The sharp noise of heels against the familiar school tiles echoes down the hallway, interrupting the usual hum of voices as students make their way to their next classes, heads turning as Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer walks by.
Frommeyer visited Highlands High School on Tuesday, September 24 to become principal for the day. She visited classrooms, greeted students at the door of the building, and gained a sense of the school.
She took the time out of her day to talk to students about what it takes to be a senator. Frommeyer then went on to describe how as a child, she had not realized that her peers did not share the same love of expressing their thoughts the way she did.
“To have a voice for those that maybe didn’t have the same outgoing personality that I do. I didn’t recognize that it was a gift.”
Funke Frommeyer’s fourth-grade Frankfort, Kentucky trip was a big turning point in her life. Just like many young elementary schoolers this trip sparked her curiosity and passion to be in office.
Her main motivation is always to do what is right for the students she represents.
“I find it really rewarding, all of the beautiful nuggets that happen in communities that are building communities… I was focused on other things in my own family, but now I feel like it’s a big family that I’m here to represent.”
One way Frommeyer represented the community last year was when she helped advocate for not only a new track, but also a new sports facility. The total cost was 6 million dollars.
“What’s amazing about that and what’s hard about that is Augusta schools really want to rebuild their gym. They didn’t get five million to rebuild their gym.”
According to Funke Frommeyer, it’s difficult to see areas not get the funding they need and she tries hard to raise the necessary amount of money. The superintendent of Augusta schools visited Frankfurt with Frommeyer three times in an attempt to build the new gym they needed; however, it was unfortunately denied.
With this, Frommeyer explained other plans for her time in office. One main goal is to create a “Wellness Revolution.”
She explained she wants to work on better ways to improve mental and physical health.
“Everything I do is through the lens of wellness. I want mental wellness, I want physical wellness, I want emotional wellness.”
One of her primary interests in the wellness revolution is using physical fitness as an alternative for medication.
Having someone in power coming to Highlands to encourage students is a great opportunity to learn and grow. Students are very grateful to have people of importance come speak to them about turning their interests into a career.
Funke Frommeyer continues to spread her thoughts to anyone who wants to listen, as well as visiting schools and getting feedback from those in the community.
“So it’s been a journey for me from a young age all the way to I’m now 55 and I’m about 655 days as a new state senator.”
