Schools, Education

6.17,13

Bloomingdale seniors honored

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

BLOOMINGDALE - In front of a full crowd, the 58 seniors of Bloomingdale High School's Class of 2013 crossed the podium on Friday, May 31 to receive their high school diplomas during commencement ceremonies in the high school gymnasium.

Nathan Douglas was selected as valedictorian. He is,the son of Mike and Wendy Douglas. Jill Bartz was chosen as Salutatorian. She is the daughter of Paul and Diane Bartz.

Douglas also earned the Highest Honor Graduate award.

Other students who were honored follow:

High Honor graduates : Jill Bartz,  Janet Bautista, Allison Nadeau and Allison Rall.

Honor graduates: Grace Cooley,  Savannah Crouch, Stephanie Earl, Tiffany Flannigan, Summer Fritz, Matthew Gibson, Jaclynn Grenlin, Brody Harris, Andrea Hooper, Thomas Jelsomeno, Jeremiah Johnson, Michael Jones, Tayler Martin, Kyle Martinez, Gary Napp, Brian Norman, Elizabeth Ruiz, Nayeli Sanchez, Mikayla Waddle, Adam Walczak, Cole Wixom and Troy Vance.

National Honor Society graduates: Jill Bartz, Nathan Douglas, Stephanie Earl, Summer Fritz, Brody Harris, Kyle Martinex, Allison Nadeau, Allison Rall and Nayeli Sanchez.

Scholarship winners: Jill Bartz - Arch and Lu Verne Merrifield scholarships; Janet Bautista - William "Bill" Lake scholarship, Western Michigan University Incentive Full Tuition award; Nathan Douglas - Clarence and Veta Tildes scholarship, Bloomingdale Area Schools Foundation award, Cardinal Youth Sports scholarship, Kevin Kluskowski Memorial scholarship, and William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Stephanie Earl - William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Tiffany Flannigan - Western Michigan University Incentive Full Tuition award; Summer Fritz - Western Michigan University Incentive Full Tuition award; Brody Harris - Clarence and Veta Tildes scholarship, Cardinal Youth Sports scholarship and William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Jeremiah Johnson - Western Michigan University Incentive Full Tuition award; Michael Jones - Western Michigan University Incentive Full Tuition award; Summer Lemon -  William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Matthew Lopez - Pullman Pride scholarship; Tayler Martin - Arch and Lu Verne Merrifield scholarship, Stan DeBois scholarship, and William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Gary Napp - William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Brian Norman - William "Bill" Lake scholarship, Grant and Marguerite Pearson scholarship; Allison Rall -  William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Nayeli Sanchez-  Pullman Pride scholarship and Western Michigan University Incentive Full Tuition award; Veronica Serna - Terry Laraway scholarship and William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Emily Smith - William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Adam Walczak - William "Bill" Lake scholarship; Seth Walle - Hank Niewooder Citizenship award, Pullman Pride scholarship and Terry Laraway scholarship; Cole Wixom - Western Michigan University Incentive Full Tuition grant.

Bangor seniors honored

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

BANGOR — Bangor's Class of 2013 ended their four-year trek through high school, June 2, at the annual graduation ceremony.

The following students were honored

Top Ten seniors: Austin Ford, Kelcey Gravatt, Andrew Johnson, Thomas Kerber, Kelly Molenda, Kristian Moore, Emily Shafer, Emma Thorbjornsen, Timothy Ward and Krista Watson.

Presidential Educational Academic Program Award (3.50 or higher GPA): Austin Ford, Kelcey Gravatt, Andrew Johnson, Thomas Kerber, Derek Lee, Kelly Molenda, Kristian Moore, Elvira Saucedo, Emily Shafer, Emma Thorbjornsen, Timothy Ward, Krista Watson, Curtis Welty and Stephon Willis.

Honor Graduates (3.00-3.50 GPA): Philip Brower, Corina Carpio, Austin Ford, Raul Garcia-Cruz, Vincent Goodyear, Kelcey Gravatt, Andrew Johnson, Monique Johnson, Alexandra Kelly, Thomas Kerber, Chelsey Kerley, Katherine Kimbler, Shawn Kindig, Derek Lee, Kelly Molenda, Kristian Moore, Calvin Perry, Nadesta Piper, Olga Quinones, Lorena Sanchez-Saucedo, Elvira Saucedo, Nallely Saucedo, Emily Shafer, Joanna Tenorio-Leyva, Emma Thorbjornsen, Aaron Umbanhowar, Timothy Ward, Krista Watson, Curtis Welty and Charles Stephon Willis.

Awards and scholarship winners:

Community scholarships: Cori Carpio, Austin Ford, Andrew Johnson, Thomas Kerber, Katherine Kimbler, Derek Lee, Kelly Molenda, Emily Shafer, Joanna Tenorio-Leyva, Emma Thorbjornsen

Bangor Lions Club scholarship: Katherine Kimbler, Emma Thorbjornsen, Krista Watson

GEAR-UP scholarship - Andrew Johnson, Sarah Fillmore, Raul Garcia-Cruz, Kelcey Gravatt, Cinnamon Jackson, Monique Johnson, Thomas Kerber, Katherine Kimbler, Derek Lee, Celina Martinez, David McNealy, Kelly Molenda. Daniel Munoz, Joshua Oviedo, Olga Quinones, Emily Shafer, Jessica Sullins, Emma Thorbjornsen, Krista Watson, Charles Willis

Ross Normington Memorial scholarship: Daniel Munoz

Richard Beer Memorial scholarship: Kelly Molenda

Francis E. Martin Memorial scholarship: Nallely Saucedo

Patrick O. Watkins Memorial scholarship: Alexandra Kelly

Terri Lynn Wilson Memorial scholarship: Krista Watson

Kay Myrkle scholarship :Katherine Kimbler

Bangor Arts Council scholarship: Katherine Kimbler, Joshua Oviedo

Dr. Avison and Maude Gano Memorial scholarship: Andrew Johnson. Kelcey Gravatt, Kelly Molenda, Austin Ford

South Haven Community Hospital Auxiliary scholarship: Kelcey Gravatt, Kelly Molenda, Krista Watson

Bangor Education Association scholarship: Emily Shafer;

American Red Cross - Blood Services scholarship: Joanna Tenorio-Leyva, Kelcey Gravatt, Katherine Kimbler

Michigan Competitive scholarship: Philip Brower, Corina Carpio, Austin Ford, Kelcey Gravatt, Andrew Johnson, Alexandra Kelly, Thomas Kerber, Chelsey Kerley, Dylan Kerley, Shawn Kindig, Derek Lee, Kristian Moore, Emily Shafer, Emma Thorbjornsen, Aaron Umbanhowar, Timothy Ward, Krista Watson, Curtis Welty

SAC Academic All Conference award: Timothy Ward (Viking Scholar), Austin Ford (Viking Scholar), Thomas Kerber (Viking Scholar), Andrew Johnson, Philip Brower

U.S. Marine Corp – Scholastic Excellence award: Stephon Willis, Kristian Moore

U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete: Emma Thorbjornsen, Andrew Johnson

Norm Johnson Memorial scholarship for the outstanding male/female senior athlete: Monique Johnson, Stephon Willis

Helen Freestone Memorial scholarship: Emma Thorbjornsen

Viking Club scholarship: Cori Carpio, Austin Ford, Andrew Johnson, Alexandra Kelly, David McNealy, Emma Thorbjornsen

Bill Mayhak Memorial scholarship: Andrew Johnson

Big Heart award scholarship: Lorena Sanchez

Pete Gent award: Jesse Ring

Sportsmanship award: Joshua Kelly, Kristian Moore

U.S. Marine Corp Student/Athlete award: Corless Parker, Kelly Molenda

John Phillips Sousa Band award: Katherine Kimbler

Southwestern Athletic Conference (SAC) Scholar-Athlete 3.25 GPA and four letters in two sports: Corina Carpio, Austin Ford, Andrew Johnson. Alexandra Kelly, Thomas Kerber, Kelly Molenda. Kristian Moore, Emily Shafer, Joanna Tenorio-Leyva, Emma Thorbjornsen, Stephon Willis, Curtis Welty, Krista Watson

The Herald-Palladium Academic All-Stars award: Austin Ford, Timothy Ward

Detroit Free Press Scholar/Athlete: Austin Ford, Kelly Molenda

Van Buren Technology awards: Thomas Kerber - Physical.Tech Cluster – Student of the Year Scholarship winner; Kahlieb Redaway - Fundamentals of Patient Care (B); Monique Johnson - Law Enforcement; Kelcey Gravatt - Pharmacy Technician; and Shawn Kindig - Plastics.



4.22.13

Principal invited to speak at KVCC commencement

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Bangor High School Principal Jeff Melvin didn't know what to make of a letter he received while on spring break. He was either an award winner or an April Fool.

The letter arrived from his alma mater, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and stated he had been named the college's first-ever Distinguished Alumni Award winner.

“But it came on April 1,” Melvin said. “I called and said, 'Is this for real?”

It certainly was, according to Mike Collins, vice president for College and Student Relations at KVCC. Melvin will receive his award April 28 during Kalamazoo Valley's graduation ceremony. He'll also give a short speech to the 900 graduating students.

“It's so humbling,” Melvin said. “I asked, 'Why me?' They said, 'Why not?'”

The college created the award “to recognize alumni for using their education toward personal achievement and the betterment of the community,” Collins said.

Melvin attended KVCC from 1976-78 with the intention of becoming a professional baseball player.

“That didn't work out so I became pro in something else,” he quipped.

During his two years at the community college the Bloomingdale native became interested in being a teacher.

“The people and the programs at Kalamazoo Valley guided me, a rural farm kid without a real goal, down the right career path, “Melvin said. “Great instructors recognized my skills and challenged me to stretch and grow beyond my aspirations of baseball. Some of those instructors are still there. Some of our students at Bangor who are dual-enrolled at KVCC have those (same) instructors.”

After graduating from KVCC, Melvin went on to earn a bachelor degree in physical education and elementary education from Grand Valley State University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. He has spent the past three decades in the education field and and has served as Bangor High School principal since 1997.

Area students named to LMC dean's list

The following area students have been named the academic honors lists at Lake Michigan College for the fall 2012 semester:

President's List

• Fennville — Fernando Casanova, Winnie Elizabeth Junttila, Reginald Edward King, Elizabeth Grace Maslanka
• South Haven — Mark Jeffrey Cornett, Marina N Hansen, Hollie Jean House, Annette Teresa Stephens, Johanna Faye Vandenburg, Rebecca Alice West, Kristyn N Wickham

Dean’s List

• Bangor — JoAnn Chillers, Lori J Miller, Warren William Newman, Paul Christopher Reissmann, Rachel Anna Westbrooks
• Covert — SteVee Nicole Parrigin, Sarah Elizabeth Wheeler
• Fennville — Elijah Robert Bradford
• Grand Junction — Jason William Bryant, Jessica Dawn Hooper, Saul Saucedo Jr, Shelby Alexandra Spears
• South Haven — Fredrick Edward Alberda, Kara Anne Besemer, Keene Samuel Brown, John Kenneth Bunce, David Michael Hyde, Ana Lucia Reed, Esther Renee Reed, Shurrone Richmond, Dawn Marie Ridley, Jeremiah Emmanuel Smith, Burel Bernard Stevens, Dana`e Joy Vandenburg

Part-time Dean’s List

• Bangor — Tammi Lynn Higley, Christopher Ryan Hull, Naara Nava, Lisa Marie Williams
• Bloomingdale — Chathlyn Jacey Fleetwood, Shannon Renee Fusco, Devin Robertson-Vorpe Healy, Kimberly Ann Markovich
• Covert — Melissa Louise Becker, Julianna C Brant, Katherine Elizabeth DeRosa, Anitra F Donald, Ariel Naomi Wheeler, Rebecca K Wood
• Fennville — Caitlyn Michelle Andry, Fernando E Avila-Callejas, Kaitlyn Marie Couturier, Samuel A Freestone, Amanda Lynn Gallt, Rebecca Anne Hughes, Nicole B Kupres, Cristina Ann Maslanka, Gracie Ann Reyna, Breanna R Schultz
• Grand Junction — Victoria L Kohlhoff, Courtney Aleese Lemmer, Carrie Ann Levering, Karen A Saffell, Rhiannon E Steele-Aldag, Erin Bailey Sutton, Carol M Ulen, Melanie Marie Ulen
• Pullman — Jeanette Lynn Cross, Lauren Marie Curley, Kevin Eugene Hug, Rachel Anne Krieger, Kristen Lou Latham, Tosha N Maciel
• South Haven — Allen Michael Antonson, Autumn Sophia Baldwin, James William Beattie, Bobbie Jo Booker, Kristi Boothe, Cody Leighton Brower, Mechele Marie Brower, Margarita Calderon, Nathan G Decker, Molly B DeGrandchamp, Kitty Lynn Fazzini, Nathaniel Owen Marcus Fields, Ashley Ann Fossati, Holly N Gallagher, Jessica Claire Gleeson, Theora Faye Helms, Brandon Michael James Henderson, Emily Joy Hilliard, Josiah Miles Jessup, Amanda J Johnson, Matthew Allen Johnson, Shelly R Jones, Troy Andrew Kaptur, Justin William Legel, Zachary Medrano, Brianne Catherine Parker, Stephanie D Phillips, Tara Christine Radseck, Dionne D Rigozzi, Megan Elizabeth Servatius, Madelynn Renee Simon, Amy Lynn Sutton, Ashley Danielle Thon, Claire M Torp, Dakota Lynn Trinka, Joseph Richard VanderVeen, Erick Lee Weaver



9.10.12

A group of North Shore Elementary students and staff, along with representatives from Albemarle Inc., Albemarle Foundation and the American Heart Association, stand in front of the new Teaching Gardens that students will plant each fall and spring.

Let the planting begin

North Shore students learn about proper nutrition by gardening

By BECKY BURKERT

Editor and general manager

Students at North Shore Elementary School got their hands a little dirty this past week for a good cause — their health.

This past Friday, students began planting a series of gardens to learn the value of home-grown produce in their diet.

The garden and the curriculum come courtesy of the American Heart Association Teaching Gardens, a program that is being funded with a $90,000 grant from the Albemarle Foundation.

Six schools throughout the United States received a portion of the grant, according to Cindy Bouma, communications director for the American Heart Association in Grand Rapids.

“Currently, less than 1 percent of children have ideal cardiovascular health,” Bouma said. That startling statistic prompted the American Heart Association to develop the Teaching Gardens program. The program, founded by nutrition activist Kelly Meyer, was created using American Heart Association science and nutrition guidelines coupled with information from gardening and education experts.

“The Teaching Gardens is a real-life laboratory where students learn how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest food and ultimately understand the value of good eating habits and the importance of physical activity,” Bouma said.

North Shore teachers Jenny Puvogel and Nicole Burleson will be overseeing the garden and are looking forward to helping students learn about and plant the produce.

“We are pleased to have been selected to receive an American Heart Association Teaching Garden and thankful for Albemarle Foundation's generosity,” Puvogel said.

The program will work in the following way: Each fall and spring students will plant vegetables from seeds. They will continue to water and weed the vegetable gardens until they're ready for harvest and then enjoy the fruits of their labor, so to speak. Some of the vegetables will be used by South Haven Public Schools food services for its summer lunch program, according to Burleson.

“There's 10 flower beds and each bed will be planted by the students,' Burleson said. “We have eight classes participating this first year and then hope to expand it next year for the whole school.

On Friday, representatives from both the American Heart Association and Albemarle were on hand to watch the students plant the gardens.

“The Albemarle Foundation is excited to work with the American Heart Association and North Shore Elementary to 'grow a foundation' of good eating habits, nutritional awareness and wellness activities that will have a life-long impact on students, their family and community,” Sandra Holub, executive director of the Albe

5.21.12

South Haven High School chooses top graduating seniors

South Haven High School has announced its leading academic seniors for the 2012 school year. Students were chosen based on their grade point averages and had to achieve at least a 3.75 GPA, according to Principal Craig McCrumb. Many of the students chosen had great point averages above 4.0 (on a weighted grade point system), he added. The students were honored today by the South Haven Kiwanis Club, who gave them certificates and treated the students and their families to pizza at Lakeside Entertainment Center. The Kiwanians also presented senior Mariah Boss with a $1,000 scholarship. Boss was chosen based on her grade point average, community involvement, and athleticism.

