C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
G R A D U A T E S
B elding | Beth Haven Bapti st Academy | Car son City-Crystal C ent ral M ontcalm | Fellowshi p Baptist Academy | Flat Ri ver Academy Gre enville | Ionia | Lak eview | Montabella | Tri County | Vestaburg
Saturday, May 18, 2019
A Supplement to the
DAILY NEWS
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Graduation
Index
Read about our 2019 features on local students and their stories of overcoming opstacles and personal growth!
‘You couldn’t ask for a better student’
Belding High School 3-8
Central Montcalm High School staff will miss graduating senior
Beth Haven Baptist Academy 9 Carson City-Crystal High School 10-11 Central Montcalm High School 13-16 Fellowship Baptist Academy 16
find his story on page 12
‘Change is exciting’ Vestaburg High School valedictorian readies for her ‘full ride’ at U of M find her story on page 31
‘It happened, we made it and I’m me’
Flat River Academy 17 Greenville High School 18-30
Lakeview High School senior reflects on past high school, mother diagnosed with breast cancer during sophomore year
Ionia High School 32-39 Lakeview High School 40-42 Montabella High School 44-45 Tri County High School 46-52 Vestaburg High School 53-54 All graduation photos and names were provided and proofed by each individual school.
Any photographs submitted after deadline were not included in this publication.
find her story on page 43
CO NGR AT UL AT E YO UR
2019 Graduate
Honor and celebrate your graduate with a full color tribute ad that will publish Saturday, June 8 in The Daily News.
DEADLINE: Mon., June 3 at 11 a.m.
Bring in or mail the form below along with a color photo with your graduate’s name on the back and payment.
Cyndi Smith Belding High School
Congrats to this lovely lady! The best to you, Cyndi.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Mom and Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Roger & Cathy
SAMPLE OF AD
2
• Pre-School • Elementary Save Time, • Junior High Order Online • High School thedailynews.cc/grad • College Ads Starting • Vocational at $24 DAILY NEWS
Graduation 2019 • Saturday, May 18, 2019
Be l di n g
G Sabrina Acevedo
Irelyn Besmer
Zoe Anderson
Sydney Booker
Kyleah Antcliff
Nichanan Boonmee
Taylor Beard
Jade Borst
raduation events for 2019 begin on May 19 for the 147 seniors graduating from Belding High School. Kicking off the week is student-led Baccalaureate at 7 p.m. May 19 in the auditorium. Class Night for the seniors is 7 p.m. May 22 in the auditorium. Graduation follows on at 7 p.m. May 23 in the gym. The commencement speaker will be Distinguished Alumni Jason Hutton, a 1998 BHS graduate who is currently at Fox 17 in Grand Rapids. Mr. Ostrander has not announced the valedictorian or salutatorian.
Class quote: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them” – Andy Bernard Class song: “We Are the Champions” – Queen Class flower: Sunflower Class colors: Black and Orange Not Pictured:
Jonathen Benitez, Justin Benitez, Kayla Bundy, Travis Chapin, Alexander Craddock, Gabriel Croel, Halle Derosha, Minh Doan, Thomas Doran, Jason Everett, Philanda Jones, Taylor Martin, Olivia Muniz, Havin Turgut
McKenzie Boyd
Zachary Brown
Christian Bunce
Katherine Bunting
Caleb Burch
Devan Bushre
Emily Bushre
Sara Bushre
Lucy Byrne
Jared Cardosa
Sophia Carlson
Jacqueline Casey
Austin Chiavola
Chadrick Closser
Breanna Conley
Tyra Conley
Vitoria Costa Gonzales
Jordan Csernyik
Alejandra De Jorge Otto
Jason Dean
Tristan Doty-Robinson
Jeffrey Dukes
3
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Be l di n g
Joshua Dukes
Rheagan Echter
Emily Edwards
Bradon Ensign
Caitlyn Evans
Vaughn Faasen
Bendix Ferch
Bryce Ferman
Lima Inague Daniela Ferreira
Lauren Fisher
Jade Flynn
Andrew Foley
Jonna Froeberg
Alexis Gallop
Jesus Garcia Guautle
Vivian Gay
Ricardo Gbah
Tyler Gibbs
Bre Gillson
Maria Granado
Donovan Greene
Nicholas Green
Raven Guernsey
Michael Guerra
“Every person you meet knows something you don’t; learn from them.” — H Jackson Brown Jr.
