Fundraising
Past Honorees
Jeanette Kunow (2006)
Joe Grasso (2006)
Janice Hurewitz (2005)
Senator Thomas Morahan (2005)
Joseph McKee (2004)
John Wickes (2004)
Clarke Osborn (2003)
Dr. Travis E. Jackson (2002)
Jeanette Kunow
Jeanette Kunow has been a resident of Ramapo Central SINCE 1984. She has four children ranging in age from 6-19, all who attend or have attended our schools. Ever since her first child started Kindergarten, Jeanette has always been an involved community member; whether it be volunteering to help in a classroom, making lunch for teachers on teacher appreciation day or any and all PTA functions, she was there!
She has been VP and President of PTA Council, past PTA President of Cherry Lane Elementary School and a Parent Advocate member on the Committee for Special Education in our district. She is a member of the Viola PTA, Middle School PTA, Suffern High School PTA and SEPTA.
Having been an original member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Ramapo Central School District, Jeanette has been a part of setting goals for our district for the past eight years.
Her community involvement goes beyond our schools; she is President of the Suffern Junior Women’s Club, a Sunday School teacher, and Girl Scout Leader.
Joe Grasso
Joseph S. Grasso was a beloved teacher at Suffern High School for 42 years. His untimely death at age 76 was devasting to his family and the school community. He was a dedicated professional and a friend to many. Mr. Grasso has been a teacher, football coach and coached other sports for many years at Suffern High School. Mr. Grasso is a member of the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame, The Ramapo Teachers Assoc., New York State Teachers Assoc., The American Legion Post 1099, and a member of the Sparkill Fire Company. Mr. Grasso was born on November 28, 1927 and was a lifelong Rockland County resident. He graduated from Tappan Zee High School, Syracuse University and received his masters from William Paterson University. He served in the Merchant Marine during WWII and then served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Joseph married Belle Wamsley on June 10, 1962 at St. Ann’s Church in Nyack. Belle works at Suffern High School in the main office.
To honor Mr. Grasso’s lifelong commitment to the Suffern school community, the REACH Foundation is proud to celebrate memories of Joe with his friends and family members.
Janice Hurewitz
Janice Hurewitz was born and raised in Manhattan. In the late 1970s she, her husband Jeff and their children moved to Suffern. Janice attributes much of her professional success to her wonderfully supportive family.
Professionally, Janice is a product of the New York City school system. She has earned three post graduate degrees - one in Elementary Education, one in Supervision and Administration and one in Special Education & Gifted Education.
Janice began her teaching career in the Bronx, where she taught for 12 years. Although Janice taught all subject areas in grades 5-8 from English to physical education to reading to chorus, her passion and expertise was in literacy. After many years in the Bronx school system she decided to stay home for six years to raise her children. During the time she was subbing in Rockland and the city therefore experiencing all grades levels from kindergarten to grade 8.
After Janice's children were a little older she had the opportunity to return to teaching at Middle School 180 in the Bronx where she was elected to the position of staff developer. As a staff developer Janice had the opportunity to mentor new teachers while maintaining one class of her own for teachers to come and observe her teaching as well. Shortly after Janice was promoted to an Assistant Principal position. After two years as Assistant Principal she then made the move from the city to the suburbs to become an Assistant Principal in an elementary school in Washingtonville ( Little Britain).
After two years in Little Britain Janice was promoted to the Principal of Berea Elementary School which is part of the Valley Central School system. Janice was the first to bring in staff developers to work with teachers. Janice states that during those years her "professional growth as well as just the professional atmosphere was terrific." After two years as Principal at Berea Elementary she was asked to become the principal of Strawtown Elementary School in Clarkstown. In Clarkstown, Janice experienced the success of having a low percentage of students meeting state standards on the state assessments, to over 90% of the students meeting those same standards.
Janice recalls that "it was with such sadness that I left there. But when I was there for two years I then had the privilege of being asked to become the principal of Cherry Lane." Since Janice's inception as Principal of Cherry Lane she has proven to be an advocate for our children, has helped foster a wonderful professional and caring staff and has welcomed input from Cherry Lane parents which has created a fantastic sense of community between parents and teachers.
When asked about her experiences at Cherry Lane Janice remarks "my career took me from the city, to the suburbs of Orange County to get that elementary experience and then finally home to Ramapo Central. Each time I found myself fortunate to be working with fine professionals, but none finer than the group I work with now. We are so proud of the professional and collegial climate in our building, while feeling that children truly know they are why we are here and that they REALLY DO come first! We are proud of accomplishments like the Exemplary Reading Program Award that we received from the International Reading Association, yet we are equally as proud to have children hug us when they enter the building and cry when school is ending."
