Cheri L. Farha

is honored with a Medium Paver from Hank & Joyce Farha and Marc A. Farha

It is altogether fitting and proper that we have chosen Cheri's 50th birthday on October 19, 2011 to honor her with her name inscribed on a Granite Paver placed in The Plaza of Heroines at Wichita State University. Her paver will be placed alongside of one for her grandmother, 'Sittie Saada Farha'.

Cheri was born October 19, 1961 in Wichita to her proud parents, Henry S. Farha, Jr. and Joyce Abraham Farha. She grew up in Wichita, attended Wichita Public Schools and WSU. Cheri remained in Wichita until her graduation from WSU in 1983 with a degree in Journalism. In 1964 she was blessed with a baby brother named Marc A. Farha.

Cheri's leadership abilities and communicative skills became apparent at an early age. In the 6th grade she was asked by classmates to run for class secretary. When she got home from school she was very unhappy. She said that she didn't want to be class secretary, she wanted to be class president. After her Dad told her that she couldn't be class president unless she ran for that office. Cheri decided to run for class president. She conducted a very successful campaign complete with posters, speeches and all the political tools. The win whetted her appetite for all things political. Her Blue Bird group sold Russell Stover chocolates as a fund raiser to help finance summer camp. She developed a clever sales pitch which she made everyone listen to before she would take their order. As a result, she sold more than any other of the girls.

High School was another fun and successful time for Cheri. In addition to the required courses she took Speech, Forensics and Debate. As a sophomore she placed 2nd in the State Forensics Tournament. When it came time to graduate in May 1979, her classmates chose her to be one of the three graduates to deliver the Commencement Address. She gave a very good address that was built around the titles of some of Shakespeare's better known plays. This resulted in a standing ovation.

At WSU her emphasis in her studies was on Journalism, Political Science, and Public Relations. Extracurricular activities included Student Government Association, Student Alumni Association, Student Political Parties, President of her Sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, Hippodrome and Homecoming. Like her father before her and her brother after her, she worked her way through school and earned her degree in four years. Her hard work and many achievements were recognized when she was named to be one of the Senior Honor Women in her class. You can find her name with all the other Senior Honor Men and Women in the Rhatigan Student Center.

For the last 30 years, Cheri has made extensive use of her acquired communication skills. First in Washington, D.C. office of our congressman as a staffer then as his PR Director. She then worked as Co-editor of the national magazine and PR Director for The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, (AOPA) She attended George Washington University where she met her husband, Keith Johnston, and where they both earned a MPA degree (Masters of Public Administration.) They then moved to Atlanta, GA where they worked for IBM. Keith in Marketing and Cheri in PR. Their son, Hayden was born in Atlanta in 1997.

Getting tired of the big city life, they moved to Middleton, WI where they currently reside. Cheri accepted a position as the distribution center manager for Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) a food pantry. She is responsible for recruiting and coordinating the activites of over 100 volunteers and many other things in support of MOM. She writes articles for their monthly publication and the local papers in addition to speaking to churches, schools, civic groups, and various youth groups for contributions and volunteers. Many of her ideas and suggestions have been implemented with a great deal of success. She is appreciated and loved by all those that she associated with.

Submitted with all our love and best wishes for continued success. Mom, Dad and brother. Joyce Farha, f/s, Hank Farha '51, and Marc Farha '86