Congratulations
CONGRATULATIONS
BELDING
to the Class of 2019
On your graduation day, we offer our congratulations and wish you the best as you embark upon new and exciting endeavors.
Class of
2019
Johnson - Feuerstein Funeral Home
Bruce Feuerstein, a 1980 Graduate of Belding High School
261066
203 S. Pleasant, Belding | www.jffh.com 616-794-1630 251150
4
Belding Area Schools The right size. The right choice.
Be l di n g
Graduation 2019 •  Saturday, May 18, 2019
5
Haley Hansen
Ethan Harper
Ronald Harper
Daniel Haverstick
Kyle Heaton
Nicholas Heintzelman
Jenisa Henry
Raeli Heppe
Samantha Hersch
Anastasia Hintz
Bryon Hochkins
Dylan Hulliberger
Jeremiah Jewell
Chase Jones
Jacob Kamradt
Kaden Kellum
Hailee Kimble
Bryon King
Zachary Lumbart
Ezekiel Richmond
Grace Wright
Jacob Anderson
Belding
Belding
260749
Belding
Greenville
Bryon King II Belding
Kendrick A. Rhines G.R. Northview
Congratulations and Good Luck to all
2019 Graduates!
200 N. Gooding Street Belding | 616-794-1130
6
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Be l di n g
Alyson Kline
Lyndsi Krieger
A. Laffler
Maria Lalick
Dakota Lanning
Molly Legg
Kaitlyne Lewis
Shelby Lipka
Hallie Lucas
Zachary Lumbert
Casey Lussenden
Paige Martin
Keegan Matulaitis
Dakota McLaren
Dylan McLaren
Joshua McQuillan
Rattiyakorn Meesap
Payton Mendham
www.OstranderInc.com Licensed & Insured A+ Better Business Bureau Rating Family Owned & Operated Since 1966
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
WINDOWS, SIDING & ROOFING
Celebrating 50+ YEARS in Business! Windows • Doors • Siding • Roofing • Soffit & Fascia Seamless Gutters & Gutter Guards • Insulation • Decks • Repairs Gutter Cleaning • Hail & Storm Damage Insurance Claims
s n o i t a l u t a r g n o C 2019 Graduates 800-750-7078 • 9019 W. Belding Rd., Belding
259157
Be l di n g
Graduation 2019 • Saturday, May 18, 2019
7
Jack Michalek
Hunter Milanowski
Orion Moehring
Abaigeal O’Toole
Jakob Oberlin
Nathan Parcher
Alexis Paredes
Samantha Peters
Nuria Polo Gallardo
Samantha Potratz
Jared Prosser
Jeffrey Puehler
Jaqueline Quintino
Saga Rantalainen
Stetson Rice
Ezekiel Richmond
Cherokee Robinson
Jacob Rodel
INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE ADDS UP.
Best of Luck
2019 GRADUATES Special congratulations to... Kiera Snyder Belding High School
114 North Lafayette Street | 616.754.8888 | hungerfordnichols.com 261290
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Be l di n g
Kayleb Rood
Alec Sabin
Rodrigo Saez
Madyson Scheid
Jule Schueler
Ian Scott
Nathanial Silva
Brennon Smith
Kiera Snyder
Ika Stenman
Levi Syrjala
Paige Thacker
Frank Theodore
Hailey Thomas
Hannah Thomas
Jose Ugarte
Katelynn Walch
Andrew Walcott
DAILY NEWS CONGRATULATES
Margaret Walker
Mackenzie Wallin
Kayleb Rood
Hailey Warren
Belding High School Class of 2019 Graduate
BEST OF LUCK AT GVSU!
