Lola Roeh

Lola's childhood was filled with music. One of her treasured memories is of her mom singing the Little Golden Book of Christmas Carols to her before she could read and the two of them "singing" the book together.

"At our family get-togethers, just outside of Kiel, everybody was always singing," Lola recalls. "My grandfather was one of 14 children, and they all sang, played instruments and danced. When I was a little girl, I would sit on his knee, and he'd play the violin for me. It was magical."

Being a part of this year's Movers & Shakers Gala has brought back those fond childhood memories, and that makes Lola smile. She's ready to have some fun, just like she did as a child at those musical family gatherings.

"I'm very excited," says the general manager of the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. "Sure, I will be really nervous, but mostly, I'm thrilled about this opportunity to give back to Lakeland, as Lakeland has been so good to me."

The graduate of the college has been to all but one or two of the previous Galas. She's always thought about how much fun it would be to perform.

"You can think something's a great idea at the moment, but then wonder later, 'Why did I agree to do that?' she says with a laugh. "It's that nerve factor."

Lola enjoys all kinds of music, but prefers a strong, fun beat over something slow and subdued. Expect a Latin flavor to permeate her routine.

"It will be something with rhythm, something with character," she says.

As a spectator at previous Galas, she always enjoyed watching people she knew muster up the courage and poise to perform out of their element, on the big stage. Now it's her turn.

"There's such energy to this event," she says. "It's very exciting, and I can't wait. For me, it's all about doing the very best job I can to raise money for scholarships for Lakeland College. I will do all I can to help give a deserving young person this opportunity."

Lola is sponsored by Wisconsin Bank and Trust and has chosen Nourish as her recipient charity. If Lola is the gala champion, her charity will be the 2017 partnering charity and will receive $10,000.

She will perform a Latin routine with her dance partner, Frank Gillitzer.