There's No Place Like Home (PDF Edition)

there’s no place like

A special edition to The Sailors’ Log, honoring the faculty who gradauted from Mona Shores High School

Why This?

During the 1997-98 school year, two sophomores entered my English 10 classroom not knowing what they were getting themselves into.

Both Amber Mann and Justin Kennert probably knew there would be grammar and vocabulary and short stories, but what they didn’t know is that love would also be found.

Maybe it was the balcony scene from Romeo & Juliet, but the two, who graduated in 2000, would eventually marry and now have three girls who attend Shores, and Amber is a Young 5’s para-pro at Campbell Elementary.

It is stories like this that made me come up with the idea for this year’s newspaper staff to track down any alumni of Shores who now work in the district.

And he Kennerts are not the only ones to find love in the halls of Shores.

Chris (Policka) Smith, who is the Community Services clerk, actually met her husband Steve Smith in fourth grade. Additionally, three couples (the Johnsons, the Lents and the Whalens) work at Shores after both graduated from Shores.

Each year, I challenge the newspaper staff with a special edition, which is PDF only. Last year, we covered alumni who were successful in the area.

Two years ago, I had them write about all former editors-in-chief of The Sailors’ Log. This year was the biggest undertaking of them all as we wanted to cover all personnel at Shores who graduated from the high school.

After I sent out an initial email to personnel in all four elementary buildings, the middle school, the high school and the administration building, we came up with at least 91 people who have returned to Shores to work. We know there are others, including bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and non-staff coaches, who probably went overlooked, but 91 is still an impressive number.

Each staff member chose one person from the high school and one person from the rest of the district to write a story about. The rest of the alumni were given space at the back of this edition, depending upon how much information we received.

And that information showed a unique and diverse group of individuals. – Warren Kent III, adviser of The Sailors’ Log

Featured Faculty Sarah (Funkhouser) Barnard – has authored a children’s book Rhonda (Frasier) Baskin – enjoys hunting and fishing Jason Boyden – surprise, surprise, loves music Shelly (Stariha) Brower – is hiking the Appalachian Trail Rory Closz – DJ’s in his spare time Gayle (Block) Decker – relishes her role as grandma Chris (Bartkowiak) Dion – crochets afghans and other items Rachel Drelles – is driven by art Jacey (Cooper) Eccleston – used a book to teach compassion and empathy Kristi (Ulfsax) Eigenauer – emphasizes adventure in her daily life Tracey (Bunda) Fritz – impacts lives in Ghana Patricia (Whittaker) Green – was first Angel of Singing Christmas Tree Nancy (English) Grigsby – completed marathon and 35-mile hike in Iceland Heather (Swinburne) Hall – still holds track and cross country records Molli (McPhall) Horvath – works as a day camp director Judy (Albert) Hunt – met and discarded a knight in shining armor Chris Johnson – spent a year living in Hawaii Kristin (Cornish) Johnson – created a running program for elementary boys Matt Koziak – believes team bonding is more important than wins

Jamie (Abdelkader) Kuzma – can be found lifeguarding Marc Lans – helped break apart the Berlin Wall Amy (Bogue) Lent – finds family time and experiences magical Bill Lent – races dragsters with his dad Pam (Greenwald) Matthews – helped kickstart girls’ athletics at Shores Beth (Zietlow) McCaskey – proves single moms can do anything Stacie (Neary) Meyers – found way back to Shores after multiple other jobs Steve Morell – incorporates Marine life with school life Rebecca (Archer) Morse – has bungee jumped and has swum with sharks Brent Mosley – is following in dad’s footsteps as a teacher Mary Poort – found way to students’ hearts is through their stomachs Lisa (Mosley) Rosenthal – taught in Hawaii Meghan (Barnett) Schiller – immersed herself in Costa Rican culture Chris (Policka) Smith – met her husband in fourth grade Amy (White) VerMerris – has deep roots at Campbell Elementary Scott Volkmann – learned integrity by returning wallet with $872 Jolynn Walek – persevered through a tough freshman year Amy (Troyanowski) Whalen – wanted to give back to Shores Ed Whalen – appeared briefly on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?

Sarah Barnard – Campbell Why Shores?

Why Education?

“My dad taught here, and

“My parents were firm

he loved it. His children,

believers in the power

went here and loved it.

of a strong education.

Now, my children have

My mom taught us life

graduated from Shores,

lessons from the heart.

and in two years, my

Dad was a well-respected

granddaughter is on track

teacher at Shores for 37

to begin here. The push for

years. I carried this belief

excellence, appreciation

in education’s giving one

of diversity, combined

wings with my own kids

with the phenomenal

but also wanted to do what

performing arts programs

I could to help children

were essential in each of

discover the world and

their formations into young

their own abilities.”

adults as well as my own.”

Special talents guide library media clerk

By Emma Lee Bennett Staff Writer

As a photographer, a published author, and a music lover, Sarah (Funkhouser) Barnard has found ways to keep her creative ideas flowing.

Barnard, the library media clerk at Campbell, has been enjoying and pursuing photography for quite some time.

Her business, Hume Photography, has attracted many clients, including MSHS seniors, the MSHS orchestra, and more.

“The majority of my senior clients are from Mona Shores, but some have traveled across the state for their sessions,” she said. “I continue to be asked for MSHS orchestra photography as well as headshots for other organizations and weddings all around.”

Barnard, who graduated from Shores in 1983, even wrote and published a children’s book titled Francesca, a processthat took her nearly five years to complete.

“My experience with writing Francesca and getting it published is pretty unique,” said Barnard about the book which is about friendship and acceptance through the character Francesca, a basset hound. “But the actual forming of the story – the first draft – was completed in one car trip. Stories come to me almost as movies in my mind. I’m not sure how else to describe my ‘process,’ but it’s odd and fun adventure.”

The Barnard Files

Graduation Year 1983 College Muskegon Community College Western Michigan University Michigan State University Educational Career 1 year: second-grade para-pro at Campbell 8 years: substitute teacher 2 years: high school attendance clerk 2 years: Campbell office clerk 5 years: Campbell media clerk Notable Has spent 21 years as a professional photographer, owning her own business called Hume Photography Authored a children’s book titled Francesca Once written, Barnard asked her artist friend Kate Bourdon to illustrate the book. After Barnard shared her vision with Bourdon, it took about two years for the artwork to be ready.

Barnard said the rest of the time was spent in research

and learning programs to save and send and submit the creation without giving up all the rights.

Additionally, Barnard, who was involved in choir and band in high school, is passionate about music.

“I actually find (music) therapeutic and inspiring,” she said. “In our home, growing up, there was always an album/tape/radio playing. Both of my parents were gifted musicians.”

Barnard said she remembers the performing arts as accepting of everyone who joins.

“I joined choir and band because I enjoyed both and had many friends in each,” she said. “I find the performing arts people, in general, to be a very accepting, encouraging, fun-loving group of people,” Barnard said.

She and her dad, Jacob Funkhouser, who taught social studies at the high school for 37 years, had a yearly tradition of going the Allegro’s performances as well as the Pop Go the Sailors shows.

Later, she would become a part of the Allegros and enjoyed it thoroughly.

“When I actually made it into that group, I was beyond thrilled,” she said. “I’d even catch a glimpse of Dad at a couple of our performances. We were a traveling performance group back then – no fun musicals, darn it!”

All in all, Barnard is a passionate human who values photography, writing and music.

Rhonda Baskin – High School Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I enjoy helping students

“I have been a member

who do not love coming

of the Shores community

to school because I was

my entire life, and I have

once in their shoes.”

always loved it here.”

Hunting, fishing nice respite from school year

By Chris Horvath Sports Editor

Born into a family of hunters and fishermen, high school para-pro Rhonda (Frasier) Baskin didn’t have much of a choice in being a lover of the outdoors.

“I have loved the outdoors for as long as I can remember,” said Baskin, a 1982 graduate of Shores. “I think I was 8 years old when I got my first gun. My entire family were avid hunters and fishermen, so I grew right into it.”

Baskin participated in this hobby while she was in high school.

“My family had a cottage just out of Hart on Crystal Lake and we would go hunt there,” Baskin said. “I got more into rifle and bow hunting shortly after high school, and I really enjoyed and still enjoy it.”

That enjoyment does not just come from the kill or the catch for Baskin.

“I love the peace and quiet, and the sportsmanship,” she said. “You meet a lot of really cool people that hunt and fish. I have gone to a lot of wild game dinners where I meet new people and talk about hunting and fishing.

The wildlife is amazing as well; you really never know what you’re going to see. There’s a thrill, and I’ve always liked that. There’s always a new adventure.”

Baskin’s favorite place to fish is School Section Lake

The Baskin Files Graduation Year 1982 College Muskegon Community College Educational Career 28 years at Shores Notable Daughter (Tara Zimmer) teaches at Lincoln Park

in Oceana County while her go-to hunting place is 23 acres in Crystal Valley in Oceana County.

Baskin said she also enjoys incorporating her favorite hobbies with her family. She hunts with her daughter Tara, Tara’s husband Jake and her boyfriend Rick Gowell, but she said she enjoys hunting and fishing with her grandkids, ages 3 and 6.

“The oldest has her first crossbow now, so she’s learning, and my daughter and son-in-law have shown her the ropes, and I love seeing her get involved with it,” Baskin said. “(Our family) basically spend every weekend out in the woods during summer time. Whether it’s grooming the trails for our quads where we hunt or just preparing for the season, I love every minute of being

out there.”

Baskin’s greatest hunting story was inspired by her late husband.

“It was the year after my husband passed away, and I was using his hunting spot,” Baskin said. “I had pine trees on my left and on my right, and something just said to me to look to my left, and when I did, I saw, standing on this snowy hill, this big buck. When I saw him, I didn’t hesitate, I pulled my gun up and pulled the trigger. I felt as though my husband was with me during that time, and he helped me take down that buck.”

Her best fishing story was inspired by her daughter.

“I was with my husband and my daughter in our boat on School Section Lake,” Baskin said. “It was a nasty cold day with snow and rain, but my husband was bound and determined. Tara (Baskin’s daughter) was complaining to her dad about wanting to go in. Well, my husband said 5 more minutes. All of a sudden his rod went off, and he hauled in a 5-pound, 10-ounce bass. My daughter was happy my husband caught the fish and she could go in and wasn’t cold anymore.”

The outdoors is and always has been Baskin’s favorite hobby outside of the classroom.

“It takes me away from city life, it takes me into a more relaxing, more peaceful atmosphere. I can clear my head and think when I’m out there. It’s a great family thing to do, and that means a lot to me.”

Jason Boyden – High School Why Education?

Why Shores?

“Band, and more

“This community is so

generally, making music

special, and I have always

with friends was a

loved it here. My mom

highlight of high school

taught in the district for 37

for me. I wanted to be

years, and my uncle was

able to provide that

the first mayor of Norton

experience to other

Shores, so I feel very

students. I also have

rooted in the community.

always loved learning

The students here are

about things, whether

amazing, and we have the

music, literature,

most caring and dedicated

psychology, and it is

staff anywhere. I am so

awesome to see others

grateful to teach here.”

learn.”

Music runs deep in the heart of band director

By Bailey Graham Staff Writer

It is no surprise that high school band director Jason Boyden loves music.

However, what may be surprising is that one of his favorite styles is classical.

“I wouldn’t say classical music is my absolute favorite; I also like alternative rock and older stuff like the Beatles. However, I do enjoy classical music very much,” said Boyden, who graduated from Shores in 1992. “It’s not like I don’t enjoy popular music; I enjoy it. It’s just that I find myself enjoying and being more comfortable playing classical music.”

His love of classical music began in his freshman year of high school.

“When I was in high school, I started to get an enjoyment out of listening to classical music when I was really able to play it,” said Boyden, who began his music career by playing the saxophone in fifth grade and added the French horn in high school. “I got super excited to listen to it when I could hear familiar notes and rhythms that I had learned how to play.”

Boyden said he considers Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” his favorite piece of classical music.

“To me, it’s just as perfect as music gets,” said Boyden about the piece that sets chapters 26 and 27 of the

The Boyden Files

Graduation Year 1992 College University of Michigan University of New Mexico Educational Career 23 years, including five in Las Vegas, two in New Mexico and 16 at Shores Notable Was a member of the Debate Novice state championship team and played tennis Loves to travel with his family, especially to Comic-Cons and cultural events Gospel of Matthew to music. “This is the best example of how you can’t make any changes to the piece to make it better. Any changes won’t make it better; it would on diminish it.”

Boyden’s love of music led him to the University of Michigan where he received his bachelor’s degree in music and then moved on to the University of New Mexico to receive his master’s in music.

While in college at the University of Michigan, Boyden worked during the summer as a production assistant for a music festival in Chicago called Ravinia where the Chicago Symphony Orchestra played along with several other musical acts.

“Being a production assistant was just fun for me; it gave me the opportunity to be around people that were famous to me,” said Boyden, whose mom taught in the district for 37 years. “My favorite memory is the last day of working there. I was assigned to drive around Bobby McFerrin, the composer of ‘Don’t Worry be Happy.’ Instead of me just bringing him to his hotel, we went to Barnes and Noble, read books and drank coffee; then, we eat Thai food and basically hung out.”

Boyden also has a family that he shares his passion of music with.

His wife teaches music for elementary students at Woodbridge Elementary in Zeeland Public Schools, and his two children have both taken part in piano and violin lessons.

His eldest son, Noah, is following in his path of love for classical music, just like Boyden did, by performing in the middle school band playing the trumpet.

“I go out with my family all the time to many different kinds of music festivals, like Lollapalooza and other live music shows,” Boyden said. “A lot of what me and my family do is centered around music.”

Shelly Brower – High School Why Shores?

“I was placed at Shores for my student teaching. My placement was for eighth-

Why Education?

grade social studies. It

“I love teaching.

was like coming home. In

I love English and history.

fact, the night before my

I love kids.

interview was July 4th, and

I love how every student,

I stayed home because

every hour, every class,

I had to be at the middle

every year is different.”

school by 7 a.m. Watching the fireworks on television was foreshadowing as the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ was playing.”

Hiking led English teacher to Appalachian Trail

By Paige Judson Sports Editor Ten years ago, Shelly (Stariha) Brower won a backpack in a raffle after years of contemplating hiking the Appalachian trail.

After winning the backpack, she knew it was fate.

Her journey began 10 years ago when she decided to hike the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail with her two sons, who were 10 and 12 at the time.

Back then, Brower, a 1983 graduate of Shores, said she had no idea that she was going to end up planning on finishing the whole thing, but now, it is all that is on her mind.

“The last couple of years I have started with someone and hiked for about 50 miles with them but then continue on by myself for about 200 more miles,” said Brower, who teaches English at the high school. “And now that I am up to 200-mile segments, I end up going for about two and a half weeks at a time, and if I continue at that pace, I hope to be done in the next four to five years.”

And then, Brower will join a select group of nearly 12,000 who have conquered the entire route since 1937.

Additionally, many of those hikers create a trail persona. Brower’s is Einstein because her biggest personality is her hair.