Senator Thomas Morahan
New York State Senator Tom Morahan is serving his fourth term representing the citizens of Rockland and Orange counties. Senator Morahan was first chosen to represent the 38th District in a special election in May 1999, and the people reelected him in November of 2000, 2002, and 2004.
Since taking office, Senator Morahan has been working hard to improve the lives of residents living in Rockland and Orange counties. Senator Morahan represents the five Rockland County towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo and Stony Point and the Orange County towns of Tuxedo and Warwick.
Senator Morahan works to improve the educational opportunities for our children, to ensure that every New Yorker has access to quality affordable health care, protect our environment, reduce taxes, keep criminals off our streets and make government more efficient and responsive.
Among his many accomplishments, Senator Morahan has brought back a good deal of state aid to the district's towns and villages to help with such projects as downtown revitalization, infrastructure repairs, school programs and public safety enhancements.
In Albany, Senator Morahan now serves as Chairman of the Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. He was Chairman of the Elections Committee, where he spearheaded Senate legislation designed to improve voter access and prevent voter fraud. Senator Morahan also served as Chairman of the Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. During this time he improved the lives of veterans throughout New York State, while also sponsoring legislation ensuring that members of the New York National Guard continued to receive their tuition benefits. The Senator was the prime sponsor of Veterans' Buyback Legislation. This law, which Governor Pataki signed October 19, 2000, lets state or local government employees "buy back" up to three years of military service to add to their retirement plans. In 2001 Senator Morahan introduced legislation that built on the buyback bill. His legislation expanded the scope to include veterans who already have retired from public service, thereby making many more Korean War and some additional World War II veterans eligible to receive credit for wartime service toward their pensions.
Senator Morahan's committee assignments now include Agriculture, Banks, Education, Housing, Elections, Local Government, Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities, and Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs.
Senator Morahan's priorities extend beyond legislation. He spends a good deal of time in the communities that he represents in Rockland and Orange counties, listening to people's concerns and doing all he can to address their issues and improve the quality of life for everyone.
Senator Morahan began his government service as a member of the Clarkstown Zoning Board of Appeals, and he won his first elected office in 1977, as a Rockland County Legislator. In 1980, he was elected to the New York State Assembly.
In 1984, Senator Morahan returned to the Rockland County Legislature, where he served with distinction. In 1996, he was elected unanimously to serve as Legislature chairman. One newspaper declared him the most effective chairman in the Legislature's 30-year history.
Senator Morahan prides himself on being a commonsense legislator who knows how to get things done for his constituents. His door is always open, and he listens to and acts on behalf of the people he represents.
Joseph McKee [2004]
Joe has been a teacher at Ramapo Central for the past 33 years. He has been Department Chairman of World Languages for 7 years. Joe initiated and implemented the FLES program, bringing foreign language into our elementary schools. He also brought state-of-the-art digital Foreign Language Laboratories into Suffern Middle and High Schools. Joe is the former director of Ramapo PAL Basketball, and an original member of the REACH Foundation. He is dad to Joseph, Kevin, Michael and Kaitlin.
John Wickes [2004]
John is a graduate of Ramapo Central schools. His two sons now attend Cherry Lane School. John’s family business, Ira Wickes/Arborists is in its 3rd generation, serving our community for over 75 years.
John initiated and runs the annual Suffern Rotary Club’s Arbor Day celebration for the Ramapo Central School District, educating and demonstrating tree planting to students every spring since 1990. John also serves on the Rotary Club’s Scholarship Committee, awarding over $12,500 per year to graduating SHS seniors.
Some of John’s other volunteer work includes Leadership Rockland Inc., the Rockland County Police Chiefs Foundation, Ramapo Central School District Vision Committee, and Town of Ramapo Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Clarke Osborn [2003]
Clarke Osborn has been a lifelong resident of Suffern, growing up here on Clinton St. with his mother Yvonne, father Mort, and siblings Debbie and Kevin. Clarke is a product of the Ramapo Central School District. His childhood was spent playing outdoors and achieving much success in a myriad of sports. These childhood experiences have greatly influenced the man he was to become. Many longtime friends recall him as dedicated, loyal, always ready for anything, and always willing to help others. Clarke and his wife Ruthann have been married for 12 years and have two beautiful children, Billy and Kaylie. He is known for being a devoted husband, father, and coach.
