Our Team

Meda is one of our Front Desk Receptionists who grew up in Milford as she attended St. Andrew's Catholic School and graduated from Milford High School in 1967. She started her career in the insurance industry in Cincinnati and after she moved to Venice, FL., she continued her career in insurance specializing in corporate/consumer property, casualty, disaster, and personal life insurance. After 40 years of a successful career, she finally retired in 2013 and moved back to Milford to be closer to old friends and family (3 daughters and 5 grandchildren). Meda is enjoying her retirement, reacquainting with old friends and getting more involved in the community. She is CPR/First Aid/AED certified and is ready to welcome all of our guests to Lori's H2O Skills.

Katie Bauer is a member of our Front Office staff. She grew up in the Cincinnati area, graduating from Lakota West High School before moving on to major in Education at Ohio State University. She now teaches at Lakota Ridge Junior School but lives in Milford. At age 14, she started working with elementary and junior high kids as a summer camp counselor. She enjoys being surrounded by young smiling faces in all she does. Helping others in anyway is truly her passion and purpose.

Julia grew up in Dayton, Ohio and feels grateful to have the opportunity to expand her horizons to Milford, Ohio.  She has loved swimming since the day she was born and competed from age 3-18.  Now that Julia is older, she loves getting to teach all ages how to swim and be safe in and around the water.  In her free time, she loves to travel with family and find different ways to befriend animals she encounters.  Julia is excited to meet you and your children at the swimming pool.

Joni is a part time swim instructor at Lori’s H20 when she is needed.  She has taught classes for Lori in the past and loves spending time in the water, watching students grow through the different levels.  Joni is an Intervention Specialist for Cincinnati Public Schools, and has worked for Clermont County Development Disabilities for the past 7 years.  At CCDD Joni participated in “Sensory Swim” with her class three times a week and loved working with different students teaching them basic swim skills and supporting them during Special Olympics. When Joni isn’t at work, she chases around three children (15, 13, and 10) and husband who love to play sports and be involved in their community. Joni is a bubbly person who loves to smile and make others laugh.

While living in Florida in the 1990's, not a week, or sometimes even a day went by without hearing on the news of the tragic drowning of a child, and I was determined that my own three young children would not become just another statistic.  I sought out the ISR program, and after witnessing not only the amazing skills this program gave my children but also the beautiful self-esteem that blossomed as a result, I decided more parents needed to have the opportunity to choose ISR for their families. I trained to be a Certified Instructor in 1996 in Orlando.  After completing my training, my family moved to Raleigh, NC where I taught for two years before moving back to the Cincinnati area where my husband and I both grew up. I pursued Master Instructor training and completed MI Certification in 2003.  ISR has had a profound impact on my life and the lives of my children and family.  Every child is special and deserves the opportunity to receive "the gift of a lifetime" through ISR Self-Rescue™ skills.  Even after all these years and many, many students, it is like watching the hand of God work miracles every time I see a child rollback to float independently.

I swam competitively since I was 9 years old. I graduated from Mother of Mercy high school in 2001. I graduated from The University of Findlay in 2005 with a BFA in Children's Book Illustration. I illustrated a published children's book by Cincinnati native Cyndy Driehaus immediately following graduation. I found my niche teaching children and had additional education through The Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education. I had my son in Feb 2014 and began working as a 2nd shift caregiver for developmentally disabled adults so I could spend the day caring for my baby. I am extremely happy to be back in the water!!!

Phyllis Drilling is a Water Aerobics and Swim Lessons teacher at Lori's H2O Skills. She graduated from a small high school no one's ever heard of (but they went to KY Sweet 16 in 1948!) and grew up swimming in the KY River. She earned a BS in math education from EKU in 1970 and MA from UK, also math education, 1974. She's taught Bible school, CCD, 7-12th grade math & adults, subbed all grade levels K-12 and subjects, been a Girl Scout leader, soccer coach, PTA/PTO worker, and water aerobics instructor. She is mother of four successful, wonderful Milford High and college graduates and a grandmother. She and her husband moved their family to Milford from the Lexington, KY area when their youngest daughter was 1-1/2 so she has worked on school functions for 29-1/2 years. Hobbies are gardening, reading, traveling & watching the grandson grow.

Hi my name is Lauren Best.  I’m currently a senior at Clermont Northeastern High School.  After I graduate high school, I plan to go to college and become a nurse practitioner.  When I was young, I learned to swim from Lori and have always loved being in the water since then.  I was never a competitive swimmer growing up but I was always very active and played basketball and soccer.  I spend most of my time at Lake Cumberland swimming, water skiing and surfing.  I love being able to teach kids how to swim because it’s something they will remember and use the rest of their lives!  I love being in the water with them and seeing them improve.

Kate is a swim instructor and special events host at Lori’s H20 Skills. She is a senior at Milford High School who is in involved in cross country, National Honor Society, Hope Squad, Student Ambassadors and Teaching Professions! Kate also lifeguards and teaches swim lessons at Miami Hills Swim and Tennis Club where she has her CPR, First Aid and AED certifications. She loves working with kids that she plans to study elementary education in her near future. She loves working with kids and is thrilled to be apart of the Lori’s team!

Liz is a Certified Pool and Spa Operator. She grew up in the Goshen/Blanchester area and currently lives in Mt Orab. She is a home school graduate of 1998. Liz previously worked as an assembly line leader and enjoys working with people. Liz enjoys spending time with her grandkids and her fur babies.

Landon is a freshman in college attending Thomas more university that loves to swim, play sports, and play video games. In his free time Landon plays basketball with his friends.

Hi! My name is Mackenzie! I'm a sophomore at CNE Highschool. Although I have never swam competitively, I have always loved the water. While I attended the YMCA, I discovered I enjoyed teaching others how to swim too. I like making connections with the kids and making them laugh. I'm very excited to be a part of Lori's team!