Brower said the name “Einstein” came about when she was communicating on a trail forum with another

The Brower Files

Graduation Year 1983 College Hope College Grand Valley State University Educational Career 14 years Shores Middle School social studies & English Shores High School English Notable Was a member of The Sailors’ Log; Worked as a 911 operator and police dispatcher for 14 years hiker from Florida who would be hiking the same area at the same time. Brower told the person to look out for her – the lady with a red backpack and frizzy hair.

The Florida hiker actually ran into Brower at a hiker gathering in Georgia and named Brower “Einstein” due to Brower’s frizzy hair (which is exaggerated by humidity).

Though accomplishing more than 900 miles on the Appalachian Trail is so far the biggest thing that Brower has done she has also been many other places, but the Appalachian Trail is where her heart is.

“Well, we started with Maryland in 2008,” Brower

said. “Then, later on, I decided to backpack on Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for about 50 miles along Lake Superior the following year, but then after that, I went back onto the Appalachian Trail, and we hiked through Shenandoah National Park, and that was about a 110 miles section, and it was at that point that I decided I really wanted to focus on the Appalachian Trail and finish it someday.”

Even though there are so many places to hike in a beautiful section of woods, the Appalachian Trail will always be the best place to find a little bit of trail magic.

“Trail magic is when you are walking down the trail and all of a sudden you see a can of Mountain Dew sitting between some rocks in a creek that someone left for you to find, or when you are crossing the road and there is a table sitting on the side of the road with people passing out snacks to the hikers or even just small things like jugs of water sitting on the side of a forestry service road in a dry area of the mountains.”

Even though all of the small wins and bits of trail magic on the trail have made the experience so memorable, the day that she finishes the trail will probably be one of the greatest experiences of Brower’s life.

“I am definitely going to save the end [north side] for last,” Brower said. “It is sort of climactic, saving climbing Katahdin for the end. It will be so rewarding to be able to see that sign up there at the end telling me I’ve finished.”

Rory Closz – Middle School Why Education?

“Teaching students to ‘find their voice’ has been one of my passions since high

Why Shores?

school. I have always had a

“Mona Shores is one of

passion for helping others

the best communities

do their best with their

for music education in

singing. The camaraderie

the area. The closeness

found in a choir that knows

between both the

each of its members has

teaching staff, as well as

a vital role in the overall

the hard work and effort

success of the group is a

put forth by each music

powerful emotion, and my

department, is a great

hope is that every student

thing to be a part of.”

who comes through the choir program gets a chance to feel it.”

Choir director puts a different ‘spin’ on things

By Timmy Schneider Staff Writer

While Rory Closz, the middle school choir director, enjoys teaching students to find their voice, his second career as a DJ allows him to share “voices” with his audience.

A passion of his since high school, Closz, who graduated in 2009, said he enjoys spending his free time spinnin’ records for Muskegon’s 100.9 WFFR. “I love how being a DJ lets me focus completely on a new area of music,” Closz said. “While being a choir director I get to focus on choral music, being on the radio allows me the opportunity to listen to a whole different spectrum of music.”

Closz is part of a show called Black Circle radio, which is aired Mondays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Thanks to the format of BCR, it is guaranteed that many different ‘voices’ of music will be heard each show,” Closz said.

Closz’s route to this second gig is interesting.

As a listener, Closz would call into the station during contests and win “some very unique and great prizes.”

However, after a few months of calling in to the show, he was not eligible to win any more prizes, so Mitch An-

The Closz Files

Graduation Year 2009 College Western Michigan University Educational Career 2014-2018, Reeths-Puffer Intermediate and Middle School teaching fifth-eighth vocal music and choir; 2018-present, Mona Shores Middle School teaching choir Notable Was in choir, orchestra, Octet, Allegros and Fiddler in high school, where his favorite memory is being able to perform with the Chamber Orchestra at the MASTA Festival in Detroit derson, the host of BCR, invited him to sit in on a show.

“After sitting in, he asked me to come back the next week with a stack of records, and I’ve been ‘showing up’ ever since,” Closz said. “And because he’s never asked me to stop showing up, I guess I’ve just become a fixture on the show each week.”

Closz’s Monday nights working at the station are generally fun, he said.

“Throughout the night, I’m switching records between the songs we want to be played and the ad spots for the evening – all of our ad spots are cut to vinyl as well,” he said. “It’s two hours of a mix of intense focus on getting the fades right and a relaxed focus on what music is on at the current moment. But it’s all one big rush of fun.”

Closz has came far since his first call in to win a prize.

Since then, he has become a producer on the show, regularly spinning records every Monday night for a couple hours.

This past year, Black Circle Radio earned the inaugural “Muskegon Rocks Award” for helping further the role of music in the Muskegon area.

Because of his role at BCR, Closz has advice for those dreaming of hosting their own radio show one day.

“Give it a try,” he said. “There’s nothing like the thrill of being on live radio – every moment is completely different and could take you in any direction in just a few seconds. It’s also very similar to any theatre or speech class you might take, as you often have to think ‘on your feet’ and be flexible in the moment in order to ensure that the moment keeps moving forward.”

Gayle Decker – High School Why Education?

“My mother was a CI

Why Shores?

teacher at Muskegon,

“This is the

and I heard stories

best school around.”

of success.”

Para-pro Gayle Decker is surrounded by her four grandchildren.

‘Grandma’ enjoys spending time with family

By Erick Hannahs Staff Writer

Gayle (Block) Decker has been called many things: mom, Mrs. Decker, para-pro, etc.

But the one she prefers is “grandma.”

“I actually have the most grandchildren as a teacher in the high school,” said Decker, a 1979 graduate who has four grandchildren.

Outside of school, Decker, a para-pro at the high school, is an outdoor enthusiast with hobbies including swimming, biking, hiking, and camping.

As a grandmother, she said she loves spending time with all of her grandchildren. The youngest grandchild Maggie Sroka is too young to do most of the activities that Decker enjoys; however, that gives Decker a chance to add to her grandma resume.

“Whenever I get to spend time with Maggie, I take her on rides in her stroller, and then I like to sit down and teach her some shapes and letters,” Decker said.

During the summer, Decker said she loves to swim in her backyard pool and take her second oldest grandchild, Olivia Sroka, down to Lake Michigan to swim.

“I usually just swim in our pool with Olivia, but I do love it when there are huge waves on Lake Michigan so

The Decker Files

Graduation Year 1979 College Muskegon Community College Ferris State University Educational Career Started as a lunch monitor in 1995 Started as a para-pro in early 2000s Notable Played basketball and softball at Shores Enjoyed being a part of the marching band Loves the outdoors I can body surf them,” Decker said. “It doesn’t happen too often, but I enjoy getting out there when possible.”

Decker said she likes to hike in Hoffmaster State Park and anywhere that her family goes camping.

“I take Emily on hikes with me and do mostly outdoor activities with her,” Decker said. “She’s still pretty

young at 3 ½ years old so I play some childish games with her when we aren’t in the outdoors.”

One activity that Decker, who also has a step-daughter (Samantha Sroka), enjoys most is biking the Whitehall trail with her grandchildren.

“I love to take bike rides in the summertime,” she said.

“I usually bike on the Whitehall Trail, but it is difficult sometimes bringing all four grandchildren with me.”

Every year, the Decker family goes on a camping trip to Pioneer Park.

“During our camping trip, I spend most of my time with the grandkids and do almost everything with them,” Decker said. “It’s a great bonding and learning experience for them.”

After Decker herself and her daughter Megan Decker attended Shores, the third generation has now entered.

Piper Sroka is 7 years old and a first grader at Ross Park Elementary.

“One of my favorite things to do with Piper is go on bike rides,” Decker said. “As the oldest, she can keep with me. When we aren’t out on bike rides, I like to sit down and read with Piper at home. It’s crazy to think that the third generation of my family is now going to school where I did. It makes me feel kind of old, but I am excited for all of my grandchildren’s schooling.”

Chris Dion – High School

Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I like working with kids

“I graduated from here,

and want to make

my kids went here,

a difference.”

and I live in the district.”

Crocheting provides outlet to creating things

By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-Chief

From a student to a para-pro, Chris (Bartkowiak) Dion has been a huge part of Shores throughout her life.

However, there is more than just working with students that Dion, a 1988 graduate of Shores, does.

“I don’t remember what age I started crocheting,” Dion said. “I just remember my mom teaching me, and for my 18th birthday, they got me a sewing machine, and that’s when I really starting sewing. I did quilts, and I have done several different things.”

Since learning how to knit, to sew and to crochet, Dion, a para-pro at the high school, has been doing it her whole life, and she has made many things.

“My biggest crocheting project was a couch afghan.

It was for a wedding gift for my daughter’s brother-inlaw,” Dion said. “I’ve made single afghans, but this one was very big and long, so I’d say that has been my biggest project.”

Not only does Dion give crocheting gifts to the people she knows, but she also sews and knits gifts for others.

The Dion Files

Graduation Year 1988 Education Peggy White School of Cosmetology Muskegon Community College Educational Career Pre-School at Heights Head Start Shores since 1999 (Campbell & high school) Notable Enjoys spending time with family, working outside and reading Previously worked at Witmark Was in choir, band (flag corps) in high school “I sew baby blankets, burp cloths, and bibs, and I do them for either my grandbabies, or a lot of times, I make them for baby shower gifts,” Dion said. “I like making

these because I know people will use themn and enjoy them.”

Along with giving her creations for gifts, she lso donates them to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church so that they can sell them at their Christmas bazaar.

“I also do scrubbies, and I do crochet those. My mother-in-law is a volunteer at St. Francis de Sales, and she is in their Women’s Guild, and they have art fairs, and they sell my scrubbies,” Dion said.

Although her mom taught her most of what she knows when she was young, after her mother passed away and her dad remarried, his current wife also crocheted.

“My mom taught me different things, such as the knitting, crocheting and sewing, and my dad’s wife crochets as well and has taught me different patterns,” Dion said.

Dion said her favorite thing to do is crochet.

“I prefer to crochet rather than knit or sew because it goes a lot faster,” she said.

Crocheting is faster than knitting because a person uses one needle instead of two needles.

Dion said, “I crochet because it’s relaxing, and I love to make things for people.”

Rachel Drelles – High School Why Shores?

Why Education?

“I was drawn to the culture

“I have the opportunity

of respect and kindness

to work with creative

and the chance to give

people every day who

back to my community.”

inspire and challenge me to be my best.”

Art teacher Rachel Drelles’ most recent piece that was entered into the MMA Regional show is titled “The Source” and is an oil on canvas piece.

Passion for art becomes impetus for career

By Morgan Cathey Editorial Editor For most people, JV sports are a stepping stone toward a varsity athletic career.

For Rachel Drelles, a high school art teacher, JV sports were a stepping stone for her art career.

“I had a lot of time to think about my art from the bench…” Drelles said with a sense of humor of her highlights from her time on the JV soccer and tennis teams.

In high school, Drelles, who graduated from Shores in 2004, focused a lot of her artistic efforts into photography, taking four years of the class under Danielle Benson-Fennell.

Drelles After graduating Mona Shores, she explored studies in art and theology in Canada and Chicago before transferring to Kendall College of Art & Design, earning a Bachelors in Fine Art and a certification in K-12 Art Education.

She even had a stint as an apprentice to a potter and taught a few classes here and there.

Finishing college, Drelles began to search for work, landing her first teaching job in 2012 at West Michigan Christian, eventually ending up at Shores in 2014.

Her art counterpart at Shores? None other than Ben-

The Drelles Files Graduation Year 2004 College Kendall College of Art & Design Educational Career 8th year Art Notable Participated in French Club and Literary Review Club while in high school. As part of the French Club, her favorite moment is going to The Hearthstone for croquet monsieur, pomme frites and creme brulee.

Currently, she also is a photographer and takes wedding, baby and graduation photos.

She also enjoys hiking at Hoffmaster Park. son-Fennell.

“Now my former teacher is a dear friend,” Drelles said of working alongside her former teacher.

As much as she does love teaching though, she does continue to pursue other things.

Drelles continues to work on her own art on the side.

“It’s somewhere between a side career and a hobby,” Drelles said. “I’d like to see it be more of a side career, but I think it just depends on the season.”

During the summer, Drelles said she has more time to focus on her art and finds art shows to participate in.

“I keep looking for opportunities to show my work, and each time I do that, I have it for sale,” she said.

“That’s just apart of being a working artist in the community.”

Describing the different kinds of shows she participates in, Drelles said that some shows accept any art piece to display while others are juried which means her art would have to be selected by a juror in order to be included in the show.

“Every year, I’ll try and submit art to the Regional show at the Muskegon Museum of Art, and I’ve been in that show around five times,” she said.

She also submits her art to the Grand Haven Art Walk.

“That one is open to anyone to participate so I’ve been showing my work there for maybe the past five years,” Drelles said.

Art truly is a passion for Drelles, it is always present throughout her life, whether it’s in the form of teaching it to students, painting or printmaking for her own artistic purposes, or using her photography skills as a gift for others.

Jacey Eccleston – Middle School Why Education? “(Because of) Miss Bates, my first grade teacher.

I struggled with reading

Why Shores?

but never knew it. I

“I have never witnessed

experienced success with

such a dedicated

her everyday. My hope is

and inspiring crew

to help students celebrate

of colleagues.”

success and help them realize their purpose.”

Compassion, empathy are powerful emotions

By Jaylene Davis Staff Writer

Many people know the movie Freedom Writers, starring Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey.

But what many may not know is that middle school teacher Jacey (Cooper) Eccleston and her students had a hand in bringing one of the real-life figures from that movie to Shores.

The movie is based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary by teacher Erin Gruwell, played by Swank in the movie. Gruwell was a teacher of at-risk students at Woodrow Wilson H.S. in Long Beach, Calif., in 1994, and she was struggling to connect with her students.

One of those students in the movie is Eva Benitez, who wrote a true short story titled, “I Escaped a Violent Gang.”

Benitez’s story inspired Eccleston’s 125 sixth-grade students, who each wrote a letter to the real-life Benitez, who was really Maria Reyes. At the time, Reyes’ name was not published because her life was in danger after she renounced her gang affiliation.

“The goal was to have students internally reflect and recognize their daily struggles to help them deal with the pressure of school, family expectations regarding academics, athletics, behavior, and conflict with friends,” said Eccleston, who is in her 16th year teaching and now teaches sixth-grade social studies and language arts, and

The Eccleston Files

Graduation Year 1996 College Grand Valley State University Baker College Walden University Educational Career 16 years: sixth-grade social studies, language arts; seventh-eighth drama class Notable Her favorite memory was as a staff member attending Bon Voyage many years ago. “A particular student lived with cystic fibrosis since birth. He was much smaller than his peers. When the last song played, “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, (Eric) Wahlberg placed him on his shoulders, and this wonderful student was for the first and probably last time, the tallest kid in the room. It was so moving.” seventh- and eighth-grade drama. “I gave students permission to be real, permission to be vulnerable, and permission for them to know their voices are valued.”

Eccleston, a 1996 graduate of Shores, said students

shared different ways they have felt “trapped like a bird in a cage,” which is a famous quote by Anne Frank.

Some discussed the need to be perfect at sports, in academics, and at home. Others felt misplaced at Shores, such as one girl who was living with Grandma because her mom was a drug abuser or another who did not have expensive clothing like many other students.

“Many responses kept me up at night; their metaphoric entrapment stayed with me,” Eccleston said. “I remember reading a sixth-grade essay stating, ‘From the outside, everything looks like a perfect snow globe, the life inside looks enchanting, but one small slip and everything could shatter.’”

