Gianforte supports Christian education
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Guest speaker was Susan Gianforte addressess the MVCA audience.
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News from Mission Valley Christian Academy
POLSON — The Mission Valley Christian Academy hosted a fundraising luncheon on Sunday, Jan. 17. More than 60 enthusiastic guests enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Vista Linda from Somers and MVCA students and parents helped serve. MVCA math and science teacher Charles Lutz performed an original musical composition with guitar and voice using Psalm 100 as his text.
The guest speaker was Susan Gianforte. Susan detailed her childhood in New York and described how her mother worked sacrificially to provide a Christian education after her father passed away unexpectedly. She earned her Mechanical Engineering degrees during a time when not many women were even in the engineering field. Susan began a very successful career working for Bell Laboratories, AT&T and several technology consulting practices.
She shared how she met her husband Greg at a doughnut table after donating blood at the Red Cross. They married and she transitioned into part time work when the Gianforte family grew. Susan helped Greg begin several entrepreneurial startups and they moved their family to Bozeman in 1995. Their children attended Petra Academy and Susan shared how her children excelled with the benefit of a Christian education. She also mentioned several ties between Petra and MVCA: Todd Hicks was a headmaster at both schools and the common bond of Ultimate Frisbee competition connects students from MVCA and Petra.
The Gianforte Family Foundation has generously helped provide ACE scholarships for more than 750 students around the state who otherwise might not have been able to attend a Christian school. A number of MVCA students from lower income families have also benefited from this scholarship program.
Susan encouraged all in attendance to assist in providing for the needs of MVCA with scholarships, helping the school prepare to move to phase two of building to accommodate the student growth, or help upgrade the school van. Susan announced that the Foundation would match up to $10,000 of any monies raised at the luncheon or through the month of January.
