CHS CLASS OF 1992 GROW FORWARD FUND
Donation protected
All:
It's been a proper lifetime since we graduated high school as kids - and we've all graduated many times since, into & throughout adulthood - with families, careers, passions, changes, challenges, ups, downs, hellos, goodbyes and everything life delivers in between.
We've made ourselves into a class of mothers & fathers, wives, husbands, partners, doctors, nurses, attorneys, scientists, artists, veterans of the Armed Services, business owners, bankers, educators, administrators, politicians, race-car drivers, police officers, agents, designers, music executives, financiers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, marketers, musicians, coaches, pastors, chefs, inventors, linguists, nutritionists, film-makers, salespeople, ex-patriots, surfers, skaters, environmentalists, builders, television personalities, actors, activists, volunteers and a long list of other fascinating life endeavors. Although impressive, it's far from an exhaustive list, nor alphabetical, nor in order of any measure of importance - it's simply intended to recognize our vast & meaningful accomplishments .
Despite the difference in our chosen paths, we all share an undeniable connection: Our formative years spent in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Surely we see our classmates via continued friendships, family connections, occasional check-ins, random run-ins around the world and of course, through the lens of social media. The purpose of this note is to bring unity to our class once again, focusing on an unprecedented local fund-raising campaign to celebrate ourselves and inspire our hometown.
So here's the pitch: Let's mark our 25th reunion by working together to raise $25,000 for a fund/gift/scholarship aimed at inspiring and reminding the next generation of CHS graduates they are growing up in a setting which allows them to approach their dreams and ambitions with confidence, enthusiasm & fearlessness. Whether they visualize success & innovation in our hometown, or across city, state, or international borders - young people in Cedarburg should know they can accomplish whatever they want wherever they want - as have we.
While the details are still baking amongst a small yet growing committee of CHS '92 classmates, the broad idea is to spend April through June of 2017 working to raise money which we'll present to the City of Cedarburg and Cedarburg School System when we gather on June 30th (Summer Sounds) & July 1st (Smitty's) 2017 for our 25th high school reunion.
The 'gift' could be a one-time payout to a lucky graduate, or treated as an annual fund benefitting multiple students over a series of years, or aimed at a specific community service. These are decisions we'll make together with feedback from our class - along with exactly how & when we'll deliver the donation. Regardless, we expect our result to be newsworthy and something in which we can all share a great deal of pride.
The primary focus of the campaign is us - the CHS class of 1992. Simple math says roughly $90 per person gets us to the $25k goal. While we don't anticipate complete class participation, we do know our result will be among the biggest scholarship funds in our community & school's history - and, of course, we'll welcome all contributions regardless of their size or source.
It's possible this happens just once - delivering a well-timed & enjoyable headline for our graduating class. It's also possible we create a movement which travels to other CHS classes, or neighboring schools, towns, counties, states & beyond.
Most importantly, this idea isn't an obligation, or a competition nor popularity contest. It's simply an invitation to celebrate ourselves, our accomplishments, and our recognition of the unique, charming & beautiful town that set us on the random & exciting courses carrying us all through our lives.
The world has changed dramatically since June, 1992. We can work together to change it again for kids starting their life's journey in the same classrooms, neighborhoods & streets we did.
More specific details will follow soon - this note is simply intended to spark ideas & conversations to bring to life this concept which is firmly rooted in appreciation & gratitude.
Wishing everyone a healthy & happy 2017 - and looking forward to celebrating our 25th reunion together in Cedarburg this summer.
Warm regards,
Peter Gray
CHS Class of 1992
It's been a proper lifetime since we graduated high school as kids - and we've all graduated many times since, into & throughout adulthood - with families, careers, passions, changes, challenges, ups, downs, hellos, goodbyes and everything life delivers in between.
We've made ourselves into a class of mothers & fathers, wives, husbands, partners, doctors, nurses, attorneys, scientists, artists, veterans of the Armed Services, business owners, bankers, educators, administrators, politicians, race-car drivers, police officers, agents, designers, music executives, financiers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, marketers, musicians, coaches, pastors, chefs, inventors, linguists, nutritionists, film-makers, salespeople, ex-patriots, surfers, skaters, environmentalists, builders, television personalities, actors, activists, volunteers and a long list of other fascinating life endeavors. Although impressive, it's far from an exhaustive list, nor alphabetical, nor in order of any measure of importance - it's simply intended to recognize our vast & meaningful accomplishments .
Despite the difference in our chosen paths, we all share an undeniable connection: Our formative years spent in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Surely we see our classmates via continued friendships, family connections, occasional check-ins, random run-ins around the world and of course, through the lens of social media. The purpose of this note is to bring unity to our class once again, focusing on an unprecedented local fund-raising campaign to celebrate ourselves and inspire our hometown.
So here's the pitch: Let's mark our 25th reunion by working together to raise $25,000 for a fund/gift/scholarship aimed at inspiring and reminding the next generation of CHS graduates they are growing up in a setting which allows them to approach their dreams and ambitions with confidence, enthusiasm & fearlessness. Whether they visualize success & innovation in our hometown, or across city, state, or international borders - young people in Cedarburg should know they can accomplish whatever they want wherever they want - as have we.
While the details are still baking amongst a small yet growing committee of CHS '92 classmates, the broad idea is to spend April through June of 2017 working to raise money which we'll present to the City of Cedarburg and Cedarburg School System when we gather on June 30th (Summer Sounds) & July 1st (Smitty's) 2017 for our 25th high school reunion.
The 'gift' could be a one-time payout to a lucky graduate, or treated as an annual fund benefitting multiple students over a series of years, or aimed at a specific community service. These are decisions we'll make together with feedback from our class - along with exactly how & when we'll deliver the donation. Regardless, we expect our result to be newsworthy and something in which we can all share a great deal of pride.
The primary focus of the campaign is us - the CHS class of 1992. Simple math says roughly $90 per person gets us to the $25k goal. While we don't anticipate complete class participation, we do know our result will be among the biggest scholarship funds in our community & school's history - and, of course, we'll welcome all contributions regardless of their size or source.
It's possible this happens just once - delivering a well-timed & enjoyable headline for our graduating class. It's also possible we create a movement which travels to other CHS classes, or neighboring schools, towns, counties, states & beyond.
Most importantly, this idea isn't an obligation, or a competition nor popularity contest. It's simply an invitation to celebrate ourselves, our accomplishments, and our recognition of the unique, charming & beautiful town that set us on the random & exciting courses carrying us all through our lives.
The world has changed dramatically since June, 1992. We can work together to change it again for kids starting their life's journey in the same classrooms, neighborhoods & streets we did.
More specific details will follow soon - this note is simply intended to spark ideas & conversations to bring to life this concept which is firmly rooted in appreciation & gratitude.
Wishing everyone a healthy & happy 2017 - and looking forward to celebrating our 25th reunion together in Cedarburg this summer.
Warm regards,
Peter Gray
CHS Class of 1992
Organizer and beneficiary
Peter Gray
Organizer
Cedarburg, WI
Amy Gray
Beneficiary
