April Member Spotlight

Apr 1, 2024 | Featured Members

Meet Anna Swannie aka Princess Leia, current President at The North Ridge.

Anna said, “I have always been drawn to Princess Leia’s strength. She’s been a hero of mine for as long as I can remember.” After spending time with Anna, I can say with certainty she has Leia’s grace and dignity, a sense of fairness that she uses to lead and mentor.

Anna met founding members of The North Ridge, Janice and Larry Tetewsky at a Best Buy event supporting the release of the original series on DVD the rest is history. She joined North Ridge in 2011.

Her favorite movie is “Empire Strikes Back”. Her favorite Star Wars Night at the Bisons was in 2017. The North Ridge honored Carrie Fisher.

Aside from cosplaying Princess Leia, Anna mentors new members. She has posted tutorials for recreating Princess Leia’s signature buns. She is quick to help with costumes. Always has wise advice. She is as modest and kind as she is beautiful.
In 2014 she brought her two boys into The North Ridge, they portrayed 2 of the younglings on Star Wars Night that year. They have carried on Anna’s legacy of kindness and mentoring. She was proud to say, “They wrote the treatments for Star Wars Night 2023 and 2024.

Come meet The North Ridge’s very own Princess Leia, I mean Anna, at this year’s Bison’s Star Wars Night on Saturday, May 25th! Don’t be surprised if she is undercover as an X-wing fighter or Imperial Officer. She wears many hats.

May the Force always be with you!

Stay tuned for next month’s member spotlight!

March Member Spotlight

Mar 4, 2024 | Featured Members

Meet Chris Solecki aka Darth Vader, one of the founding members of The North Ridge.

Chris said, “Growing up, I watched a ton of movies. It fueled my interest in special effects. I researched how an effect was created and the secrets to making movie magic” From there Chris began creating costumes from his favorite fandoms, Darth Vader, whom he would become known for in NR, Boba Fett, Paul Stanley, the Terminator, Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13 the )

Chris has been a Star Wars fan since he was a little boy. Growing up his dad would often quote “Do or Do Not” to motivate him. Chris says, “That quote stuck with me so much that it was a no-brainer to pick as my senior quote in my high-school yearbook”

“When I founded The North Ridge, I found I could use my love of Star Wars to help others and spread the love of the fandom.”

Chris chose Vader because he is one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history. He related to the character on a personal level. Vader lives in constant pain stuck in a suit of heavy machines to survive. Chris was born with a birth defect that affected how he walked, moved and even slept. Chris said, “He has had his own Vader rebuild moment with titanium and ceramic to remedy my issues”.

After going through his own personal struggles, Chris knew it was time to perfect his Vader cosplay. He started off using a fan-made Vader suit and slowly gathered parts and pieces to create the perfect Vader. Chris said, “It took him 7 years to finally build the costume he wanted” It is the Darth Vader the audience sees at various charity events, and of course, Star Wars Night at the Bisons.

Come meet Darth Vader, I mean Chris, at this year’s Bison’s Star Wars Night on Saturday, May 25th!

May the Force always be with you!

Stay tuned for next month’s member spotlight!