1. Grace Brianne Carver – daughter of Jennifer & Joseph Carver. Future Plans: Taylor University. Field of Study: Biblical Studies.

2. Katie Nicole Colvin – daughter of Mary & Mark Colvin. Future Plans: Oakland University. Field of Study: Forensic Accounting.

3. Hakeem Olajuwon Dodd – son of Dorothy Dodd & Earl Cox. Future Plans: Hope College. Field of Study: Nursing.

4. Chad Dotson – son of Lori & Charlie Dotson. Future Plans: University of Michigan. Field of Study: Business Finance.

5. Kyle David Fitton – son of Patricia & Paul Fitton. Future Plans: Michigan State University. Field of Study: Chemical Engineering.

6. Alexander Thomas Gildea – son of Gabriela & Judson Gildea. Future Plans: University of Michigan. Field of Study: Chemical Engineering.

7. Cambrea Marie Gordon – daughter of Mary Rose & Richard Gordon. Future Plans: Arizona State University. Field of Study: Forensic Science.

8. Audrey Anna Gruber – daughter of Janine Marr & Clark Gruber. Future Plans: Michigan State University. Field of Study: Psychology.

9. Branden Lee Holtzman – son of Barb & Mark Holtzman. Future Plans: Dominican University. Field of Study: Undecided.

10. Shawna Elizabeth Jerch – daughter of Lucie & Holger Jerch. Future Plans: Christ for the Nations Institute. Field of Study: Global Missions.

11. Keith Jens Carl Johnson – son of Christie & David Johnson. Future Plans: University of Michigan. Field of Study: Astrophysics.

12. Tyler J. Kasishke – son of Kristina & John Kasishke. Future Plans: Michigan State University. Field of Study: Chemical Engineering.

13. Lucas Edward Katt – son of Susan & Gary Katt. Future Plans: University of Michigan. Field of Study: Biomedical Engineering.

14. Courtney Aleese Lemmer – daughter of Teresa & John Lemmer. Future Plans: Lake Michigan College. Field of Study: Architecture.

15. Andrew Bryan Lewis – son of Carol & Bryan Lewis. Future Plans: Calvin College. Field of Study: Education.

16. Emily Helen Miller – daughter of Pam & Greg Miller. Future Plans: Michigan State University. Field of Study: Veterinary Medicine.

17. Madison Leigh Miller – daughter of Lisa & Patrick Miller. Future Plans: Texas A&M. Field of Study: Marine Biology.

18. Aaron Christopher Missman – son of Kim & Steve Missman. Future Plans: Purdue University. Field of Study: Chemical Engineering.

19. Jane Galvin Nixon – daughter of Margaret & Hugh Nixon. Future Plans: University of Michigan. Field of Study: International Business.

20. Lincoln Joel Osbon - son of Dina & Lincoln Osbon. Future Plans:  Brigham Young University-Idaho. Field of Study:  Mechanical Engineering.

21. Danielle Riffer-Reinert – daughter of Karen & Tony Riffer-Reinert. Future Plans: Kalamazoo College. Field of Study: Psychology and Neuroscience.

22. Zanita Robinson – daughter of Bruce Robinson. Future Plans: DePaul University. Field of Study: Political Science and Sociology.

23. Jordan Michelle Skinner – daughter of Debbie Fillmore & Brett Skinner. Future Plans: Michigan State University. Field of Study: Veterinarian.

24. Michelle Marie Sondgerath – daughter of Sandra & Paul Sondgerath. Future Plans: Michigan State University. Field of Study: Undecided.

25. Annette Teresa Stephens – daughter of Mary & Ken Stephens. Future Plans: Lake Michigan College. Field of Study: Communications.

26. Ashley Danielle Thon – daughter of Carolyn & Mike Thon. Future Plans: Lake Michigan College. Field of Study: Accounting.

27. Stephanie Kay Ticknor – daughter of Eva & Verne Ticknor. Future Plans: Michigan State University. Field of Study: Athletic Training and Actuarial Science.

28. Conner Lee Toney – son of Lori & Mark Toney. Future Plans: Grand Valley State University. Field of Study: Chemistry (Pre-Dental).

29. Aaron VanderWeide – son of Hope & Dale VanderWeide. Future Plans: Western Michigan University. Field of Study: Business

30. Edward William Verdonk – son of Sylvia & Chris Verdonk. Future Plans: University of Michigan. Field of Study: Spanish and Communications.

31. Erin Marie White – daughter of Theresa & Rick White. Future Plans: Western Michigan University. Field of Study: Communications and Journalism.

32. Jenna Marie Wood – daughter of Cheryl Pobuda. Future Plans: Kalamazoo College. Field of Study: Theater.



4.16.12

South Haven grad returns to his alma mater to discuss his acting career with students

By BECKY BURKERT

Editor and general manager

South Haven High School alum Nick Dalton recently returned to his alma mater to give aspiring theater students a few tips about what the acting world is really like.

And he should know.

Since graduating from South Haven in 1998 and Western Michigan University in 2002, Dalton has performed in three Broadway musical tours, several Off Broadway shows and has had several small roles on television shows, including All My Children.

I wanted to give them a real sense of what the business is like, Dalton said from his hotel in Las Vegas. People think it's glamorous and it can be. You have to work hard at it, but you can work continuously.

Students of Erin O'Neil's theater class seemed impressed with the young actor.

I thought his discussion with students was great, O'Neil said. He was frank and honest. He definitely answered each question posed by students with a sense of being a mentor and role model to them. Nick discussed the focus and drive needed to pursue life as an actor, but also discussed the rewards this lifestyle has given him. My students really seemed to respond to hearing this life and career advice from him because he once sat in the same classrooms and walked the same halls that they do today.

O'Neil, a former classmate of Dalton's, got the idea of inviting him to talk with her students after she heard he was coming to Western Michigan University to serve as choreographer for its production of Hairspray.

We worked on many high school productions together including 'Fame' and 'Guys and Dolls,' O'Neil said. Nick is a great example of how you can have big dreams and achieve them despite being from a small, Midwestern town. He is a great actor, role model and person. I personally have always admired how Nick has never let anyone diminish his dreams and is now a successful working actor.

When Dalton left South Haven two weeks ago, he packed his bags and traveled to Las Vegas where he is scheduled to perform a starring role in the production of Surf, at Planet Hollywood casino later this summer. The show features songs and lyrics by the Beach Boys.

It's more of a spoof of the 'Beach Blanket' movies of the '60s, Dalton said.

No stranger to Vegas, Dalton also starred as the character Corny Collins in the original Las Vegas cast of Hairspray. Prior to that he toured one-and-a-half years with Legally Blonde: The Musical and performed in the European tour of Hair.

His involvement with Hairspray prompted Western Michigan University's theater department to hire him as choreographer for its musical Hairspray, that continues through April 21 at Shaw Theatre.

Mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings young and old should come and see this great family show, Dalton was quoted as saying in Curtain Call, the newsletter of WMU's University Theatre Guild. 'Hairspray' seems like a bit of a bubblegum time capsule, but it actually represents ideas and themes, such as racism, classism, that we still struggle with today and how change is needed for better or worse.

Since performing on Listiak Auditorium's stage as a high school student, Dalton has appeared at the Red Barn Theatre in Augusta, at regional theaters in Arizona, Virginia, Illinois and Philadelphia, where he earned a Barrymore Award nomination for his portrayal of Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof.

Most recently, Dalton closed the world premiere of a new musical, The Nutcracker and I, at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick New Jersey, and has just recorded demos for the new musicals Jawbreaker and Relativity, according to the University Theatre Guild newsletter.

When he's not in rehearsals, Dalton continues to work on a musical he is writing about the life of Charles Proteus Steinmetz, a 19th century German-American mathematician and electrical engineer who played a key role in the development of alternating current that made possible the expansion of the electric power industry in the United States. He also made ground-breaking discoveries in the understanding of hysteresis that enabled engineers to design better electric motors for use in industry.

He was an amazing person that many people don't know about because his name was removed from (school) history books in the 1950s because of his socialist background, Dalton said. Most of our modern appliances would not be possible without him.

What intrigued Dalton about Steinmetz was the fact that he also played a prominent role in Schenectady, NY, where he served as a Board of Education president and city council president. He also provided assistance for local orphans. His many accomplishments came about besides genetic birth defects that included dwarfism and a hunchback.

He's kind of an American fable, Dalton said.

2.13.12

Historical association donates to school club

South Haven High School's History Club received a boost in funding recently from the Historical Association of South Haven. In the photo, Sue Frederick (left), secretary of the historical association, presents the check to students in the club.

Student's art in regional show

Two art pieces created by Ariana Norman of South Haven High School will be on display at the Michigan Art Education Association's Region 5 Student Art Show. Norman created a rendering in the Surrealist style of a car seemingly floating over a suspension bridge, and a humorous ceramic mask of a scuba diver and an octopus, according to her teacher Lisa Rostar. The Region 5 Student Art Show will be on display at the Portage Public Library through Feb. 26. Norman is the daughter of Terry and Tonya Norman of South Haven.

Students perform in state honors choir

Six Baseline Middle School choir students were chosen to perform with the Michigan State Vocal Music Association's State Honors Choir in January.

The concert took place during the Michigan Music Conference, Jan. 21, at DeVos Hall.

Students who sang in the SATB State Honors Choir included Xia Aragon, Leah King, Devon Smiley and Armani May, who performed under the direction of Joel Moore of Three Rivers Community School District. The other two students, Haley Kinney and Kiiven Wolf, performed in the SA State Honors Choir under the direction of Carolyn Gross of Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe.

2.1.12

St. Basil School puts people's trivia knowledge to the test

Ready for a fun, mid-winter night?

St. Basil Booster Club is once again hosting Trivia Night. This year's event takes place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, at Sophies Restaurant, 7379 North Shore Drive, South Haven.

Area residents are welcome to put together a team of up to 10 people, and compete for the $200 prize. Individuals can also enter and be placed on a team. The entry fee is $10 per person.

The event begins at 7 p.m. You dont have to be really smart, said committee member Cecilia Wondergem. You would be amazed at how much trivial information you have in your head! Anyone can do it!

Teams may bring snacks from home, or order from the appetizer menu at Sophies. A cash bar is provided by the restaurant.

The entry form is on the St. Basil School website, saintbasilcatholic.org, and is also available at St. Basil School. For more information, call Cecilia Wondergem at 906-0141.

LMC's College Goal Sunday provides assistance with financial aid paperwork

BENTON TOWNSHIP - Lake Michigan College is one of nearly 30 sites in the state participating in College Goal Sunday, from 2-4 p.m., Feb. 12 in the Richard J. Pappas Student Services Center on LMC's Napier Avenue Campus, 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor.

This free event is open to high school seniors and adults planning to attend college in the fall. At the event, financial aid experts will be available to work one-on-one with individuals in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which is required for federal and state tuition grants. The FAFSA is also required in the application process for many scholarships. Families will also be able to discuss all financial aid resources, admission requirements and more.

New this year, if families file taxes electronically by January 29, FAFSA can use income information from the IRS automatically, facilitating the financial aid process.

Students under 23 years of age are encouraged to attend with a parent or guardian.

Individuals should bring 2011 income records to the event. Dependent students will also need their parents' income information. Specific information individuals need to bring includes:

• Social security number (Parents/guardians social security numbers for dependent students)
• Driver's license
• 2011 W-2 forms and other income records
• 2011 Federal Income Tax Return
• Parents' 2011 Federal Income Tax Return (for dependent students)
• Spouses 2011 Income Tax Return (if married)
• 2011 untaxed income records including social security, veterans benefits, and welfare
• 2011 bank statements
• 2011 business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and investment records
• Alien registration card for non-US citizens

College Goal Sunday is a collaborative effort among the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association, and EduGuide. It is designed to increase the number of Michigan students who continue education beyond high school and earn post-secondary degrees.

Questions about College Goal Sunday and financial aid can be directed to LMC's Financial Aid office at 269-927-8112 or 1-800-252-1562 ext. 8112. To pre-register for College Goal Sunday online, visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/cgs.

Vo-Tech students enjoy helping the community

A group of students at the Van Buren Technology Center made the holidays brighter for children of incarcerated parents.

Students in the Early Childhood Careers and Education held a holiday party for Van Buren County children whose parent or other family meber are incarcerated. Children received gifts and were treated to refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus.

The students obtained names of prisoners and their children through the Angel Tree program, which is part of Marrifeild, VA-based Prison Fellowship. Prison Fellowship seeks to reconcile prisoners and their families to each other and their communities.

Two students taking part in the Early Childhood Careers and Education program came up with the idea for the project.

Prior to the Angel Tree project, another group of students held a Parents Night Out for parents whose children attend the Playschool Nursery. There were more than 20 children in attendance where students organized an evening of activities and snacks, while the parents were able to enjoy an evening out at no cost for child care.

Also, the students are back at it with a Soles for Souls shoe drive, the continuing visits to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, a Lighting the Darkness walk for suicide awareness and prevention, Twice Loved which is a drive for gently used baby clothing, and a literacy and a safety kit project.

1.27.12

Fifth- and sixth-grade instrumentalists perform

On Thursday, Feb. 2, South Haven Public Schools will present a Winter Concert featuring the Fifth Grade Band, Fifth Grade Orchestra, Sixth Grade Band and Sixth Grade Orchestra. The concert will be held at Listiak Auditorium and start at 7:30 p.m. The concert is open to the public and free.

Fifth Grade Orchestra will be performing:

Three-Way Pizzicato, Pulse is a Must, Clouds of Many Colors, Merrily We Roll Along, Jingle Bells, Countryside Sunrise, Slow Bow, Here We Go!, Quarters Together and Twinkle Twinkle.

Fifth GradeBand will be performing:

Awful Sound, Ahhh Better, Hot Cross Buns, Au Claire de la Lune, Merrily We Roll Along, Go Tell Aunt Rhody, Lightly Row, London Bridge and Twinkling Stars.

Baseline Middle School Sixth Grade Orchestra will be performing:

Shoe Symphony by John Caponegro, Robo Rock by Sandra Dackow and Simple Square Dance by Dorothy Straub.

Baseline Sixth Grade Band will be performing:

The Great Gate of Kiev by Modest Mussorgsky, When the Saints Go Marching In, and Blue Note Rock by Feldstein and OReilly.

The orchestras are conducted by Jessica Fiedorowicz. The bands are conducted by Sheryl A. Kaptur and Jeff Bopp.

11.28.11

Taking a tour

Village Market Manager Andy Edge is shown in this photo leading a group of young elementary students from St Basil School on a tour of the store. Students had finished a social studies lesson on community and needs vs. wants. The tour included a visit to the bakery where students saw how frosting is designed to look like roses. They also visited the fresh produce department, the seafood department where Sherry French took a lobster out of the tank for the students to see, and the meat-wrapping department and freezer. Edge stressed to students the importance of learning how to read so they can look at food labels and make good, healthy choices. The tour finished with fruit smoothies and some fresh fruit and vegetables for a snack.

10.24.11

Bullying addressed by speaker in seminar at North Shore Elementary School

Bullying prevention expert Marcia McEvoy will speak to parents Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at North Shore School on Blue Star Highway.
In this workshop, parents will be presented with information about how to work collaboratively with the school to reduce mean behavior. Strategies for addressing mean teasing, exclusion, name calling, bullying ridiculing, threatening, intimidation, and harassment will be shared.
In this often humorous and interactive presentation, parents will learn about the dynamics of mean behavior as well as the impact of peer cruelty on students. Parents will be taught strategies to help their children, whether their students are bystanders, targets, or acting aggressively. Strategies will be demonstrated through a series of lively role-plays and video clips.
McEvoy, who has worked in the bullying prevention field for more than 15 years, is a Grand Rapids-based licensed psychologist. She has worked in a variety of professional settings including public schools, community mental health centers, a child guidance clinic, and two universities. She presently owns her own private consulting business. McEvoy is an expert in the area of violence prevention, including the prevention of youth suicide. She is the co-author of Preventing Youth Suicide: A Handbook for Educators and Human Service Professionals.She is writing her next book on the prevention of school-based aggression, with an emphasis on bullying, mean teasing, intimidation, and harassment. She has trained thousands of school personnel, parents, and students on this topic, and is sought as a consultant to schools all over Michigan and the Midwest.
Coffee and refreshments will be offered. Child care is available by calling North Shore School, 637-0560.

