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I know Alison Roland not only as an accomplished art educator, but also as a woman who is compassionate, caring, sensitive and will use her gifts to help others to become empowered and grow. We met in 2008 when a 15 year old student at our local school, Alexandra Rae Gravino, died, devastating our small community. I met Alison when a group formed Action for Alex Committee.  

We created a yearly Catch a Rae 5K run/walk in memory of Alex and every year we put the proceeds of the event into the Alexandra Rae Gravino Arts and Athletics Scholarship. To-date our scholarship has given back $70,000 to graduating artists and athletes. Ali has been most instrumental in the success of the Catch a Rae.  

For 14 years, Ali has used her expertise in graphics and design to support the work. Ali worked exclusively with the production of t-shirts, posters, flyers, awards, and advertising for the event, as well as promotion of the scholarship. She also helped to establish the Red Hook High School Memory garden. It is the person she is that made our Catch a Rae such a success. Ali is passionate about art, but is also passionate about life. She is a giver and has a genuine care and concern for what she believes is right and good. She is the real deal. 

–Red Hook CSD Middle School Physical Education teacher, Action for Alex committee member