“Where words fail, music speaks.” — Hans Christian Andersen
Brandon Wood
Grace Wright
Congratulations 2019 Graduates!
Mikayla Wright
“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis Autumn Zerkle
616-754-9132 260078
8
GandDelectric.com
Graduation 2019 • Saturday, May 18, 2019
Beth Haven Baptist Academy
J
acob Chavez, a former principal at Beth Haven Academy, will be the featured speaker at the Academy’s 2019 graduation. Commencement will start at 4 p.m. May 26 at the church. Five seniors are graduating with valedictorian and salutatorian not yet named. Class verse: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called, according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 KJV Class quote: “It’s An Adventure Out There” — from the movie “Up” Class song: “Married Life” — from the movie “Up” Class flower: Rose
Michael Barnhill
Hannah Crumrine
Esther Deneau
John Snyder
Elnora Williamson
Congratulations
GRADUATES Now
” e t a u d “Gra
a z z i P r e t to Bet 1133 W. State St. (M-44) Belding (616) 794-0000 261445
9
10
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Carson City-Crystal
G Aiden Adkins
Claire Adkinson
Giovanny Alpizar
Melina Barnewitz
raduation for the Carson CityCrystal seniors will be at 4 p.m. on June 2 in the east gymnasium. Baccalaureate will be at 2 p.m. the same day. Class quote: “It took 2019 years to make a class this good!” Class song: “Five More Minutes” — Scotty McCreery Class flower: Sunflower Class colors: Blue and gold Not Pictured: Jacob Hanes, Taylor Hutson, Joseph Morse, Ho Nguyen, Rebecka Pennock, Kailin Rohn
Guiomar Benit-Hontangas
Abagail Billings
Chloe Billings
Caila Coleman
Caleb Collins
Joshua Currier
Elizabeth Cusack
Megan Dailey
Nolan Datema
Carmen Donahue
Triston Edwards
Kaylee Eller
Alejandro Espinoza
Gunnar Eyer
Bretton Fears
Kylee Ferris
Bailey Fitzpatrick
Jonathon Gachter
Joshua Graham
Nathan Green
Kolbi Humphrey
Zoey Hunter
Seth Johns
Hanna Leichtfried
Alyssa McMillan
Brody Mikula
Matthew Miller
Alexander Mitchell
Graduation 2019 • Saturday, May 18, 2019
Carson City-Crystal
Jackson Murphy
Brandon Murray
Justin Niemi
Emily Osborne
Victoria Patin
Caleb Quinn
Kaylee Reeder
Walker Richardson
Kolbe Rohn
Alanna Ross
Savannah Russo
Christina Schafer
Haylei Schaefer
Tuckor Schafer
Braxton Seida
Daryn Shepler
Daniel Smith
Sarah Springsteen
Caleb Stevens
Kaylea Stone
Drew Stout
Cera Vargas
Linzy Wadle
Kaleb Walker
Xavier Waltz
Louisa Weits
Andrae Wilson
Aaron Wohlfert
Shawntae Wood
Madilyn Zacharda
11
12
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
‘You couldn’t ask for a better student’
Central Montcalm High School staff will miss graduating senior
Central Montcalm High School seniors Tanner Smith, left, and Suzette Rojas, right, water some plants in special education teacher Brad Smith’s classroom. Rojas and Smith both admired Smith for his helpfulness and positive attitude. — DN Photo | Meghan Nelson
T
Central Montcalm High School seniors Tanner Smith, left, and Suzette Rojas, right, stand together for a photo. According to Rojas, Smith is the friend to go to for a listening ear. — DN Photo | Meghan Nelson