This assignment had such an impact that the students raised $3,000 to have Maria Reyes speak at Mona Shores Middle School. This event is similar to the real-life story where Gruwell’s students were inspired to invite a Holocaust survivor to speak at their school.

“They dreamed big and made it happen,” Eccleston said.

The opportunity to share something special with her students and make a huge impact on the school was too memorable to say no. Of course, Eccleston wanted to see her students succeed, and it was life-changing to see all of that success form from one idea.

“Personally, I became more aware of the power of compassion and the need for empathy,” Eccleston said.

Kristi Eigenauer – Ross Park Why Education?

Why Shores?

“It’s the best profession

“(I am) True BLUE!

on Earth. It’s different

I started at Shores

every day; you never

in kindergarten

know what to expect.

at the age of 5, graduated

I also like working with

from Shores, student-

students. I enjoy building

taught at Shores, and

lifelong relationships

have children that have

with my students.”

graduated from Shores.”

Sailors ‘lifer’ remembers past, enjoys present

By Gabby Lopez Staff Writer

Adventure and exploration have never been an unfamiliar thing to third-grade teacher Kristi (Ulfsax) Eigenauer.

The 1983 graduate said she always found an interest in the outdoors even before she became a teacher.

“I worked for Norton Shores Parks and Recreation Department for many years even after I started teaching,” Eigenauer said. “I did arts and crafts, happy day camp, and I was involved in announcing park and rec hockey. All of those things all involved children and that is what really led me to be a teacher.”

Her ties to Shores are strong. She started kindergarten at age 5, graduated from high school, student taught within the district for college, teaches at Ross Park Elementary School, and even has children who have graduated from Shores.

During her time in high school, she partook in many activities, such as marching band and cheerleading. She said her favorite experiences from high school were from Homecoming week.

“Homecoming week was always a lot of fun,” Eigenauer said. “Each grade, 9 through 12, made homecoming floats. Parade sized floats. Someone would have it at their house, and we would build it in their garage. We would go sneak over to see what the juniors

The Eigenauer Files Graduation Year 1983 College Western Michigan University Educational Career 1990-present: began at Hile School in 1990, moved to Ross Park in 1993.

Has taught third grade and fifth grade.

Notable Was involved in band and cheerleading in high school

Enjoys the outdoors (camping, hiking, walking) and tropical destinations float looked like, or the seniors would sneak to see the freshman float to see what they were doing. That made Homecoming week exciting.”

While Homecoming events are a thing of the past for Eigenauer, she said she likes to go on tropical vacations with her family and enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends.

One of Eigenauer’s best family trips was one that acted as one last hooray from them as their children would

be heading off the college.

“We really enjoyed visiting the Florida Keys for a week last July,” Eigenauer said. “We liked to have our faces under the water as much as above the water. The fact that my son, who was a senior at the time, didn’t want to go on the senior spring break trip instead wanted to wait for his brother, who was in college to go on a family vacation together in the summer, that was very meaningful to me.”

In addition to the sandy beaches in Florida, Eigenauer spends quality time with her teacher friends camping and enjoying each other’s company.

“We normally camp with several other families and enjoy the camaraderie of being together,” Eigenauer said. “We do camp meals and activities together involving all of our families. Each fall, we do a ‘Fall Harvest Camp’ where we go out to a campground and everyone plans something that includes a fall harvest or ‘friendsgiving.’ We all get together and have a great time.”

Along with the tropical destination week vacations, there are many other things that make teaching something Eigenauer cannot stay away for long.

“The best thing about being a teacher is the love for kids,” Eigenauer said. “You have to love and have a passion for nurturing and building relationships along with watching them grow in their learning. (I love) being a person who loves kids and loves to build relationships that could last a long time.”

Tracey Fritz – Campbell Why Education?

“Being a teacher is who I was created to be.

I love walking in the doors of our school each

Why Shores?

morning and connecting

“It’s just home. It was my

with the kids and families.

home and now home

You are truly blessed

to my own kids. (It is the)

when your career is

best school district

something that brings

on the lakeshore.”

you joy and fulfillment each and everyday. Not everyone can say that about their career choice.

I’m glad I can.”

Impacting lives goes beyond classroom walls

By Mieke Hart Staff Writer

Tracey (Bunda) Fritz, a Campbell Elementary Young 5’s teacher, began her local service with what she described as a “need in the community.”

Since then, she has become a coordinator for a clothing pantry for kids in transition in Muskegon County called Covered in Love and an advocate for a children’s home in Ghana called Fern House.

Mother to 11 children, Fritz, who graduated from Shores in 1990, explained, “My family had been part of the foster care community and witnessed first hand the need for basic care items, comfort items, and clothing for kids newly placed into foster care. The children are often dropped of to foster families with little notice and no belongings. Covered in Love was founded to provide these items free to children being placed in any type of transitional housing. We deliver clothing, new blankets, stuffed animals, and other items to families when the children are initially placed into their homes.”

At the Fern House, she is in charge of getting food and education sponsorship for the 23 children who live there.

The Fritz Files

Graduation Year 1990 College Indiana University Aquinas College Educational Career 9 years of teaching Young 5’s and 1st grade Notable Involved in band, choir and theater while at Shores Traveling to Ghana to pick up her daughter in 2011, Fritz “...began volunteering at the home helping out as I could. I quickly realized that what they had to offer me was far more than I could do for them. The woman and children of the home became my Ghana family. It was an amazing opportunity to learn the language and culture of Ghana while fully immersed in serving.”

Through her work with Covered in Love and Fern House, Fritz has worked to better the community.

“Both of these ministries have grown tremendously over the years. It has been an amazing opportunity to see this first hand and to see how lives have been impacted,” Fritz said. “Lives have been changed and will continue to be changed because everyday people have stepped out and said ‘yes’ to serving. For that, I will forever be grateful.”

Can also be seen in underdog film, Rudy

If you are ever watching the movie Rudy and look closely behind Sean Astin in the Holy Cross classroom scene, you may see Fritz. “(When they came to film the movie,) we were encouraged to audition for small scene roles,” said Fritz, who studied theater at Indiana University South Bend after graduating from Shores in 1990. “I wasn’t called back for any speaking role but got called back to work as a small screen extra on a few occasions. That meant that I was able to film with the actors in small screen settings.”

Other than the Holy Cross classroom scene, Fritz can also be seen “in the end of the movie when they begin to chant Rudy’s name sitting behind Ned Beatty and to the right.”

Patricia Green – High School Why Shores?

“I did not choose Shores

Why Education?

right away. I started out

“I was a travel agent

at Grand Haven Public

for over 20 years, and

Schools; that is where I

I just got burned out. I

lived at the time. Then,

stumbled upon working

I moved on to Fruitport

with children at the grade

Middle School to further

school level, and I really

my career in Special

enjoyed it. I started to

Education. After a couple

pursue that, and it led me

years, I knew Shores had

into special education.

some openings. I thought

It became a passion of

that since I went to school

mine, and I love working

here and my mother Gail

with the kids.”

Whittaker worked here for years, it would be good to be a Sailor again.”

The first Singing Christmas Tree in 1984 featured Patricia (Whittaker) Green, who is now a para-pro at the high school, as the angel.

First angel of Tree continues to soar

By Sarah Roman Staff Writer

It was the winter of 1984 and a young sophomore, Patricia (Whittaker) Green, just found out that she would be the first angel in the first Singing Christmas Tree.

“I tried out, and I wasn’t expecting much to come of it,” said Green, who graduated from Shores in 1987.

“Nobody had seen the tree; it hadn’t even been built yet.”

After Green tried out for the Tree angel, she walked into class the next day, and she saw a tree on the board with names written on it.

“I looked for my name, and I couldn’t find it, and then, I saw my name at the top of the tree,” Green explained as she laughed at the memory. ”I thought to myself, how did I get this honor? This is so cool.”

Green, who is a para-pro at the high school, said there was no rhyme or reason to why she was chosen.

“I wish I could say I was this amazing singer, but I wasn’t,” Green said “I want to go back and ask him (choir director Skip Frizzell) why I was chosen.”

The Green Files

Graduation Year 1987 College Muskegon Community College Educational Career Kindergarten and DK at Grand Haven Special education at Fruitport Para-pro at Shores Notable was a member of the Pom Pom squad, where she met her best friend (Kristen Filz) participated in track where she high jumped and ran the 880, in which she held the school record for a couple years; also played basketball Green said she was the first person to see the tree after it was built at the Frauenthal Theater. The choir teacher wanted her to climb the tree and take her spot at the top.

“Climbing the ladder and looking out at the theater was amazing. I didn’t realize how high it was going to be,” Green said. “The space was small, but it was so cool to be on top.”

The Singing Christmas Tree has been continuing on for 33 years. The Tree has evolved from the first one: the Tree Angel is now always a senior, and Patricia Green was only a sophomore when she was given the honor.

“One of my favorite things to do while I was standing on top was to sway,” Green laughed. “I would watch the people below me look scared as the entire tree shook.”

As an adult, Green said she likes to watch the Tree, which is now at the Frauenthal Theatre in downtown Muskegon, although she doesn’t go as often as she would like.

“It’s so amazing to be apart of the alumni and watch the kids continue on the tradition,” Green said. “It blows my mind that I got to be a part of the very first one.”

Patricia Whittaker, a young sophomore, outgoing and brave, was the first Tree Angel. Little did she know that this idea of a giant Christmas tree would turn into something huge and something worth celebrating.

Nancy Grigsby – Churchill Why Education?

“My parents were both educators. When I was in college, teachers

Why Shores?

were being laid off, so I

“My first teaching job

chose a different career

was in Grand Haven.

path. I became involved

I had been a Sailor K-12,

with Junior Achievement

not a Buccaneer. I also

Project Business

wanted my kids to attend

and enjoyed visiting

Shores, and they did.”

classrooms so much that I decided to pursue teaching.”

Distance treks inspire adventures around globe

By Sammie Ladegast Feature Editor Completing a marathon, which is just over 26 miles long, is a feat not many pursue.

However, in January 2006, Nancy (English) Grigsby took on this challenge for the first time when she decided to complete a marathon in Orlando, Fla. “I completed the Disney Marathon as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training by walking 26.2 miles within the 7-hour time limit,” said Grigsby, a third-grade teacher at Churchill Elementary.

Since her husband’s father passed away from leukemia, she said she wanted to do something to honor him and chose to pursue this difficult feat.

“I trained for about four months leading up to the marathon; every Saturday, I would go to Grand Rapids to work with the Team in Training crew,” said Grigsby, a 1986 Shores alumnae. “There was a point where I was by myself for a few hours when training, and that was the first time in my life I hit the ‘wall’ that runners refer to. I was exhausted, but I couldn’t stop. Once I finished that day alone, I knew I could complete the marathon with Disney as the backdrop and people cheering me on.”

More than a decade later in July 2017, Grigsby decided to challenge herself again, but this time in Iceland,

The Grigsby Files

Graduation Year 1986 College Michigan State University Grand Valley State University Western Michigan University Educational Career 20 years (17 at Shores), mostly with third graders Notable Spent five years in marketing/public relations as a Tourism Coordinator at Horizon Group which had her traveling to cities like Dallas, Minneapolis, and Toronto. Was also a Customer Service Rep at Manpower. where she completed a four-day Laugavegur Trail Trek with her daughter Chloe, a 2016 Shores graduate. This trail trek was a 35-mile hike with the highest ascent being 1,600 feet.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was amazing,” she said.

Craving another adventure and hearing about this trek

from her co-worker Jeff Van Dyke who also accomplished this triumph, Grigsby decided to take it on.

“I was getting close to 50 years old and wanted an adventure,” Grigsby said. “It ended up being well worth it as I got to do it with my daughter and witness the incredible scenery. I also loved the group I experienced it with; we had people from England, Poland, Japan, Italy, and Australia who were all amazing and so helpful.”

Though Grigsby researched and understood what the trek would entail, the actual experience proved to be unlike what she expected.

“The hardest part was the hiking,” Grigsby said. “I thought the term ‘moderate hike’ was somewhere between easy and hard. I had done my research, but the elevation shown on the chart is no match for the actual topography. The climbs were steep and the descents treacherous. Many times, I had to rely on the mind over matter mantra from my marathon training.”

Not only did these feats provide Grigsby with unforgettable experiences, but they also taught her lessons that she continues to pass on to her students.

“I refer to these often when I’m teaching. When students say something is hard or that they can’t do it, I point to the picture of me crossing the finish line or climbing a mountain,” Grigsby said. “It’s important for them to see that when you set goals and tell yourself you can succeed, you will.”

Heather Hall – High School Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I had always seen myself

“Why not? It’s the best

as an elementary teacher

district ever! Plus, I was

but quickly realized

offered the job.”

little humans were not for me, so I changed to psychology. Then, I started working in a middle school and came back to my first love. I just realized I needed to be

Heather (Swinburne) Hall (above and top right) is pictured with the 3,200-meter relay team that won a state title in 1990. Other team members are Kristen Crouch (top left), Julie Jorgenson (bottom left) and Mary Amy Hornik (bottom right).

with older humans.”

Runner finds home with h.s. psychology

By Mieke Hart Staff Writer When she was in high school, Heather (Swinburne) Hall didn’t just run for her; she ran for her dad – literally.

Hall, who graduated from Shores in 1990, began running because of her father John, who was her track coach during her four years at Shores.

“He is one of the most amazing men I know,” said Hall, who teaches psychology at the high school. “He and I have a special bond and friendship at this point in our lives. We think very similarly, especially when it comes to peoplse – students and athletes in particular.

He taught me that a relationship with a person always comes before I can motivate or get a student or athlete to do anything. His teaching and coaching has been a model that I have followed as I have continued to teach and coach myself.”

For Hall, “Running was a sort of unsaid expectation.

It was just what I felt I supposed to do.”

This led to her participation in both cross country and track in high school.

She has left a lasting legacy on both programs, as she is still listed as the fifth-fastest cross country runner in school history with a 5K time of 19:40.

While she was successful in cross country, Hall was an even more successful track runner.

The Hall Files

Graduation Year 1990 College Taylor University Aquinas College Teaching Career 19th year English & psychology Notable Was a teacher assistant for Regional Severely Emotionally Impaired Program for Wyoming Public Schools She enjoys hanging out at “my beautiful home in Twin Lake with my family – I’m pretty introverted – my family gets the rest of my time after school.”

She also loves traveling with the family in their RV and hanging out at Disney World.

She also enjoys playing the piano and knitting.

Individually, she holds the 3,200-meter (2 mile) run record with a time of 11:11.7.

Additionally, she was a member of the 3,200-meter

relay team that has the top two fastest recorded runs in school history, clocking in at 9:31.2 and 9:49.8.

With this relay team, she went on to place first in the entire state of Michigan, this experience being her favorite memory of high school.

This championship was the first time in school history that a relay had won a state title.

This success did not come without hard work.

“I didn’t enjoy going out in the middle of winter and running in the middle of the snow or getting up at five in the morning and running double workouts, but I did enjoy winning,” Hall said.

After high school, Hall ran in college for two years, but decided to stop running competitively because without her father, running just wasn’t the same.

