CHS alumnus donates $50K to school

One of Chester High School's distinguished alumni has given back to his alma mater once again.

Prof. James Franklin Sharp, founder and chairman of Sharp Seminars (which is a training provider for Wall Street portfolio managers and security analysts) in New York, has donated $50,000 to Chester High School in gratitude after the school placed a new cedar-colored bench in front of Colbert Memorial Gymnasium.

The bench is in recognition of the achievements and generosity of Sharp, who graduated from CHS in 1954 and has returned to the school several times to give graduation remarks - most recently in 2014.

Since 1999, Sharp has also endowed three annual college scholarships for CHS graduating seniors in honor of his father (Jake Sharp Scholarship), mother (Edna Sharp Scholarship) and sister (Rosanna Sharp Myers Scholarship).

Sharp has also spoken at the Chester Grade School commencement program, most recently in 2010. In a news release announcing the donation, Sharp stated he hopes to speak at CGS again in 2020 and at CHS in 2024.

The bench features two plaques, one on each end. On the left side reads: "PROFESSOR SHARP BENCH: Recognized For His Achievements and His Generosity" and on the right, a plaque lists Sharp's name, his achieved designations, business name, school and class.

Sharp stated he plans to return to Chester for a few days in August to view the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, and will have a chance to sit on his bench, which he has only seen in photos.

The Herald Tribune will have comments and reaction of the donation in its July 19 print edition.