My name is Cherie Gruenfeld, although it was Cherie Simkins when I attended Port Angeles High years ago.
I’m going to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame this Spring.
Although my most visible accomplishments are athletic, my primary focus for the past 20 years has been working with at-risk inner-city kids through a foundation I began in 2001, www.eefoundation.org.
While the day-to-day activities of the foundation revolve around the sport of triathlon, the real objective is to get every one of our kids into college.
So far, the results have surpassed all my expectations.
In preparation for the induction, I’ve been reading up on the educational situation in P.A. and talking to old friends and classmates about it.
They brought me up to speed on the urgent need to upgrade school facilities and I’m writing to urge all voters to support the PASD’s capital levy on Feb. 11.
As a former teacher with an advanced degree in special education from the University of Washington, I’ve always believed in the power of education to transform lives and communities.
Now, after two decades of working closely with inner-city kids and their families, the point has been driven home even more strongly.
PASD got me off to a great start in life, and I’d like to see that continue for future generations.
The capital levy is an important step in that direction.
Cherie Gruenfeld
Cathedral City, California