Years later, after coming back to Shores as a teacher, she became a part of the running program once again; this time coaching cross country and track with her dad.

Hall no longer coaches nor runs, but in her free time, she loves being a mom, spending time at home with her family, researching mindfulness, knitting, and cross country skiing.

But one thing is for sure; she wouldn’t be where she is today without running in her life.

“Running competitively certainly has shaped who I am today,” Hall said. “It is this competitive spirit that continues to drive my passion for all that I do.”

Molli Horvath – Campbell Why Shores?

Why Education?

“I started subbing at

“I started out helping

Lincoln Park. My children

out in my children’s

went there, and I knew

classrooms when my

all of the staff so well and

kids were little and in

because I was a graduate

elementary school.

of Mona Shores, it only

My mother was a para-

made sense for me to

pro. When Christopher

apply and sub for Mona

(currently a junior) was

Shores. I am very proud

in kindergarten, I started

to work for the same

para-pro subbing and was

school district that my

eventually hired.”

children and I attended

Molli (McPhall) Horvath (left) has spent her past summers working with the Salvation Army day camp, which involves a trip to Mac Wood’s Dune Rides at Silver Lake.

and graduated from.”

Day camp makes bonding a year-round affair

By Chris Horvath Sports Editor

In 1998 when her first daughter was born, Molli (McPhall) Horvath became a full-time stay-at-home mom.

“I had always wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember, and I felt it was important to stay home and raise my kids,” said Horvath, 1985 graduate of Shores.

“I was never very fond of the idea of sending them to daycare.”

Eventually, Horvath, who is a para-pro at Campbell, headed to the working world, first as a substitute para-pro and then as a full-time para-pro.

“I didn’t miss being a stay-at-home mom because when I went back to work, my kids were in school full time,” Horvath said. “I was able to stay home with them 10 years until my youngest was in school full time, and I was able to return back to work.”

Horvath said she enjoys working with children and has for a long time. She even enjoys working with them outside of the normal classroom.

In addition to her time in the classroom, Horvath also finds time outside of school hours to work with children as a day camp director at the Salvation Army.

Students ranging in ages 5-12 from different schools attend the Salvation Army day camp near Apple Avenue

The Horvath Files

Graduation Year 1985 College Muskegon Community College Ferris State University Educational Career 9 years as a Shores’ para-pro Notable Member of Pom Pon squad that won the Muskegon Mall competition her final three years of high school in North Muskegon. Even some of the same students Horvath works with during the school year attend the summer camp.

“Working through the summer helped me stay on a schedule, and I love working with kids,” she said, “and it was a great way to earn extra money throughout the summer and do what I like to do – hang out with kids.”

Students go on field trips and participate in fun structured activities like games and crafts. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are served every day, so it keeps Horvath busy, she said.

Horvath said her job at the Salvation Army wasn’t your normal summer camp role.

Field trips have included going to the beach and swimming; Hoffmaster State Park to learn about archery and wildlife; the Croc Center, an indoor water park with slides; and Silver Lake Sand Dunes to go on Mac Wood’s Dune Rides.

“All of the field trips were fun for the kids, but they were also fun for me,” Horvath said. “A lot of the students wouldn’t get the opportunity to go on field trips like this outside of the camp, so I thought it was cool for them.”

The Salvation Army is Christian based so Horvath would teach and participate in religious activities too.

“There would normally be a weekly Bible study we all would participate in, and there would be crafts and Vacation Bible School for a week, and I liked that because there were new experiences for the kids,” Horvath said.

Horvath said she enjoyed working with the kids, but she said she also enjoyed some new experiences during her time at the Salvation Army day camp.

“I loved spending time and working with kids already, so I loved going on the field trips and getting new experiences,” she said. “Forming bonds and relationships with the kids at the day camp will always be my favorite part of working there.”

Judy Hunt – High School Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I wanted to teach

“This is my favorite high

students what they

school and my

really need to know

favorite town,

and can use for their

and I’m an alumnus.”

careers and in life.”

Knight in Shining Armor proves to good to be true

By Sammie Ladegast Staff Writer A real-life Knight in Shining Armor sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, for business teacher Judy (Albert) Hunt, it was.

Back in the 1970s, there was a national Christian satire and humor magazine called the Wittenberg Door.

(We’ll get back to this later.)

It was in a similar magazine where Hunt first uncovered her Knight.

“A friend that I was living with at the time found an ad in this magazine of a guy from California who advertised himself as a Knight in Shining Armor,” said Hunt, a 1970 graduate of Shores. “There was even a picture of him dressed up in armor with a white horse and everything. A coupon was also included in the ad that said, ‘If you or someone you know passes this along to a single Christian woman and we end up getting married, you’ll win a tour of the castles in Europe’.”

Being a single, 35-year-old woman without a current love interest, Hunt decided to let her adventurous side run wild.

“I thought to myself, ‘What have I got to lose?’” Hunt said. “So I ended up writing to him, but in a more sarcastic and funny way. I also sent a picture of a frog puppet with a note that said, ‘I’m a princess in a Michigan marsh, and I’ve been turned into a frog by an evil witch.

Only a kiss from a Knight in Shining Armor can turn me back’.”

This apparently piqued his interest, and in March of 1987, the two began writing back and forth. These letters eventually led to their meeting in Chicago - in separate hotels, of course.

The Hunt Files

Graduation Year 1970 College Muskegon Community College Western Michigan University Education Career 24 years Notable Favorite memory from Shores is going to England and Wales with the choir.

“While we were writing to each other, he was also talking to a few other girls, as well,” Hunt said. “He started booking flights to meet some of these women, and he paid for a flight for me to go to California. He also paid for separate hotel rooms for each of us to stay in and all the meals that I ate while there. I’m an opportunist, so I figured none of this would hurt.”

Their letters and visits continued, and Hunt found herself enjoying the relationship.

“The thing I liked most was how he brought romance, which is something I always wanted,” Hunt said. “He took me out to dinner at one of the tallest restaurants in Chicago, we went on a horse and buggy ride together, we shared our first kiss on a mountaintop, and we walked on the beach, which is all very romantic.”

However, this supposed Knight in Shining Armor soon revealed his chivalrous deficiencies.

“One day, he told me he thought it would be better if I lost about 15 pounds, so he paid for a gym membership, and I ended up getting in shape, which is how I got into

aerobics,” Hunt said. “Next thing I know, he’s also telling me how I should wear my hair and how I shouldn’t wear jeans. He’s the type of guy who knew exactly what he wanted in a woman and was obsessive about it.”

This sudden change in his behavior didn’t sit well with Hunt, and their relationship soon broke off.

“When he left the last time he visited me, we said goodbye at the airport, and we both knew that was the end,” Hunt said. “I was a little teary-eyed, but I felt relief that I could move on.”

Because of this, Hunt was left with something much more valuable after he left: a lesson about dating and love.

“I learned from him that romance isn’t everything when it comes to dating,” Hunt said. “He brought that fun and romance I desired, but he also brought a lot of criticism and control.”

Eventually, Hunt ended up receiving the happily ever after she deserved.

“This all led to me meeting my husband, Bob, as well,” Hunt said. “We had become friends and started traveling and hanging out together. He brought friendship and companionship, and it felt much easier since there was none of that criticism I had previously experienced. Now, we’re going on 30 years of being together.”

Despite this roller coaster of events, Hunt continues to laugh at the memories her Knight in Shining Armor brought.

“The funniest part of the whole situation was that the Wittenberg Door voted him Loser of the Month twice because of his whole Knight in Shining Armor situation,” Hunt said, “and the last I heard of him before he passed away was that he had proposed to some young Russian woman.”

Chris Johnson – High School

Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I love of working

“I wanted to teach

with young people.”

at the best.

Plus, it is home to me.”

Hawaiian experience anything but a vacation

By Robby Swanker Staff Writer

Chris Johnson was your average student growing up.

He got good grades, played sports, and enjoyed going to school.

Once he reached college, Johnson, a 1998 Shores graduate, realized he needed a break from reality, after studying in college for two years.

His friends called him up one day and told him they were moving to Maui, one of the islands of Hawaii.

At this point, Johnson had taken college classes for two years and even took classes during the summer, so he said he was stressed and needed to escape.

What better way than to pack up your things and enjoy Hawaii?

“I was very excited about this trip because I needed to get away from reality for a little bit,” he said.

Johnson said had never been the adventurous type, so he thought this was the perfect plan. Although he enjoyed getting away from everything for a little while, things didn’t go as perfect as he had expected.

Instead of laying around the beach all day, he soon discovered that living in Hawaii was no walk in the park.

“One of the biggest things I took from it was that I lived in poverty,” said Johnson, who teaches English at

The Johnson Files

Graduation Year 1998 College Western Michigan University Marygrove College Teaching Career 16 years Notable Played hockey at Shores, where he was an All-State goalie and a member of the first Sailor team to make it to the Frozen Four In BPA where he placed second in desktop publishing the high school. “Everyone has this perception of Hawaii of being this tropical paradise, where you’re on the beach every day. That is a reality if you are staying there on vacation for a week. But when you are living there, everything is different.”

One of the worst parts for him was living in an old, run-down apartment.

“Our rent was $3,500 a month for a dumpy three-bed-

room apartment,” said Johnson, whose wife Kristin is a Shores alumna and a fourth-grade teacher at Churchill Elementary.

“We were afraid that if we sneezed, the place would fall down,” Johnson said. “My parents went on vacation there, a couple years after I moved, and I gave them the address of my apartment, and when they pulled in the driveway, my mother burst out in tears because she couldn’t believe that I lived there.”

Additionally, to Johnson, everything in Hawaii cost twice as much as it did in Michigan. Gas cost $5 a gallon, and even milk was $8 per gallon, so he soon realized that he needed a job. After looking for a job for a while, he found a job at a local Subway as the manager there.

“At first I didn’t think that I would need a job, but I soon realized how hard it really was,” he said. “I had no money, so I had to take the first job I could get.”

Even though there were many bumps in the road, Johnson said he learned many valuable lessons that have helped him become the man he is today.

“I found out what poverty was really like,” Johnson said. “I hadn’t watched TV in a couple months. I hitchhiked to work every day. I learned how to function on my own, but I also learned how to appreciate what I have at home.”

Kristin Johnson – Churchill Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I was always inspired to

“When you leave this area

give back. I also wanted

for work, school, or other

to follow in my parents’

reasons/opportunities and

and grandparents’

come back, you realize,

footsteps. When I was

‘There is no better place

hurt my sophomore year

to be.’ The kids, the

playing basketball, I was

community, the location,

lost and angry. Mr. Mack

and the energy make

gave me an opportunity

Norton Shores and Mona

to give back and coach

Shores one of the best

fourth and fifth grade

places in the world to

girls’ basketball. Those

work and live.”

kids really inspired me, and that was it. I knew I

Kristin (Cornish) Johnson, right, founded Total Trek Quest in Muskegon. The organization is a running and character building group for third- through fifthgrade boys.

wanted to teach fourth grade and coach.”

Quest to create running program completed

By Robby Swanker Staff Writer

Although teaching is a major part of Kristin (Cornish) Johnson, it is not her only passion.

She is also the founder of Total Trek Quest in Muskegon County. Total Trek is a running and character building group for third- through fifth-grade boys.

While she and her husband were training for a half marathon, Johnson, who teaches fourth grade at Churchill, said she noticed that there was a Total Trek in Ottawa County, and that gave her the idea of trying to get that in Muskegon.

“When my husband and I were in the Gazelle Sports half marathon training group in Holland about six years ago, many of the runners in our group helped with Total Trek Quest and told me about it,” said Johnson, whose husband Chris is an English teacher at the high school.

“I thought, ‘Why not here in Muskegon?’ I really wanted to see what I could do to help bring the program over to Muskegon County for the boys. So many of the fourth-grade boys in my classroom would ask me, ‘Why is there a girls’ running program but not one for us?’ The interest was there.”

Johnson, a 1997 Shores graduate, met with her friend, who was head of the group in Ottawa County, and they campaigned together to get it to Muskegon, and finally

The Johnson Files

Graduation Year 1997 College Central Michigan University Western Michigan University Educational Career 17 years; taught in Western Australia, Muskegon Public Schools and Shores Notable Was an Academic All-State Athlete in softball and basketball at Shores. In softball, she was on the first team to win a County title in 1997.

Also, won awards in DECA. Has completed nine half-marathons with hopes of completing No. 10 this spring. got a grant to get it started.

Many parents and community members also helped get the program started and are continuing to support TTQ. Since the start of this program, it has spread to more

than 15 groups. While it has spread, Churchill still hosts an annual 5K run in the fall through Total Trek.

“It was a great moment to watch the boys cross the finish line at the Celebration 5K. For many of the boys, that was their first 5K, and that is quite an accomplishment for a third, fourth, or fifth grader to train and run 3.1 miles,” said Johnson, a former Academic All-State athlete, who played softball and basketball. “The news that our Churchill boys had a Total Trek Quest group in Muskegon County caught on and there are over 15 TTQ teams now in Muskegon County.”

Johnson is not the only person who puts their whole heart into TTQ. Her fourth graders are just as big of fans of the program as she is.

“When we practiced, I loved running and the games we would play as a group,” said Ashton Rose, a fourth grader at Churchill. “I liked how we had running, and we played games that gave us exercise. I felt very tired at the end but also so happy because I finished the whole 5K. It was my first one. I was happy with my time because it was a good one, especially for my first race.”

Although Total Track Quest and teaching for Johnson takes up a big portion of her life, there is nothing that she would rather be doing.

“The most important thing to me is making sure that I leave not only a positive legacy, but a lasting impact at Churchill Elementary School,” she said.

Matt Koziak – High School

Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I wanted

“This is the best

to impact

community in the state

young people.”

of Michigan.”

Team concept important for success

By Emma Lee Bennett Staff Writer

Matt Koziak, the high school Voyager coordinator, has never been far from an athletic field.

In high school, he was a three-sport athlete with four years of football, three years of basketball and two years of track.

His football skills eventually led him to Grand Rapids Community College and Western Michigan University.

Eventually, he coached football at Muskegon before landing back home at Shores, where he has led the Sailors to two state final games where Shores lost at Ford Field in 2014 and 2018, both times to Warren DeLaSalle.

While sports were always at the forefront, Koziak said that while he knew he wanted to be a teacher, coaching was not initially on his radar.

“In high school, I did an internship with Ms. McKinley at Lincoln Park; that’s kind of what pushed me in that direction,” said Koziak, a 1994 graduate of Shores.

Now, as a coach, Koziak said he believes that teams that bond and get along together prove to be stronger

The Koziak Files

Graduation Year 1994 College Western Michigan University Teaching Career 11 years of middle school science 8 years of administration Notable has led the football team to two state finals appearances, losing in 2014 and 2018 played football, basketball and track in high school players and a stronger team in general.

“The biggest thing you have to teach kids is, in any team sport, if you really want to be successful in it, we have to put individual goals aside and focus on the team,” he said. “If we can do this, we will be successful; if we can’t, we will crumble as individuals.”

Koziak also said that if a team can put others before themselves, they’ll perform better anywhere, “Of course, if you have kids that are willing to sacrifice for one another, you will always be successful, on and off the field,” Koziak said.

Another reason Koziak said he got into teaching and coaching is that he wants to keep kids steered away from all the negativity out in the world.

