Board Member's Bio
My daughter Alycia attended Gunderson High School and graduated in 2014. Gunderson won my heart during those four years, because of the accepting culture and positive attitude displayed by the student body and faculty. Since retiring from high-tech in 2016, I wanted to volunteer more and the Foundation has enabled me to support public education; establish programs that bring opportunity to our students and evangelize the continued great work being accomplished within Gunderson to our Alumni and our local community.
My daughter, Jeana Marie, has intellectual and physical disabilities. She chose Gunderson High School and it proved to be an outstanding educational and social experience for her. Gunderson’s student body, faculty and staff embraced the diversity she brought to the campus. As a result, I have joined The Foundation’s board with a goal to take advantage of the talents and expertise of Gunderson’s alumni to encourage our student body to explore all avenues of education and embrace inclusion.
Gunderson has really changed since I graduated, but the school’s need for funds for much needed projects and our student’s need for scholarships have remained. I joined the Gunderson Foundation to help make a difference in these areas. It is a very rewarding experience and when we are successful in our endeavors, Gunderson and the surrounding neighborhood benefit greatly. Go Grizzlies!
I joined the Foundation in 2015 after starting a scholarship in honor of my friend, Laurie Houts. Laurie and I attended Gunderson from 1982-1985 where we represented Grizzly pride on the Girls’ Basketball team. We tragically lost Laurie in 1992. Laurie was an incredible human being whose spirit and energy were one of a kind. To ensure her memories lives on, I co-founded a scholarship in her name that recognizes female scholar-athletes who demonstrate Laurie’s gift of inclusion of all people. Being able to work with the Foundation on the “Friends of Laurie” scholarship as well as other scholarship and community programs has been a true pleasure.
I have found my way to the Gunderson Foundation through alumni friends of the class of 1985. After their 30th reunion, a group of us reminisced about the death of a dear friend and alumnus, Laurie Houts. "Friends of Laurie" decided to establish a scholarship for a graduating senior girl who stood out with athletic and academic achievement similar to our dear friend back in the 1980s. We are grateful that The Foundation has supported this scholarship and provided a legacy for our dear friend.
When I returned to Gunderson to coach Wrestling, it was to give back to the sport I have loved since I was a young kid. I also know that you are a student first before you are a wrestler and I wanted to be involved with not only helping you succeed on the mat but also in the classroom. Joining the Gunderson Foundation is my way of serving the student and the athlete. Go Grizzlies!