10.3.11

50 high school students take part in student leadership summit

By BECKY BURKERT
Editor and general manager

Approximately 50 area high school students came away from a recent conference with a better idea of the skills theyll need to succeed after graduation.
The Student Leadership Summit took place Sept. 24, and marks the second year that the First Ward Action Committee in South Haven has sponsored the event.
Last year we had a small summit at Lake Michigan College (South Haven campus), said Aaron Cobbs, president of the First Ward Action Committee. We had no outside speakers.
This year, however, the committee reached out to the community, found more sponsors, and hosted a much larger event at South Haven High School.
This years summit featured former Illinois State Sen. Alice Palmer and Whirlpool International CEO Michael Toddman as keynote speakers. There were also a number of community leaders on hand to talk with students, including South Haven Police Chief Tom Martin, South Haven Mayor Bob Burr, leaders of area churches, and South Haven High School graduates who have gone on to launch successful careers. Students were also able to speak with representatives from four colleges - Lake Michigan College, Western Michigan University, Western Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University.
Although the summit was targeted for high school students residing in the citys First Ward, it was also open to South Haven students, in general, as well as students from Bangor and Covert, according to Cobbs.
We think its important to get as much information as possible about leadership and education to students, Cobbs said.
The summit wasnt all information and no fun, however. Students were treated to a breakfast and lunch, courtesy of event sponsors, including Lily of the Valley Church and the South Haven Police Department.
The Ward One Action Committee was pleased with the turnout at the summit.
I talked with Alice Palmer and she said she attended a similar summit in Illinois that only had about 10 students, Cobbs said. She was impressed with out turnout. Were planning to do something like this next year.

PHOTO CAPTION: From left are Dr. Betty Brown-Chappell, facilitator, and the Rev. and Mrs. Aaron Cobbs, and a student participant who is revewing college materials. Rev. Cobbs is president of South Haven's Ward 1 Action Committee, which sponsored the event Saturday, Septt. 24.

South Haven student named National Merit Semifinalist

Danielle Maly, a senior at Black River Public High School in Holland and a South Haven High School resident, has been named a semifinalist in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship competition.
She is one of 16,000 semifinalists throughout the United States to be honored. He now has the opportunity to continue in the competition to receive 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million.
To be named a semifinalist, Maly joined 15 million juniors this past year to take he 2010 Preliminary SAC/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The semifinalists that were chosen represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
To become a finalist, semifinalists must maintain a high grade point average, be recommended by the high school princiipal and earn SAT scores that confirm the students earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Maly is the daughter of Norm and Michelle Maly.

9.21.11

Students get fit and raise money for PTO

Students of North Shore Elementary plan to raise money for their school while promoting physical fitness when they take part in the annual Walk-Jog-athon, Friday, Sept. 30.
The annual event is a fundraiser for the schools PTO, and is the organizations largest fundraising event of the year, according to President Lisa Bettis-Cooper. Last year the students raised $16,000, she said.
The Walk-Jog-athon works in the following way: Students seek pledges for each lap they run or jog around the perimeter of the school. The more laps they complete the more money they raise.
Each students who takes part in the event will receive a prize for doing so. Students who raise the most money will be eligible for more prizes.
If area residents want to contribute to the fundraiser, they can call the school at 637-0560.

Hope College sets enrollment record

HOLLAND A record-sized incoming class has helped propel Hope College to the highest overall enrollment in the colleges history.
Hope has enrolled 3,249 students this fall, surpassing the previous high of 3,238 students set in the fall of 2008.
It is the sixth year in a row that enrollment at the college has topped 3,200. Enrollment last year was 3,202.
The student body includes a record-high 848 students in college for the first time. The previous high was 819 first-time students in the fall of 2007.
The enrollment by class, with last years class in parentheses, is: freshmen, 847 (781); sophomores, 756 (742); juniors, 698 (739); seniors, 867 (877); and special students, 81 (63). The student body consists of 1,245 men and 2,004 women from 43 states and territories and 33 foreign countries.
The largest representation is from Michigan with 2,217 students. Other states represented with 10 or more students include: Illinois, 407; Indiana, 104; Ohio, 69; Wisconsin, 51; California and Minnesota, 45 each; New York, 25; Pennsylvania, 23; Colorado and Iowa, 19 each; Florida, 18; New Jersey, 16; Texas, 13; Kansas, 11; and Washington, 10.
Foreign countries represented in the student body include: Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, China, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, India, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Venezuela and the West Bank.
Students transferring to Hope from other colleges and universities total 64, compared with 59 in 2010. There are 77 students in off-campus programs, compared to 86 last year.
Hope College was chartered in 1866 and is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America (RCA). The college offers courses in 87 majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
9.19.11

South Haven student named National Merit Semifinalist

Keith Johnson, a senior at South Haven High School, has been named a semifinalist in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship competition.
He is one of 16,000 semifinalists throughout the United States to be honored. He now has the opportunity to continue in the competition to receive 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million.
To be named a semifinalist, Johnson joined 15 million juniors this past year to take he 2010 Preliminary SAC/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The semifinalists that were chosen represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
To become a finalist, semifinalists must maintain a high grade point average, be recommended by the high school princiipal and earn SAT scores that confirm the students earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Johnson, the son of David and Kristi Johnson of South Haven, is quite active in school. He is president of the National Honor Society, a section leader for the marching band, a member of the jazz band, yearbook and Science Olympiad team, and reads the morning announcements at the high school.

Free 5-week workshop helps adults transition into college

Adults account for a significant number of students on college campuses across the country. At Lake Michigan College, one in every three students is 30 or older. They return to school to change careers, to learn new skills that will help them earn promotions and to earn the credentials that employers are seeking in qualified job candidates.
To assist adults who want to further their education, Lake Michigan College is once again offering College Essentials: A Guide for Adult Students, a 5-week free workshop for adult students. The one-night-a-week sessions begin the week of Oct. 3. At the South Haven campus, the sessions will be Thursdays, Oct. 6-Nov. 3 from 6-9 p.m. To register, call 637-7500, ext. 7502.
The workshops will show participants how college can lead to a new career, provide them with a personalized career assessment, review study skills, demonstrate how to use campus technology and services, and let them talk with other adult students, college faculty and staff and area employers about the benefits of the college experience.
Students who successfully complete the program earn a voucher for one credit of free tuition that they can use for the following semester.
To register online, go to www.lakemichigancollege.edu/essentials. For questions about the sessions, contact the LMC Admissions office at (269) 927-8626.

More than 70 Colleges in one place - College Night hosted by Lake Michigan College

Lake Michigan College is hosting its annual College Night event on Monday, Sept. 26. This free event is for college-bound high school students and their parents. It will be held in the Mendel Centers Grand Upton Hall on LMCs Napier Avenue Campus from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Those planning to attend can pre-register at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/collegenight.
This year, more than 70 colleges and universities will be represented including Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, Lake Michigan College, Siena Heights University, Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, Indiana University South Bend, Saint Marys College, Andrews University and more.
A financial aid workshop conducted by LMC financial aid director, Anne Tews, will be held at 7 p.m. Students will learn about various forms of financial aid including scholarships, grants, loans and work study opportunities, geared towards making college education more affordable.
An Early College workshop will be offered at 7:30 p.m. for high school juniors and their parents. Raquel Fraam, LMCs Early College director, will present information about the opportunities available to students to earn college credit during their junior and senior years of high school.
In addition to the evenings activities, a Transfer Day program for current LMC students planning to transfer to a four-year institution will be held that day from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Whirlpool Hall of Pride, near the book store on the first floor of the main academic building on the Napier Avenue Campus. Representatives from several Michigan and Indiana four-year schools will be available to answer any questions transferring students may have.

9.12.11

Area students invited to leadership summit

Two prominent leaders will share the secrets of their success with area teenagers at a Leadership Summit Saturday, Sept. 24th. at Listiak Auditorium in South Haven High School, 600 Elkenburg St.
The free event lasts from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and is a collaborative effort of the Ward 1 Community Action Committee, the South Haven Police Department, Youth Development Corp./ Police Activities League, local schools and churches.
"Students from surrounding communities including South Haven, Bangor, Covert and Bloomingdale are welcome to attend," said the Rev. Aaron Cobbs, president of the committee."Two very special speakers are scheduled," said Rev. Cobbs.
The keynote speaker will be Michael Todman, president of Whirlpool International. He will be followed by former Illinois State Sen. Alice Palmer. Master of Ceremonies will be local entrepreneur, Jeremiah Smith.
South Haven police officers will work with members of the Lily of the Valley Church in serving a continental breakfast and a pizza lunch. Door prizes will be awarded to students, as well.
Todman joined Whirlpool in 1993. He has held a number of roles at the company and became President of Whirlpool International in 2010. In 2009 he was named "one of the most powerful executives" by Black Enterprise Magazine.The publication named him "Corporate Executive of the Year" in 2010.
Alice Palmer was an Illinois State Senator from 1991 to 1997. Dr. Palmer was succeeded in that office by Barack Obama. She was the founding executive director of Chicago Cities in Schools and creator and founding director of the Chicago Metropolitan YMCA Youth and Government Program. Palmer was also editor of the Black Press Review.

Bangor grad plans to visit 11 countries in 11 months as part of missionary trip

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BANGOR - A 2005 Bangor High School grad is embarking on a journey of a life time as she visits 11 countries in 11 months.
On Tuesday, Amanda Brucki, 24, will head toward the Philippines with 43 other people from Adventures in MIssion (AIM), an interdenominational missions organization that focuses on discipleship.
A ministry of AIM, "The World Race," takes it participants into 11 countries in 11 months to serve "the least of these." The mission trip is a "challenging adventure for young adults to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it's not about you; it's about the Kingdom, according to AIM.
After the Philippines, the group plans to visit China, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Serbia, Bulgaria, East Europe, Nicaragua, Honduras/El Salvador and Guatemala.
"It will vary in the different countries what we will be doing," says Brucki, who has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Spring Arbor University. "I know that in the Philippines they have worked with street kids and orphans."
Ama, as her friends call her, become interested in Georgia-based AIM after hearing about it from college friends who had went on the mission trips. To participate, she hopes to raise $15,000.
"We don't have to have all of it raised by the time we leave," she says. While she's reached her first goal and deadline, she has earned a little over half of her next goal of $6,000 and is holding fundraisers, including a bracelet sale of jewelry made by women in the Philippines. She is also soliciting monetary suupport through friends and the community.
For the last two-and-a-half years, Brucki, the daughter of Sharrise and the late David Brucki, has been living in Denver where she completed an internship for her undergraduate degree at the Denver Rescue Mission where she worked with families in a transitional housing program. That hands-on experience has, she thinks, prepared her for this next chapter in her life.
"I never know what I'll find when I'm abroad," she says about her plans afterwards. "I may come back and work on my master's degree in Social Work. God may also find me a different path."
For more information, visit her blog: amandabrucki.theworldrace.org.

Van Buren ISD helps South Haven to administrate special education

By ANDREW LERSTEN
For the Tribune

South Haven Schools is getting assistance in special education from the Van Buren County Intermediate School District this school year.
Due to budget cuts, the board eliminated the administrative position of curriculum and special education director in the fiscal year that started July 1.
The ISD's special education regional manager Kathy Morton has assumed most of those special education duties this school year, Schools Superintendent Bob Black said.
"She will have an office at the high school, and she will be here at least half time," Black said. Morton will also be working with Covert Schools, he added.
"We're going to try it out and see how it works," Black said. Some of her primary duties will be working with special education teachers and the parents of special education students, he said.
In other district news, state officials have notified that the district is invited to develop a grant proposal this school year under the federally-funded "Safe Routes to Schools" program, Black said.
In Michigan, the grant program is administered by the state Department of Education. Grants of $50,000 to $250,000 are available to help school districts develop new or safer walking or bicycling routes leading to schools, and there is only a small local match required - possibly as little as $2,000, Black said.
"We are very excited to have some assistance from the state on this," he said. "(State officials) will work with us this year to develop a proposal."

More than 70 Colleges in One Place - College Night Hosted by Lake Michigan College

Lake Michigan College is hosting its annual College Night event on Monday, Sept. 26. This free event is for college-bound high school students and their parents. It will be held in the Mendel Centers Grand Upton Hall on LMCs Napier Avenue Campus from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Those planning to attend can pre-register at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/collegenight.
This year, more than 70 colleges and universities will be represented including Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, Lake Michigan College, Siena Heights University, Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, Indiana University South Bend, Saint Marys College, Andrews University and more.
A financial aid workshop conducted by LMC financial aid director, Anne Tews, will be held at 7 p.m. Students will learn about various forms of financial aid including scholarships, grants, loans and work study opportunities, geared towards making college education more affordable.
An Early College workshop will be offered at 7:30 p.m. for high school juniors and their parents. Raquel Fraam, LMCs Early College director, will present information about the opportunities available to students to earn college credit during their junior and senior years of high school.
In addition to the evenings activities, a Transfer Day program for current LMC students planning to transfer to a four-year institution will be held that day from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Whirlpool Hall of Pride, near the book store on the first floor of the main academic building on the Napier Avenue Campus. Representatives from several Michigan and Indiana four-year schools will be available to answer any questions transferring students may have.

Free 5-week workshop helps adults transition into college

Adults account for a significant number of students on college campuses across the country. At Lake Michigan College, one in every three students is 30 or older. They return to school to change careers, to learn new skills that will help them earn promotions and to earn the credentials that employers are seeking in qualified job candidates.
To assist adults who want to further their education, Lake Michigan College is once again offering College Essentials: A Guide for Adult Students, a 5-week free workshop for adult students. The one-night-a-week sessions begin the week of Oct. 3.
The workshops will show participants how college can lead to a new career, provide them with a personalized career assessment, review study skills, demonstrate how to use campus technology and services, and let them talk with other adult students, college faculty and staff and area employers about the benefits of the college experience.
Students who successfully complete the program earn a voucher for one credit of free tuition that they can use for the following semester.

Bertrand Crossing Campus, Niles
Mondays, October 3 31
Time: 6 9 pm
Call (269) 927-695-1391 to register or register online

Napier Avenue Campus
Tuesdays, October 4 November 1
Time: 6 9 pm
Call (269) 927-8626 to register or register online

South Haven Campus
Thursdays, October 6 November 3
Time: 6 9 pm
Call (269) 637-7500, ext. 7502 to register or register online

To register online, go to www.lakemichigancollege.edu/essentials. For questions about the sessions, contact the LMC Admissions office at (269) 927-8626.

8.29.11

Ready for another school year

Area schools announce starting times, dates

Bloomingdale begins classes Sept. 6

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BLOOMINGDALE - Students enrolled in Bloomingdale Public Schools will begin their 2011-2012 school year on Tuesday, Sept. 6 with a full day of classes.
Open houses will be held in all buildings on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Pullman will hold its open house from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Bloomingdale Elementary, Middle and High schools will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On school days, the buildings will be open to all students at 8 a.m. or 7:45 a.m. for students who eat breakfast there. School will begin at 8:05 a.m. and dismiss at 3:10 p.m.
New this year is the Universal Breakfast at both Bloomingdale and Pullman elementaries. The program allows all students to receive a free breakfast at the beginning of the school day at no cost to families.
Hot lunch this year will be $1.60 per day for elementary students. Secondary students will pay $1.85 for Tier 1 (home-style meals and grill), $2.60 for Tier 2 (pizzeria) and $2.85 for Tier 3 (fresh deli subs and salads).
Students new to the district who need to enroll in sixth, seventh or eight grades, need to bring their final report card from their previous school for the previous school year. No appointment with the counselor is necessary.
Students enrolling in ninth through 12th grades need to bring a transcript from their previous school listing high school courses completed. An appointment with the counselor is required.
Special education students need to bring a copy of their IEP when enrolling.
All students must bring their immunization card and original birth certificate. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bangor announces new starting times for schools

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BANGOR - The 2011-2012 school year will start with a full day of classes on Tuesday, Sept. 6 for Bangor Public Schools students. Open houses will be held in all buildings on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Parents and students will be able to tour the facilities, meet teachers, pick up lunch forms and received transportation information.
A brief orientation for Kindergarten parents as well as other new families will take place from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. the same day. Preschoolers and Kindergartners will be able to take an orientation ride around town to become familiar with riding the bus. Rides will start at 5:30 p.m.
New hours have been set for all buildings this year. South Walnut Elementary will begin at 8 a.m. and dismiss at 3:05 p.m. Middle and high school classes will begin at 7:55 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m.
Students new to Bangor should report to the principals office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the building in which they will be attending classes. New students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the time of registration unless they are over 18 years old. A birth certificate, immunization records and class transcript is required to register. Adult education students should call for appointment.
Prices for school meals are: breakfast $1.25 and lunch $2 for grades K-4th; breakfast $1.35 and lunch $2.25 for remaining grades. Free lunch forms are available in each building. Students who qualify for reduced price lunches will pay 30 for Breakfast and 40 for lunch.
Bus schedules will be similar to last year. All students should be prepared to board their buses a few minutes earlier than normal during the first week of school.
Community Education registration is open everyday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult Education, GED, and English as a Second Language classes begin September 7 and will be held mornings, afternoons and evenings.
Bangor High School and Middle School are located at 801 W. Arlington. South Walnut Elementary is located at 309 S. Walnut.
For more information, contact the high school at 427-6825, ext. 1000; middle school at 427-6892, ext. 2001; South Walnut School at 427-6893, ext 3000; and Community Ed at 427-6839, ext. 2100.