“There’s so much negativity in the news and in the world, and I think education is like a helping model and teaches young people what they should contribute to society,” Koziak said.

Seeing the youth do things they thought they couldn’t is rewarding for Koziak.

“Seeing young people improve over a period of time, seeing what they were, seeing what they become are the best things to come out of coaching,” Koziak said.

Koziak said that while the on-field success is rewarding, it is the results of his players in the classroom that gets him most fired up.

“Our team was Academic All-State six years in a row,” Koziak said, “and that’s my proudest moment as a football coach.”

Jamie Kuzma – Middle School Why Shores?

Why Education?

“Going through the

“My dad was a teacher

system, I always knew

at Reeths-Puffer,

this was a special place.

and I always loved helping

It is my hometown, home

him. I also appreciated

school, and I always

how being a teacher that

wanted to come back

my schedule allows me

home. Fortunately for me,

to be there for my family.

it took four schools before

I broke four generations

I could get home, but I am

of nursing when I became

home now and plan to be

a teacher. I learned at an

for the rest of my career.

early age that I enjoyed

I look forward to sending

working with kids

my own children through

and preparing them

the system eventually

for their futures.”

that has done so much for me.”

Lifeguard finds balance between pool, school

By Erin Powers Staff Writer

Many teachers at Shores have found a way to bring their passion for helping and teaching to something beyond the classroom.

Jamie (Abdelkader) Kuzma, a 2002 graduate of Shores, is no exception as she spends her summers managing the pool at the Muskegon Country Club.

The springtime can get a little crazy for Kuzma, a middle school science teacher, because she has to finish up the school year and start preparing for the pool’s opening.

Kuzma, who has been working at the Country Club since she was 16, said she enjoys having something to keep her busy after the school year ends.

“It is busy when I am teaching in the spring and planning to open the pool at the same time, but having a co-manager (fellow Shores teacher Laura Gotaas) allows for us to divide and conquer,” Kuzma said. “Experience in both teaching and managing guards also helps with maximizing the use of my time.”

Kuzma is no stranger to finding ways to maximizing her time as she spent her high school years at Shores

The Kuzma Files

Graduation Year 2002 College Muskegon Community College Grand Valley State University La Verne University Educational Career 12 years; 1 year long-term sub at Orchard View Middle School; 2 years at East Rockford Middle School, 4 years Greenville Middle School, 5 years at Shores Middle School Notable First job was working as a lifeguard at Muskegon Country Club playing soccer and basketball as well as participating in Student Congress, National Honors Society, and orchestra. These activities helped to spark her passion for helping others.

“My favorite part about participating in clubs like

National Honors Society was giving back to the community through volunteering, truly feeling apart of and having a purpose in my school,” Kuzma said.

This passion for serving others is what has inspired her to continue her work at the county club in her adulthood as a pool manager.

“I enjoy managing lifeguards for a variety of reasons,” she said. “One of the reasons I enjoy it is the fact that many of my lifeguards this is their first job. Having the ability to mold, train, and inspire them is exciting.”

Kuzma, a graduate of Grand Valley State University, has always wanted to work with children and has found that both of these professions allow her to do that.

These jobs also allow her to apply teaching to different situations, and they have given her the opportunity to apply things from one job to the other.

“I always loved swimming and considered myself a strong swimmer, so it made sense to merge both of the things I enjoyed together,” Kuzma said. “With Muskegon being a small town, I have enjoyed the swimmers I have met who have also become my students in the classroom. When I teach swimming lessons, I create lesson plans much like I do for my own classroom. Teaching and learning go hand in hand in both professions.”

Marc Lans – Lincoln Park Why Education?

“Both of my parents

Why Shores?

were teachers, and I loved

“Once a Sailor, always a

the impact that they each

Sailor. Sailors are family.

had on their students.

Sailors respect others.

I wanted to impact others

Sailors do everything

positively too.”

with pride.”

European trip helped break down barriers

By Bailey Graham Staff Writer

In 1990, Marc Lans and the Shores choir traveled to Europe where Lans visited Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany, and the former Soviet Union.

“My highlights from this trip included being the first tour group to ever be permitted to go into the Soviet people’s homes for dinner, being in Germany on Unification Day, and having the opportunity to rent hammers and help break apart the Berlin Wall,” Lans said.

The trip to the Soviet Union stands out for many reasons.

“Upon landing in the Soviet Union, teachers informed us not to laugh or smile as we went through customs because Soviet customs officers don’t play around,” Lans said. “We quickly learned that they were correct.”

After their plane landed, Lans, a 1991 graduate of Shores, and his peers were met by armed guards, who directed the group to waiting buses.

After traveling through large tunnels of plywood lining both sides of the street so that they couldn’t see anything beyond the sides of the buses, they stopped.

“Suddenly, a door in front of us swung open,” said Lans, a physical education teacher at Lincoln Park, “and two more armed guards stepped out and started pointing to go in. As we entered the door, we realized that we had made it to customs. No jokes were made, and no smiles were cracked as we showed our passports and moved through the line.”

The Lans Files

Graduation Year 1991 College Muskegon Community College Western Michigan University Educational Career 23 years: 18 years at Lincoln Park with third- and fourth-graders; 1 year at Churchill with music and technology; 4 years at Lincoln Park and Campbell for physical education Notable Worked at D&W for nine years through high school and college Lans said he believes that he was the first person from the group who had his luggage inspected.

“During their search, the officer removed a case of cheese and crackers, granola bars, and some tissues,” Lans said. “He pushed these three items aside, and in broken language said, ‘Dissatisfactory.’”

Soon after, Lans grabbed his items, including the case of cheese and cracker, granola bars, and tissues.

“As I sat on the bus, it occurred to me what had happened,” Lans said. “He did not want me to take those items into the Soviet Union. As we waited, I began sweating a lot. I was scared out of my mind that they

would come out to find me, but they never did.”

Lans wasn’t the only one who experienced trouble in the Soviet Union; one of the other students lost his passport and couldn’t leave. Luckily, their bus driver knew what to do – bribe the guards with a pillowcase full of candy.

“Although this was a scary experience at the time, it’s made for some great laughs through the years,” Lans said.

Unaware at the time, Lans participated in a significant part of history and got to break off pieces of the Berlin Wall.

“As I recall, you could rent a large hammer for about $10 per hour and knock off as many pieces of the wall off as possible,” Lans said. “I still have a baggie of pieces of the Berlin Wall floating around in a box someplace at my parents’ house.”

On June 13, 1990, the demolition of the Berlin Wall began.

“Every inch of the wall was littered with graffiti, and no two pieces that broke off the wall were the same,” Lans said. “I distinctly remember looking over the top of the wall into the area between East and West Germany known as ‘No man’s land’.”

This trip would be a prominent memory forever.

“Going out of Shores, this was my biggest memory that I carried with me,” Lans said. “The experience and journey were awesome, and I learned a lot about compassion towards other people, especially to less fortunate.”

Amy Lent – Lincoln Park Why Education?

Why Shores?

“I have always loved

“Having graduated

being around young

from Mona Shores,

children. Teaching

I have always wanted

kindergarten is such

to teach here. Mona

a rewarding job;

Shores is like a family.

I see growth daily.”

It is an amazing district.”

Encountering new experiences is magical

By Sydney Fetters Staff Writer

Life for kindergarten teacher Amy (Bogue) Lent is nothing short of lively as she encounters new experiences on a daily basis.

Lent has been around children her whole life because her mother had a daycare growing up.

The interactions and fun she had with the little ones fueled her love for children, and being a 2000 Shores graduate, it wasn’t a difficult decision when it came to where she wanted to teach.

“I love teaching and watching young minds grow,” Lent said. “Kindergarten has the greatest reward. The growth you see in one year is tremendous.”

Describing her teaching job as “the absolute best” and “a dream,” it’s no wonder she’s been teaching at Lincoln Park for seven years now.

Outside of teaching, one is sure to find Lent busy soaking up some sun or delving deep into new and fun experiences with her husband Bill, and children Alex and Elsie, by her side.

In the summer when most experiences take place, she

The Lent Files

Graduation Year 2000 College Grand Valley State University Educational Career 5 years at a charter school; in 7th year teaching kindergarten at Lincoln Park Notable Calls current high school teacher Carrie Helmer her favorite teacher loves to spend time on the beaches of Lake Michigan, such as “The Arms,” and Muskegon Lake on days that the wind blows harder than normal.

“We typically meet up with many other families on the boat and just enjoy the sunshine together and watch the kids swim,” said Lent, who participated in football/ basketball cheerleading when in high school.

Since she loves to travel, some recent trips include to

Helsel in the Upper Peninsula for pure relaxation and Disney World, her family’s most favorite.

Together, they have had the chance to explore Walt Disney’s land of magic twice and are already planning trips for the future.

Where her husband, Bill, finds Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom to be hands down the best ride of all time, she finds other aspects of the Disney World park to be more entertaining.

“I’m not much a fan of the rides, but my family enjoys the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride,” Lent said. “I love the shows, especially The Lion King show at Animal Kingdom.”

All in all, whether she’s inside the classroom or traveling, what continues to drive her is her love for new experiences.

“When teaching, the feeling I get when kids catch on or learn new things is pure happiness and excitement. It brings an automatic smile to my face and theirs,” Lent said. “I think it is important to encounter new experiences in life, especially with family. The time spent together is never taken for granted, and each new experience is a learning opportunity for all of us.”

Bill Lent – High School Why Education?

“I had the opportunity to

Why Shores?

teach a few times when

“Once I made the decision

I was in my high school

my senior year that I

math class, and the

wanted to be a teacher,

feedback I got from my

there was no doubt that

peers and teacher gave

I wanted to teach at

me a sense that this is

Shores. The main drive

something that I might be

was due in large part to

able to be good at. I also

that feeling I got from

felt like it was something

those around me that I

I could have fun doing. I

was a part of something

was looking for something

big and that I was an

that would still be able to

important part of making

maintain the ‘fun factor’ at

that big thing happen.”

some level.”

Drag racing puts teacher on fast track

By Sydney Fetters Staff Writer

Life outside of teaching and family is literally a “drag” for high school math/physics teacher Bill Lent.

“While I was growing up, we didn’t watch much sports on TV at my house,” said Lent, a 1998 graduate of Shores. “(My dad and I) were more likely to be at a race track on a Saturday night and watching some type of racing on Sunday.”

And that race track was more than likely a drag-racing track.

Lent’s father always had an interest in cars, even owning a race car of his own until he had to give it up. Later, it was picked up, but this time Lent was involved also.

However, it wasn’t until college that the two of them bought a car from the junkyard and began fixing it up to race.

Since then, the dad and son duo, with Lent driving, have won nearly 20 races over the years in many levels of racing with their 1997 Pontiac Firebird with a 3.8 L V6 engine. That car is classified as a Stock Eliminator, which means cars that are 1960 or newer and can, in layman’s terms, be purchased from a local dealer.

The tracks that Lent and his father have raced at are typically an hour away from Muskegon; however, some are farther away. At one particular track, US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, they walked away with a national level win. At the Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, they set a national record for performance of their type

The Lent Files

Graduation Year 1998 College Muskegon Community College Western Michigan University Teaching Career 15 years, all at high school Geometry, Physics, Algebra 1, Physical Science B, Junior Core Review Notable Played three years of varsity baseball, mainly as a shortstop; captain for two years as well as MVP and Gold Glove winner twice; also, All-Conference during both junior and senior seasons Member of BPA for three year; qualified for state twice and placed in top 10 once “The overall experience was better than the awards. We got to travel to Detroit for the state competition. I was able to meet so many new people not only from this school but from other schools. We had so much fun in Detroit.” of car.

“We race and practice at those tracks quite frequently, so it was really cool to celebrate those wins there and

have the local track workers come and congratulate us also,” said Lent, who played both baseball and basketball for four years in high school.

Races are in a bracket format, similar to March Madness basketball. Two cars compete on a straight quarter-mile track. The winner advances to the next round, and the loser goes home.

The total event can be anywhere from four to nine rounds of racing. The national level win was five rounds of racing that took place over about 10 hours due to the number of categories of cars that were racing in that large of an event.

Because racing and all of the aspects it has to offer has had such a positive influence on his life, Lent said he aims to expose his children to the sport of drag racing and encourage them to try it.

He is currently in the process of putting together a Junior Dragster for his son to drive and race in hopes of possibly starting this year.

“The hope for my children is, is to do what they can while they can. And if that includes racing, that would be just an added bonus,” Lent said.

And then Lent would be able to continue the cycle of father and son racing together.

“Racing has totally brought (my dad and me) closer together,” Lent said. “I am sure we would have found something to do together, but I don’t believe we would have ever gotten this close doing something besides racing. We are really more like a father and son who are best friends.”

Pam Matthews – Ross Park Why Education?

Why Shores?

“(I went) to college to

“All the volunteer

become a P.E. teacher,

opportunities I enjoyed

but it was at a time when

as a parent made the

there were (few) job

transition into working

opportunities around

here a natural step. I feel

this area, so I continued

so lucky to be working

working at the bank where

with great colleagues

I had been during college,

and wonderful children.

then became a stay-at-

(When I graduated, I

home mom which got me

was honored by the

involved with school. I

business department with

was so proud to have

a secretarial award and I

been a Mona Shores

kind of laughed thinking I

student that I wanted that

would never go into that

same experience

occupation. And look

for my children.”

where I am. And loving it!)”

Athlete proud to be at beginning of girls’ sports

By Marisa VanderMolen Staff Writer For many high school students, being a part of an athletic team is extremely common. However, not many people can say they were “the first” to be on a team.

Pam (Greenwald) Matthews, who is now a secretary at Ross Park Elementary School, had the opportunity to be a part of the first girls’ organized basketball and track teams at Shores.

To history’s dismay, opportunities for men were often there for them before those same opportunities were there for women, just like how men had organized sports before women. Matthews, a 1975 graduate of Shores, and her female peers had to be satisfied with physical education competition.

“P.E. was always my favorite class,” Matthews said.

“We used to have extracurricular sports called GAA that we could participate in, but that was just competition between our own classmates.”

GAA was the Girls Athletic Association; in Michigan now, the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic

The Matthews Files

Graduation Year 1975 College Muskegon Community College Central Michigan University Education Career Began as part-time Community Liaison at Hile Elementary; also worked as para-pro and clerk before becoming full-time secretary at Ross Park Notable Enjoys Zumba, playing volleyball, reading, visiting granddaughters, walking her dog and spending time with her husband Dan, who is also a Shores graduate Association) covers both boys’ and girls’ sports. Before Title IX, an education reform, about only 1 in 27 high school girls participated in athletics.

The GAA was a start for women that Title IX opened up for them, but like Matthews said, it was not necessarily real competition.

Real varsity high school sports opened up many opportunities: friendships, community recognition/titles, and even college scholarships for some.

“It was really exciting when we got actual organized sports teams for girls,” Matthews said.

And she added that some things that student-athletes now take for granted, “uniforms, schedules, meeting girls from other schools,” were important.

Matthews’ junior year of high school, the first year for organized track and basketball teams, the Shores basketball team was able to earn some clout by claiming the district title.

“We won districts my junior year; not bad for a brand new team,” Matthews said.

