By Sara Brown
It’s that time of year again. People are coming out and announcing their candidacy for public office. Two residents have already announced they are running for school committee.
Susan Gravellese is a lifelong Revere resident. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 28 years, and her two children have also gone through the Revere public school system.
“I believe in Revere public schools and believe in the education they give to our students,” Gravellese said. She also said that running for school committee has been something on her mind for the past year or so, and she would like to make a positive impact on the school community.
“Schools are constantly changing and I would love to be a part of that and find a different way to continue improvement,” she said.
Gravellese has worked as a karate instructor at the Revere Karate Academy since 1988. She has her 2nd degree black belt and is also a certified personal trainer. She has been active with the Revere Stay in Shape Program, instructing a fitness class at Revere High School and Rumney Marsh Academy.
She wants to bring her fitness expertise into the school committee. “I think I can make a positive impact when it comes to fitness and health and make some really good suggestions in those areas,” she said. She also “…would like to find a way to get parents involved in the community in different areas.”
Being a lifelong resident would be a tool for her if she gets elected, Gravellese said, adding, “I know the city. I know the school system. I know the parents. I know what needs to be done.”
Gravellese’s campaign kickoff is April 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the Revere Moose Lodge.
Patrick Keefe is also running for school committee. Keefe grew up in Everett and moved to Revere with his wife in 2004. He has two children who currently attend the A.C. Whelan Elementary School. He is the culinary director for Legal Sea Foods.
Keefe plans on staying in Revere. He said, “It’s a great community. Seeing my kids go through the school system as well as the programs they participate in is great. I plan on sticking around for a long time.”
Keefe has been active in several Revere community organizations. Since 2007, he has been a softball and baseball coach for the Revere Youth Baseball and Softball League and now also serves on the Board of Directors for the League. He also has served as a coach for the Revere Junior Patriots since 2011. He is an active participant in the Whalen Walk to School Program and is a plot member of the Revere Community Garden at Revere High School.
He believes that having somebody on the school committee who currently has children in the system is what is missing. “I have two students enrolled right now. I know firsthand what the students and parents go through,” he said.
He also believes that he can help bring some health and fitness initiatives to the district, as well as enhance the ones already in place. He said, “There are two ways to look at the school lunches, from a culinary standpoint or science. A lot of the times, we just look at it from a science standpoint and have 500- or 600-calorie lunches. I think the other aspect of that is to have healthy lunches that the students still want to eat. I have some insight…and can make suggestions.”
Keefe’s campaign kick-off is April 21 at the Revere VFW from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.