School Receives $100,000 Donation

By: Sean Elezra

On Mar. 17, the school received a $100,000 donation from Seattle based food safety law firm Marler Clark on behalf of Linda Rivera and her family. The donation was presented at the annual Winter Sports Banquet.

“They donated the money to the school because the Rivera family has a lot of pride in GVHS,” wrestling coach and family friend Jon Ferry said. “They have been through tough times and this was one way they wanted to show their appreciation for Linda Rivera’s situation.”

During the 2009 school year, former aide Linda Rivera was diagnosed with a deadly form of E. coli after eating several bites of raw cookie dough. Marler Clark is currently representing the Rivera family.

“A good portion will be going to wrestling and the special education department because Linda worked with the special education program and her sons were involved in wrestling,” senior Nathan Thomas said.

Both of Rivera’s sons attended GVHS and participated in wrestling.

“Tony brought it all last year,” Thomas said. “He was on a mission for his mom and she inspired him to do well at state last year.”

In his graduating year, Tony placed second at the high school wrestling state championships.

Rivera is currently in rehabilitation. After two years of treatment, she is expected to be released from the hospital within the next two months.

“Linda has literally been on her death bed on about three different occasions,” Ferry said. “She has been up and down the past two years and hasn’t left the hospital. The family has had to make some very tough decisions.”

Senior Emilee Blankenship, who is close with the family, believes that the Rivera family has taught her to cherish her own life.

“The Rivera family, and especially Ricky, has taught me to cherish the little moments,” said Blankenship. “Now, if small things happen, I know not to take anything for granted. I have learned to not sweat the small stuff.”