Founder of Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment
Rick McPherson Rick McPherson, founder of C.O.R.E. - Community Organized Resources for Educating youth, is married to his wife, Jackie; and they live in South Dakota. Their faith is the center of their lives and reaches out to those around them. They enjoy family time with their 3 grown children and 12 grandchildren. Rick, when he has extra time, loves hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.
Rick is a retired Pennington County Deputy from South Dakota with 31 plus years of law enforcement experience. During those years, he served in many different capacities in two states—Ohio and South Dakota. He served as a Certified State Mounted unit, Supervisor, Patrol officer, State Park Ranger, K -9 Unit, DARE Officer, 3 years in Special Crimes Unit, and a stint as a Special United States Marshall.
Through all his service, his heart’s inspiration and passion shows through in caring for the youth in our communities. Rick has taken his law enforcement experience to a new dimension taking a pro-active approach. Rick believes in educating our youth in a very unique, interactive training that involves many agencies, students, schools and local communities.
Because of his inspiration, he founded the Freshman Impact® program in 2006 in Wall SD, with one school and only 60 students attending. The program became a 501 c (3) non-profit organization in 2012 and has federally registered copyrights and trademarks. As of 2018, the Freshman Impact® program has given over 12,000 freshman students in over 60 school districts in 4 states the opportunity to see the real-life consequences of poor choices before it happens to them—and has saved countless teenage lives.
Today his inspiration, passion and dedication to helping our youth continues. It shines through in every Freshman Impact® program, its trained Local Coordinators and into every community that has the privilege of attending one of these programs.
Rick McPherson Rick McPherson, founder of C.O.R.E. - Community Organized Resources for Educating youth, is married to his wife, Jackie; and they live in South Dakota. Their faith is the center of their lives and reaches out to those around them. They enjoy family time with their 3 grown children and 12 grandchildren. Rick, when he has extra time, loves hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.
Rick is a retired Pennington County Deputy from South Dakota with 31 plus years of law enforcement experience. During those years, he served in many different capacities in two states—Ohio and South Dakota. He served as a Certified State Mounted unit, Supervisor, Patrol officer, State Park Ranger, K -9 Unit, DARE Officer, 3 years in Special Crimes Unit, and a stint as a Special United States Marshall.
Through all his service, his heart’s inspiration and passion shows through in caring for the youth in our communities. Rick has taken his law enforcement experience to a new dimension taking a pro-active approach. Rick believes in educating our youth in a very unique, interactive training that involves many agencies, students, schools and local communities.
Because of his inspiration, he founded the Freshman Impact® program in 2006 in Wall SD, with one school and only 60 students attending. The program became a 501 c (3) non-profit organization in 2012 and has federally registered copyrights and trademarks. As of 2018, the Freshman Impact® program has given over 12,000 freshman students in over 60 school districts in 4 states the opportunity to see the real-life consequences of poor choices before it happens to them—and has saved countless teenage lives.
Today his inspiration, passion and dedication to helping our youth continues. It shines through in every Freshman Impact® program, its trained Local Coordinators and into every community that has the privilege of attending one of these programs.
Leah Zandstra, C.O.R.E. Board Chair
Leah Zandstra has been referred to as working for a hobby and volunteering for a living. She currently works part time for her friends at Fromm Dermatology, but spends most of her time volunteering for multiple organizations she remains passionate about. In particular: The Salvation Army, Children’s Home Society, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Freshman Impact. Her philosophy is to give back more than what you receive and lives by the Winston Churchill quote:
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
With full support from her husband Casey and two boys Riley and Roman, they volunteer as a family to build a bond between them and even stronger ties to their community. After experiencing great loss herself due to a drinking and driving incident in 2015 she became extremely interested in the root of a problem and the need for more prevention and awareness. Freshman Impact has helped her to take on that cause.
Leah Zandstra has been referred to as working for a hobby and volunteering for a living. She currently works part time for her friends at Fromm Dermatology, but spends most of her time volunteering for multiple organizations she remains passionate about. In particular: The Salvation Army, Children’s Home Society, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Freshman Impact. Her philosophy is to give back more than what you receive and lives by the Winston Churchill quote:
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
With full support from her husband Casey and two boys Riley and Roman, they volunteer as a family to build a bond between them and even stronger ties to their community. After experiencing great loss herself due to a drinking and driving incident in 2015 she became extremely interested in the root of a problem and the need for more prevention and awareness. Freshman Impact has helped her to take on that cause.
Jackie McPherson, C.O.R.E Board of Director -Vice Chair
Jackie brings many years experience in the legal and education fields. She is currently employed by the Douglas School District as the Administrative Assistant. She has worked many years with kids as a 4-H Advisor and Youth to Youth Advisor. Jackie is a board member for C.O.R.E. and has the challenging work of book keeping for C.O.R.E. as well. She is inspired by observing the students faces and hearing their remarks as they go through C.O.R.E.' s programs. Jackie has seen kids lives saved and changed because of this program and what it brings to the communities it serves. She whole heartedly believes in the program. If she has spare time she enjoys her 12 grand children and gardening.
Jackie brings many years experience in the legal and education fields. She is currently employed by the Douglas School District as the Administrative Assistant. She has worked many years with kids as a 4-H Advisor and Youth to Youth Advisor. Jackie is a board member for C.O.R.E. and has the challenging work of book keeping for C.O.R.E. as well. She is inspired by observing the students faces and hearing their remarks as they go through C.O.R.E.' s programs. Jackie has seen kids lives saved and changed because of this program and what it brings to the communities it serves. She whole heartedly believes in the program. If she has spare time she enjoys her 12 grand children and gardening.
