Mardi Gras Court

Mary Adair Trumbly & Dr. John Baumrucker

Mary Adair Trumbly & Dr. John Baumrucker are honored to be nominated to REACH’s 2026 Mardi Gras Court, to be part of Philanthropy with Purpose for REACH. Each vote, ticket purchased or table reserved will bring the new Advocacy Center one step closer to being a reality.

Mary Adair has lived in Highlands for 26 years full-time. She attended the University of Oklahoma and studied Ballet & Drama under the renown Miguel Terekhov and Yvonne Chouteau (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.)   She was the owner of Summit One Gallery in Highlands and the former Executive Director of the Highlands Performing Arts Center. She retired in December 2024. She believes your community is only has “good as you make it”, not as good as your neighbor makes it, but as you make it.  She is on several non-profit Boards and a member of the Highlands Mountaintop Rotary working for the benefit of WNC.

John came to Highlands as a second physician in July of 1971 and functioned as a family doctor and ER doctor for more than 50 years. He has been a Rotarian since 1979 and was president of the Highlands Club and two-time president of the Highlands Mountaintop Club. He received the highest service award from Rotary International, the Service Above Self award for his work in Bolivia. He founded The Highlands Bolivian Mission in 1998, which has been helping the poor and abandoned and continues to this day with a foster home for street boys who have been abused or abandoned. John believes that everyone deserves to be in a loving environment and no one ought to be abused.

Debra & Lee

Debra and Lee are the duo behind a travel-focused promotional website highlighting the mountains of North Carolina. Debra is a 7th grade science teacher at Macon Middle School and a graduate of Baylor University, holding a Master's degree in Education from Western Carolina University. Lee is a Marine Corps veteran of Desert Storm, a Western Carolina University alumnus, and serves as Marketing Manager and Security Officer for Duotech Services, a defense industry company in Franklin, NC. Beyond their primary careers, they collaborate on promoting mountain communities across North Carolina, while Lee also designs and develops websites for businesses nationwide.

Cassie Putnam, RN, BSN, SANE & Gosia Tiger, DNP, FNP, SANE

The Royal Candidates: Cassie Putnam, RN, BSN, SANE & Gosia Tiger, DNP, FNP, SANE This year's Mardi Gras celebration is proudly led by a duo that embodies both grace and grit. Cassie Putnam and Gosia Tiger are excited to run as a couple for this year's Royal Court, showcasing their deep, shared commitment to the Macon County community. A native of neighboring Haywood County, Cassie has spent her life in these mountains and is fiercely proud to serve the region she calls home. A graduate of Capella University, she obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing and has dedicated the last decade to serving the underserved in her community, focusing on individuals with substance use and mental health disorders at Appalachian Community Services, RHA, and Haywood Regional Medical Centers Behavioral Health Unit. Currently, she works as a Registered Nurse for Vaya Health and as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) for Macon County REACH. Cassie dedicates her professional life to advocacy and meticulous care for survivors. Utilizing her specialized BSN and SANE training, she performs critical forensic exams, providing both a clinical voice and a path toward justice for those who need it most. Above all, her favorite title is Mom to her beloved daughter, Gwen. Joining Cassie in this mission is her teammate and friend, Gosia Tiger, a Nurse Practitioner and fellow SANE at REACH. Dr. Gosia Tiger is a highly accomplished Nurse Practitioner celebrated for her transformative impact on the local community. Known for her compassionate approach and remarkable ability to foster meaningful connections with patients, she has built a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy healthcare provider. As a devoted mother to her lovely daughter, Jada Apolonia, Gosia is a shining example of dedication and perseverance. Originally from Poland, Gosia has made Western North Carolina her home. She pursued her nursing education at South-Western Community College and earned her BSN at Western Carolina University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. During her tenure at Angel Medical Center, she accumulated over a decade of experience while advancing her career through the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at East Carolina University, where she earned the Service Excellence Achievement Award. Gosia has dedicated countless hours to serving her community, working in the emergency department and the local VA clinic. Her professional journey also includes providing primary care and treating substance use disorders at Appalachian Community Health Centers. Currently, she is a SANE nurse at REACH Macon County and is in the process of establishing Tiger Medical PLLC, her own primary care clinic in Franklin, NC. Working on the front lines of forensic nursing, Cassie and Gosia witness firsthand the unique challenges survivors face in our rural community. They are fueled by a fierce passion to raise money for this vital cause, ensuring the REACH shelter has the resources necessary to support survivors on their journey toward healing. They believe that in a small town, we must look out for one another, ensuring no one has to face their darkest moments alone.

My name is Courtney Brendel, I've spent most of my life in North Carolina, where I'm proud to call home. I am a mom to two amazing boys, and the Director of Above and Beyond Childcare. Caring for children and supporting families in our community is something I'm truly passionate about, and we are excited to announce that we will be expanding into a larger facility so we can help provide quality childcare to even more families in our town. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my children, the outdoors, and making new memories with all of my close friends and family!

Gabe Leatherman: I'm from Franklin, NC. I am a Hotshot firefighter with the Cherokee Hotshots. I competed in martial arts for 12 years. I love fly fishing here in the mountains and have recently picked up chess as another main hobby.