Lake Michigan Colleges SH campus offers
September Community Education classes

Lake Michigan Colleges South Haven Campus is offering several non-credit community education classes and workshops throughout September, including entering the world of eBay and leaping landscapes. The entire schedule of classes offered this fall is available at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce.
Entering the World of eBay, noon-3:30 p.m., Saturdays, Sept. 10-Nov. 19, room 216. Cost is $49. Learn to navigate through eBay by browsing sale items by determining when an auction will end, and determining whether a seller is trustworthy and bidding on or buying items safely. Part two of the course will help you create a practice auction listing that includes the writing of a description and photo of the sale item. Students will learn about the responsibilities of a seller throughout the auction process. A recommended prerequisite is the introduction to computers and introduction to Windows, or equivalent experience.
Leaping Landscapes, 6-8 p.m., Mondays, Sept. 26-Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m., room 141. Cost is $45. This series offers a potpourri of garden topics including extending your garden season, managing mulches, wildlife intruders, garden ponds, protecting your home from wildfires, and more. These gardening sessions offer that next step beyond your basic flower garden.
Pre-registration is required. Those interested in registering can contact Mary Farrell at (800) 252-1562 ext.7502 or visit the LMC South Haven Campus at 125 Veterans Boulevard. For more information, visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce.

8.10.11

Bangor hopes to attract more students with online academy

By BECKY BURKERT
Editor and general manager

BANGOR To gain more students and state-aid, Bangor Public Schools is reaching out to the community with a couple of new programs designed to give non-traditional students greater access to classes and activities.
Starting this fall, Bangor will allow students in grades 6-12 to complete schoolwork via computer online classes. The district is also reaching out to home-school families to offer electives and after-school programs.
Its all part of a new state program that allows school districts to receive state aid for students, even if they do not complete course work in the traditional school setting.
In July, State Superintendent Michael Flanagan began granting seat-time waivers that allow school districts, such as Bangor, to implement programs to reduce the drop-out rate. Some student aid will also be allocated to districts that offer on-site programs to homeschoolers.
Colleges have been offering degrees online for years now, said Lynn Johnson, director of the Bangor Career Academy which oversees community and adult education classes for the school district. Educators are realizing that not every student is geared toward sitting in a building for six hours a day.
State Sen. John Proos, who advocated for seat-time waivers, agreed.
Seat-time waivers help us help students who are struggling or have given up, said Proos, R-St. Joseph. Students who have dropped out of school often respond very well to the alternative instruction allowed through the waivers. The students in southwest Michigan deserve this opportunity.
When it opens its Virtual Academy in the fall, Bangor will become one of a dozen or so public school districts in the state to offer online courses for grades 6-12.
Berrien Springs has been doing it for two or three years now, Johnson said. Theyve enrolled over 100 students (for online courses).
Students who enroll in the Virtual Academy will take online courses through Education 20-20, a software curriculum that is aligned with the Michigan Department of Education academic requirements. Students will be assigned mentors who will meet with them twice a week, and tests will be administered in person by the mentors. Student who dont have access to a computer or Internet access at home, may be eligible to receive a computer through Bangor Public Schools.
Theres kids who are out of school, behind academically, teen parents, working teens...this is the kind of program for them so that they can stay in school and earn their diploma, Johnson said. You dont have to be a drop-out to be in this program. This program is geared for anybody. You can still attend the vo-tech center or participate in the school-to-work program. We can make the arrangements.
Home-schoolers will also be able to take advantage of electives or field trips offered through Bangor Public Schools through the new Home-School Partnership program.
Although some parents home-school their children, theyre still taxpayers. They should be able to take advantage of programs offered through the school district, Johnson said.
By January, Bangor plans to provide a home for its new programs by converting the vacant Primary School building into a community center, according to Johnson.
The building would house adult education and community education classrooms, as well as rooms for home school programs and for the Virtual Academy for students who dont have computers at home.
An information session for the Home-School Partnership program is scheduled at 7 p.m., Wednesday, in high school auditorium, 801 W. Arlington Road, while a similar session for the Virtual Academy is scheduled at 7 p.m., Thursday in the auditorium, as well.
For more information about the programs, contact Johnson at 427-6839.




6.6.11

South Haven graduating seniors honored; Critic Cup recipient named

By TRIBUNE STAFF
A senior who excels both in the classroom and in athletics received South Haven High Schools highest honor for graduating seniors The Critic Cup.

Gregory Maxwell, the son of Ken and Kathy Maxwell, earned the honor during the Senior Awards program, June 2. Twenty graduating seniors were nominated for this years award. The winner was chosen by a team of high school staff and administrators.
A wide variety of awards were handed out during the awards program.
Recipients follow:

• Class of 2011 - American Legion Top Honors (3.75 or higher GPA) Arturo Barajas; Lauren Barnes; Halea Besemer; Hayley Bierhalter; Rachel DeWitte; Brianna Dobberstein; Keysharri Gill; German Gonzalez; Shelby Hinz; Samuel Linstrom; Joshua Macyauski; Gregory Maxwell; Ryan Miller; Samantha Phillips; Hannah Robertson; Ashleigh Smith; Corey Smith; Tyler Smith; Katherine Stoll; Zacharias Tate; Elizabeth Utke; Jared Wall; Alan Wood, Jr.
• National Merit Scholarship Finalists Ryan Miller; Jared Wall
• Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award Samuel Linstrom
• Lake Michigan College Scholarships Brianna Dobberstein Presidential Scholarship; Kaitlyn Farrell Winners Circle Scholarship; Taylor Hollis Winners Circle Scholarship; Kristyn Wickham Board of Trustee Scholarship
• College Scholarships Mitchell Baker: Grand Valley State University Award for Excellence; Arturo Barajas: Western Michigan University Incentive Scholarship; Mark Barden: Baker College Board of Regents Scholarship; Lauren Barnes: Valparaiso University Honors Scholarship; Halea Besemer: University of Michigan Regents Scholarship; Amber Brassard: Grand Valley State University Laker Scholarship; Hannah Flood: Northern Michigan University Outstanding Achievement Award; Kallandra Gerling: Grand Valley State University Laker Scholarship: German Gonzalez: Central Michigan University Academic Excellence Award, Board of Trustee Scholarship Western Michigan University Incentive Scholarship; Shelby Hinz: Western Michigan University Incentive Scholarship; Samuel Linstrom: Kalamazoo College Randy Petter Scholarship, Board of Trustee Award, Wittenburg University Music Department Scholarship, Martin Luther Scholarship, Loyola University Damen Scholarship; Gregory Maxwell: Western Michigan University Medallion Scholarship, Grand Valley State Laker Sholarship; Ryan Miller: University of Alabama Scholarship: Samantha Phillips: Tiffin University Presidential Scholarship; Ashleigh Smith: Hope College Reformed Church Scholarship, Cornerstone University Deans Scholarship Pastors Scholarship; Corey Smith: Indiana University Prestige Scholarship, Michigan State University Freshman Scholarship, Distinguished Alumni Scholarship; Tyler Smith: Grand Valley State Laker Scholarship; Katherine Stoll: Central Michigan University Distinguished Student Award, Board of Trustee Scholarship; Elizabeth Utke: University of Illinois Aspire Award; Alan Wood Jr: Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni Award;
• Michigan Competitive Scholarship Mitchell Baker; Arturo Barajas; Mark Barden; Christian Bastow; Halea Besemer; Amber Brassard; Rachel DeWitte; Brianna Dobberstein; Emily Edwards; Hannah Flood; Kallandra Gerling; Keysharri Gill; Lisa Gleeson; German Gonzalez; Robert Goril; Shelby Hinz; Brianne Hooper; Robert Joines; Taylor Koch; Danielle Leksich; Samuel Linstrom; Johnathon Maxson; Gregory Maxwell; Nicole Mieher; Reanna Mikusko; Ryan Miller; Michael Montgomery; Jordan Oulton; Hannah Robertson; Sarah Seiler; Ashleigh Smith; Corey Smith; Tyler Smith; Katherine Stoll; Zacharias Tate; Tyler Townes; Elizabeth Utke; Jared Wall; David Ward; Kristyn Wickham; Alan Wood, Jr.
• Johnson Controls Scholarship Halea Besemer, Joshua Macyauski; Gregory Maxwell; Alexis Mitchell; Alan Wood, Jr.
• South Haven Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Arturo Barajas; Rachel DeWitte; German Gonzalez, Jr.
• Cesar Chavez Scholarship Arturo Barajas
• Filbrandt Family Funeral Home Scholarship Michael Montgomery
• Honor Credit Union Gregory Maxwell
• South Haven Kiwanis Scholarship Nicole Mieher
• Consumers Credit Union Samantha Phillips
• South Haven Community Memorial Scholarship Jeanette Kritzberg; Samuel Linstrom; Gregory Maxwell; Jocelyn VanWynen
• Brook Krogel Memorial Scholarship Hayley Bierhalter; Danielle Leksich; Gregory Maxwell
• Elks Club Scholarship Samuel Linstrom
• Grace J. Calvin Scholarship Mitchell Baker; Rachel DeWitte; Gregory Maxwell
• Trelleborgs Terrance A. and Irma L. Friedman and Charles H. Skuza Scholarship Hayley Bierhalter
• Dr. Fred Leavitt Science Award Gregory Maxwell
• Wild Turkey Federation Scholarship Reanna Mikusko
• South Haven Moose Club Scholarship Kristyn Wickham
• Burger King Community Scholarship Gregory Maxwell
• Lori Nielsen Teacher Scholarship Hannah Flood
• A.A.U.W. Writing Award Samuel Linstrom
• A.A.U.W. South Haven Branch in Honor of Pauline Chappell Scholarship Halea Besemer; Hannah Flood; Keysharri Gill
• Albemarle Scholarship Halea Besemer; Brianne Hooper; Gregory Maxwell; Alan Wood, Jr.
• Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Halea Beseme
• Our Town Players Student Scholarship Jared Wall
• Wal-Mart Foundation Scholarship Hannah Robertson
• YeS! Program White Service Cords Melissa Abshire; Mitchell Baker; Mark Barden; Halea Besemer; Amber Brassard; Melissa Crawford; Rachel DeWitte; Brianna Dobberstein; Emily Edwards; Hannah Flood; Keysharri Gill; German Gonzalez, Jr.; Shelby Hinz; Brianne Hooper; Jeanette Kritzberg; Danielle Leksich; Samuel Linstrom; Joshua Macyauski; Brittany Martinez; Gregory Maxwell; Nicole Mieher; Stephanie Olivas; Stacy Simon; Ashleigh Smith; Corey Smith; Tyler Smith; Caleb Smith-Thompson; Katherine Stoll; Zacharias Tate; Alison Thaler;
• Holly Tietsema; Clairessa Trapp; Elizabeth Utke; David Ward; Alan Wood, Jr.
• Van Buren Education Association Teacher Scholarship Hannah Flood
• Casco United Methodist Church Scholarship Rachel DeWitt
• Van Buren Technology Center Outstanding Students of the Year Alexis Mitchell; Sally Blodgett; Marcus OFlynn
• Board of Education Awards
• Silver Bar: (Earned for maintaining G.P.A. of 3.000-3.499 first semester of Senior year) Melissa Abshire; Tayler Antonson; Paeton Brown; Joshua Carter; Melissa Crawford; Rachel DeWitt; Brianna Dobberstein; Arica Eberle; Kaitlin Farrell; Jacob Frazier; Jacob Gruber; Camille Harrell; Delcie Hoggard; Brianne Hooper; Robert Joines; Aaron Kreiger; Jeanette Kritzberg; Matthew LaDuke; Nicholas Langston; Holly McDaniel; Deanna Meskauskas; Marcus OFlynn; Matthew Rathbun; Ethan Robertson; Spencer Roggow; Brady Smith; Holly Tietsema; Tyler Townes; Clairessa Trapp; Roger Wagner
• Gold Bar: (Earned for maintaining G.P.A. of 3.500 or above first semester of Senior year) *Designates 4.0 or above Mitchell Baker; *Arturo Barajas; Mark Barden; Lauren Barnes; Christian Bastow; *Halea Besemer; Hayley Bierhalter; *Sally Blodgett; Amber Brassard; *Timothy Covey II; Nicholas Dailey; Emily Edwards; *Kara Fazzini; *Kristina Fazzini; Hannah Flood; Kallandra Gerling; *Keysharri Gill; Lisa Gleeson; *German Gonzalez, Jr.; Robert Goril; *Shelby Hinz; Taylor Hollis; *Taylor Koch; *Danielle Leksich; *Samuel Linstrom; *Joshua Macyauski; *Johnathon Maxson; *Gregory Maxwell; Nicole Mieher; *Ryan Miller; *Alexis Mitchell; Michael Montgomery; Caleb Moriarty; Weston Orrico; Jordan Oulton; Samantha Phillips; *Hannah Robertson; Briana Robinson; Jacqueline Salinas; *Sarah Seiler; Stacy Simon; Ashleigh Smith; *Corey Smith; *Tyler Smith; *Katherine Stoll; Zacharias Tate; Alison Thaler; *Elizabeth Utke; Jocelyn VanWynen; Jared Wall; David Ward; Kristyn Wickham; *Alan Wood, Jr.

