentucky Chapter), the American Red Cross, and the Wounded Warriors Project. While living in Hawaii, Nicole worked as a historical photographer, documenting the Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam community and its surrounding areas. In 2015, Nicole settled in Florida and joined Akers Media Group as a freelance photographer.

Through dedication and consistent excellence, she advanced to Chief Photographer. Her contributions earned her MVP of the Year in 2020 and Employee of the Year in 2023, recognizing both her hard work and commitment to her craft. After eight years of working for Akers, she can now add published writer to her list of accomplishments. Outside of her professional work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her two children, Dylan and Olivia. Her interests include underwater photography, crafting, reading, gardening, traveling, and experiencing life firsthand.

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