Legions of youngsters, most of them deeply troubled, have benefited from the work of Christine Straw ’63. While at SHS Chris was co-editor of the Scarlet S and represented the school at Buckeye Girls State.
She then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Baldwin-Wallace College and a master’s degree in school psychology at Ohio University. Later, after beginning her career, she earned a Psy.D. in clinical psychology at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology.
For thirty years, Chris served the students of Milwaukee Public Schools as a school psychologist and trainer of school psychologists. Observes an alum, “Chris has helped countless troubled children.”
Simultaneously, she developed a private practice working with children, teens and adults (retired 2016) and she continues to teach psychology classes as a professor in the WSPP graduate school.
Chris also has pursued a second passion – music. As a singer, songwriter, and upright bass player, she has been part of two groups – Pickin’ Up Speed and The Moxie Chicks – that have recorded albums.
Says a fellow alum, “Chris has combined impressive quantities of intellectual and physical energy to serve and entertain others.” Chris lives in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, with her husband of 3 years, Jon.
Nominator: Mike Johnson ’63.