• Art Awards Molly Blaney; Nicholas Dailey; Deanna Meskauskas; Reanna Mikusko; Abigail Phelps; Tyler Smith; Tyler Townes; David Ward; Kristyn Wickham
• Outstanding Art Award Tyler Smith
• Drama Awards Rachel DeWitte; Jeanette Kritzberg; Samuel Linstrom; Julian Parker; Spencer Roggow; Ashleigh Smith; Clairessa Trapp; Jared Wall; Alyssa White; Steven Zimbrich
• Outstanding Drama Awards Jeanette Kritzberg; Samuel Linstrom
• Outstanding Math Award Gregory Maxwell
• National Honor Society Recognition Mitchell Baker; Arturo Barajas; Lauren Barnes; Halea Besemer; Hayley Bierhalter; Amber Brassard; Timothy Covey II; Rachel DeWitte; Brianna Dobberstein; Hannah Flood; Keysharri Gill; German Gonzalez, Jr.; Taylor Koch; Jeanette Kritzberg; Danielle Leksich; Samuel Linstrom; Joshua Macyauski; Gregory Maxwell; Nicole Mieher; Ryan Miller; Samantha Phillips; Hannah Robertson; Stacy Simon; Ashleigh Smith; Corey Smith; Tyler Smith; Katherine Stoll; Alison Thaler; Holly Tietsema; Jared Wall; David Ward; Alan Wood, Jr.
• Band Awards Brianne Hooper; Samuel Linstrom; Matthew Rathbun; Zacharias Tate; Jocelyn VanWynen
• Band Honor Awards 12th Grade Outstanding Band Member Brianne Hooper; Louis Armstrong Jazz Award Samuel Linstrom; John Philip Sousa Award Samuel Linstrom
• Orchestra Awards Jacob Frazier; German Gonzalez, Jr.; Samuel Linstrom; Matthew Rathbun; Hannah Robertson; Katherine Stoll
• Outstanding Orchestra Award Johnathon Maxson
• Choir; Chorale and Womens Chorus Awards Choir - Emily Edwards; Jacob Frazier; Jeanette Kritzberg; Ashleigh Smith; Clairessa Trapp; Jared Wall. Chorale - Jacob Frazier; Jeanette Kritzberg; Ashleigh Smith; Clairessa Trapp; Jared Wall. Womens Chorus - Jeanette Kritzberg;Distinguished Scholar Award: Jared Wall
• Yearbook Awards Hayley Bierhalter; Joshua Carter; Nicholas Gilliam; Jacob Gruber; Shelby Hinz; Taylor Koch; Samuel Linstrom; Gregory Maxwell; Holly McDaniel; Nicole Mieher; Reanna Mikusko; Julian Parker; Samantha Phillips; Kara Reel; Brady Smith
• Model U.N. Awards Samuel Linstrom; Joshua Macyauski; Elizabeth Utke
• Student Government Awards Halea Besemer/Treasurer; Kallandra Gerling/Senator; Lisa Gleeson/Senator; Shelby Hinz/President; Joshua Macyauski/Senator; Samantha Phillips/Secretary; Sarah Seiler/Senator; Corey Smith/Vice President; Alan Wood, Jr./Senator
• National History Day National Finalists Tyler Townes; David Ward
• Scholastic Excellence Award Mitchell Baker; Lauren Barnes
• Herald-Palladium Academic All-Star Team Halea Besemer; Samuel Linstrom; Gregory Maxwell
• Perfect Attendance Award for Four Years of High School German Gonzalez, Jr.
• Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete Gregory Maxwell
• Wolverine Conference Scholar Athlete Award Gregory Maxwell; Ryan Miller
• South Haven Athletic Boosters Scholarship Clairessa Trapp
• Senior Athletic Recognition Melissa Abshire; Citlali Alcaraz; Mitchell Baker; Lauren Barnes; Christian Bastow; Randy Bautista; Thomas Bell-Pitchford; Halea Besemer; Andrew Biederman; Hayley Bierhalter; Molly Blaney; Sally Blodgett; Tony Bradley; Amber Brassard; Paeton Brown; Trevor Brown; Thomas Capps; Joshua Carter; Hector Chavira; Michael Cortez; Timothy Covey II; Rachel DeWitt; Lamont Dick; Brianna Dobberstein; Emily Edwards; Clay Farrell; Kaitlin Farrell; Hannah Flood; Kallandra Gerling; Keysharri Gill; Nicholas Gilliam; Lisa Gleeson; Robert Goril; Camille Harrell; Leon Harris, Jr.; Shelby Hinz; Brianne Hooper; Ryan Jones, Jr.; Taylor Koch; Aaron Kreiger; Jeanette Kritzberg; Matthew LaDuke; Danielle Leksich; Samuel Linstrom; Joshua Macyauski; Gregory Maxwell; Holly McDaniel; Deanna Meskauskas; Reanna Mikusko; Ryan Miller; Alexis Mitchell; Michael Montgomery; Stephanie Olivas; Weston Orrico; Dakota Parsell; Abigail Phelps; Samantha Phillips; Kara Reel; Hannah Robertson; Briana Robinson; Matthew Russell; Sarah Seiler; Brady Smith; Tyler Smith; Caleb Smith-Thompson; Katherine Stoll; Zacharias Tate; Alison Thaler; Tyler Townes; Clairessa Trapp; Kelsie Underwood; Jocelyn VanWynen; Roger Wagner; Jared Wall; David Ward; Alan Wood, Jr.; Steven Zimbrich
• Dale Patterson/Jan Holmes Sportsmanship Award Winners Haley Bierhalter; Jocelyn VanWynen; Gregory Maxwell
• Principals Award Marcus OFlynn
• Critic Cup nominees Mitchell Baker; Lauren Barnes; Hayley Bierhalter; Brianna Dobberstein; Kara Fazzini; Hannah Flood; German Gonzalez, Jr.; Brianne Hooper; Jeanette Kritzberg; Samuel Linstrom; Joshua Macyauski; Gregory Maxwell; Ryan Miller; Weston Orrico; Spencer Roggow; Ashleigh Smith; Tyler Smith; Elizabeth Utke; Jocelyn VanWynen; Alan Wood, Jr.
• Class of 2011 Critic Cup Award Greg Maxwell

Bangor graduating seniors honored

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BANGOR Bangor High School's Class of 2011 will receive their diplomas during commencement exercises at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 in the high school gymnasium.
Nathan Bus, Ashley Clark, Cassandra Carpio, Chelsea Drake, Daniel Efting, Megan Johnson, Marissa Kerber, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva, and Yaritza Rodriguez were named as this year's Top Ten students.
Receiving awards and scholarships were:

• Community Scholarship - Andres Cardoso-Diaz, Cassandra Carpio, Ashley Clark, Yaritza Rodriguez, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva:
• Patrick O. Watkins Memorial Scholarship - Omar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Bangor Lions Club Scholarship - Ashley Clark, Zachary Hargrove;
• GEAR-UP Scholarship - Deanna Burrows, Andres Cardoso-Diaz, Ashley Clark, Dan Efting, Kyle Fillmore, Branden Graham, David Houchin, Megan Johnson, Mara Kerber, Ashley Key, Bernice Lopez-Vazquez, Yaritza Rodriguez, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Ross Normington Memorial Scholarship - Branden Graham;
• Richard Beer Memorial Scholarship - Ashley Clark;
• Francis E. Martin Memorial Scholarship - Omar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Terri Lynn Wilson Memorial Scholarship - Mara Kerber;
• Bangor Arts Council Scholarship - Jasmin Brink;
• Dr. Avison and Maude Gano Memorial Scholarship - Ashley Clark, Zachary Hargrove, Marissa Kerber, Paul Reissmann (2010);
• Bangor Education Association Scholarship - Megan Johnson;
• Michigan Competitive Scholarship - Kala Barnett, Nathan Bus, Cassandra Carpio, Alexander Crafts, Chelsea Drake, Daniel Efting, Michael Hoadley, Daniel Houchin, David Houchin, Megan Johnson, Marissa Kerber, Stacy Litaker, Jasmine Morrison, Genesis Tait, Amber Wilburn, Krysten Wilson;
• Viking Club Scholarship - Branden Graham, Cassi Carpio, Shanell Smith, Megan Johnson;
• Norm Johnson Memorial Scholarship for the outstanding male/female senior athlete - Shanell Smith, Andres Cardoso-Diaz;
• Helen Freestone Memorial Scholarship -Megan Johnson;
• Bill Mayhak Memorial Scholarship - Mara Kerber;
• Big Heart Award Scholarship - JaBari Brazelton;
• SAC Academic All Conference (Academic All-State formula GPA and ACT/SAT) - Cassandra Carpio, Ashley Clark, Chelsea Drake, Daniel Efting, Marissa Kerber;
• DAR Good Citizen Award - Megan Johnson;
• U.S. Marine Corp Scholastic Excellence Award - Nathan Bus;
• Southwestern Athletic Conference (SAC) Scholar-Athlete 3.25 GPA and four letters in two sports- Andres Cardoso, Megan Johnson, Mara Kerber, Yaritza Rodriguez, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Sportsmanship Award - Nathan Bus, Yaritza Rodriguez;
• Kalamazoo Student Achiever- Megan Johnson, Elizabeth Mendez;
• Herff Jones Principals Leadership Award - Marissa Kerber;
• The Herald-Palladium Academic All-Stars - Cassandra Carpio, Marissa Kerber;
• Detroit Free Press Scholar/Athlete- Leo Ornelas-Martinez.
• Several Bangor students were recognized for their achievements at the Van Buren Technology Center. These are: Outstanding Co-op Student of the Year for Bio-Tech Human Services Cluster- Leo Ornelas; Outstanding Student of the Year: EMT AM - Shelbi Clayton; Business Management Administration AM - Kala Barnett; Computer Networking (Microsoft) AM - Kyle Fillmore; Computer Networking (Microsoft) PM - Michael Hoadley; Construction Trades AM - Andres Cardoso-Diaz; Cadet Teacher PM - Megan Johnson; Computer; Networking (Microsoft) AM - Daniel Houchin; Computer Networking (Microsoft) PM - Alexander Crafts and Law Enforcement AM - Leo Ornelas
• Receiving diplomas are: Leticia Alcaraz, Brandie Jo Allen. Lucy Anne Arkauskas, Kala Elizabeth Niles-Barnett, Ja'Bari Eugene Brazelton, Jasmin Irene Brink. Deanna Marie Burrows, Nathan Richard Bus, Andres Cardoso-Diaz, Cassandra Lynn Carpio, Leonel Ivan Cerezo, Ashley Nicole Clark, Shelbi Nicole Clayton, Nikki May Clouse, Andrew Anthony Corona-Castrejon, Alexander Caleb Crafts, Chelsea Marie Drake, Dillon Connor Drenkhahn-Rock, Daniel Mark Efting, Alaini Nikole Fellows, Kyle Franklin Fillmore, Emmanuel Frias, Rosa Gamino, Branden Richard Graham, Lilianna Guajardo, Jordan Marie Hanners, Zachary Levi Hargrove, Cassandra Nicole Hayes, Destiny Marie Hazard, Michael Jeremiah Hoadley, Danielle Lee Hoch, Daniel Lee Houchin, David Emroy Houchin, Megan Mae Johnson, Marissa Irene Kerber, Ashley Lynn Key, Jesus Leyva, Stacy Lynn Litaker, Berenice Lopez, Ora May McNealy, Elizabeth Mendez, Jasmine Jane Morrison, Martin Munoz, Niki Leigh Murphy, Naara Nava, Leonel Ornelas-Martinez, Zuleyma Palacios-Liberato, Craig Deshawn Peterson, Zachary Allan Redinger, Yaritza Rodriguez, Kara Ashley Marie Salinas, Saul Saucedo Jr., Kelsey Elizabeth Shine, Shanell Queen Smith, Cody Richard Stout, Genesis Johanna Tait, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva, Glenbee Russtina Tillery, Stephan Jacob Trevino, Brandi Nichole VanWy, Giovanni Vargas, Jenna Joan Welsh, Joseph Dennis Whalen, Amber Renee Wilburn, Scott Douglas Winnell and Cory Lee Wollin.

Covert graduating seniors honored

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

COVERT - Commencement exercises will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5 for the 36 seniors in Covert High School's Class of 2011.
Valedictorian for the Class of 2011 is Adriana Perez. Salutatorian honors go to Cassandra Arellano.
Receiving diplomas are Juan Aburto Cortez, Cassandra Arellano, Demonte' Shaquille Atkins, Victor Manuel Barbosa Alonso, Jaime Bautista, Antoinette Enez Brown, Kalyn Ann Cole, Ste'phon Lemar Dean, Brea' Chantell Shamron Doubley, Donsha Demetrius Evans Jr. , Anallely Fabian, Bridget Marie Fricke, Brenda Torres Gamino, Nancy Agilar Gamino, Gabriel Jibri Gibson, Shawn Claude Marshall Gresham , Sarah Nicole Susan Gunn, Melinda Ellen Hayes, Serae Leanne Jackson, Robert William McCaffrey Jr., Erica Morales-Alejandre, Robert Taylor Lanier Morgan, Jonathon Ray Morrow, Adriana Perez Zarco, Aaron Michael Andrew Peters, Brenda Quintana, Elizabeth Ruiz, Maricela Ruiz Perez, Mayra Samano Alicia Sarco Villagomez, Drianna Le'Shae Smith, Lyniesha Tashae Michelle Smith, Michael Edward Smith, Gentry Lamar Valentine Jr., Brianna Renne Varney, Seantika Sute'ce Wilder.

5.31.11

A good deed
Two second graders at Maple Grove Elementary School received a pat on the back and an award for being honest, recently. Johnny Johnson (left) and Dominic Blair attended a school outing at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo earlier this month when they found a purse. The two youngsters promptly gave the purse to an attendant. Shown with the two students in their teacher, Jan Jessup.

Bloomingdale graduating seniors honored

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BLOOMINGDALE - The Class of 2011 of Bloomingdale High School will receive their diplomas on Friday, June 3 during graduation exercises in the high school gymnasium.
Hannah Rall, the daughter of Susan Rall and Rod Rall, has been named Valedictorian, and Stacia Peterson, the daughter of Andy and Missy Peterson, Salutatorian.
Other honors, scholarships and awards follow:

• Highest Honors: Alicia Carson, Angel Page, Stacia Peterson, Hannah Rall, Marshall Wixom;
• High Honors: Matthew Douglas;
• Honors: Seth Adams, Gavin Bechtol, Lucero Echevarria, Chathlyn Fleetwood, Abigail Flowers, Dylan Gibson, Daniel King, Todd Klann, Jr., Alexander McPeak, Angelica Morales, Lauren Nadeau, Kalee Percival, Zachary Reinmuller, Jervis Shepard, Devin Smith, Tylor, Swedburg, Valeria Tapia, and Cameron Viktora.
• SAC Academic All-Conference - Alicia Carson, Dan King, Angel Page, Sacia Peterson, Hannah Rall;
• USMC Scholastic Excellence Award- Matthew Douglas, Hannah Rall;
• USMC Distinguished Athlete Award- Gavin Bechtol, Alicia Carson;
• US Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award- Seth Adams, Stacia Peterson;
• Student of the Year Van Buren Tech Center- Marshall Wixom;
• Van Buren Tech Center Scholarship- Marshall Wixom;
• NASSP Principal's Leadership Award- Stacia Peterson;
• MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award- Stacia Peterson, Hannah Rall;
• Cardinal Youth Sports Scholarship- Matthew Douglas, Stacia Peterson;
• Scott Miller Memorial Scholarship- Matthew Douglas;
• Kevin Kluskowski Memorial Scholarship- Matthew Douglas;
• Hope College Alumni Honors Scholarship- Matthew Douglas;
• Bloomingdale Area Schools Scholarship- Chathlyn Fleetwood, Angel Page, Marshall Wixom;
• Grant and Marguerite Pearson Memorial Scholarship - Kristina Johnson;
• Arch and Lu Verne Merrifield Scholarship - Dan King;
• Northern Michigan University Recognition Award- Angelica Morales;
• Clarence and Veta Tildes Memorial Scholarship - Angel Page;
• Grand Valley State University Laker Scholarship - Stacia Peterson;
• Bloomingdale Education Association Scholarship - Marshall Wixom;
• Northern Michigan University Recognition Award - Marshall Wixom;
• Ferris State University Achievement Resident Hall Bonus - Marshall Wixom;
• Ferris State University Achievement Scholarship - Marshall Wixom;
• Allegan County Fair Scholarship - Marshall Wixom;
• William "Bill" Lake Memorial Scholarship - Alicia Carson, Matthew Douglas, Chathlyn Fleetwood, Lauren Nadeau, Angel Page, Stacia Peterson, Hannah Rall, Zach Reinmuller;
• William "Bill" Lake Memorial Scholarship (Renewable) - Marshall Wixom.