Dr. Stuart Fromm, C.O.R.E. Board Member.
Stuart is a board certified orthopedic surgeon practicing at Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center in Rapid City, SD. Dr. Fromm grew up in Rapid City and returned there to practice in 1996. He specializes in knee and shoulder arthroscopy and sports medicine as well as joint replacement surgery. Dr. Fromm has had the opportunity to develop, patent, and teach several knee and shoulder techniques that are used by orthopedic surgeons worldwide. In addition, Dr. Fromm also practices orthopedic trauma surgery which originally drew him to Freshman Impact. When not in the OR, Dr. Fromm enjoys the outdoors including adventure sports such as backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. More recently Dr. Fromm has produced and filmed adventure films - one of which features Freshman Impact (“The Ultimate Adventure”). Dr. Fromm believes that his specialty should not only treat injuries but should prevent injuries and thus shares a mutual goal with Freshman Impact.Dr. Stuart Fromm is a board certified orthopedic surgeon practicing at Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center in Rapid City, SD. Dr. Fromm grew up in Rapid City and returned there to practice in 1996. He specializes in knee and shoulder arthroscopy and sports medicine as well as joint replacement surgery. Dr. Fromm has had the opportunity to develop, patent, and teach several knee and shoulder techniques that are used by orthopedic surgeons worldwide. In addition, Dr. Fromm also practices orthopedic trauma surgery which originally drew him to Freshman Impact. When not in the OR, Dr. Fromm enjoys the outdoors including adventure sports such as backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. More recently Dr. Fromm has produced and filmed adventure films - one of which features Freshman Impact (“The Ultimate Adventure”). Dr. Fromm believes that his specialty should not only treat injuries but should prevent injuries and thus shares a mutual goal with Freshman Impact.
Stuart is a board certified orthopedic surgeon practicing at Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center in Rapid City, SD. Dr. Fromm grew up in Rapid City and returned there to practice in 1996. He specializes in knee and shoulder arthroscopy and sports medicine as well as joint replacement surgery. Dr. Fromm has had the opportunity to develop, patent, and teach several knee and shoulder techniques that are used by orthopedic surgeons worldwide. In addition, Dr. Fromm also practices orthopedic trauma surgery which originally drew him to Freshman Impact. When not in the OR, Dr. Fromm enjoys the outdoors including adventure sports such as backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. More recently Dr. Fromm has produced and filmed adventure films - one of which features Freshman Impact (“The Ultimate Adventure”). Dr. Fromm believes that his specialty should not only treat injuries but should prevent injuries and thus shares a mutual goal with Freshman Impact.Dr. Stuart Fromm is a board certified orthopedic surgeon practicing at Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center in Rapid City, SD. Dr. Fromm grew up in Rapid City and returned there to practice in 1996. He specializes in knee and shoulder arthroscopy and sports medicine as well as joint replacement surgery. Dr. Fromm has had the opportunity to develop, patent, and teach several knee and shoulder techniques that are used by orthopedic surgeons worldwide. In addition, Dr. Fromm also practices orthopedic trauma surgery which originally drew him to Freshman Impact. When not in the OR, Dr. Fromm enjoys the outdoors including adventure sports such as backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. More recently Dr. Fromm has produced and filmed adventure films - one of which features Freshman Impact (“The Ultimate Adventure”). Dr. Fromm believes that his specialty should not only treat injuries but should prevent injuries and thus shares a mutual goal with Freshman Impact.
Matt Haugen, C.O.R.E Board Member
Matt Haugen has served as Sheriff in Jackson County since 2017. Before moving to the Badlands, he served in the Black Hills. He’s been involved with Freshman Impact and CORE since 2012. Matt cannot think of a better way to invest time than spending it with students.
Matt Haugen has served as Sheriff in Jackson County since 2017. Before moving to the Badlands, he served in the Black Hills. He’s been involved with Freshman Impact and CORE since 2012. Matt cannot think of a better way to invest time than spending it with students.
Brett Hanson , C.O.R.E Board Member
Brett was raised on a cattle ranch in Southeastern Wyoming. Brett has an Associates Degree for LCCC in Cheyenne WY in Farm and Ranch Mgnt and a BS Degree from University of Wyoming in Laramie. Brett was married to his wife in 1987. She is also from Laramie and a graduate of UW . They have 5 children and on grandson with one more on the way next June. Brett has spent most of working career in Agricultural lending and for the last 10 years ranching on the side. He has been and currently is involved in many organizations including Church, Scouting, and Economic Development. He has a strong desire to give to our youth the best possible future. He has hopefully help youth through youth ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, various roles in Scouting and now on the board of CORE Freshman Impact.
Brett was raised on a cattle ranch in Southeastern Wyoming. Brett has an Associates Degree for LCCC in Cheyenne WY in Farm and Ranch Mgnt and a BS Degree from University of Wyoming in Laramie. Brett was married to his wife in 1987. She is also from Laramie and a graduate of UW . They have 5 children and on grandson with one more on the way next June. Brett has spent most of working career in Agricultural lending and for the last 10 years ranching on the side. He has been and currently is involved in many organizations including Church, Scouting, and Economic Development. He has a strong desire to give to our youth the best possible future. He has hopefully help youth through youth ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, various roles in Scouting and now on the board of CORE Freshman Impact.