I believe being a school board member is the best way to serve our community

To the Editor:

Hello! My name is Erin Kelly Guyre, but my family and friends call me E.K. In 2017, my husband and I bought our home in Dingman’s Ferry. In 2019, I graduated magna cum laude from East Stroudsburg University with a bachelor of science degree in social work. Today, I am writing to excitedly announced my candidacy for the Delaware Valley school board.

I have always thoroughly enjoyed volunteer work. From being a Candy Striper at the hospital where my mother worked to participating in volunteer efforts with my hometown parish’s youth group, it has always made me feel fulfilled to help others. When I was in fifth grade, the Columbine tragedy took place. It terrified me, but I didn’t want to be afraid. I wanted to do something about it; I wanted to be proactive. The following year a group of students and myself organized a walk-a-thon to raise money so that our elementary school could hold an assembly about bullying and gun violence. In high school, I helped in the library during homeroom and was involved in multiple clubs. Now that I have completed my BSW and have gained a greater understanding into the issues currently facing our society, I feel sure my life and education-related experiences will assist me in being an asset to DV’s board.

I am currenting pursuing a master’s degree in social work with a focus on macro-level practice and am researching graduate schools. I have previously interned for Congressman Cartwright in his district offices to fulfill my intern requirement at East Stroudsburg University. While obtaining my associate degree in human services from Sussex County Community College, I had the opportunity to intern for a NORWESCAP program called “Pathways 2 Prosperity” or “P2P.” P2P is a program that helps individuals and families carve their own paths to sustainable self-reliance and resiliency.

The primary election is on May 18, and as is allowed for school board candidates, I am running on both the Republican and Democratic lines.

I’ve never run for public office before, outside of being the secretary and treasurer of SCCC’s Human Service Club, and I have no further political aspirations. I am running for school board because it will be the students of this district that will go out into our community and be the grocers, bankers, doctors, scientists and so on. I want to know that I did everything I could to ensure that those students had the best education possible. I want to know that I did everything possible to ensure that the children and teens of our district felt safe enough at school to actually be able to focus on the curriculum being taught. I have always wanted to be proactive, and I believe being a member of the DV school board would be the best way I can be a proactive member of our community.

Those interested in reaching out to me with any questions, comments, or to volunteer on my campaign please do so via Facebook @EK4DVSD. Looking forward to speaking with you!

E.K. Guyre