Michelle Gollihar of Manteca very much believes in the African proverb that means an entire community of people must interact with children in order for them to grow up in a safe and productive environment.
She’s the widowed mother of Anthony and Casey Gollihar, who are students at Golden West Elementary School. Both have consistently been on the school’s honor roll, with eighth grader Anthony recently making the Principal’s 4.0 Honor Roll for the first time.
Both are in band classes as well.
“Both boys are great students,” said Golden West Office Manager Anne Widmer.
She along with Principal Sherie Gates and Attendance Clerk Nicole Haskell are credited by Michelle Gollihar for “going above and beyond” their duties in helping out her boys.
“They’ve always been there for us,” she said.
This year has been especially tough for her and her family. Anthony and Casey, who are respectively in seventh and eighth grades, continue to achieve amid distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. But that’s not without its share of problem.
“My youngest is social – he enjoys being around people – and been missing going to school. He took it upon himself to call a counselor to help him through some tough times,” she said.
Gollihar has her share of health issues including a life-threatening ordeal in September 2018. She spent several months convalescing. What’s more, she’s been unable to work – Gollihar has held several jobs, mostly as a waitress, working at places locally including the former Athens Burgers – and is on limited income.
Those at Golden West, meanwhile, have helped the Gollihar family through thick and thin. “They’re more to us than just school – they’re family,” Michelle said on Wednesday.
Earlier that day, her family received a surprise morning visit from Widmer, Haskell and John Adams, who is the lead Solid Waste Worker for the City of Manteca.
According to Widmer, Adams has contacted Golden West for the City’s Adopt-A-Family holiday program for three years for referrals.
Needless to say, Anthony and Casey – among this year’s referrals – were “spoiled with gifts,” she said.
Michelle Gollihar was especially touched.
“It’s not just Christmas but (those at Golden West) have been there for us, year around,” she said.
This includes the recent Christmas and Thanksgiving turkey dinners with all the fixings that her family received compliments of yet another referral from her Golden West family.
“That was from another family who donated food to those in need during the holidays,
Widmer said.
Anthony Gollihar will be going to high school next year while Gates is retiring after some d14 years at the school.
Whatever the future holds, Michelle Gollihar noted that Golden West will always be special place in her heart.