eachers, staff and students are going to miss Central Montcalm High School senior Tanner Smith when he graduates on Sunday. Those who know Smith have nothing but positive things to say about the kind of student and friend he is and his good attitude and helpfulness. “Tanner is a nice young man who is always willing to help out around the classroom. He will always talk to you no matter who you are,” said Elijah Jeffers, a paraprofessional at Central Montcalm High School. “I wish there were more kids his age who would be as nice and polite as he is.” Suzette Rojas, a senior at Central Montcalm High School, gives Smith a high recommendation as a friend. “I think his personality is great. He’s really nice to everyone. I think you feel welcome talking to him,” Rojas said. “You don’t feel like you have to be someone else. He’s a pretty cool dude.” She also said Smith is the person to talk to if you need someone to listen, to which Smith agreed. Smith’s friends and teachers will miss him in the halls of Central Montcalm, and special education teacher Brad Hansen even said next school year won’t be the same without Smith. “You couldn’t ask for a better stu-
dent,” Hansen continued. “You don’t have to ask him twice to do something. He just does his job, and he’s positive and does great things.” Over the past four years, special education teacher Christine Nanzer has appreciated Smith’s help with weekly lunch fundraisers with school staff. “He knows what to do to complete most of the jobs that need to be done and can train others on how to complete the job,” Nanzer said. “He also has the initiative to just get jobs done rather than wait for someone to ask him to do a job.” She also commended Smith’s attention to details, which helps the fundraiser run smoothly as well as help Nanzer remember what needs to get done. Smith said he’s going to miss making lunch for Central Montcalm staff, but he is also looking forward to plans for after graduation. Right now, he’s focused on continuing to work at Rapid Tool and Machine in Sheridan and saving enough money to buy his own golf cart to take to and from work. “Tanner’s family has the Sheridan golf cart mafia,” Hansen joked. “My dad started his own golf cart club in Sheridan. Usually, we all get on the family cart and go to my uncle’s because he has one,” Smith said. Three of Smith’s uncles own golf
MEGHAN NELSON mnelson@staffordgroup.com carts and one of their friends owns an ATV, all of which are part of the golf cart club. He also wants to try his luck at farming, using skills he’s learned from Montcalm Area Career Center teacher Amanda Sturm in agricultural science class. “Tanner is always willing to help get work done,” Sturm said. “This year he was on two different teams where he competed at FFA (Future Farmers of America) events outside of the school.” Smith said he might come back to the school and work or help since he “kind of likes the teachers.” No matter what he ends up doing, he will keep smiling and helping others. “Tanner will be successful in whatever career he chooses, because of his work ethic and ability to get along with others,” Nanzer predicted.
Graduation 2019 • Saturday, May 18, 2019
Central Montcalm
V
Kayla Anderson
Tyler Baker
Hunter Bannister
Blake Bellinger
Jade Betham
Olivia Betham
Paityn Blaisdell
Lynsey Blonshine
aledictorian Ocean Chavez and Salutatorian Katrina Thomsen will be featured speakers, along with superintendent Amy Meinhardt and principal Marty James at the 2019 Central Montcalm Public School graduation. Commencement for the 100 graduating seniors is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 19 in the high school gymnasium. Senior Honors Night was held on May 1 at the Sidney Township Hall. Class motto: “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.” Class song: “Five More Minutes” — Scotty McCreery Class flower: Sunflower Class colors: Green and white NOT PICTURED: Jose Rodriguez
Anna Bobrzyk Gonzales
Emilee Bohen
Kaylee Borton
Madeline Braman
Cassandra Buskirk
Chaim Carson
Hyacinth Chavez
Ocean Chavez
Jack Christensen
Calli Clemens
Elizabeth Conklin
Brian Cooper Jr.