Not only were girls finally getting exposure to varsity competition, but they were having fun while doing so.

“Many of my friends were as into the physical activities that I was, so it made for a pretty fun team,” Matthews said.

Beth McCaskey – Middle School Why Shores?

“I have taught in two other districts, but nothing is as amazing as Mona Shores.

The kids, parents, and

Why Education?

community are the best.

“I’ve wanted to be a

As a student,

teacher and impact the

I attended Campbell, the

world since I was in

middle school, and high

elementary school.

school; all three of my

I love what I do.”

own children are or have done the same. My oldest has graduated, my middle child attends the high school while my youngest is in her last year at Campbell.”

Single mom raises son, puts self through college

By Morgan Cathey Editorial Editor What does attending college and being a single parent have in common? Incredible amounts of stress.

While these things are true for many, for Beth (Zietlow) McCaskey, there was another similarity: the fact that they occurred simultaneously.

After graduating from Shores in 1995, McCaskey took the natural path and moved onto college. She also got married. In 1999, when McCaskey was 22, she had her first child.

That was when things started to change.

McCaskey said, “Not long after that, my husband and I separated and soon divorced. I had one year left of classes along with student assisting and student teaching. Despite the challenges of being a new mom and newly divorced, I was determined to finish my degree.”

McCaskey, a middle school English teacher, was not willing to give up on her dream of becoming a teacher.

“The education that I received at Mona Shores and the teachers that impacted me inspired me and motivated me to never give up and work hard,” she said.

With this in mind, she took out loans, applied for grants and worked part-time. She also rearranged her schedule so that all her classes were on Tuesdays and

The McCaskey Files

Graduation Year 1995 College Muskegon Community College Grand Valley State University Walden University Educational Career Has taught first and third grades at Campbell, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade English at middle school Notable Volunteers at her church Started as a student at Campbell in third grade; started as a teacher at Campbell in third grade Thursdays because at the time Grand Valley State University did not have a daycare on campus for children under the age of 2, so McCaskey had to find another way to get care for her son, Jonathan Huizenga, while she was at class.

“Those were long days,” McCaskey said. “I was fortunate that I found a great daycare provider who could

care for my son while I was on campus. Commuting from Muskegon on those days made for a very long day.

It was difficult being away from my son on those days as I would only get a couple of hours with him before I left for school and an hour after I returned.”

Despite all the adversity that McCaskey faced, there were upsides.

She described what made it all worth it: “Every grade, every paper, every step towards graduation fueled me on. I knew that getting my degree was going to help me to get the job of my dreams and provide a solid future for my family.”

Then, McCaskey finally met her goal, in 2001, when her son was 2 years old, she graduated. After all her hard work, McCaskey had finally made it.

“I was the first person in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree,” she recounted, “but I didn’t stop at that; I went on to get my master’s degree as well.”

Today, living out her dream as a Mona Shores middle school English teacher, McCaskey has her son, her current husband, and her two daughters by her side.

“I am blessed and grateful.” McCaskey said, “My life continues to be filled with amazing people and adventures. I love what I do and who I am. I have a great husband and three wonderful children. I’m a proud mom, wife, Christian, and Sailor.”

Stacie Meyers – High School Why Education?

“I have always loved working with kids. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my step-dad

Why Shores?

who was a long-time

“I love the community

educator at Mona Shores.

and the school district.”

He worked at the middle school as a science teacher and retired a number of years ago.”

Multiple jobs finally lead to career in education ByTimmy Schneider Staff Writer

For many, it is hard work to figure out what you want to do with your life.

Multiple people go their whole life jumping from profession to profession because they can’t figure out what makes them happy.

And some people never figure that out.

Thankfully for Stacie (Neary) Meyers, this is not the case.

Fresh out of high school, Meyers, who is now a counselor at the high school, was not sure what she wanted to do with her life yet.

One of her friends wanted to go through cosmetology school, so Meyers decided to join her friend and together they started working as manicurists.

On the side, Meyers, a 1988 Shores graduate, also dabbled in banking. While for many, cosmetology is a fun profession, and maybe banking could be a dream job, she said neither was the right fit for her.

“I realize now that I went for the wrong reason,” she said, “During my time as a manicurist, I liked working with people, but I knew I didn’t want to do nails all day.

And while I was building my clientele as a manicurist, I worked at Old Kent, which is now 5/3 Bank, as a tell-

The Meyers Files

Graduation Year 1988 College Grand Valley State University Teaching Career 18 years at Shores (7 years as special education teacher; 2 years as middle school counselor; 9 years at high school counselor) Notable Previously worked as a manicurist, worked at a bank, worked in a pharmacy and worked in a factory

er. I worked a lot of hours but still didn’t make enough money to live on my own.”

After having the realization that these occupations weren’t for her, she took her new knowledge that her true passion was working with people and went back to college to become a special education teacher; additionally, she worked in a factory as a side job to pay for her

studies.

“At that time, Prince Corporation out of Holland was hiring full time with benefits, so I decided to apply and ended up getting the job,” Meyers said. “Financially, I now was able to move out of my parents’ house. I worked third shift on an assembly line, putting a center counsel together. Prince was a great place to work, but once again, I knew it wasn’t for me. My passion is definitely helping kids succeed.”

Once she finished college, she worked in special education for a few years, and it opened her eyes to the possibility of counseling.

So she decided to go back to school one last time for counseling. Since leaving school, she has been a counselor at Shores for nine years.

“I’ve always loved working with kids, and I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my step-dad who was a longtime educator [middle school science teacher] at Mona Shores,” Meyers said.

Finally, Meyers was able to find her dream job, her home.

“Mona Shores has a place in my heart because it’s where I spent my school years. My favorite part of my job is being able to help kids get closer to achieving their dreams every day and working at Mona Shores is a great experience, it’s not just a school, it really is a community.”

Steve Morell – High School Why Education?

“I like teaching.

Why Shores?

My middle and high

“My family lived here,

school teachers used

and I wanted

to let me teach the class,

to coach football

and I knew then

under (Dean) Jewett.”

that I liked it.”

Marine incorporates experiences into teaching

By Erin Powers Staff Writer Steve Morell has been lucky enough to live out two of his passions: teaching and serving his country.

Morell, a 1980 graduate of Shores, has taught AP Government, AP Geography, and other social studies classes at the high school for 25 years.

“My middle and high school teachers used to let me teach the class, and I knew even then that I loved it,” he said.

Morell’s early years at Shores paved the way for his future career as he found his passion for leading and teaching. He was an active student in the classroom where he discovered that he liked to take charge and help others in an academic setting.

Outside the classroom, Morell was a part of the high school football, basketball, and baseball teams, so his coaches, in addition to his family, impacted him to want to come back to Shores as a teacher and a coach.

“I wanted to come back to Shores so that I could coach under Mr. (Dean) Jewett,” Morell said.

Although teaching has always been something Morell wanted to do, there was another passion that was calling him: the military, more specifically, the Marines.

“I wanted to serve my country, and I was inspired by the elite status and reputation of the Marines,” he said.

The Morell Files

Graduation Year 1980 College Michigan State University Grand Valley State University Teaching Career 25 years at high school AP Geography AP Government AP European History U.S. History Notable Played football, basketball and football in h.s.; loves running, reading and cooking In between his periods of teaching, Morell served in the United States Marine Corps. He spent 27 years serving across the globe as a part of the Marines, and he now proudly holds the title of lieutenant colonel. He even displays his experiences in his classroom with a dotted map for all the places he has been along with other Marines memorabilia.

“The travel was pretty awesome,” he said. “I visited, was stationed in, or traveled to over 70 different places.”

He was able to take his passion for teaching and incorporate it into his work as a Marine through his position of lieutenant colonel.

“Leading Marines is a tremendous responsibility and privilege,” Morell said.” It was a rewarding and challenging experience beyond compare.”

Morell said he loves to incorporate his experiences as a Marine into his teachings of subjects like AP Human Geography and AP Government.

He said he feels that teaching is an extension of the work he had done as an officer in the Marines; it gave him another, albeit different, way to serve the greatest country in the world.

“How many high school teachers do you know that are lieutenant colonels in the Marines?” Morell asked.

“My experiences have definitely helped me bring real-world knowledge into my teaching, and I also spent a tremendous amount of time teaching fellow Marines as an officer.”

Over the years, Morell has had the opportunity to take two seemingly very different career paths, yet they have both given him the chance to impact many people and live out his life passion of teaching.

Whether it was in a classroom at Shores or as a Marine officer on the other side of the world, Morell looked for whatever opportunity he could find to serve his country through the form of teaching.

Rebecca Morse – High School Why Shores?

Why Education?

“I transferred to Shores in

“I always wanted to

sixth grade. The amount

choose a career where

of information I learned in

I felt like I was making

the classroom was huge,

a difference or helping

but more importantly,

someone. I enjoy working

were the experiences

with young adults and

that I had as a student

building meaningful

here. I wanted to be a

relationships. I think

part of a school that takes

math is challenging yet

pride in itself and finds

exciting and fun when you

creative ways to help

comprehend what

students make meaningful

you’re learning.

connections from what

I couldn’t imagine

they are learning in the

doing anything different.”

classroom to real-world experiences.”

Adrenaline junky enjoys breaking comfort zone

By Kali Jend Staff Writer First impressions can be deceiving.

At first glance, not many would probably guess that new math teacher Rebecca (Archer) Morse, mom to three young children, would be an adrenaline junky.

It all began for Morse when she was a student at Grand Valley State University, and she had an opportunity to study abroad in South Africa where she spent two months in Stellenbosch teaching students Algebra 1 and 2.

During her time in South Africa, Morse did more than just teach; she also explored and grasped opportunities she would not get a chance to experience at home.

“I really broke out of my shell while we were there and did a lot of things I never thought I would do,” said Morse, who graduated from Shores in 2005.

Morse bungee jumped off the Bloukrans Bridge in Tsitsikamma, South Africa. This is one of the world’s highest commercial bridge bungees at just over 700 feet.

“The thought of jumping off a bridge still makes my hands sweat when I think about it, but it was such an adrenaline rush, and I loved it,” Morse said. “Once I ‘jumped’ or more like slowly tipped over the side, the fear subsided and the excitement kicked in.”

While teaching in South Africa, Morse also swam

The Morse Files

Graduation Year 2005 College Muskegon Community College Grand Valley State University Teaching Career 7 years as math teacher (3 years at Orchard View Adult Ed.; 3 months at Oakridge Middle School; 2 years at Juvenile Transition Center through the MAISD; 1 year at Newaygo Middle School; 1 year at Mona Shores High School) Notable Voted “Super Sailor” her senior year – there’s a plaque in the band room to prove it! with sharks.

“Having five great white sharks circle our boat was like something out of a movie,” Morse said. “Sitting in a cage where these sharks that were, at times, inches away was unbelievable. They threw chum over the side to attract the sharks and also had it on ropes that they would throw out and pull towards the cage to get the sharks up close and sometimes get them to ram right into the cage.”

After having the opportunity of going to South Africa, Morse caught the travel bug and has traveled to China and Mexico.

In China, Morse had the opportunity to climb the Great Wall.

“It is one of those things where you always see it in a history textbook but never did,” said Morse, who has a minor in history. “I never thought I would be able to stand on it myself.”

To no surprise, Morse’s favorite part of her trip to Mexico was filled with action as well as she was able to zip-line through a rainforest with friends and her husband.

“Being a little bit of a daredevil this was something I loved to do, but my husband and a few friends were terrified,” Morse said. “It was great to see my husband conquer a few fears, and it was great to share an activity that I loved to do with important individuals in my life.”

Although things have slowed down since Morse has become a mom to three children, she still aspires to do courageous things and step out of her comfort zone.

“As new experiences and challenges approach, I always try to remember that the fear will be short lived and not taking on new experiences could be something I regret. I will always keep an open mind and be willing to try new things no matter how terrifying or challenging they may seem,” Morse said.

Brent Mosley – High School Why Shores?

Why Education?

“I’ve been around Shores

“(I chose education) to

since I was a baby and

partly follow in my dad’s

can’t think of anywhere

footsteps, but mostly it’s

else I’d be happy

a career to help others. I

teaching. Going to school

also believe it’s a family-

here and having my dad

friendly career with the

teaching here for over 40

hours and days school

years also instilled

is in session.”

a sense of pride and dedication to Mona Shores.”

Brent Mosley (right) is congratulated by his father Don, after Brent won his 100th victory on the wrestling mat.

Family legacy pushes former wrestler to success

By Gabby Lopez Staff Writer Legacy has always been something that is close to home Brent Mosley, Health and Life Skills teacher at the high school.

As his father was a teacher and wrestling coach, who started teaching in 1962, Mosley wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps and enter a career which allowed him to do so.

At first, Mosley went to college to study business in hopes to earn a greater wage than its teacher counterparts.

Soon after getting into the books, he realized that this was not the career path for him.

“If I were to have taken a career interest survey back then, it would have said that I am more of a helping person and that I work well with people,” said Mosley, a 1983 Shores graduate. “I like the psychology behind being a teacher, and when I look back on my dad’s lifestyle as a teacher, it is a great lifestyle for families. With getting a reasonable time off in the summer, spring breaks, and other breaks.”

Mosley was involved with many activities at Shores during his time as a student. He sang for the choir, played on the football team, and wrestled for the school.

One of his favorite and most vivid memories was winning his 100th win in wrestling.

“My dad was the wrestling coach, and I wrestled ever since I was 8 years old. Because my dad was my coach, it makes it one of the happier moments in my life,” Mosley said. “Winning my 100th win was one of the

The Mosley Files

Graduation Year 1983 College Muskegon Community College Western Michigan University Teaching Career 29 years Health/Life Skills Notable Won 110 matches as a high school wrestler Driving instructor for Mosley’s Driving and Testing Center goals that I wanted to fulfill in high school. There is a picture of me walking off and going to shake my dad’s hand. Since my dad was the coach at the time, I knew he would be especially proud.”

Mosley’s father taught and coached at Shores starting in 1962, which allowed for Mosley to run around the school’s gymnasium at a young age. Ever since then, Mosley has felt a special bond between him and Mona Shores. “(Being here, there’s a) feeling of a strong connection with all the teachers/coaches past and present, students and classmates,” Mosley said. “This has taken place over pretty much my entire lifetime. I remember playing around on the wrestling mat when I was just a toddler.

I guess Mona Shores and I have bonded through years.

With all the many experiences as a kid, student, and teacher, I can’t imagine teaching anywhere else.”

He is also a driving instructor for Mosley’s Driving and Testing Center, which his dad owns, in Muskegon.

Starting in college, Mosley was helping out his dad, who was looking for instructors at the time.

“I remember telling him I didn’t think I wanted to be a driving instructor,” Mosley said. “His response was basically reminding me how he was helping me pay for college, he needed instructors and thought I would be good at it. Well, I took the classes and started teaching around the age of 21. Back then, I remember people making comments thinking we were all students, and an instructor just let us take out the car. Well back then, it was predominately middle-aged men who taught drivers ed, not 21-year-olds.”

When it comes to Mosley’s children following in his footsteps, he wants his kids to make the best decision according to them, not him.

