L to R: Michael DeSimone, athletic director of the CSEE; Sobeida Cruz, co-founder of the CSEE; Joseph Durney of STEER; Westchester County Legislator Shanae Williams; Betsy Stern, president of the FSEE; and Eduardo LaGuerre, co-founder of the CSEE. Photo courtesy of the FSEE.
L to R: Joseph Durney of STEER; Betsy Stern, president of the FSEE; Eduardo LaGuerre, co-founder of the CSEE ; Sobeida Cruz, co-founder of the CSEE, Westchester County Legislator Shanae Williams; and Mayor Mike Spano. Photo courtesy of the FSEE.
The Foundation in Support of Educational Excellence (FSEE) recently honored Betsy May Stern, president of the FSEE; Westchester County Legislator Shanae Williams; and Dr. Joseph Durney, CEO of STEER for Student Athletes, Inc. at its annual gala.
“Our three honorees represent the financial, moral and professional support that has been critical to our school’s tremendous success,” said Sobeida Cruz, vice-chair and treasurer of the FSEE at the group’s May 16 gala benefitting the Charter School of Educational Excellence.
Stern—a Westchester philanthropist who supports educational causes—called on the gala attendees to get involved in education.
“Everybody here in the room has something to offer, so if you have not done something for this fantastic little school, what’s wrong with you?” Stern said to laughter and applause.
Williams represents District 16 at the Westchester County Board of Legislators. She told the gala attendees that early in her political career, she was warned about showing too much support for charter schools.
“There are a lot of people who are very much anti-charter schools in the state. I am not one of those people. I believe that it is important for parents to have options for their child,” said Williams.
Durney is a former Deputy Superintendent of Schools for the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District. Through the STEER program he helps identify students, provides mentorship, connects them to services and monitors their progress.
“STEER’s mission is to change the world one student at a time we see sports as a vehicle to empower young people to achieve their potential by providing individualized services to those students that is very specifically tailored to their needs,” Durney said of his work with the school.
