Cynthia Spanihel Sunderman was born and raised in Eagle Lake, Texas. She attended and played basketball at Wharton County Junior College and then transferred to Sam Houston State University where she graduated in 1972 with a degree in Mathematics. She taught at Sealy High School and Eagle Lake Middle School before taking time away from teaching to raise a family. In 1980 her oldest son Chad began 1st grade at Saint Anthony Catholic School in Columbus. At that time she began volunteering at SAS. In 1985 she began teaching 4th-8th grade Math with the intention of preparing a program to implement Algebra in 8th Grade. That year’s 6th grade class was able to be offered Algebra as 8th graders.

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Cynthia and her husband, Edward, have two sons, Chad and Kurt Sunderman, and they are both graduates of SAS. Her three grandchildren have also attended St. Anthony Catholic School.

 

Music is one of Cynthia’s passions.  She is the music minister at Parish of the Nativity in Eagle Lake, a member of the Columbus Community Choir, and she provides music for funerals and weddings as needed. She and Mary Kay Heffley began a SAS Children’s Choir in 1987 and provided music for St. Anthony Catholic Church and surrounding community events for over 20 years.  Today she is again working with the SAS music program.

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Besides music, Mrs. Sunderman spends her time with her pets, Moo and Bandit, and enjoys following her grandchildren and their activities.