“I wouldn’t discourage or encourage them from being a teacher. I believe each individual should decide the best path for themselves,” Mosley said. “Sure, I’d encourage certain occupations, sports, etc. I think they’d be good at, but in the end, it’s their choice. For example, I’d like my son to wrestle and play football, but he doesn’t want to, so I don’t make him. I do, however, require some sort of extracurricular activities, so my daughter has chosen choir, and my son soccer and baseball. I sometimes think it would be fun to watch my kids participate in some of the things I did, but in the end, as long as their happy, have good character and strive to have a good, successful life, I’ll be happy.”

Mary Poort – High School Why Shores?

“Shores had an opening as a teacher consultant

Why Education?

in the special education

“After about three years in

department and (then

college, I found that I had

principal) Bill Trujillo

a passion for biology and

wanted me for that spot. I,

working with students and

along with my sisters and

athletes. I will never

parents, are all Shores

regret my choice.”

alumni, so it has been rewarding to teach at my alma mater. Shores is also one of, if not the best district, in West Michigan.”

The way to students’ hearts? Thru their stomachs

By Jaylene Davis Staff Writer High school science teacher Mary Poort, who also coaches middle school basketball, found a secret to success: it comes through her students’ and athletes’ stomachs.

OK, not really, but Poort’s success with using chocolate chip cookies and no-bake cookies as incentives is what sets her apart from other teachers.

“Many students tell me they like them because they taste good, you can’t get them anywhere else, it’s something different, and that it is a prize that I actually take the time to make for them,” Poort said.

During the school day, one class can win cookies by beating other classes in competitions as a reward. Individual students can also get cookies for perfect attendance and even games like bio-bingo and Kahoot.

And her athletes can win cookie rewards for winning competitions against their teammates.

“I work hard at forming positive relationships with my students,” said Poort, a 1991 Shores graduate. “One way I try to accomplish this is by showing that I do take an interest in their life and really do care about them outside of the classroom. I believe the no-bake and chocolate cookies shows that I am willing to put in some of my own time to make something special for them.”

The Poort Files

Graduation Year 1991 College Muskegon Community College Central Michigan University Western Michigan University Teaching Career 21 years at Shores (special education teacher consultant, physical science, biology, bioethics) Notable Was a three-year varsity players for both softball (All-Conference Honorable Mention – senior year) and basketball (All-Conference and All-Area – senior year) Poort’s cookies are not just about rewarding students but also about giving students reasons to strive for greatness. With these edible incentives, students in her class excel and can forget their personal problems for a little bit and focus on one goal, a sweet delicious treat.

“I hope I am best known as being a caring, patient educator that loves her job and her students,” she said.

“And of course, my students love their no-bake or choc-

olate chip cookie rewards.”

Poort’s love for teaching and athletics began in high school when she played basketball, softball and beach volleyball.

She found after testing majors at Muskegon Community College and Central Michigan University that she had a passion for biology.

Eventually, she made her way back to her alma mater and found her place teaching and coaching.

But her coaching skills are not what sets her apart from all of the other alumni at Shores; it’s her efforts to push her students and athletes to their best that make her unique.

As Poort describes herself, she says, “I am caring, kind-hearted, energetic, positive, and encouraging toward my students.”

Together, Poort said she puts everything she has into her classroom and on the court by taking the extra time to make cookies to help improve her student’s work, and it has shown the students that when they focus on a goal they can get anything done.

Although she is modest about sharing stories of her success, she said she is aware of the impact she has on students’ lives.

Her impact is obvious to any outsider who walks into her cheerful lively class, even a stranger wouldn’t see a student not engaged in activities.

Lisa Rosenthal – Campbell Why Shores?

Why Education?

I am true blue. My dad

“I have always hoped

taught at Shores for over

that one thing I say or do

40 years and was the first

could make the difference

wrestling coach there.

someday for my students.

He coached football for

I have always felt

a couple of years as

strongly about building

well. My siblings and I

strong relationships

all graduated from Mona

with my students and

Shores. I did my student

their families. I chose

teaching at Mona Shores.

education to be that

My three kids all attend

person my students

Mona Shores. I have

could count on.”

always and will always be loyal to Mona Shores.”

Hawaiian experience makes teaching worth it

By Sarah Roman Staff Writer When Lisa (Mosley) Rosenthal, a 1986 graduate, looks out her classroom window, she can only dream about seeing the sun shining, whales breaching, palm trees, and smooth white beaches.

But it wasn’t always that way.

After graduating from Western Michigan University, she taught at a middle school in Maui, Hawaii, for two years.

“Teaching in Maui was amazing but frustrating at the same time,” said Rosenthal, who is now a special education teacher at Campbell. “I lived paycheck to paycheck, but whenever I looked out my classroom window, I could see whales jumping out of the water and creating a huge splash.”

When she wasn’t teaching, she was spending time exploring, hiking, swimming, meeting new people and traveling to every island.

“I had epic experiences when living in Maui,” said Rosenthal, who is also a driving instructor at Mosley’s Driving and Testing Center, a driving school that her father has owned since she was a little girl. “I got to hike down a dormant volcano, and I got to spend the night and spent the entire next day hiking.”

Rosenthal said the hike up the volcano was about four

The Rosenthal Files

Graduation Year 1986 College Western Michigan University Education Career Taught two years of middle school special education on the island of Maui in Hawaii.

One year as a teacher consultant at Lincoln Park and Campbell. Three years as the Emotional Impaired Program Teacher at the high school. Eight years as fourth-grade teacher at Campbell. Now, in 11th year at Campbell as a Resource Room/Self-Contained Special Education teacher.

Notable Broke her collarbone playing flag football during here junior year; Homecoming Queen her senior year miles long. She described it like walking all the way down on beach sand.

She said there is a state park down in the volcano that she visited, and she got to stay the night in a little cabin.

While she did have amazing adventures, Rosenthal

said the classroom was a different story because she was growing frustrated with her students.

“Education was not a priority to my students,” Rosenthal said. “The students would much rather be surfing.

They also expressed that they would most likely grow up and work in restaurants or at the resorts, so they wouldn’t need school.”

Rosenthal not only learned lessons on education, teaching, and leadership, but she said she also learned not to mess with the ocean, which she learned the hard way.

“I learned to respect the ocean. I was walking into the ocean while I was talking to my friend and not watching the waves in front of me,” Rosenthal said. “I was hit by a ten-foot wave, and once I was pulled out, I had to be rushed to the ER. I tore every ligament in the left side of my back, sprained my shoulder, and blew out my eardrum. I now have respect for the water.”

The job had many ups and downs, like frustrations, adventures, little pay, amazing views and the lessons learned, but the overall experience is something Rosenthal said she will always be grateful for.

“I didn’t get paid very much for this job. When I moved back to the mainland, I only had $2 to my name,” said Rosenthal, who is now a mother of three. “All in all, it was an experience I’ll never forget, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Meghan Schiller – Middle School Why Education?

“Honestly, because I didn’t get into the

Why Shores?

organizational studies

“There’s no better place

program at Michigan

to be. Every experience

and said, ‘Now what?’

I had as a student at

I cannot imagine doing

MS was positive. I have

anything besides teaching

nothing but incredible

and am so thankful for

memories of my tenure,

that disappointment. My

including friendships,

time spent in Spanish

teachers, rigorous AP

class with Senora (Jen)

classes, the crazy number

DeBruyn, having so

of opportunities

much fun while learning,

to get involved.”

convinced me that I should become a Spanish teacher.”

Costa Rican trip great for Spanish immersion

By Paige Judson Sports Editor

After graduating from Shores in 2003, middle school Spanish teacher Meghan (Barnett) Schiller traveled to Quepos, Costa Rica, for three months in the summer of 2008 while completing her undergraduate from the University of Michigan.

“I choose Costa Rica, obviously, because it is a Spanish-speaking country but also because it is just absolutely beautiful,” Schiller said. “I had found this school online that is right on the ocean, so it was just absolutely perfect, so I said, ‘Yup! Take me there!’ And I went.”

While living in Costa Rica, Schiller lived in a homestay, which is kind of like living with a billet family, with a family of four. She lived in a separate room off of the main house and had to use a key to get in and out of her room.

“The people I stayed with had one bedroom for all four of the family members and one bathroom with all cold water, but they thought themselves lucky because they had running water,” Schiller said. “So I had to take cold showers, which was super fun, and you can not flush any paper products down the toilet so, you would wipe and then put it in the garbage.”

Schiller said she enjoyed living in Quepos, which lies on the coast of the Pacific Ocean because it pulled her

The Schiller Files

Graduation Year 2003 College University of Michigan Marygrove College Education Career 11 years as Spanish teacher for sixth-eighth graders at middle school Notable Two and a half years ago after giving birth, the local medi center caught a heart condition she has had most of her life (undetected prior).

Eventually, it will require open-heart surgery and a replaced valve. out of her comfort zone and allowed her to gain many great experiences and to make new friendships with people from all over the world.

“The school I went to had a ton of other students from all over the world,” Schiller said. “Most of these students were European because in the United States we kind of stink at learning languages because we just do not make it a priority. But in Europe, they learn a ton of languages, and I met someone from Sweden whose

name is Aveia who I am still friends with, and just making those friendships and learning about different cultures from all over the world was one of the best experiences from my trip.”

Aside from Costa Rica, Schiller has been to a multitude of different countries, such as Australia, a couple of countries in Europe and Mexico; she even had the opportunity to see the Panama Canal.

Another great experience Schiller gained from living in Costa Rica was the experience of living in an environmentally different area to the United States.

“Costa Rica is the jungle, so there are animals basically everywhere,” Schiller said. “Monkeys would come up to me in the streets, and I would feed them bananas, or they would walk right up to my table while I was eating outside at a restaurant kind of like squirrels, but they were monkeys, and they had hands. It was almost like little people were coming up to me.”

Even though Schiller had great experiences at Shores, nothing will match up to the classroom environment that she was able to experience in Costa Rica.

“There were sloths everywhere,” Schiller said. “And I took classes in a school that had outside classrooms, so there would be sloths everywhere. They would just be in the trees while we were working, and everything about Costa Rica was just absolutely beautiful. It was just an absolutely amazing experience.”

Chris Smith – Central Office Why Education?

“I didn’t choose education.

I have a degree in biology.

I started working as the clerk in the office at Churchill when my daughter was there,

Why Shores?

thinking it would be a

“I love it here.

short-term, part-time

It’s a great place

job. Then, I moved to

to work and live.”

the technology help desk position, then to Community Services where I am now. And here I am 14 years later. I enjoy working for Mona Shores and so I never left.”

Chris (Policka) Smith and her husband Steve both graduated from Shores.

Love at first sight? 4th-grade romance blooms

By Kali Jend Staff Writer

Who meets the love of their life in fourth grade?

Chris Smith, that’s who.

Back in 1981, Christine Smith (Policka at the time) attended Churchill Elementary while a young boy named Steve Smith went to Hile Elementary, but because Hile was too crowded, some students, including Steve had to attend Churchill for a year.

“We didn’t have much contact the year that he went to Churchill,” Chris said. “We didn’t really get to know each other until we rode the bus together in junior high.”

Chris and Steve continued to ride the bus together throughout junior high and became interested in one another.

“When we were in ninth grade, which was still at the junior high back then, Steve wanted to ask me out but

The Smith Files

Graduation Year 1989 College Grand Valley State University Education Career 14 years as clerk/tech help desk Notable Played volleyball and basketball at Shores was too shy, so he had a mutual friend ask me for him,” Chris said. “She told him that I said yes, but that happened to be on April 1st, so he didn’t believe her. He thought it was an April Fool’s joke.”

Chris, who wanted him to know it was not a joke, made their friend tell him “yes” again the next day.

“Steve believed her the next day, though, when she told him again, that I said yes. So our dating anniversary is April 2, 1986,” Chris said.

Chris and Steve continued to date throughout high school and graduated together in 1989.

Two years after graduation, in June of 1991, Chris Policka became Mrs. Chris Smith.

Chris and Steve have a daughter Hannah, who graduated from Shores in 2014, and a 3-year-old grandson.

Chris has worked for Shores as a clerk for 14 years, starting at Churchill and now in Central Offices.

After graduating Grand Valley State University in 1994 with a Bachelors, majoring in biology, Chris decided worked at Trace Analytical, then was self employed for several years before starting she realized she wanted to come back to Shores because of the atmosphere.

“I love it here,” Chris said. “Shores is just such a great place to work and live.”

Amy VerMerris – Campbell Why Shores?

“I was excited to accept a

Why Education?

position at my alma mater

“Education was what

and where I used to teach

appealed to me from early

before I took a leave of

on in high school, and I

absence. I am also very

was a student aide here

excited to be teaching

at Campbell when I was

in a new grade level,

a senior at MS.”

first grade.”

Amy (White) VerMerris taught with her brother Dan, who died in a car accident, at Campbell.

Campbell Elementary held close to heart

By Caitlin McCombs Editor-in-Chief

Ever since elementary at Campbell, Amy (White) VerMerris, a 1987 graduate of Shores, has held this community close to heart.

VerMerris and her four siblings (Paul White, class of 1985; Dan White, class of 1991; and Julie White class of 1993) all graduated from Shores. Additionally, the White family hosted many exchange students while the siblings were in school.

“One significant memory with my siblings from elementary school is that each year when August rolled around, we would all go up to school many times each day to see what teachers we would all have for the school year,” VerMerris said. “The class lists were all taped to the front windows of the school doors. We couldn’t wait to see which teacher we were going to be with.”

After graduation from high school and college, VerMerris came back to her home and began teaching in the Mona Shores District. This teaching career brought her back to Campbell.

“It is special that I began my career at Campbell because it was such an amazing community for my siblings and me to grow up in,” VerMerris said. “When I began teaching at Campbell, there were a few staff members still working there. My first-grade teacher Margie Davis

The VerMerris Files

Graduation Year 1987 College Michigan State University Education Career 1st stint Shores (1994-2000), taught DK/K at Ross Park and Campbell. Many long-term sub jobs from Jan. 2015-June 2018 in all four elementary schools at Shores and in one building in Fruitport before being hired back full time in a permanent position last June.

Notable Captain of basketball team at Shores was still there, and it was really nice to be on the staff with her. There was also another very special person in my family’s life, the librarian Mrs. Pat Smock, who was on the staff at Campbell. She always went above and beyond for all of us in our family, saving books she thought we might enjoy, reading wonderful stories to all of us, and making our time in the library each week so special.”

However, VerMerris didn’t start her career alone she also worked alongside her brother, Dan. She taught kin-

dergarten, and Dan taught fifth grade.

“It was really special to teach with my brother at Campbell because we were so close,” VerMerris said.

“Additionally, working in the same profession where we could end up anywhere that we could find jobs, and instead, we both end up at the very place our school careers (as students) started. We loved being together and did things together with our respective classes.”

After teaching for many years together, in the 20082009 school year, there were going to be layoffs.

Therefore, Dan decided he would take a one-year leave of absence and go to school for his Master’s degree and substitute teach. He moved to California.

However, Dan was killed by a drunk driver while in California.

“It was devastating to our family and school community,” VerMerris said. “Since I had been home with my own children when my brother was killed, it is not possible for us to work together doing the job we both love – teaching.”

With everything that happened, VerMerris said she is glad she is teaching at Campbell and in the Shores community.

“I am so blessed to be back in the building where it literally all started for me and my family – Campbell Elementary,” she said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work here each and every day.”

