It Starts with the Board

Seven Warriors Stories

It Starts with the Board

Sent to the Board of Trustees on August 25, 2026

Fellow Board Members,

As we begin the 2026-2027 academic year, I’ve been thinking about the culture of philanthropy we are building at Verde Valley School.

Last year, we heard that phrase time and time again. I was honored to represent that culture by giving my time, finding ways to stay involved, and continuing to serve. We all contribute to VVS in different ways, and I believe it starts with us. Our responsibility is to lead that culture together.

I first came to VVS in 1972 and graduated in 1975. The experiences that have shaped me most happened at VVS. It was my first experience living away from home, and I formed friendships with students from across the country and around the world. I explored the red rocks, went on field trips, and experienced things that opened my eyes to people and cultures very different from my own.

One experience I will never forget was spending two weeks with a Zuni family during my senior year. They welcomed us into their home and shared their traditions, work, food, and community with us. I still have the silver and turquoise bolo tie I made with them in 1975. That experience taught me to step outside what I knew, listen to others, and see the world differently. Experiences like this helped shape who I became, and that is what I believe makes a VVS education so special.

As I begin my ninth and final year on the Board of Trustees, I have had the opportunity to see the school from many perspectives. VVS has changed over the years, but its heart remains the same. It is the strength of our community, the rigorous education, and the experiences that stay with you long after you leave VVS.

That is why I believe in the Seven Warriors Fund. The fund helps close the gap between tuition and the true cost of a VVS education, helping sustain the full VVS experience for students today and carry it forward for the next generation.

Our goal is 100% Board participation. That does not mean everyone gives the same amount. It means each Board member finds a way to participate and contributes in a way that is right for them. Together, we can help lead a culture of philanthropy across the VVS community.

With gratitude,

Chris Means ’75
Trustee Warrior

“The experiences that have shaped me most happened at VVS.”

Chris Means ’75, Trustee Warrior

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