WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE FROM STEER

February 2021

To: The Honorable George Latimer, Westchester County Executive
       Dr. Sherlita Amler, Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Health
       Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, Executive Director, Westchester County Youth Bureau
       Ernest McFadden, Westchester County Youth Bureau

Please accept this letter of gratitude from STEER for Student Athletes. STEER for Student Athletes is a
nonprofit organization that operates in the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District (Port Chester Middle
School and Port Chester High School) and the Yonkers Public School District (Palisade Preparatory School).
Since 2012, STEER has provided mentorship to students in these communities to support college and career
readiness. STEER offers support services that include social, academic, and athletic assistance to individual
students. This enables them to graduate high school, prepare for further education, and enter into the workforce.
During this time, we recognize that many have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Many students have
suffered the loss of their athletic seasons; whether it was their first season, their final season, or their breakout
season, we recognize what this loss has meant for the student-athletes. The pandemic has allowed our
student-athletes to reflect, never take a practice or competition for granted, and see the impact athletics has had
through a different lens. From everyone at STEER, we want to thank you for working on getting athletes back
on the fields, courts, mountains, tracks, swimming pools, gymnasiums, and all other competition fields! We are
grateful for the continued financial support we have received from the county throughout the pandemic; the
county's support of our mission has allowed us to continue to support our students.
We wanted you to know how grateful everyone in the STEER organization is for the opportunity to compete
once again and be part of something special. Most importantly, we thought you should hear from some of our
students:

Jalen Brown, Junior, Palisade Preparatory School - “I am grateful to be playing basketball again because I
can finally get some exercise and be out of the house. Playing basketball again is a great way to get me back in
shape. I missed playing with my friends. I am grateful to have a season and be able to play this year.”

Daniela Blum, Senior, Palisade Preparatory School - "The approval of sports has made my senior year so
much better! Being able to play sports brought a piece of myself back together. COVID-19 and quarantine
brought my spirit down for a while, I missed being productive and active on a daily basis. Volleyball and
 softball gave that to me. So finally knowing and receiving the news that we’ll be able to play, made me so
happy because playing and sharing quality time with my dear team brings joy to my life, plus I’m extremely
competitive so sports gives me the chance to use that competitiveness of mine in use!”

Ashley Garcia, Junior, Port Chester High School - “I am very happy about sports coming back because it
brings back some normalcy to many athletes during these difficult times. Also, we are able to do what we love
while staying safe which is the most important.”

Yelanni Diaz, Sophomore, Port Chester High School - “Playing soccer this year was definitely a blessing in so
many ways. Soccer has always been an escape for me, so being able to do what I loved in these times was amazing. My team and I had an amazing season despite the obstacles COVID brought and I can’t wait for next season!”

Colin Taylor, Sophomore, Port Chester High School - “This past year has taken a toll on everyone in our own way,
with COVID-19 canceling/delaying high school sports. As an athlete, I'm honestly humbled to even go to practice because it's been so long due to the rise of COVID cases. Everyone is hungry to get back on that field and put on a game for the town. With sports comes responsibility so this gives boys and girls hope and a boost to do better and excel.”

With sincere gratitude and appreciation,

STEER FOR STUDENT ATHLETES