A CONVERSATION WITH DHARA PATEL, Parents Association Board

What Brought You To Pacific Ridge

My oldest daughter Jeena drew us to PRS. She’s an incredibly bright person and just wasn’t being challenged at her previous school. She’s also quiet and we felt that in a big school, kids like her get lost a little bit. I’d heard about Pacific Ridge for years, so we checked it out. We fell in love with the school and haven’t looked back since.

HOW DO YOU SEE A PRS EDUCATION BENEFITING YOUR CHILDREN?

To me, this is the time to invest in their education and make sure they have the attention, the challenges, and opportunities to grow through these formative years. The type of education and support they’re getting here is unparalleled. Even if they get into the top colleges in the world, they’ll never get what they get here – the experiences and the thought-provoking education that PRS provides.

This school has helped my kids be able to talk about anything. They’re not afraid to express their opinions. They’re also respectful of other people’s opinions.

This is a special place. It makes kids think differently and I think makes them fearless about the world.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO SERVE ON THE PARENTS ASSOCIATION BOARD?

I believe in being part of my community. I have a real interest in making sure I understand everything that’s happening at the school and I also feel that the most precious thing you can share with people is your time. I love being part of the PA. It’s been rewarding and it’s a great group of people.

On The Importance Of The Annual Fund And The Role Of Philanthropy

I really didn’t understand the Annual Fund until I started getting involved with the PA, and I realized it’s so important. It’s changed my perspective in making sure that our community understands that without the Annual Fund, there’s so many things that we couldn’t do. There are so many different programs that PRS offers that just wouldn’t be possible

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL NEW OR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS ABOUT SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL?

I would remind them that this is the biggest way you can invest in your child. I would also encourage parents to get involved.

It’s an investment in your child but it’s also an investment in yourself, being part of this world and community and the friendships that you create. PRS really is its own community, a strong community where people trust each other – it’s a really great place to be.