"How would you like to go to The White House?" The question from a young Andrew Klaber '00 came as a surprise to Chris Franken, but in hindsight, it wasn't wholly unexpected.

As a Stevenson teacher, student activities director, and student council advisor, Chris had come to know Andrew as a precocious student and natural leader – one that set forth ideas and showed follow-through unique to many adolescents. "I don't remember ever having to critique his work or approach to leadership," Chris said. "We talked and discussed ideas together, and the result was always better than I thought it would be."

In early 2000, Andrew and classmate Lauren Goldberg ‘00 had approached Chris with their concept of shifting Stevenson's paper usage to recycled paper. After thoroughly researching their proposal, and with Chris's coaching and guidance throughout, they convinced Stevenson leadership and a 30-school paper purchasing cooperative to procure recycled paper and reduce their environmental footprint. For their efforts, Andrew and Lauren were invited to the White House and recognized with the President's Environmental Youth Award, all of which Andrew had arranged, unbeknownst to Chris.

More than 20 years later, Andrew had yet another surprise for Chris. In recognition of his invaluable support and mentorship, the Klaber Family Foundation made a significant donation to the Foundation to establish The Christopher Franken ‘Vision to Reality’ Leadership Award. The annual award recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated effective leadership, academic achievement, and strength of character.

In his tenure at Stevenson, Chris encouraged students to learn leadership skills and strategies. With his guidance, student leaders implemented change and developed countless new activities that have since become a part of the proud tradition of Stevenson High School. "When Andrew told me about his intentions to honor me with this scholarship and award, I thought, what a privilege to know this young man," shared Chris. "I was moved to think he would do this for me. I was so proud of what Andrew accomplished at Stevenson and beyond. His achievements continue to demonstrate pursuit of high scholarship," he added.

Chris is inspired by the thought that the award might encourage others to make meaningful change to benefit SHS students and our shared community. "Andrew had all the things I looked for in a leader, but he also had a willingness and a passion to make things better."

While Chris was instrumental in helping Andrew and myriad fellow Patriots develop his leadership skills at Stevenson, longtime post-secondary counselor Sue Biemeret helped guide Andrew as he set his sights on life after graduation, forging a lifelong bond and friendship in the process. "Sue is much more than a friend or mentor; she's a confidant – resilience, grit, wit, and love personified," shared Andrew.

Their close relationship continued long after Stevenson, as Andrew went on to study at Yale, Oxford, and Harvard. Never forgetting Sue's impact on his life, the two remain close, with Andrew staying in touch and reaching out to Sue each year on her birthday. In recognition of her positive impact on him and countless other students, the Klaber family also made a gift in Sue's honor, securing naming rights for the Stevenson Foundation's annual scholarship event, which is now known as the Sue Biemeret Scholar's Reception. Sue was instrumental in establishing both the scholarship program and reception, known for many years as the Local Scholars Reception. She felt it was important that scholarship donors and recipients had the opportunity to meet and be recognized together.

However, what brings Sue the most joy is knowing that Andrew's gift will continue to support the work of the Stevenson Foundation. "I don't see myself in the same light that Andrew does – I am at once honored, humbled, amazed, and grateful. To know the Scholars Reception will continue to honor SHS students in the future makes me smile," shared Sue.

Andrew views honoring Chris and Sue by supporting the Stevenson Foundation as paying forward a debt – describing their influence as "transformative" and a Stevenson education "like winning the lottery."

"As one goes through life, it is important to remember where you came from and those individuals who made a game-changing, positive impact on your trajectory," he shared. Andrew sees a commonality between Chris Franken and Sue Biemeret: They saw more in him than he saw in himself, and because of their belief, he attempted and often achieved more than he thought possible.

Andrew's gift to the Foundation solidifies Chris and Sue's legacy at SHS; their influence ever-present, they will continue to impact Stevenson students long into the future.