Sheri and Matt Prucka are engineers and long-time PCEF supporters. As owners of Prucka Engineering, they are avid proponents of STEM education, and understand the importance of including girls and minorities in what is often a male-dominated field.
Both of them were involved with a small group of parents that started a robotics program in Park City ten years ago. Sheri and Matt have helped coach and mentor the PCHS Robotics Club ever since. The club has grown from eight members to 60+ and has gone to the World Championships for the past three years. This past spring, it was the first and only club in the U.S to send three teams to Worlds.
As engineers, their actions speak louder than words, but they were happy to answer questions about why they support PCEF and Park City public schools:
Q) How did you come to live in Park City?
A) We moved to Park City after living here half of the year. Usual story, came to ski stayed for the rest of the year!
Q) Do you/did you have children in the District?
A) We have two children who went to Park City schools. Liz is a senior at Georgia Tech studying Computer Engineering with a focus on Robotics and Machine Learning. Our son Alex is a freshman at Rice University also studying Computer Engineering and Computer Science.
Q) Did Park City public schools help prepare them for college?
A) Yes! Both kids had so many AP credits that were accepted that they basically skipped their entire freshman courses.
Q) Why did you choose Park City public schools?
A) Sheri and I both attended good public schools and one of the reasons we moved to Park City is because of the quality school system.
Q) How did you learn about PCEF?
A) It’s hard to be in Park City and not know about PCEF!
Q) What inspires you to give to PCEF?
A) We have always felt it is important to support your local school system, and PCEF is an excellent way to do it.
Q) Do you have a story about a favorite PCEF program, a PCEF program that impacted your child, or a PCEF program that impacted many children?
A) Both of our kids were active in the PCHS Robotics Club. Last year that program was the only one in the country that sent 3 robotic teams to the world championships. Sheri and I have been active mentors in the robotics program for many years now. Even with our kids off to college, we feel strongly about helping out this great program that teaches kids STEM concepts through hands-on learning.
Q) Do you feel differently about PCEF than when you first started giving?
A) Having learned more about PCEF, we are even stronger supporters. It is amazing how many funds they are able to raise for the school system and PCEF does a great job in allocating the funds to programs that make a big difference in the schools
