Ensuring Opportunities

By Charlie Eisenreich, President, LEAF Board of Directors

Reflecting on my involvement with LEAF, I think of my own children, both proud graduates of Tech High School and District 742. My son, Andrew (2013), and daughter, Sam (2015), are products of the exceptional education and extracurricular opportunities available to students in our District. I’ve seen firsthand how valuable LEAF’s support has been in fostering that success.

When Andrew works remotely from home, I occasionally overhear his professional conversations. Two things are always evident: his strong communication skills and his ability to problem-solve for his clients. He articulates ideas with a confidence that was clearly fostered during his time on the high school Speech team and his involvement in athletics.

Sam serves families with critically premature babies, navigating traumatic and high-stress situations every day. As a three-sport athlete in high school, she was no stranger to pressure. She now draws on those experiences to provide critical care to infants while remaining a calm, steady presence for anxious parents. Between her advanced high school coursework and her competitive experiences, she manages the demands of an intensive care unit with the utmost professionalism.

After 33 years in education, I retired with a desire to give back to the St. Cloud community and continue helping students. When asked to take on a leadership role with LEAF, I jumped at the opportunity. LEAF has a long-standing reputation for providing vital financial assistance to the very academic and activity programs that shaped my children. They, like so many others, have benefited immensely from the generosity of LEAF donors.

My goal is to ensure those same opportunities remain available for current and future students of District 742. That is why I am honored to remain part of such a remarkable organization.