Somers Education Foundation to Honor Three Community Members

The Somers Education Foundation is holding its annual Gala on Saturday, April 27 when three honorees – Gregory Horrace, Christine Katsch and Maureen Miller – will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for their work to better the education and lives of Somers children. 

Gregory Horrace:

He has been a science teacher at Somers High School since 2000, and is currently head of the science department. His courses taught include Advance Placement and Regents Chemistry, Environmental Science, Contemporary Issues (Forensics) and Science Research. The father of four daughters is known for the development and integration of the Science Research program, a three-year course of study that has influenced and enabled hundreds of high school graduates to go on to major in science fields in college and to eventually pursue successful careers.

In the first year of the program, students select areas to research and begin reading scientific journals and assembling research, with the goal of presenting their work to the class. The second year is spent designing their research project, including collection of data and analysis, and the third year is spent writing a research paper and often entering their research in competitions such as Siemens and Intel. Throughout the three years, Horrace works very closely with every student and their chosen mentor to develop and execute a custom course of study tailored to each student's interests and skills.

Christine Katsch:

The woman has lived in Somers for the last 14 years. She has been closely identified with the growth and success of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) program in Somers since 2003. She began her AYSO career by coaching of her daughter’s several teams each season and then became the division coordinator for multiple grades.

Katsch, who actively played soccer in high school and college, became the overall regional commissioner four years ago, responsible for all areas of the program. She also oversees the planning and staging of the annual Soccerfest held each fall. Katsch is a firm believer of the AYSO vision and mission to provide world class soccer programs that enrich the lives of children in a fun, safe family environment.  She is most proud of the recently-launch VIP program providing soccer for kids with special needs. Her mantra and coaching style is the adapted philosophy of former U.S. women's soccer coach Tony DiCicco, called "Catch 'em Doing Good."  

Katsch is a member of the various school PTAs and is on the board of the Somers Youth Sports Organization (SYSO) and AYSO Westchester Area. She has worked in consumer promotion for many years and, has most recently worked in finance at Unilever. A graduate of Pace University, Katsch and her husband, George, have three daughters who attend Somers schools.

Maureen Miller:

She has surrounded herself with education for most of her life. The daughter of an assistant headmaster and a school administrative assistant, she graduated from Williams College and taught conversational English in Japan as well as high school algebra and geometry. She has lived in Somers for 17 years and she is now a certified landscape design professional.  

Miller was very active in the Somers PTA, including chairing Holiday Happiness at Primrose and the SIS Birthday Party, before being elected to the Somers Board of Education, where she served nine years, including three as vice president and one as president. During her tenure the district underwent significant renovations to the schools and hired a new superintendent while passing a budget every year.

Miller and her husband, Rob, who have two sons, also ran the Somers Youth Sports Organization (SYSO) football and lacrosse programs for 10 years, growing both programs from several dozen members to more than 250 each in grades 1-8. Miller currently volunteers as a teacher for GED students through the Westchester Library System and is also a trustee at Trinity-Pawling School.

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The event will be held at the Putnam National Golf Club from 7 p.m. to midnight. It will feature drinks, dinner, dancing and an auction. 

For more information or to reserve your seat visit www.sefny.org/gala.

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