Gerald Pickeral
Building Superintendent since 1963
 

Charles "Charlie" Cooper really helped "jump-start" the Foundation, and focus its mission, by conceiving of and endowing the Foundation's “Principals/Faculty/Staff Memory Fund.”  Charlie endowed this Fund in memory of John M. Pryde, Charlie’s principal while at Surrattsville.  Charlie reports that the late Mr. Pryde’s interest in and encouragement of Charlie really made a difference for him, and he wanted to make a contribution in his memory and encourage other alumni to make similar contributions to this Fund in the memory of principals, faculty and staff members who touched their lives.

The Principals/Faculty/Staff Memory Fund is a source of funds to be used to assist current Surrattsville High School students in succeeding at the School and beyond. The School Principal, with input from teachers, counselors, coaches, students and others, identifies students who could benefit from the Fund, and suggests appropriate Fund expenditures to the Fund’s Committee. For instance, the Principal might identify a student who would benefit from private tutoring in a particular subject or from focused counseling, and the Principal could suggest to the Committee that money from the Fund be used to pay for this tutoring or counseling. Similarly, the Principal might identify a student who would be likely to qualify for college admission only with some SAT test preparation, and the Principal could suggest to the Committee that money from the Fund be used to pay for this preparation. The Principal also might identify a student who would benefit from a study skills or similar course, and the Principal could suggest to the Committee that money from the Fund be used to pay for this course. The uses of the Fund to assist current students would not be limited, so costs such as eye and ear examinations and the like also could be paid from the Fund.

This is an absolutely wonderful idea by Charlie, and a real tangible way for us to acknowledge the thousands of helpful gestures we received from those who shepherded us through the halls of Surratts. The Foundation takes great pride in recognizing Charlie's vision and generosity with its 2001 Achievement Award.

After graduating from Surrattsville, Charlie attended Strayer Business College for a time, and then joined the Air Force.  His eyesight prevented him from reaching his goal of becoming a pilot, so he became a radio operator serving at bases in the U.S. and Korea.  After leaving the Air Force, Charlie attended the University of Maryland, leaving the University to work to support his growing family.  He started his business career as a manufacturer's sales representative based in Cleveland, Ohio and covering a multi-State region, traveling constantly and returning home on the weekends to see his wife and children.  In 1978, after a series of successful sales positions in Ohio, Charlie and a partner started their own firm specializing in machine controls and factory automation equipment.  The new firm expanded rapidly, with Charlie buying out his partner in 1982.  Charlie continued to expand his company until his retirement and sale of the company to five of its managers in 1994.

Gerald Pickeral
Building Superintendent since 1963

To the best of our knowledge, there is only one current Surrattsville staff member who was on the scene in the early 1960s in the first years of the "New School" behind the Post Office.  Although he doesn't look like this is possible, Gerald Pickeral has served as Surrattsville's Building Superintendent since 1963.

It is impossible to estimate every thing Gerald has done for the thousands and thousands of Surrattsville students, staff, faculty and administration who have passed through the halls  of Surratts during his 38 year career.  And he has done it all in good humor and with dignity, creativity and patience.

In 1985, the County honored Gerald as its Employee of the Year, and now the Foundation is proud to honor Gerald with its 2001 Achievement Award.