"The Journey is the Reward". These five words first became a part of my life following the loss of my younger cousin Brian. At the time, I was a 20-year-old college student, whose journey was just beginning. Throughout the last 31 years, I have found meaning in Brian’s mantra in many different ways, both personally and professionally.
My journey in supporting education started in the classroom, where I taught language arts for over 28 years. Other than my first semester of teaching, which was at Green Bay East High School, I spent my entire career at Green Bay Preble High School. One of the many great aspects of teaching is being able to mentor and develop connections with students and their families. Watching them start their own life journeys and work towards their goals was the most rewarding part of my job.
Over the years I tried to stay as involved in the school community as possible, in positions such as Academic Decathlon coach, Key Club advisor, newspaper advisor, cheerleading coach, language arts department chair, and Building Leadership Team member. My husband Terry and I live in the Preble community, along with our two adult children, Sydney and Michael, who both graduated from Preble.
Brian’s foundation has been an integral part of my entire adult life. I have been involved as an advisory board member and a volunteer at events. I have watched my cousin’s memory be honored over and over, through the hard work of Doug, Renee, and Kim, through every dollar donated, kind word expressed, and scholarship awarded. I am humbled and proud to continue this work as the Associate Director of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation.
