Mr. Red and Black

It took three years of house hunting, but in 2005, it finally happened. Eric and Chemae Stevens wanted to move their son and daughter to Corbett for the schools and yet for several years had to make the commute from Gresham because they were unable to find a home in Corbett that felt like a good fit. One day Cindy Smith approached them and mentioned she had Corbett friends who were going to build so would be selling their home. It was the perfect fit! When son Matt was in the 8th grade and on a field trip to New York and Wash. DC with the middle schoolers, Eric was a parent chaperon. Eric had a conversation about the Corbett sports programs with teacher/coach Mr. Jacques that changed the school's sports  future. Upon returning home from the east coast, JP Soulagnet nominated Eric as the new President of the previously defunct Corbett Booster Club. Matt had said that if sports went away at Corbett, he would be going to school at Barlow. Eric was not about to move his family to Corbett only to have his son transfer to Barlow for sports! After four years as President of the Corbett Booster Club, the reins have now been handed over to Chris Dethredge. In looking back, Eric feels a sense of peace reflecting on ALL the growth each of the sports programs has had over the years despite financial cuts. Also, parent involvement has risen tremendously as well. The Booster Club has it's 5th annual dinner/auction coming up this year in March and has become Eric's favorite Corbett tradition. Community members get a chance to dress up for an evening and raise money by bidding on donations of trips, services and gifts. Proceeds (has been as much as $40K!!) goes to the sports programs. Matt is now a freshman at UO, but daughter Maddie is a sophomore who is active with soccer, basketball and softball at Corbett. She does not have to look far when thanking someone for salvaging her opportunity to play the many sports she loves in the community and at the school she also loves as well.