Bangor graduating seniors honored

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BANGOR Bangor High School's Class of 2011 will receive their diplomas during commencement exercises at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 in the high school gymnasium.
Nathan Bus, Ashley Clark, Cassandra Carpio, Chelsea Drake, Daniel Efting, Megan Johnson, Marissa Kerber, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva, and Yaritza Rodriguez were named as this year's Top Ten students.
Receiving awards and scholarships were:

• Community Scholarship - Andres Cardoso-Diaz, Cassandra Carpio, Ashley Clark, Yaritza Rodriguez, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva:
• Patrick O. Watkins Memorial Scholarship - Omar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Bangor Lions Club Scholarship - Ashley Clark, Zachary Hargrove;
• GEAR-UP Scholarship - Deanna Burrows, Andres Cardoso-Diaz, Ashley Clark, Dan Efting, Kyle Fillmore, Branden Graham, David Houchin, Megan Johnson, Mara Kerber, Ashley Key, Bernice Lopez-Vazquez, Yaritza Rodriguez, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Ross Normington Memorial Scholarship - Branden Graham;
• Richard Beer Memorial Scholarship - Ashley Clark;
• Francis E. Martin Memorial Scholarship - Omar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Terri Lynn Wilson Memorial Scholarship - Mara Kerber;
• Bangor Arts Council Scholarship - Jasmin Brink;
• Dr. Avison and Maude Gano Memorial Scholarship - Ashley Clark, Zachary Hargrove, Marissa Kerber, Paul Reissmann (2010);
• Bangor Education Association Scholarship - Megan Johnson;
• Michigan Competitive Scholarship - Kala Barnett, Nathan Bus, Cassandra Carpio, Alexander Crafts, Chelsea Drake, Daniel Efting, Michael Hoadley, Daniel Houchin, David Houchin, Megan Johnson, Marissa Kerber, Stacy Litaker, Jasmine Morrison, Genesis Tait, Amber Wilburn, Krysten Wilson;
• Viking Club Scholarship - Branden Graham, Cassi Carpio, Shanell Smith, Megan Johnson;
• Norm Johnson Memorial Scholarship for the outstanding male/female senior athlete - Shanell Smith, Andres Cardoso-Diaz;
• Helen Freestone Memorial Scholarship -Megan Johnson;
• Bill Mayhak Memorial Scholarship - Mara Kerber;
• Big Heart Award Scholarship - JaBari Brazelton;
• SAC Academic All Conference (Academic All-State formula GPA and ACT/SAT) - Cassandra Carpio, Ashley Clark, Chelsea Drake, Daniel Efting, Marissa Kerber;

• DAR Good Citizen Award - Megan Johnson;
• U.S. Marine Corp Scholastic Excellence Award - Nathan Bus;
• Southwestern Athletic Conference (SAC) Scholar-Athlete 3.25 GPA and four letters in two sports- Andres Cardoso, Megan Johnson, Mara Kerber, Yaritza Rodriguez, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva;
• Sportsmanship Award - Nathan Bus, Yaritza Rodriguez;
• Kalamazoo Student Achiever- Megan Johnson, Elizabeth Mendez;
• Herff Jones Principals Leadership Award - Marissa Kerber;
• The Herald-Palladium Academic All-Stars - Cassandra Carpio, Marissa Kerber;
• Detroit Free Press Scholar/Athlete- Leo Ornelas-Martinez.
• Several Bangor students were recognized for their achievements at the Van Buren Technology Center. These are: Outstanding Co-op Student of the Year for Bio-Tech Human Services Cluster- Leo Ornelas; Outstanding Student of the Year: EMT AM - Shelbi Clayton; Business Management Administration AM - Kala Barnett; Computer Networking (Microsoft) AM - Kyle Fillmore; Computer Networking (Microsoft) PM - Michael Hoadley; Construction Trades AM - Andres Cardoso-Diaz; Cadet Teacher PM - Megan Johnson; Computer; Networking (Microsoft) AM - Daniel Houchin; Computer Networking (Microsoft) PM - Alexander Crafts and Law Enforcement AM - Leo Ornelas
• Receiving diplomas are: Leticia Alcaraz, Brandie Jo Allen. Lucy Anne Arkauskas, Kala Elizabeth Niles-Barnett, Ja'Bari Eugene Brazelton, Jasmin Irene Brink. Deanna Marie Burrows, Nathan Richard Bus, Andres Cardoso-Diaz, Cassandra Lynn Carpio, Leonel Ivan Cerezo, Ashley Nicole Clark, Shelbi Nicole Clayton, Nikki May Clouse, Andrew Anthony Corona-Castrejon, Alexander Caleb Crafts, Chelsea Marie Drake, Dillon Connor Drenkhahn-Rock, Daniel Mark Efting, Alaini Nikole Fellows, Kyle Franklin Fillmore, Emmanuel Frias, Rosa Gamino, Branden Richard Graham, Lilianna Guajardo, Jordan Marie Hanners, Zachary Levi Hargrove, Cassandra Nicole Hayes, Destiny Marie Hazard, Michael Jeremiah Hoadley, Danielle Lee Hoch, Daniel Lee Houchin, David Emroy Houchin, Megan Mae Johnson, Marissa Irene Kerber, Ashley Lynn Key, Jesus Leyva, Stacy Lynn Litaker, Berenice Lopez, Ora May McNealy, Elizabeth Mendez, Jasmine Jane Morrison, Martin Munoz, Niki Leigh Murphy, Naara Nava, Leonel Ornelas-Martinez, Zuleyma Palacios-Liberato, Craig Deshawn Peterson, Zachary Allan Redinger, Yaritza Rodriguez, Kara Ashley Marie Salinas, Saul Saucedo Jr., Kelsey Elizabeth Shine, Shanell Queen Smith, Cody Richard Stout, Genesis Johanna Tait, Omar Tenorio-Leyva, Oscar Tenorio-Leyva, Glenbee Russtina Tillery, Stephan Jacob Trevino, Brandi Nichole VanWy, Giovanni Vargas, Jenna Joan Welsh, Joseph Dennis Whalen, Amber Renee Wilburn, Scott Douglas Winnell and Cory Lee Wollin.

Covert graduating seniors honored

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

COVERT - Commencement exercises will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5 for the 36 seniors in Covert High School's Class of 2011.
Valedictorian for the Class of 2011 is Adriana Perez. Salutatorian honors go to Cassandra Arellano.
Receiving diplomas are Juan Aburto Cortez, Cassandra Arellano, Demonte' Shaquille Atkins, Victor Manuel Barbosa Alonso, Jaime Bautista, Antoinette Enez Brown, Kalyn Ann Cole, Ste'phon Lemar Dean, Brea' Chantell Shamron Doubley, Donsha Demetrius Evans Jr. , Anallely Fabian, Bridget Marie Fricke, Brenda Torres Gamino, Nancy Agilar Gamino, Gabriel Jibri Gibson, Shawn Claude Marshall Gresham , Sarah Nicole Susan Gunn, Melinda Ellen Hayes, Serae Leanne Jackson, Robert William McCaffrey Jr., Erica Morales-Alejandre, Robert Taylor Lanier Morgan, Jonathon Ray Morrow, Adriana Perez Zarco, Aaron Michael Andrew Peters, Brenda Quintana, Elizabeth Ruiz, Maricela Ruiz Perez, Mayra Samano Alicia Sarco Villagomez, Drianna Le'Shae Smith, Lyniesha Tashae Michelle Smith, Michael Edward Smith, Gentry Lamar Valentine Jr., Brianna Renne Varney, Seantika Sute'ce Wilder.

5.9.11

Students qualify for national history competition

Four South Haven High School students will be traveling to Washington D.C. in June to compete in the National History Day contest.

The students earned the honor after finishing in first and second place at the state competition, in April, at Grand Valley State University in Allendale.
The first-place winners were Jessica Overholser and Marissa Ross, whose project was titled, Susan B. Anthony vs. the United States, while the second-place winners were David Ward and Tyler Towne, with their project Was it Demon Rum or Arbitrary Law?
The South Haven students competed against 12 other projects submitted for the state competition. The students made it to the state competition after earning high marks at the regional level in March at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Students who entered the competition are members of the high schools History Club, which was organized by government teacher Jeremy Burleson.
History Day was created to promote the study of history throughout the nations schools and throughout the state, Burleson said.
The national competition will take place June 12-16. Area residents or businesses interested in sponsoring one of the projects by helping with travel and lodging expenses can contact Jeremy Burleson at jburleson@shps.org or at 269-767-6039 for more information.

PHOTO: Jessica Overholser and Marissa Ross won first place at the Michigan History Day competition with their project, "Susan B. Anthony vs. the United States."

From RIF to RIP
Popular reading program ends due to federal cutbacks in spending

By BECKY BURKERT
Editor and general manager

After 40 years of giving away books to South Haven elementary school children, a local womens organization is closing the book on the popular project.
Due to federal government budget cuts this is the final year for Reading is Fundamental (RIF) in South Haven, said Elaine Fluck, coordinator of the local RIF program and a member of the American Association of University Women, the programs local sponsor.
The news hit local elementary school officials hard.
I am so disappointed about RIF being cut because reading is the very foundation upon which our childrens education is based, said Carey Frost, principal of Lincoln Elementary School. There are many children in this district whose families simply do not have the means to purchase books for their children...Additionally, anyone who has seen the energy and joy on the faces of children as they pick their books at a RIF fair will attest to the fact that the program truly inspired a love of reading.
Fluck agreed. I had one parent say her child cried because she wouldnt be able to get any more RIF books.
For four decades, the local AAUW has raised funds to provide books for the RIF program. The federal government would provide three-quarters of the expense, with a local group picking up the rest of the cost and providing reading activities, Fluck said.
South Haven qualified for the RIF program because more than 50 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
But in March, Congress and President Obama approved legislation eliminating funding to RIF.
Theyd been saying for a couple of years it would be cut, so it wasnt much of a surprise, Fluck said. I feel very sad to hear when reading is not encouraged.
The local funds AAUW raised each year amounted to $1,600. Added to the federal grant, the womens organization was able to provide up to three books, once a year, for each elementary school student in the younger grades.
We raised the funds through our annual book sale. We also had generous support from many parents, grandparents, local residents, and the South Haven Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, the United Way and Wal-Mart, Fluck said.
AAUW still plans to promote reading and educational activities in the community, Fluck assured.
Besides its annual book sale, the organization provides scholarships to young women, a Sister-to-Sister summit for middle school-age girls, Meet the Candidates nights and other community projects.

South Haven seniors named Merit finalists
Two South Haven High School seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.
Ryan Miller and Jared Wall were both recognized as finalists in March and will now compete to be named among 8,400 Merit Scholarship winners nationwide.

Its a great honor to have one National Merit finalist let alone two, said South Haven High School Principal Shane Peters. Its quite an accomplishment. These students can be proud of what theyve done.
Miller has already signed a letter of intent to receive a scholarship to attend Alabama University. Miller plans to pursue an engineering degree. At South Haven High School he has been a member of the golf team and the swim team, where he was a captain this past season. Hes a member of the National Honor society, has been employed as a cook at the South Haven Yacht Club for four years and participates as a counselor for the schools sixth-grade camp program.
Wall is the son of Scott and Heidi Wall. He is considering attending either Oberlin University in Oberlin, Ohio or Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo to major in vocal performance and mathematics. At South Haven High School, he has been a member of the high school chorale, football team, Science Olympiad, and National Honor Society. He also has performed with Our Town Players community theater group.

PHOTO: Ryan Miller (left) and Jared Wall of South Haven High School have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.

4.11.11

South Haven scholar recruited

Ryan Miller, (left), a senior at South Haven High School, signs a letter of intent to receive a scholarship from Alabama University. Miller was recruited by the university after being named a National Merit Scholarship program finlist. Alabama extended a very enticing offer, said Ryans dad, Patrick. We toured the campus, he fell in love with it and decided thats where he wanted to go. Ryan plans to pursue an engineering degree at Alabama. At South Haven High School he has been a member of the golf team and the swim team, where he was a captain this past season. Hes a member of the National Honor society, has been employed as a cook at the South Haven Yacht Club for four years and participates as a counselor for the schools sixth-grade camp program.


3.29.11

Photo contributed by Dixie Capps

Thomas Capps and Kara Reel were named king and queen of Winterfest at South Haven High School recently. Other nominees included Ryan Jones, Citiali Alcaraz, Tim Covey and Joelyn VanWynen.

3.28.11

Welcome to the Viking County Fair

To celebrate March is Reading Month, the cafeteria at South Walnut Elementary School in Bangor was turned into the "Viking County Fair." Parents, grandparents and other adults joined students for breakfast Wednesday to read books in the cafeteria which was decorated with a 4-H building, cardboard goats, pigs and calves along with midway games, a roller coaster, carousel, game booths and food vendors. At the outside entrance of the school, two Farmall tractors and a ferris wheel set the tone for the fair.

Students logo chosen for Lincoln PTO promotions


Lincoln Elementary School third grader Heaven Meister was all smiles after a logo she created was chosen as the winning logo for the schools PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) program.
The PTO held a contest, inviting students to submit a logo best depicting the PTOs efforts of fostering relationships among parents, teachers and staff. Meister designed the logo with the help of her grandmother Denise Meister. Heaven received a T-shirt with her winning logo design imprinted on the front, a certificate, a water bottle and a lunch date with school principal Carey Frost.

PHOTO: Pictured on the left is PTO President, Rachel Ridley, Heaven Meister is in the middle, and Carey Frost, the Lincoln Scholl principal is on the right.

Crock pot Cook-off at Lincoln

Lincoln Elementary Schools PTO recently sponsored a Crock pot Cook-off. The participants and winners are shown above. Back row from left: Brian Ridley, Maria Machado, Lori Lammlin, Mrs. Klifman, Sheryl Postma, Senice Ransom, Heidi & Savannah Ward, Angela Marr, and Kristy Mitchell. Front row from left shows 2011 Cook-Off winner, Kimberlee Klifman, Elise Postma, and Sydney Ward.

South Haven High School singers earn top ratings at state competition

All nine South Haven High School vocal ensembles received First Division ratings at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association State Solo & Ensemble Festival, March 18-19 at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. These ensembles also received perfect or near perfect scores in sight reading, according to Choir Director Cole Tyrrell.
Ensembles receiving First Division ratings in sight reading and performance were the Jared Wall-Morgan Darke Duet, the Octet, Men of Chorale, Women of Chorale, Mens Ensemble, Womens Ensemble, Mixed Ensemble and the Chorale.
Also receiving a First Division rating as soloist was senior Jared Wall who also received a First Division rating in advanced sight reading. Receiving a second division rating in performance and sight reading was sophomore Bri Rigozzi.
I couldnt have been more pleased, Tyrrell said. Our students had just finished the Southwest Michigan Vocal Festival the night before and arrived home late. To turn around and perform that well during a second consecutive evening was really remarkable and speaks well of their focus and stamina.

3.21.11

Students build bridges and businesses and solve community problems at annual contest

BENTON HARBOR Using their noodles will be more important than ever when students from five area high schools measure the strength of home-engineered spaghetti bridges during a regional competition this week.
Bridge building is just one of many competitions to take place at the States second Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG) Career Development Conference, Wednesday, at the Mendel Center of Lake Michigan College.
The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is the yearly capstone of the Michigan Works JAG program, a nationwide dropout prevention and school-to-career transition initiative focused on student graduation, career preparation and college.
In addition to building spaghetti bridges, JAG students from Benton Harbor, Cassopolis, Covert, Coloma and Niles high schools will compete in events focusing on career preparation, community service, public speaking, entrepreneurialism, and community problem solving. Students will display business start-up plans and are given $25,000 make believe dollars to solve a problem in their communities.
More than a dozen representatives from local businesses and other organizations will be on hand to serve as judges or as workshop presenters on colleges and careers.
This program is performing the essential functions to tear down barriers and make sure area students get the education needed to move our region forward, said Todd Gustafson, executive director of Michigan Works! The Career Development Conference is a great way we can recognize the students accomplishments in leadership, career preparation, and entrepreneurialism.
JAG is a component of YouthWorks!, a comprehensive, tri-county effort to prepare young people for the workplace. Michigan Works! is a non-profit, workforce development organization providing the skilled workforce necessary to meet the needs of employers. They offer no-cost services to employers and jobseekers and oversee six service centers in Benton Harbor, Buchanan, Dowagiac, Niles, Paw Paw and South Haven. For more information, call 1-800-533-5800 or visit www.miworks.org.

3.15.11

Singers qualify for state competition

A dozen South Haven High School singers will be headed to state competition after earning high marks in the District 6 Solo and Ensemble Festival this month.
The students were competing in the Michigan School Vocal Music Association-sponsored event at Southwest Michigan College in Dowagiac, Feb. 19.
Of the 15 soloists and ensemble groups entered, 12 received First Division ratings while three received Second Division ratings, according to high school vocal music instructor Cole Tyrrell. Students who receive Division One ratings proceed to the state competition that will take place March 18 at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.
Of the twelve soloists and ensembles receiving First Division ratings, eight scored the highest rating possible of 5, Tyrrell said.
Soloists receiving First Division ratings were sophomore, Bri Rigozzi and senior Jared Wall. Ensembles receiving First Division ratings were the duets of Emily Edwards and Jen Kritzberg, and Jared Wall and Morgan Darke. Ensembles receiving First Division ratings were the SATB Quartet, the Octet, Men of Chorale, Women of Chorale, full Chorale, Mens Ensemble, Womens Ensemble and Mixed Ensemble. Receiving Second Division ratings were soloist Ashleigh Smith, the duet of Ben June and Olivia Victor and the ensemble from the Womens Chorus.

