For Immediate Release:
November 30, 2016
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134

Like most college students, Laurel Ridge student Darcy Stoffel is used to hitting the books. Unlike her peers, she’s on the cover of one that’s sure to be a hit. Her face graces the front of best-selling author R.L. Stine’s latest book in the Fear Street series, “The Dead Boyfriend.” Aimed at teens, it’s the story of a girl in an obsessive new relationship with a boy.
The cover photo was shot by photographer Stephen Carroll, who submits some of his work to websites where authors can choose cover art.
“R.L. Stine’s team happened to come across mine,” Stephens City resident Stoffel says. “Out of the hundreds of thousands of photos, they came across that one.”
In addition to modeling, Stoffel, who is passionate about both art and science, does some acting. That’s all while working full-time at Hagerstown Ford, attending Lord Fairfax, where she is finishing up her associate of applied science degree, full-time, and being a mom.
“I’m either in class or at work,” Stoffel says.
She is graduating this spring and hopes to go into a radiology program.
“I love school, so I changed my major a few times – I wanted to do so many things,” Stoffel explains.
A job at a hospital convinced her radiology was calling her.
“I love people, I love working with them, so I have to have a job where I’m working with people,” Stoffel says.
She chose Laurel Ridge because it’s familiar to her, and it’s affordable.
“The teachers are great,” Stoffel says. “They’re willing to work with you one-on-one. They all want you to succeed.”
She’s even got a special cheerleader, her 8-year-old daughter.
“She’s always like, ‘Mommy, I’m so proud of you, we’re going to get a house one day,’” Stoffel says. “Yes, we are.”
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With four locations — Middletown, Warrenton, Luray-Page County and most recently, Vint Hill— the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College (Laurel Ridge) is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College. Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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