Meet Larry Thornhill
Candidate for Gold Trail Union School District
I was born in Miami, Florida. My Father was a meteorologist in the US Air Force as well as Civil Defense Director for Marion County Mississippi.
After my parents divorced, my Mother married 2 more times with both marriages failing. As a result, I was well acquainted with hard times as our small family was on welfare for several years. Going to the County Welfare Building to receive beans, rice and powdered milk was a common occasion that was equally embarrassing !
Out of economic necessity, my Mother, Brother and I moved to California in 1962 to create a new start. We lived with a friend of my Mother until we could find a place of our own. As a result of having no Father in our home, I fell into a very "dark period" in my life from age 12 to 19.
I graduated from Sunnyvale High School in the Bay Area in 1966. I attended Foothill JC, DeAnza JC and San Jose State University majoring in Education/Music (I play the saxophone).
As I was coming to a "crossroad of decision" in my life, I met, Patricia Hutchings, and through her insistence I went to church with her. On April 17, 1969 I invited Jesus Christ into my heart and life, and everything took on a whole new meaning. All the "darkness" that was seducing me into destruction was gone. Pat and I were married on October 4, 1969 and this October we will celebrate 55 years of marriage. Today Pat and I have 4 children, 7 Grand Children and 4 Great Grandchildren.
My Career and Calling
I entered the Carpenters Union in 1969 and attended 4 years of Apprenticeship Training. Entering the California State Apprentice Contest in 1971 I placed 1st in Monterey/San Francisco District and 7th in overall State Competition.Something I'm very proud of!
In 1976 I became a General Building Contractor. At age 27 I went into business for myself and have never looked back!
For several years I was the Senior Carpentry Instructor at the Merit Shop Training Center in Dublin, California. I enjoyed teaching young people how to master their trade! It was a very fulfilling time in my life.
Recently, I became a "Mentor" with the California National Guard "Discovery Program". I assisted young people who are going through very difficult times. It was a joyful and sad time as I saw lives changed for the better and ruined because of good and poor decision making.
I am currently a Certified Constitutional Coach with Patriot Academy where I teach classes on "Biblical Citizenship in Modern America". We are ALL stewards of our nation. Encouraging people to understand our Constitution and, ultimately, run for a Public Service Office is the goal of the Class. Teaching this Class is what motivated me to run for Trustee of our School District.
I am a Member of Green Valley Community Church (Placerville) where I minister on their "Prayer Partner Team" helping people who need prayer in their life. Along with my association with Green Valley, I am a 23 year Member of Solid Rock Faith Center in Diamond Springs where I am a part of the Men's Fellowship Group. Serving God and people brings me great joy!
I would be remiss if I didn't share with you my love for golf. I am actively involved with Apple Mountain Golf Course in Camino. For the last six years I have been President of the Players Association. I oversee all the tournaments, budgets and long term planning. I have developed a Team of People who volunteer their time and effort to make golfing at Apple a fun experience as well as a skill developing endeavor. I am also a strong promoter of Junior Golf in our area. I believe children who are involved in sports tend to be better learners and top notch students. The discipline needed to play and excel in sports runs tandem with getting good grades.
I am especially proud of my grandson, Nico, who at the age of 9 became the youngest golfer in Apple Mountain Golf Course's 50 year history to score a "hole in one"! On August 16th, 2019 Nico "aced" the 128 yard 17th hole with his 6 iron....AND his Grandpa was there to witness the feat....priceless!! Nico along with all his other sports minded friends are excellent students. I attribute that to their involvement in sports and I will encourage our school's children to become involved in their favorite sports activity.....nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Why I’m Running
In closing, I am deeply concerned about the direction that our nation is going and how the educational system has changed over time. I see falling test scores and changes in the ideologies that once made our State and Country great as a significant indicator that our children need to return to the "basics" of learning.
I strongly feel that the family is the foundation of our nation and that parents , along with teachers, play a significant role in motivating children to become eager to take on new dimensions in learning. Our children are NOT political pawns and should NEVER be treated as such! After much prayer, I feel compelled to run for this Trustee position....."retiring" is not an option right now. The stakes are too high to stand idly by anymore!
When elected I promise to hold the "Educational System" accountable and will ALWAYS be open and transparent with you...the Parents! Thank you, in advance, for voting for me on November 5th!