3.2.11

Choral groups from Baseline, L.C. Mohr qualify for state festival

Choirs from Baseline Middle School and South Haven High School will head to state competition after earning high marks at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association District VI choral festival in Stevensville, recently.
The Baseline Middle School Choir and the high school Chorale and Choir all received superior ratings in performance and sight reading, and will perform at the State Choral Festival in May. The high school Womens Chorus performed well at the District festival, earning a superior rating in sight-reading, but settled for an Excellence rating in performance. Only groups that earn superior ratings in both sight reading and performance qualify for the state festival.
South Haven High School choral director Cole Tyrrell was pleased with the group performances.
Our students were very pleased with the results at District Festival, Tyrrell said. Both the Baseline Choir and the High School Chorale received the top scores in both days of performing. He went on to say that the high school Chorale and Choir were only two of three musical groups at the District festival who performed in the advanced sight-reading category.
He also praised the Baseline choir and its director, Kelly Willard.
The Baseline Middle School Choir received the best score at festival in over 20 years, earning a Superior rating for the first time since the new rating structure was implemented, Tyrrell said.

3.1.11

Honoring Liberty's legacy

Interpretive garden path envisioned at North Shore Elementary to honor famous South Haven native

By BECKY BURKERT
Editor and general manager

South Haven native Liberty Hyde Bailey Jr. is often considered the father of modern horticulture, but few know that he played an instrumental role in creating the 4-H movement and cooperative extension services for rural residents during the early 1900s. Not only that, it is also widely unknown that he pioneered landscape architecture as an academic discipline, and was a prolific writer who authored more than 700 books, including elementary school textbooks and poetry.

A North Shore Elementary teacher wants to change all that by creating a garden path at the school in Baileys memory, called the Liberty Hyde Bailey Interpretive Path.
Its going to be created in the spirit of Liberty Hyde Bailey, said North Shore teacher Rebecca Linstrom, who is spearheading the movement to create not just a series of gardens, but a greater understanding of the influence that Bailey played in the development of Americas rural society during the early 1900s.
There will be a wetlands garden, shaded garden, full-sun garden, prairie landscaping, even a section for dandelions, Linstrom said in reference to one of Baileys well-known quotes regarding the flowering weed that many adults consider a nuisance - Children love dandelions, why may not we?
Our goal is to plant what Liberty would plant and to plant what would be conducive to our curriculum, Linstrom said.
To help promote interest in the creation of a garden path at North Shore, a meeting will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 3 at Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, 903 S. Bailey Ave. The meeting is for people interested in helping to create the garden.
Our vision is to honor Liberty Hyde Bailey, to develop an interpretive outdoor learning center and an integrated hands-on curriculum, Linstrom said. Together we can make this thing grow.
She plans to establish committees to focus on flower plantings, ways to coordinate the garden into the schools curriculum, signage and technology. Wed like to document the progress of the garden and hope to start a (computer) Blog the kids can use to keep people up to date with the garden, Linstrom explained.
She has received the blessing of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum Board of Trustees as well as South Havens Board of Education to proceed with the project. She is also currently working with a landscape designer who has agreed to help create the garden.
She hopes by spring to have the garden path started, and envisions a day when students can study the various plants, write poetry while being one with nature, or simply enjoy being outdoors.
Linstrom became acquainted with the studies of Bailey thanks in part to her oldest son, John, who obtained bachelors degrees in creative writing and environmental studies. While preparing for a masters program at Iowa State University this past summer, John told his mother about the information available at Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum and the influence that Bailey has had on horticulture and rural sociology.
I was blown away by this scientist, environmentalist and visionary that came from this little town, said Linstrom, who met with museum director John Stempien to discuss a way to honor Bailey and educate students about the contributions he had made to horticulture. It (the garden path) grew out of a conversation with my son and John Stempien, said Linstrom who thinks that students and parents will rally around the creation of the garden path, especially as they begin to learn more about Baileys teachings.
He was a strong proponent of family life, Linstrom said. Even back then (in the early 1900s), he said kids need to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.

PHOTO CAPTION: A group of North Shore Elementary students stand on the future site of an interpretive garden path to be placed there in honor of the late Liberty Hyde Bailey Jr., world-famous horticulturist from South Haven.

Singers qualify for state competition

A dozen South Haven High School singers will be headed to state competition after earning high marks in the District 6 Solo and Ensemble Festival this month.
The students were competing in the Michigan School Vocal Music Association-sponsored event at Southwest Michigan College in Dowagiac, Feb. 19.
Of the 15 soloists and ensemble groups entered, 12 received First Division ratings while three received Second Division ratings, according to high school vocal music instructor Cole Tyrrell. Students who receive Division One ratings proceed to the state competition that will take place March 18 at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.
Of the twelve soloists and ensembles receiving First Division ratings, eight scored the highest rating possible of 5, Tyrrell said.
Soloists receiving First Division ratings were sophomore, Bri Rigozzi and senior Jared Wall. Ensembles receiving First Division ratings were the duets of Emily Edwards and Jen Kritzberg, and Jared Wall and Morgan Darke. Ensembles receiving First Division ratings were the SATB Quartet, the Octet, Men of Chorale, Women of Chorale, full Chorale, Mes Ensemble, Womens Ensemble and Mixed Ensemble. Receiving Second Division ratings were soloist Ashleigh Smith, the duet of Ben June and Olivia Victor and the ensemble from the Womens Chorus.

2.21.11

A high schoolers dream: A Netbook for home and school use
Bloomingdale High School juniors use Netbooks in class to keep up with assignments

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BLOOMINGDALE When juniors at Bloomingdale High School need help with their homework, they can now ask their teachers via the Internet.
Netbooks, with wireless Internet cards, were distributed Monday to 108 11th-grade students as part of a pilot program that school officials hope willallow students to compete and excel in a technology-oriented world.

Students will be able to use the small, lightweight, and inexpensive laptop computers not only in school, but at home as well.
"The netbooks will allow students to be continually assessed by teachers, collaborate on projects with other students, and work on assignments in the classroom as well as at home," explains Bloomingdale Superintendent Deb Paquette. "The computers will be treated similar to textbooks with the students being responsible for any damage or loss of the device."
In August, the high school was named as one of nine of the worst-performing schools in southwest Michigan, and was given a mandate - redesign or face a state takeover.
The ranking was based on math and reading scores on state standardized tests between the 2006-07 and 2009-10 school years.
School officials hope that the one-to-one computer program will help increase student achievement.A number of teachers, including science teacher Ryan Schoenborn, have led the implementation of the project.Schoenborn has been using netbooks in his classroom since the start of the school year.
The use of netbooks has opened up many possibilities in my classroom," he said. "For example, I have posted online quizzes through Google forms that allow me to give an entire class instant feedback. This speed in assessment allows me to adjust my teaching to the needs of individual classes and students. I have also created quizzes that change depending on the answer the student gives. This sort of individualized interaction will be even greater when each student has their own netbook."
The one-to-one pilot program has great potential, officials say. Schoenborn has a number of ideas on how to use the new resource,
Looking forward, the one-to-one program will open up even more possibilities, he said. The use of education software like Moodle will allow me to post full lessons online, speed up assessment, and differentiate my instruction....My students will have constant access to all of their assignments as well as supplementary materials and study aids. They will also be able to use their netbooks to do research projects and produce content-oriented media that would be impossible without this technology.
The district plans to extend an electronic curriculum in a number of subject areas, Paquette said, and hopes to obtain grants to expand computerized teaching to other grade levels.
This year's computers were paid for from the school districts general fund.
"Our long term goal is for all 6th- through 12th-grade students to receive netbook computers in the fall of 2011," Paquette said.

2.16.11

Van Buren tech center FFA morning students are shown. Front row from left: Jackie Salinas, South Haven Public Schools, Emily Vince, Lawrence Public Schools, Megan Earls, Hartford Public Schools, Megan Stainbrook, Paw Paw Public Schools, Sara Vliek, Decatur Public Schools, Ashley Turk, Paw Paw Public Schools, Mrs. Katie Wagar (teacher), Allison Amsbury, Mattawan Consolidated Schools, Merle Ennes, Mattawan Consolidated Schools, Austin Johnson, Bloomingdale Public Schools, Haley Brown, Mattawan Consolidated Schools, Kiaya Anthony, Mattawan Consolidated Schools, and Erika Talley, Eau Claire Public Schools. Back row from left: Heather Bailey, Eau Claire Public Schools, Ashley Herr, Eau Claire Public Schools, Shannon Arndt, Eau Claire Public Schools, Trevor Streit, Lawrence Public Schools, Ben Ross, Lawrence Public Schools, Nate Carango, Lawton Community Schools, and John Revore, Paw Paw Public Schools.

Van Buren tech center FFA afternoon students are shown. Front Row from left: Salvador Cruz, Lawrence Public Schools, Jennifer Burns, Gobles Public Schools, Genesis Tait, Bangor Public Schools, Tom Cook, Bloomingdale Public Schools, Dallas Winsemius, Bangor Public Schools, Charles Beeching, Lawrence Public Schools, Back row from left: Sarah Gunn, Covert Public Schools, Sierra Benny, Bloomingdale Public Schools, Alexandria Smith, Gobles Public Schools, Heather Steinfeld, Paw Paw Public Schools, Dylan Blackston, Watervliet Public Schools, and Mrs Katie Wagar.

Van Buren Technology Center FFA Chapter celebrates National FFA Week

A group of future farmers from southwest Michigan plans to celebrate National Future Farmers of America (FFA) week at Van Buren Technology Center in Lawrence.
Infinite Potential is the theme of this years celebration, Feb. 19-26, and FFA members at the tech center plan to take part in several events, including: teambuilding skills, mock interviews, dairy quality testing, a business and industry tour and a teacher appreciation activity.
There are two groups of FFA students at the tech center and they remain active in the national organizations activities. More than half a million members around the nation will participate in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels.
The focus of National FFA Week is to tell America about the agricultural and business opportunities available for all youth. From its beginnings in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, the national FFA organization today reaches out to all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA is committed to developing character and leadership skills and preparing members for a lifetime of civic leadership and career success.
National FFA Week is sponsored by Tractor Supply Co. and Carhartt as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The Foundation is the fundraising arm of the national FFA and supports programs by working with sponsors to raise funds for scholarships that are awarded to outstanding members.

2.15.11

Student art exhibit winners

Nine high school and middle school students were honored for their award-winning artwork at the opening ceremony of the Artists in Transition exhibition at South Haven Center for the Arts, Deb. 13. The exhibition includes artwork from students in South Haven, Bangor and Covert. Front row from left are Ashley Blair, Deanna Meskauskas, Allie Ruppert, Martin Miles and Jessica Miles. Back row from left are Francisco Gomez, Ariana Norman, Kendra Nuismer and Isabella Gallegos-Thompson.

2.14.11

Local students honored in regional competition

By ROD SMITH
For the Tribune

LAWRENCE--Local Business Professionals of America students took five first-place awards in the annual BPA Regional Leadership Conference in January at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor.
Students also took home three second-place awards, three third-place, five fourth-place, and two fifth-place awards.
They were among a group of 116 Van Buren Technology Center students who competed against more than 450 students from southwest Michigan in 54 events. A total of 41 Tech Center students were honored.

Financial Analysis Team, first place, Nicholas Langston, South Haven; Fundamental Accounting, fourth place, Kala Barnett, Bangor; Advanced Accounting, second place, Nicholas Langston, South Haven; Cisco Systems Administration, first place, Daniel Houchin, Bangor, second place, David Houchin, Bangor, fifth place, Kyle Fillmore, Bangor; Network Administration Using Microsoft, first place, Richard Hacker, Bloomingdale, third
place, Alexander Crafts, Bangor, fourth place, Michael Hoadley, Bangor; Computer Security, third place, Richard Hacker, Bloomingdale; Computer Network Technology, fifth place, Michael Hoadly, Bangor; Digital Media Production, fourth place, Marbella Chavez, Covert; Computer Animation Team, second place, Cameron Viktora, Bloomingdale; Web Application Team (E-Commerce), first place, Kyle Fillmore, Bangor, David Houchin, Bangor; Information Technology Concepts, fourth place, Michael Hoadley, Bangor; Visual Basic Programming, fourth place, John Till, South Haven.
Each student recognized is qualified to compete in the BPA State Leadership Conference, March 24-27, at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids. In addition, with qualifying grade point averages, each winner will be eligible to receive a variety of scholarships from local colleges and universities, including a four-year renewable scholarship worth $12,000 from Davenport University.

Bangor student a finalist in regional spelling bee

Bangor Middle School student Anders Mortensen took home a $120 prize after earning fifth place in the Cloverleaf Spelling Bee, Tuesday, at Lake Michigan College.
Fifty-seven spellers from 19 schools in Berrien and Van Buren counties took part in Tuesdays contest, which was won by Cameron Haynes, 10, of Lincoln Township.
Haynes won the contest after correctly spelling escarole, a leafy vegetable, to eliminate competitor Gabrielle Aubermann of Coloma, who settled for runner-up honors. He then went on to correctly spell bastion to be crowned champion.
As winner of the regional spelling bee Haynes won a trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee, June 1-2.
Although he didnt win the contest, Bangors Mortensen managed to be one of the top 10 spellers. He then made it to fifth place before bowing out of the competition. The top 10 winners earned prizes. Mortensens was $120 from Cook Nuclear Power Plant.
Other area students competing in the contest follow:
Bangor Middle School - Olivia Stockford and Samantha Zordan
North Shore Elementary School - Laila Klavins, Joel Rummel and Keegan Seifert.
Contest sponsors included Berrien Regional Education Service Agency, The Herald-Palladium, AEP, Lake Michigan College and Honor Credit Union.
Co-sponsors were Pizza Hut of Michigan, Jay Sugarman, Merrian-Webster, Encyclopedia Britannica, Hexco Academic and Amazon.com
H-P staff writer William F. Ast III contributed to this story

2.8.11

Winterfest this week at L.C. Mohr high school

South Haven High School students will be dressed in unusual attire this week as the school celebrates its annual Winterfest.
The week-long celebration kicked off Friday, Feb. 4 when the Winterfest court was announced at the basketball game. Seniors nominated for the court include Jocelyn VanWynan, Kara Reel, Cici Alcaraz, Thomas Capps, Ryan Jones and Tim Covey.
As part of the celebration students will be dressing up in various outfits during the week. Monday was PJ/Snuggie Day. Today is Favorite College Day. Wednesday is Mismatch Day, Thursday Super Hero Day, and the dress-up days will end Friday with Purple and Gold Day.
The Winterfest King and Queen will be crowned at Fridays basketball game and the 2011 Hall of Fame inductees will also be announced.
Prior to Fridays game the National Honor Society will host a spaghetti dinner. Contact the High School Office at 637-0500 for more information or tickets.1.17.11

Contributed photo

The South Haven Chapter of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) recently presented the South Haven Center for the Arts with a donation of $400. Melissa Warner-Talcott (left), exhibitions coordinator and office manager for the Art Center, accepts the donation from NAHS officers Jessica Overholser, tresurer; Tyler Smith, president; and treasurer and Courtney Lemmer, secretary.The students raised the funds by having a raffle and by having an art activity booth at the summer art fair.

1.13.11

Contributed photo

St. Basil Catholic School students who earned top honors in the local spelling bee are shown in the photo along with members of the Knights of Columbus, who sponsored the bee, teachers and Fr. Bob Flickinger.

