The Piedmonter
May 21, 2004
Editorial

The school year is coming to an end. For many students, budget cuts and tough economic times make going to college a hard goal to realize. But thanks to the efforts of the East Bay College Fund, though, 10 Oakland students will have $4000 annually for four years - plus, plenty of mentoring support to help them get the most out of their university education.

Piedmont residents Andy and Barb Fremder, David Staley, Ian Isaacs and others have helped organize and manage a program that gets students on the right track to succeed in the “real world.” The program is now in its second full year of service.

“EBCF provides a way for community members to make both an immediate and long-term impact on the lives of some really compelling young people, their families, and their communities,” Fremder said. “It is a positive, constructive response to the deluge of negative news that bombards us. You can make a difference.”

Fremder and the fund’s team - following in the footsteps of education boosters like Piedmonters William and Lois Rawlings, Ken Rawlings and Art Hecht - should be congratulated for reaching out to teens in need. Efforts to improve the lives of students in Piedmont, Oakland and other parts of the East Bay deserve our support and gratitude.

Piedmonters also should be proud to support the naming of the Piedmont High School gym in William Rawlings’ honor. We need more role models like Rawlings, who have shown us the fantastic results that can be achieved n the field of education - through dedication, focus and compassion.

To contribute time or funds to the East Bay College Fund, see www.eastbaycollegefund.org or call 510-594-4004.