Clarke began his law enforcement career in 1987 when he was hired as an investigator for the Rockland County Narcotics Task Force. In the following year, Clarke gained a myriad of experiences learning about the area’s problems, especially those of misguided youths. In 1988 he became a NYS Certified Police Officer graduating from the Rockland County Police Academy in Pomona. He was hired by the Spring Valley Police Department for the next two years. While working part time as a patrolman, he earned certification in Basic Dangerous Drugs and Drug Law Enforcement from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in Valhalla, New York and began pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice from Rockland Community College, which he earned in 1992.
Sergeant Osborn’s career with the Suffern Police Department began in 1991, where it is evident that he finally found his home. As a community police officer, Clarke developed a tremendous rapport with the citizens and business owners in the village of Suffern and the surrounding community. His presence and personality has been a dynamic force in promoting increased safety and crime prevention awareness in the downtown area. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Empire State College in 1996 and has received many awards and citations for superior police work.
In 1993, Clarke became a Nationally Certified DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) Instructor. Over the last 10 years he has developed and implemented the curriculum for grades K-6 at four of Ramapo Central’s elementary schools. His involvement with the DARE program has had monumental success for this area’s youth, graduating over 3,000 students since its inception. “Officer Clarke,” as he is affectionately known, started an annual holiday toy drive that each year collects and distributes hundreds of toys to the areas underprivileged youth. He also started the first NYS DARE hockey league, coordinates dances, trips, contests, and annual food drives to name just a few. He has been a PBA leader and has been involved with the Rockland County Big Brothers/Big Sisters for many years. He is co-founder and president of the Friends of the Village of Suffern, which assists victimized families. Clarke has received numerous awards and citations for his community service devotion. With his recent promotion to Sergeant, there is no doubt that this new title presents itself as a world of new challenges. We eagerly await where it will lead.
Dr. Travis E. Jackson [2002]
“The ability to think straight, some knowledge of the past, some vision of the future, some urge to fit that service into the well-being of the community, these are the most vital things education must try to produce.” Virginia Gildershleeve
As we gather tonight to pay tribute to a man with such distinctive and honorable attributes, Dr. Travis E. Jackson, we can think of no other quotation that so embodies the essence of our honoree.
Travis Jackson has lived most of his life in Rockland County. As early as 1943, Dr. Jackson’s lifelong path of community involvement and education was paved. While still a young boy growing up in Hillburn, Dr. Jackson was exposed to racism and fascism. In 1937, New York State had outlawed separate schools, yet Hillburn had decided to ignore the state ruling and maintain two schools, Main School for white students and Brook School for children of color. When African American and Native American parents attempted to register their children at Main School, they were refused. In time, Thurgood Marshall came to Hillburn to lend his support and legal talents in closing Brook School. Many historians see the action in Hillburn as a part of the beginning of a series of early desegregation cases that led to Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954. Dr. Jackson’s early childhood experiences had a strong influence on what his future was to become.
After attending Main School, Dr. Jackson became a student at Suffern High School where he participated in sports and student government. He was president of the Student Organization as a senior and co-captain of the track team. He established a Rockland County record in the 440-yard dash, which stood for ten years until a young man that Dr. Jackson was coaching, broke that record. Dr. Jackson is a member of the Suffern High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Dr. Jackson attended Syracuse University for a year before transferring to SUNY at Cortland. He spent two years in the United States Army, sixteen months in Korea, and then took a teaching position at Suffern Junior-Senior High School. After ten years and a master’s degree from New York University, he and his wife moved to Chicago where Dr. Jackson was an assistant professor at Northeastern Illinois University and pursued further graduate study at the University of Chicago.
The Jackson’s returned to Suffern in September of 1972, with son Travis; daughter Susan was born a month later. After spending another ten years in Suffern, Dr. Jackson was hired as an administrator with the Ridgewood, New Jersey public schools and also completed work for his doctorate at the University of Massachusetts.
For many years Dr. Jackson taught a course at Fairleigh Dickinson University for teachers, called The Multicultural Classroom. He has been very active in the New Jersey and Ridgewood S.E.E.D. (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) groups and has attended the Undoing Racism Workshop sponsored by the Peoples’ Institute of Racism and Beyond. In 1992 he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of SUNY at Cortland, and in 1997, he was chosen to receive the Ashby Award, the highest award that a Ridgewood teacher or administrator can receive. He is a published author of children’s stories, professional articles, and poetry.
It is indeed an honor and a privilege for the Reach Foundation of Rockland, Inc. to honor this extraordinary educator, community activist, and individual, Dr. Travis E. Jackson.