A Man Who Cared - Secret Santa - Ron Freeman - Monta Vista High School teacher and coach
Ron Freeman, a long time Monta Vista teacher and coach, passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, January 21, 2011. Ron worked at Monta Vista for over 30 years, and he will be remembered as a generous man who cared deeply for his students and colleagues. Monta Vista will be holding a public memorial service on Friday, February 18, at 3 pm. This page has been set up so that students, parents, and alumni can share in memories of Coach Freeman. If you would like to submit a memory and/or photo of Ron Freeman, please send them to us at: mvwebmaster@fuhsd.org. You might also want to view our photo gallery of Coach Freeman, or the tribute page on Facebook. A scholarship has also been established in his memory. Donations can be made payable to "Monta Vista ASB/Ron Freeman Aquatics Scholarship".
Ron's impact is something that continues to motivate members of the aquatics program and myself to attempt new things, persevere, and pay homage to those who helped along the way. Two of my peers, Andrew Stewart, and Nicolet Danese - are also involved, as they are also testaments to the Ron Freeman program. Andrew Stewart is a 4 year Monta Vista Water Polo Player, and a graduate of the class of 2010. Nicolet Danese and I are both also 4 year players, however, we graduated in the class of 2011. Together, the three of us attempt to give back to the man who for over 29 years gave the Monta Vista community so much, by participating in the Alcatraz XXXI: Escape from the Rock , the swim from Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco Bay, on the upcoming Sunday, July 24th. By means of this event, we hope to glean sponsorships and media in order to raise capital and awareness for the Ron Freeman Aquatic Scholarship - a scholarship established in his memory in order to aid student athletes.
- Sonika Singh
Cupertino teens escape from Alcatraz for their coach
By Jane J. Lee
jlee@mercurynews.com
Posted: 07/24/2011 08:46:20 PM PDT
Updated: 07/24/2011 10:22:23 PM PDT
Click photo to enlarge
Andrew Stewart wears a crew neck sweater made by Nicolet Danese with their... ( Kevin Tsukii )
When three former water polo players from Monta Vista High School looked out over the waves pounding San Francisco Bay on Sunday morning, they could only think of one thing: sharks.
"I kind of assumed that I would die," said Sonika Singh, a 17-year-old Cupertino resident who swam 1.5 miles from Alcatraz to San Francisco on Sunday.
Singh and two fellow Monta Vista graduates, 17-year-old Nicolet Danese and 19-year-old Andrew Stewart, participated in the swim portion of the 31st annual Escape from the Rock triathlon in honor of their late coach, Ron Freeman, and to raise money for the Ron Freeman Aquatics Scholarship.
The triathlon is hosted by Enviro-Sports and was open to 400 registrants.
Freeman, who died of a heart attack on Jan. 21, was a coach, mentor and hero to many of Monta Vista's aquatic athletes.
more on Mercury News
Read more about Sonika, Nikki, and Andrew swimming for Freeman
Monta Vista Grads to Swim From Alcatraz to Honor Coach Freeman
Alcatraz XXXI: Escape from the Rock will raise money for the Ron Freeman
Aquatic Scholarship in memory of the water polo coach who was a 'father
figure to everyone.'
Rachel Stern
July 21, 2011
Three recent Monta Vista High School graduates are about to undertake their greatest swim challenge yet.
Class of 2011 graduates Sonika Singh and Nicolet Danese, as well as Andrew Stewart (2010), are swimming the 1.7-mile Alcatraz XXXI: Escape from the Rock from Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco Wharf on Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
They will swim in honor of Ron Freeman, their longtime water polo coach who died in January.
In the spirit of Freeman, a man they say encouraged them to tackle
even the most daunting of obstacles, they are using the race as a
fundraiser for the Ron Freeman Aquatic Scholarship.
“Even if practice were hell incarnated into a swimming pool, Ron would encourage us not to give up,” said Singh, 17.
Singh created the website Swimming for Ron Freeman to spotlight their efforts and give people a venue to donate online. They are also blogging about their day-to-day preparation for the grueling race.
The former Monta Vista students are aiming to raise $5,000 for the award, which goes to graduating seniors pursuing aquatic sports, and they are up to $800. They are seeking pledges for every minute under 75 in which they can complete the race, as well as general donations for their participation.
Read more on AOL Patch
More from Sonika Singh
Carpe Diem
Monta Vista High School renames the school's aquatic center for its longtime coach and teacher.
AOL Patch Story - Ron Freeman Aquatics Center Unveiling
Greetings Softball Players and Parents,
This years tournament will be on 5/22 and portion of the proceeds will be used in memory of Ron Freeman. There are many different option plans so even if you don't golf you can come out and have some fun. There will be raffle and auction during dinner as well.
Hope to see you there.
Mike
(Michael Seaver)
Feel free to contact Dale Pollek dapollek@yahoo.com for questions