Kala Daggett
Dillon Darling-Perez
Andrew Day
Emily Dollaway
Alexis Doolittle
Paris Dora
Amanita Dukes
LeeAnn Durkin
Trinity DuVall
Kesen Everingham
13
14
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Central Montcalm
Valana Gabrish
Sydney Gaffney
Avory Goodell
Austin Green
Shayna Green
Kiley Guelzo
Hunter Hansen
Madison Hansen
Breonna Harris
Logan Heater
Taylor Henry
Lauren Herald
Madison Holland
Angela Hone
Cass Hoover
Kryn Humphrey
Andrew Jacoby
Emily Jensen
Congrats 2019 Graduates!
Danielle Johnson
Brina Jones
VISIT US IN SIDNEY OR SHERIDAN
Madison Jones
Keelan Jordan
WHERE BANKING IS A PEOPLE BUSINESS
Congratulations Class of 2019
Class of 2019 r o i n e C ongrats S
Anderson & Girls
Sheridan 989-291-3611 246 S. Main Street P.O. Box 168
260080
ORCHARDS/GIFTS STANTON, MI • 989-831-4228
Stanton 989-831-4000 518 N. Camburn Street P.O. Box 414
TOLL-FREE 1-888-696-1664
Bill Simpson, Jr Owner & Funeral Director
261125
It’s all under the Apple Tree at Anderson & Girls!
3 miles north of Stanton on M-66 or 5 Miles South of M-46 on M-66
Hours: Daily 9-6 • website: www.andersonandgirls.com
260012
PROUDLY SERVING MONTCALM COUNTY Since 1921
Graduation 2019 • Saturday, May 18, 2019
Central Montcalm
Lacey Keeney
Danielle Kent
Jordan Knapper
Branden Kring
Conner Kuhn
Kyle Kuhn
Ryan Lake
Brennon Lane
Jared Ledford
Libby Ledford
Haley Lund
Addison McKay
Melissa Mezquitic
Michael Moore
Luisa Moreira Crisol
Megan Nelson
Brenton Nielsen
Sierra Parrish
Best Wishes & Good Luck Class of 2019 from the Crew at Quality Collision Services
lass of
C 2019 261472
6255 S. GREENVILLE RD (M-91) GREENVILLE
616.754.0055 • 145 Years Combined Employee Experience • Written Lifetime Warranty • Areas Only Equipped & Certified Aluminum Repair Facility
QUALITYCOLLISIONSERVICES.COM
15
16
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Central Montcalm
Kaden Peak
Addisen Peterman
Drucilla Phenix
Makayla Phenix
Doreen Pritchard
Hannah Putnam
Lorena Quesada Ilmert
Shelbie Ramirez
Marshall Rauch
Logan Richmond
Selena Ring
Kelsea Ringleka
Suzett Rojas
Luiza Santiago Lima
Gideon Scott
Breanna Shindorf
Kaleb Shong
Tanner Smith
Trenna Smith
Carson Stevens
Katrina Thomsen
Kiara Wernette
Britney Wiltkopp
Fellowship Baptist Academy
M
rs. Deb Meister, English teacher at Fellowship Baptist Academy, will be the keynote speaker at the school’s 2019 graduation, slated for 7 p.m. May 24 at the Fellowship Center, 10204 E. Carson City Road, Carson City. Six seniors will be graduating with Chadyn Moravy earning valedictorian honors and Emily Evans earning salutatorian. Class verse: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:18-19 Class motto: “Keep it simple, stupid.” — Dave Ramsey • Class flower: Sunflower
Madison Braman
Anna Campbell
Emily Evans
Payton Miller
Chadlyn Moravy
Graduation 2019 • Saturday, May 18, 2019
Flat River Academy
S
17
ix seniors will be graduating from Flat River Academy at 6:30 p.m. May 29 in the school’s gym. A keynote speaker has not yet been determined. Class colors: Navy, teal, red and white
Samuel Blackgrove
Isaiah Byrd
Wendy Gonzalez
Carlie Martin
Alexander Sample
Anay Trejo
INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE ADDS UP.