St. Basil students compete in Spelling Bee

Two St. Basil School students are headed to the Knights of Columbus regional spelling bee after winning top honors at the local spelling bee.
St. Basil held its annual spelling bee Dec. 3 and divided students into two categories, based on grade level.
Students who placed in the lower division consisted of grade levels 4-6. Cassidy Rieck won first place, Franny Valenziano came in second, Lauren Kimbler, third and Devin Cox, fourth.
Students in grades 7-8 competed in the upper division, which required multiple rounds before the winner was decided. David Arya won first place, Emily Simon placed second, Eva Heinrich. third and Tanner Rieck, fourth.
The winners competed in the regional competition, Jan. 9, in Kalamazoo. The winners of that competition will proceed to the Michigan State championship, March 5.
To prepare for the local contest, students practiced spelling words for several weeks in their classrooms. The word list students used was compiled from a statewide list and ranged from average words to very difficult ones. Students at St. Basil who earned top honors in the local contest received monetary gifts from St. Basil Knights of Columbus.

Contributed photo

South Haven residents Carol and Tom Newton recently donated books written by their daughter, the late Afton Newton, to Wood School students. The couple also purchased 20 books for the school and are shown presenting them to Marinna Good and Ely Fidler, both students at the school.

Wood School students receive books

By KIM INGALLS
Tribune staff writer

BANGOR Carol and Tom Newton, parents of the late Afton Newton, recently gave Wood School students an extra Christmas present.
The South Haven couple visited the school, located west of Bangor, before the holiday and gave each student a copy of Aftons third book in her The Cousin Adventures series. While there, the Newtons asked students what books they would like for the school, and then on Jan. 6 showed up with 20 more books.
The students were very excited, said Wood School teacher Connie Hollis. They had received all the books they had asked for. In addition, they (the Newtons) gave our school several Michigan historical books.
Afton, 26, passed away on Jan. 11, 2009 after a long battle with autoimmune diseases. A graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, Afton created The Cousin Adventures, which follow the travels of three cousins to real historical sites where they solve suspenseful mysteries.Since her death, Tom and Carol have been donating her books to area schools in her memory.
Afton was very fond of reading, said Hollis, who was a close friend, and had written many other stories, which the parents say they may publish in the future.

Helping youth

Youth Development Company/Police Activities League, received a financial contribution from a South Haven Township supermarket, recently. Store managers of Village Market Food Center in South Haven, Diane Bachman and Andy Edge (right), present a check to Teresa R. Cunningham (second from left), executive rirector, and Jessica Gray (left), program director and mentor coordinator of youth development

1.3.11

Forced to make a choice
Parent questions sons punishment for choosing soccer game over band performance

By ANDREW LERSTEN
For the Tribune

A committee is being formed to study South Haven Schools' policy on handling conflicts students have when forced to choose between activities held at the same time.
The issue came to a head recently when parent Julie Wood complained to the School Board about a recent conflict involving her son, a senior at South Haven High School.
Specifically, she was upset that her son had his marching band grade lowered after he chose to attend a district soccer game that was on the same night as a marching band concert.
While the board chose to stand by the grading decision, it asked Schools Superintendent Bob Black to form a committee to review the district policy on the matter.
Black said the issue of student activity conflicts pops up about a half dozen times each school year. The policy may need to be made more specific, he said.
"The committee will take a look at the policy, to see if it can be made more specific and less ambiguous," Black said. The current policy simply states that the two directors of an activity involved in a timing conflict need to resolve the issue and recommend to the student which event to attend, he said.
The policy becomes problematic when there is an impasse between the directors, he said.
"The issue is if there's no agreement (on a choice) all the way around. It can happen about four to six times a year when there's a conflict you can't plan on, such as with state festivals or tournaments where there's less than a month of advance notice," he said.
At the start of every school year, the various activity directors meet and discuss their event schedules so there are no conflicts in the district, he added.
The committee will also study whether simply giving the student the choice of which activity to attend could be the best policy, he said. The committee will likely include some staff members, parents and possibly students too, Black said. It will report back to the school board with its recommendations by spring, he said.

12.10.10

Decorating the tree

Covert Elementary students in grades 3 through 5 hang paper cutout snowflakes on a tree mural they created for a wall near the Covert High School gym. The students of art teacher Naima Abdul-Haqq made the tree from several different types of paper, glitter and paint. They then mounted the 16-foot-tall tree on the wall in sections.

12.7.10

Elks help teachers purchase school supplies for classrooms

By BECKY BURKERT
Editor and general manager

A fraternal organizations donation is making the purchase of supplies a little easier on teachers at Lincoln Elementary School.
The South Haven Elks Lodge has donated $500 to the South Haven school so that instructors can purchase more supplies for their classrooms.
Teachers receive a very small stipend to buy classroom supplies, said Carey Frost, Lincoln principal. But with the budgets being cut in the past several years they get less and less. Most teachers spend at least a couple of hundred dollars each year, others spend more than that.
Kenneth McNicholas, Southwest Michigan District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Elks, said the local club is more than happy to help teachers with their classroom projects.
This program is something weve been looking at and we hope to expand it, he said. Teachers are spending money out of their own pocket for these school supplies.
Once the local club can shore up more funds for the program, it hopes to offer monetary contributions to more local schools.
This is just a start, McNicholas said.
The clubs Grand Exalted Ruler Susan Nienhuis agreed, saying she knows what its like for teachers to dig into their own pockets for supplies. Her niece, Janelle Nienhuis, is a third-grade teacher at Lincoln School.
The local Elks has a reputation for helping the community in a number of ways, said club secretary Jim Mears, but the average person may not be aware of it.
Everybody thinks what we do is a big secret, he said jokingly, that we sit back and smoke cigars in a dark room.
The club is probably best known for its Hoops Shoot contest that it sponsors each year at Baseline Middle School. The winners of the contest have a chance to compete at district, state and national competitions.
But, the Elks help the community in other ways.
We just donated 12 turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners to We Care (a local human service ministry). Were planning to make a donation of $1,000 for We Cares food pantries.
Were here to help our community, Mears said.

Charles Beeching of Lawrence, Rosey Craig of Bangor, Dallas Winsemius of Bangor, and Genesis Tait of Bangor build the walls for a chicken pen.

Agricultural & Natural Resources Program Gives 80 Chickens to Local Food Banks

LAWRENCE Students at the Van Buren Technology Center Agriculture and Natural Resources Program and FFA chapter know what it takes to raise chickens.Earlier this semester they began the Poultry Improvement Project, starting with 125 chickens.Students monitored their rate of gain, and finally selected the top 5 chickens to participate in a state contest in November.Students from the Learning Center were invited to observe this experience over the five-week period.
Students raised more than 100 broilers to study growth and development in poultry and also the impact of feed and nutrition on the birds.The birds were raised for 5 weeks, with weights, feed efficiency, and comparisons to industry standards carefully observed and recorded. Students selected 5 birds from each pen and processed them for the FFA State Poultry Improvement Project in November in Fowlerville.The remaining 93 birds were collected and processed and 80 were delivered to two local food banks, in time for the holiday season. These donations were for the Harvest for America Program in conjunction with Tractor Supply Stores.
The processed chickens were divided equally between Eleanors Pantry in Paw Paw and the Van Buren Action Agency in Lawrence. Laura Wydick, a former class member of the Agriculture & Natural Resources program, who graduated in 2002, volunteered her time to assist in collecting the live chickens and helping to transport them to Fowlerville where they were processed by Millers Fowlerville Poultry Processing.

11.29.10

North Shore Elementary, South Haven Health System
partner for Pint-Size Hero Blood Drive

North Shore Elementary and South Haven Health System are once again joining forces with the American Red Cross to hold a special Pint-Size Hero Blood Drive Tuesday, Nov. 30 at the school.

Were happy to be part of a program that teaches our children about the importance of blood as a medicine and help the American Red Cross meet the needs of patients in Michigan, said Kim Wise, employee and community development specialist for South Haven Health System.
The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. However, generally less than 5 percent of the population gives blood on a regular basis.
The Pint-Size Hero Program (PSHP) was developed to help promote community service awareness, volunteerism, and the positive results of coming together for a good cause. This project not only helps the American Red Cross provide a safe supply of blood to area hospitals, but also teaches the importance of blood donation. Everyday the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross needs to collect about 700 units of blood to meet the needs of the hospitals it serves.
Were excited to partner with our local hospital to provide this service to our community, said North Shore Elementary Principal LaTonya Gill-Williams. Were hoping to reach a new generation of blood donors and encourage everyone that can to donate on our childrens behalf.
The blood drive will be from 1 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., at 7320 North Shore Drive in South Haven. The school is looking to top the 39 donations collected at last years blood drive. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

Applications available for grants to help youth

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of the South Haven Foundation plans to accept grant applications from organizations that help youth in the area.
YAC consists of a group of South Haven High School students that work under the direction of Andrea Olson and Teresa Cunnigham, of the South Haven Community Foundation.
The students review grant applications and choose recipients.
Applicaionts are available at STate Farm Insurance, Cafe Julias, Phoenix Street Cafe, Chemical Bank, South Haven Memorial Library, the U.S. Post Office in South Haven and South Haven High School library.
Forms should be addressed to Teresa Cunningham and must be received in the high school office by Feb. 24, 2011. For more information, call Andrea Olson, 637-5655.

11.15.10

Is South Haven Schools enforcing its anti-bullying
policy? Several parents say more needs to be done

By ANDREW LERSTEN
For the Tribune

Can South Haven Schools do more to protect its students from bullying?
The issue came up at last week's School Board meeting, with several residents telling the board better enforcement of the district anti-bullying policy is needed.
The stated policy is that bullying is unacceptable and prohibited, and that bullies can face suspension or expulsion.
Jennie Pope said she recently pulled her high school freshman daughter out of school because of ongoing bullying. She told the board she had talked to high school staff about the problem 20 times before she took action.
"You guys have a serious problem," Pope said. She said other students have left the district due to bullying too.
Another woman said she had never heard of any disciplinary action being taken by the district against a bully.
"We will look into it," said Superintendent Bob Black. He said he was not aware of the scope of the problem.
Board Trustees Annie Brown and Teresa Cunningham asked about anti-bullying training for staff, and suggested additional training is needed.
"I'm very upset hearing all these accounts," Trustee Charlie Dotson said. "The policy is only as good as the enforcement. We shouldn't have kids leaving our school district over bullying. Hopefully this will be resolved."
"This should not be tolerated," Brown added.
In other matters, the superintendent noted that 64 percent of the district students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, based on family income. That's up 1 percent from one year ago, he told the board.

Bangor revisits possibility of bond proposal to pay for facility improvements

By BECKY BURKERT
Editor and general manager

BANGOR It takes money to fix leaky roofs and old, drafty windows, so Bangor Public Schools is once again considering whether to ask voters for funding to make facility improvements.
This past week, Bangor Board of Education president Kurt Doroh asked the boards Facilities Committee Chairman, Dwight Click, to begin meeting with district administrators to determine the scope and cost of necessary improvements.
Doroh did so at Mondays school board meeting after hearing a report from District Superintendent Ron Parker suggesting the board revisit putting a bond issue in front of voters sometime in the future.
The bond issue we had planned...was put on hold due to economic conditions, Parker said. Unfortunately economic conditions havent changed so we need to put together a committee to decide when to put (a bond proposal) on the ballot.
Doroh agreed. We still have the need. At some point things have to be fixed, and the longer we wait the more it will cost.
A year ago, the school board had agreed to ask voters to approve an $11.68 million bond issue to replace school roofs, buy a new boiler for the Primary School and make renovations and upgrades to school and athletic facilities throughout the district. But in August of 2009, the board put the election on hold citing Michigans unstable economy and high unemployment rate.
In the meantime the district chose to close the Primary School building this year as a cost-saving measure and move elementary school students there to South Walnut Elementary School.
There are no cost estimates as of yet on what a future bond issue would be. The district, however, does have a $60,000 balance with the architectural firm of C2AE of Lansing. If we decide on no bond issue theyll pay us that money, but if we decide on a bond issue well have some money to pay them, Parker said.

Student count down
Bangor Public Schools anticipates a loss of approximately 30 students this year, according to its latest pupil count. Due to glitches with a new student accounting program, the district has not been able to gain an accurate count of pupils for each building, but the latest tally indicates a loss from 5-30 students, according to Superintendent Ron Parker. The school chief went on to say that most likely, the reduction will be closer to a loss of 30 students, however.

11.8.10

The cast of 'The Idiot's Guide to High School' poses for a picture. The play will be performed Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12-13 in Listiak auditorium of South Haven High School.

South Haven theater students present The Idiots Guide to High School

Theater students at South Haven High School will give a humorous lesson on how to survive high school when they present the play The Idiots Guide to High School, this weekend.
The play, written by Alan Haehnel, will take place at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday in Listiak Auditorium of the high school, 600 Elkenburg St.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available in advance during lunch times at South Haven High School or may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance.
In The Idiots Guide to High School the audience will meet Earl, played by Sam Linstrom, and Shirley, played by Hillary Spitters. Everyone knows that Earl is an idiot, including Earls own mother. With the assistance of his friend Shirley, another well-acknowledged idiot, Earl seeks to host an informative guide to high school, including high schools true purpose, the crafting of a perfect excuse, and more. Fellow students help illustrate topics for the interactive chapters of The Idiots Guide to High School.
The fall play is terrifically funny and quite family friendly, according to Director Cheri Stein. Weve ended up with the largest cast for a fall production that I can recall 30 students on stage at once give it incredible energy, and everyone who attends should know at least one actor. The audience should be greatly entertained, Stein continued.
In addition to the cast of 34 students, Cheri Stein and Erin ONeil are directing, Steven Zimbrich is stage manager and Dave Hughes heads up set construction, lights and sound.

10.25.10

LMC hosts workshops for parents of college-bound students

With over 3,800 colleges and universities in the United States, the process of selecting a college can be daunting for families. Not only do they need to make decisions based on cost, programs offered and the overall fit of the college with their childs personality, there are also the issues of the admissions process, applying for financial aid, and finding scholarships.
To give parents the tools they need to be knowledgeable about the process no matter where they plan to send their child, Lake Michigan College is hosting College: The Next Big Step A Workshop for Parents.
These workshops will be held Monday, Nov. 1, at the Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles; Wednesday, Nov. 3, in the LMC Mendel Center Grand Upton Hall on the Colleges Napier Avenue Campus; and Thursday, Nov. 4, at the South Haven Campus. The two-hour workshops begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free to anyone interested in preparing for college.
Families will learn the hows and whys of financial aid including grants, loans and scholarships; college assessment testing; career services; transfer options from two-year to four-year schools; and Early College opportunities while students are still in high school.
Selecting a college is not only one of the most important decisions a high school student will make but it can also be one of the most challenging, states Dr. John Selmon, executive dean of Student Services at LMC. These workshops are designed to answer a lot of the questions that families have in the decision-making process to help them make the best choice for their son or daughter.
Selmon went on to add that these sessions are for anyone preparing to send a son or daughter to college, whether they are new to the process or are seasoned college search veterans, and that the information will be covered in a general way that will apply to the college selection process no matter what school they are considering.
To reserve a seat at this free event, parents can pre-register online at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/bigstep or contact Cindy Reuss at (269) 927-8626.

No SH School Board races on tap Nov. 2, but nonhomestead tax renewal is on ballot

By ANDREW LERSTEN
For the Tribune

South Haven Schools voters are being asked to approve a three-year renewal of the district's 18-mill nonhomestead property tax levy in the Nov. 2 election.
If approved, it would bring in an estimated $2,279,964 in 2011, the first year of the renewal period.
"It's like 11 or 12 percent of our budget," explained Superintendent Bob Black. "We're labor intensive and we cut close to $600,000 out of last year's budget to balance it. To live another $2.2 million would be just about crippling. There would be staff reductions or major program reductions (if it doesn't pass)."
Also, two candidates are unopposed in seeking the two available four-year school board terms. They are Cindy Liscow, 56, 11560 76th St., and Michael Rainey, 38, 68044 Riverview Drive.
Current board members Kim Griffin and Teresa Cunningham have chosen to step down.

10.4.10

Reliving the life of a Civil War soldier

David Rowley, commanding officer for the 10th Michigan Infantry, a Civil War reenactment group from Mt. Pleasant, teaches American History students at South Haven High School how soldiers marched during the War Between the States. Students from Jeremy Burleson's American History classes spent several hours outdoors on Monday, learning how to march in formation and to see the equipment, tents, guns and medical supplies that were used in the Civil War. For the marching exercise, the students used sticks rather than guns.