In September, 2023, Morgan Spolarich danced out of her comfort zone and into the spotlight as a community leader and “More Than a Lawyer.” With her dance partner, Brent Osborne, and their choreographer, Jessica Broyles, Morgan participated in “Dancing with the Stars,” sponsored by the United Way of Southern West Virginia. In addition to fundraising activities, Morgan’s team committed to six weeks of grueling, nightly rehearsals. Their dedication paid off when they won First Place – People’s Choice and Second Place – Judge’s Choice for two featured dances. But they won more than mirror-ball trophies: they raised more money ($82,000.00+) than any team to date in the history of the local event. Per Trena Decal, Executive Director, this event provides this United Way affiliate with about 30% of its annual budgeted funding, which is reinvested to help people in Raleigh, Fayette, Summers, Wyoming, Nicholas, Mercer, and McDowell counties in West Virginia, and in the city of Bluefield, Virginia.
Morgan not only embraced the challenge of the dance competition, but she has taken the mission of the United Way to heart: “[To] improve lives… by focusing on the building blocks for a good quality of life: health, education and financial stability… [working] every day to mobilize the caring power of the people and organizations that have the passion, expertise and resources needed to make change.” To Morgan, building a good quality of life begins with her community’s children and youth. She recently participated in the United Way’s school program, “Read Across Raleigh County.” As a former basketball player at Westside High School (Wyoming County), she knows first-hand how children’s sports promote fitness, teamwork, and fun. Through the YMCA, she coaches kindergarten kids in basketball and soccer. Ultimately, she would like to coach basketball with older girls, since it played a meaningful role in her own life.
Morgan graduated from the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia, where her volunteering spirit led her to help with Special Olympics and the Environmental Law Society. Launching her legal career in Beckley, she joined the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, where she now prosecutes felonies. Morgan also opened a law firm, Thompson & Spolarich, with another Wyoming County native, Josh Thompson, to handle general and civil matters. She is in her fourth year on the Board of the State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section (District 9, Raleigh and Wyoming). Morgan says her work keeps her simultaneously energized and grounded.
As the United Way urges, Morgan believes improving the lives of others requires action and caring, so she continues to look for opportunities to do more in the community, for its benefit and her own. She wants her efforts to make a difference. About Morgan, Trena Dacal says, “We were really lucky to meet her. We are excited she will be joining the United Way Board of Directors in 2025.” Morgan’s efforts continue to set an example of gracious giving in southern West Virginia. Morgan was nominated by Jane E. Harkins.