Best of Luck
2019 GRADUATES Special congratulations to...
Jake Giddings Greenville High School
114 North Lafayette Street | 616.754.8888 | hungerfordnichols.com 260064
18
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Greenville
T Alyssa J. Abbott
Cameron L. Adams
Caitlin G. Anderson
Jacob C. Anderson
Kylee R. Appleby
Chloe J. Arnold
Drew W. Averill
Harli A. Balahoski
Chloe E. Bartlett
Samuel S. Bartlett
Cayden J. Beardslee
Hannah R. Bergeron
he 270 graduating seniors of Greenville High School will be acknowledged at Honors Assemblies starting at 8:45 a.m. May 22 and 23, followed by Swing-Out at 8:45 a.m. May 24. Scholarship Day will be May 22 and Jacket Pride Day, featuring activities and academic awards, will be on May 23. Only senior awards will be given out with underclassmen being celebrated May 28 at a “Pass the Torch” assembly. Three seniors, chosen by committee, will present the welcome, class history and farewell speeches at Swing-Out. Graduation will be at 7 p.m. May 30 at Legacy Field. Tickets are not required. Class motto: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Class song: “Seven Nation Army” — The White Stripes Class flower: Lily of the valley Class colors: Purple NOT PICTURED:
Ethan Eikenhout, Ian Frisbie, Ashlee Johnson, Dakota Johnson, Mikayla Hoke, Brandon Lowing, Katelin Mansel, Kiersten Rebhun, Peighton Rumney, Dylan Wright, Kathryn Youmans
Danielle L. Bigelow
Kyleigh A. Bish
Joey C. Black
Kordell G. Black
Bailey C. Blackport
Tristin K. Blair
Carmen L. Blount
Tyler J. Boni
Alyssa Borowka
Adrian T. Bowling
Elijah M. Boyce
Olivia C. Braman
Dillon K. Bramen
Dominic J. Briggs
Cassandra H. Brockschmidt
Travis Brockschmidt
Graduation 2019 •  Saturday, May 18, 2019
19
Greenville
Kaine L. Brown
Wyatt E. Brown
Charlotte Buhl
Ryan M. Burden
Jonathan T. Burger
Eliana A. Burgess
Mason W. Burrill
Natalie Bushong
Natasha Bushong
Diana A. Cantera
Cole M. Caswell
Rebecca M. Caswell
Gabriel C. Chapman
Caleb S. Christensen
Mitchell G. Clevenger
Mollie R. Cline
Crystal L. Cole
Dylan L. Collins
To the class of
2019
S T A R G N CO CLASS OF 2019 OPEN
7 DAYS A WEEK from your family at
GREENVILLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS As a cooperating partner of the community, Greenville Public Schools will assure all students the education necessary to participate as responsible citizens in an ever-changing world.
260958
Great Golf Great Food Great Friends
616-984-9916 www.linksatbowenlake.com 261325
20
Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Graduation 2019
Greenville
Olivia S. Collins
Megan R. Cooper
Tiffany A. Cooper
Katelyn L. Corey
Gavin J. Cossou
Madison R. Cox
Matthew A. Cox
Elena R. Cruz
Ross A. Cusack
Tara A. Dakin
Seth A. Davis
Noah T. Day
Taylor Decker
Elizabeth J. Dennis
Makayla Devos
Evan W. Diehl
Taylor Docter
Makala K. Doran
Sabyn M. Doty
Wyatt G. Douglas
Megan M. Dukes
TO THE
CONGRATULATIONS
CLASS OF 2019
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” — Steve Jobs
We are so proud of you!
Allie Leslie
989.291.3232 517.627.8484 616.754.9339 616.693.2227 231.823.2088
Big-L-Lumber.com 261219
HUBBS Insurance, Inc.
Jon Leslie Agent Judy Leslie-Swartz Agent AUTO • HOME • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
125 E. Cass St. P.O. Box 7 Greenville, MI (877) 984-6066 Ph. (616) 754-9359
259776
SHERIDAN GRAND LEDGE GREENVILLE CLARKSVILLE STANWOOD
Congratulations to the Class of 2019