I first met Sharon Erickson Ropes when she asked me to judge a local children’s art contest at Jefferson Elementary School nearly 20 years ago. Since I am an art teacher and a local painter, I agreed to judge the National PTA Reflections Program entries in Winona.
Most people know that Sharon Ropes is a nurse and has a long history of leadership in education, but they might not know that Sharon is a committed arts advocate. As a parent volunteer, she built a new PTA arts program in her children’s elementary school into the largest program in Minnesota.
That attracted the attention of the Minnesota PTA State board of directors. After interviewing Sharon, they appointed her to the board as the state arts chairwoman. Sharon was responsible for managing this statewide arts program for four years. She taught workshops across Minnesota and encouraged parents to supplement their schools’ dwindling art opportunities for K-12 students. During that time, she doubled the student participation and size of the entire Minnesota Reflections program.
I know Sharon can handle the big projects required at the Capitol as our next state senator because I have seen her direct and grow opportunities for 12,000 Minnesota school children to participate in this visual arts, photography, music and literature program.
Sharon has the passion and proven leadership skills to bring great successes to our children, the arts and southeast Minnesota. My wife and I are convinced that Sharon Erickson Ropes is the best choice for the Minnesota Senate.
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