Scott Volkmann – Middle School Why Education?

“I wanted to give back to a great school district

Why Shores?

and hopefully pass on

“I bleed blue and white.

some of the lessons I

There is no better

have learned from others.

school around.”

I also really like the middle-school age.”

Integrity learned by returning missing wallet

By Erick Hannahs Staff Writer

Scott Volkmann, a 1998 Mona Shores graduate, showed integrity well before the PRIDE matrix existed.

During his junior year, Volkmann used the “I” in PRIDE perfectly.

He showed his integrity by returning a wallet, containing $872, that he found at a convenience store after one of the Singing Christmas Tree performances.

“When I first found the money, I wasn’t sure what to do with it,” Volkmann said. “My car wasn’t even worth $872, and I could have bought a really nice set of golf clubs for the upcoming season, but I am very glad I did the right thing and returned it.”

At the time, Volkmann, the seventh-grade health teacher, turned to police officer Jerry Rathsburg for help returning the wallet. Rathsburg phoned central dispatch, and they quickly located the owner of the wallet, Bonnie Thornell of Grand Haven, and waited for her to come pick it up from them at St. Francis Church.

“She was upset and emotional to the point that she was crying but said she was so happy that there are good people left in the world like me,” Volkmann said.

Making the right decision was not difficult for Volk-

The Volkmann Files

Graduation Year 1998 College Saginaw Valley State University Marygrove College Education Career 14 years at Shores (seventh-grade health and 21st Century Health and Fitness) Notable Was All-State Honorable Mention in golf senior year; loves watching Ohio State beat Michigan in football mann, but many teased him for doing what he did.

“I actually got teased by some of my friends for doing the right thing,” Volkmann said. “It made me second guess my decision, but the tears of happiness on Bonnie Thornhill’s face quickly confirmed I made the right choice.”

Volkmann was soon being interviewed by newspapers and news channels but didn’t know how to feel about it.

“I had the major news stations follow me at school

like I was a Kardashian or something,” Volkmann said.

“It was actually pretty embarrassing because I was an average student, not some super hero or celebrity.”

Volkmann’s act of integrity was soon rewarded.

“I received random notes and letters in the mail for over two months, most of them with money in them,” he said. “ I ended up getting about $1,000 and a local golf pro bought me a set of irons. I ended up getting almost double the amount of money that I returned.”

Now, as a father of two and a middle school health teacher, Volkmann said he hopes that his story inspires students and his own to always do the right thing.

“I share this story with my students,” Volkmann said.

“I share it, not as a ‘Look at what I did!’ but more as to show that most, if not all kids, would do the exact same thing and give it back.”

Volkmann added that he can’t stress enough how important integrity is in our world today.

“Integrity is simply doing the right thing when no one is looking,” he said. “It is sometimes very tough and not always the most popular thing to do. No one can ever take away your integrity. I have not always been perfect with my integrity, but I do try to follow (former Notre Dame football coach) Lou Holtz’s golden rule: ‘Do what is right.’”

Jolynn Walek – High School Why Education?

It was my teachers and coaches who helped me

Why Shores?

through some of my most

It’s the ONLY place

difficult years after losing

I want to be!

my father freshmen year.

Freshman year makes Shores memorable

By Marisa VanderMolen Staff Writer

Growing up in such a wonderful town and school district is difficult to leave once that is all a person knows.

This is why many Shores alumni decide to continue their career back where they came from.

Freshman year is difficult for everyone: new school, new people, and new teachers. For Shores alum, Jolynn Walek, who graduated in 1997, freshman year was more difficult than most.

Walek, a high school English teacher, entered freshman year with divorced parents and ended freshman year with the death of her father. It was the love and support from the high school staff that enabled Walek to get through high school and ultimiately help her decide to want to end up teaching as her profession.

“It was my teachers and coaches who helped me through some of my most difficult years after losing my father freshman year,” said Walek about the staff, including girls’ basketball coach Mike Mack, special education teacher and track coach Mary VanderMolen, and math teacher Tom Fielstra after seeing them attend her father’s funeral.

After Walek’s father died, she began butting heads with her mother “as most teenage girls do,” Walek said.

She said she was not in a great place, spiraling downward and not having motivation for school or sports.

Life at home was a weird dynamic as her mother didn’t know how to push Walek in school and was not there

The Walek Files

Graduation Year 1997 College Grand Valley State University Teaching Career 16 years at Shores (English 9-12) Notable Played basketball and ran track at Shores for Walek often because she was always at work to help provide for Walek.

VanderMolen took Walek under her wing, and Mack and Fielstra urged Jolynn to run track and play basketball.

“Their constant support never let me get too depressed,” Walek said.

After finding a group of teachers that finally cared and supported her, Walek’s world came crashing down on her when her mom and she had to move to a house in the Muskegon School District.

Walek said it was devastating to realize that she was about to lose what she now had – the people and the sports that were keeping her stable.

Mack did not want to lose Walek and her basketball skills, and he knew that Shores had a male basketball player that Muskegon wanted for their team, so a com-

promise was made between the schools. Walek would go and live in the Muskegon School District but attend school and play basketball for Shores while the male would live in the Shores School District but attend school and play basketball for Muskegon.

After this compromise was made, Walek flourished as one of the top basketball players and a star track athlete.

But when decisions had to be made for what she was going to do after high school, she took a full-time factory job at Michigan Spring and turned down a basketball scholarship at MCC. “I think about it all the time, and I do regret it, but I had to make money to live,” Walek said. “I was living with friends, and occassionally, I would live with the VanderMolen’s. Mary forced me to take a class at MCC, so I wouldn’t get too comfortable with where I was at.”

Walek eventually began going to school full time at Grand Valley State University and working third shift at Michigan Spring, but after about two weeks realized that not being able to sleep was not comparable for school or work.

After a considerably rough four years of high school, and years following high school, Walek landed on her feet right where it all happened: teaching English and honors English at Mona Shores High School.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” Walek said. “I especially want my boys (Breslin and Taevien) to know everything I’ve gone through, for them to see how hard I worked to get to where I am and how hard I work for them.”

Amy Whalen – Churchill

Why Education?

“I wanted to give back the way my teachers

Why Shores?

did. I have so many

“It is one

great memories from

of the best around.”

elementary, and I wanted my students to feel the same.”

Returning to alma mater is amazing feeling

By Emmalee Dykstra Staff Writer

After graduating from Shores in 1989, Amy (Troyanowski) Whalen wasn’t ready for college, so her path was momentarily steered in a different direction.

“I was a legal secretary before I went back to school for teaching,” Whalen said. “After high school, I wasn’t ready for college, so I worked for an attorney for a few years before going back.”

Whalen went on to attend Muskegon Community College and Grand Valley State University in pursuit of an education degree.

“I wanted to give back the way my teachers did,” Whalen said. “I have so many great memories from elementary, and I wanted my students to feel the same.”

Whalen, who has taught elementary school for 20 years, tells of the moment she knew she wanted to teach.

“During my senior year, I was able to work in a classroom, and I fell in love with the students,” Whalen said.

The Whalen Files

Graduation Year 1989 College Muskegon Community College Grand Valley State University Teaching Career 20 years (has taught kindergarten, first grade and second grade) Notable Previous career was as a legal secretary A member of DECA and the softball team when she was in high school, Whalen expressed how proud she is to work for the school she once attended herself.

“Mona Shores was always my dream job,” Whalen said. “I think mostly because I graduated from here, and

I always felt very proud of the school and community.

I still remember the day that I received the phone call telling me I was hired to teach first grade at Ross Park.”

Outside of work, Whalen has a husband, Ed, who works at the middle school, and two children, Brady and Delaney. She and Ed, who is also an alumnus, have been married for 25 years, but the two go far back.

“We actually have known each other since we were little,” Whalen said. “But, since we were not in the same grade, it wasn’t until after high school that we started dating.”

The family enjoys traveling, swimming, and just spending time together.

Upon asking what it is like to work at her alma mater, Whalen showed her gratitude in being able to make it back home to do what she loves.

“Teaching at my alma mater is wonderful,” Whalen said. “I enjoyed going to Mona Shores as a student and now working here is even better. The staff, students and parents are amazing.”

Ed Whalen – Middle School Why Education?

Why Shores?

“Basketball coaching

“We do everything

introduced me

with pride...I’ve always

to working with students,

believed it is a great

and I had a lot of fun

district made up

working with kids.”

of great people.”

Who wants to be a teacher? Ed Whalen does

By Emmalee Dykstra Staff Writer

Before his days working as a teacher, Ed Whalen experienced a brief moment of fame with the TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

“In 2000, the show was on live television two or three nights a week, and it was very popular,” said Whalen, a 1985 Shores graduate. “Anybody could call in to the show to answer some random questions, and if you answered all of them correctly, there was a chance they would contact you for another round of questions.”

After answering the first round of questions correctly, he patiently awaited the second call.

“The first round of questions went well, and it was just a matter of waiting for the phone to ring to see if I qualified,” Whalen said. “When I got the call, it was unbelievable. I remember that day well because I also had a calculus test and an education presentation I had to do at Aquinas College. Days later, Mrs. Whalen and I were leaving the Muskegon County International Airport for New York City.”

Sadly, Whalen didn’t make it to the small screen.

“Although I didn’t answer the fastest finger questions fast enough to get into the hot seat, it was an unforgettable experience,” Whalen said.

That unforgettable experience also bridged the gap

The Whalen Files

Graduation Year 1985 College Grand Valley State University Aquinas College Teaching Career 18 years (grades 6-8, technology & math) Notable Played football, basketball and baseball at Shores; led baseball team in stolen bases; worked in retail/business management from 1990-1999 between his days in retail/business management to becoming a teacher.

Initially, Whalen had no intention of becoming a teacher. After coaching basketball at the middle school, he made the decision to go back to school.

“It had never crossed my mind to be a teacher, but I found that I enjoyed working with kids,” Whalen said.

“My wife and I talked about different career paths, and it was an easy decision to make to become a teacher.”

And even easier to join the teaching ranks at Shores.

“I was lucky enough to be able to teach a couple of

subjects that the school needed when I was looking to start my teaching career,” Whalen said. “Mona Shores was easily at the top of my list of desired schools, and I must have interviewed well enough to get a shot at it.”

Whalen said he wouldn’t have it any other way than teaching at the school that he spent so much of his life.

“It’s pretty cool to think that I have been a part of the Mona Shores family in some capacity since 1972,” Whalen said. “I have told many of my classes how blessed I am to come to the middle school for a job I am excited to do every day.”

At the middle school, Whalen teaches technology throughout all grades. Though he enjoys teaching every grade, there is one he enjoys more than the others.

“Sixth-grade technology has been my favorite grade to teach,” Whalen said. “Sixth-grade students give great effort, are funny, and always keep my day interesting.”

Besides teaching and being a 15-minutes-of-famer, Whalen enjoys traveling, summertime swimming, campfires, and hanging out with his wife Amy and two kids Brady and Delaney.

Though fame and fortune wasn’t quite the route for Whalen, he says he feels lucky to be where he is today: teaching at the same place he once called home.

“There have been, and are, so many great teachers at Shores,” he said. “I am honored to be a part of that group.”

Others Pam (Flynn) Ackley

Secretary at Middle School Graduation Year 1985 College Lansing Community College Muskegon Community College Educational Career Worked in the middle school library Now works in front office Notable Was a Mat-Maid for wrestling in high school, where she went to every home and away meet and met my lifelong friend, Lisa Mosley Rosenthal; moved to Shores in November of freshman year – “best thing that ever happened” Why Education?

“I love and value education and children.”

Why Shores?

“Mona Shores changed my life, and I wanted my four children to graduate as Sailors. That dream is coming true as we speak.”

Christy (Seils) Belanger

5th-grade teacher at Ross Park Graduation Year 1988 College Muskegon Community College Western Michigan University Grand Valley State University Educational Career 25-plus years as a fifth-grade teacher Notable Was a member of the Wrestling Pep Club; was part of the choir that traveled to Europe; taught both of her sons (Connor and Bryson) Why Education?

“I chose education because I love working with children, and I wanted to make a positive difference in their lives.”

Why Shores?

“Mona Shores is my Alma Mater, and I wanted to teach in the community where I was raised and raise my own family.”

Julie (Carpenter) Bredin

Pre-School at Ross Park Graduation Year 1979 College Muskegon Community College Western Michigan University Baker College Educational Career Pre-school at Oakridge and Shores for 23 years

Notable Enjoyed drafting and architectural drawing class at Shores and going to Europe with choir; enjoys crafting, gardening and singing in her spare time. With singing, she is a member of the Sweet Adelines group in Muskegon.

Why Education?

“I chose education because I enjoy being around children.

It helps keep you young.”

Kristen (Norkus) Bordewyk

5th-grade teacher at Churchill Graduation Year 2006 College Michigan State University Grand Valley State University Educational Career 1 year – Reading Specialist for Kentwood Schools 6 years – fifth grade at Churchill 1 year – first grade at Churchill Notable Involved in Destination Imagination, where team placed third at the state competition Why Education?

“I grew up wanting to be a teacher, always playing school and pretending I was a teacher to my dolls and the neighborhood kids. When I went to Michigan State, I didn’t think too hard about education, though. I started out thinking I wanted to be a Speech Pathologist. Slowly, I realized that wasn’t the path for me and found my way into education instead. I love helping kids, showing kids I care, learning about kids, letting kids know it’s OK to be themselves, to know it’s OK to be different and unique, and being there for kids. Kids are the reason I teach.”

Why Shores?

“I interviewed mostly in Grand Rapids when I first started looking for jobs (it was where I lived). Then, the opportunity to interview at Mona Shores came up, and it was like, how could I not? I interviewed at Ross Park, Campbell, and Churchill.

When Churchill offered me a fifth-grade job, it felt like I had made it back home.

Churchill was the elementary I went to, so how could I even think twice about saying yes? I am so happy I teach at Mona Shores, and I know I made the best decision for me. Mona Shores is home.”

Others Jennifer Briggs-Russell

Director of Special Education & Student Services at Central Office Graduation Year 1988 College Alma College University of Michigan Grand Valley State University Educational Career 10 years – school social worker in Oceana County; 4 years – Behavior & Autism Spectrum Disorder Consultant at Muskegon Area ISD; 1 year Special Education Supervisor Eastern Service Unit; currently in third year as Director of Special Education & Student Services at Shores Notable Was in Student Senate, choir and Allegros; played basketball Participated in first Singing Christmas Tree and performed for former President Gerald R. Ford as part of an Allegro performance Why Education?

“It allowed me to support students from all over, with any background, some of whom had no other positive place, or relationship, or opportunity in their life at the time. There was always the ability to have hope that things could improve – maybe only a little, but improve. We don’t get to choose our families, we are often subjected to the choices of our parents, or guardians, and everyone needs someone.”

Why Shores?

“There are so many reasons to be proud to be a Sailor. I chose to return to the area to raise my own family. Investing in this community was something I was already committed to, and serving as a director only deepens the opportunity to help our community.”

Nick Bronsema

5th-grade teacher at Ross Park Graduation Year 1999 College Western Michigan University Educational Career 1 year seventh and eighth grade science at the middle school; 12 years at Ross Park (10 years kindergarten, 1 year first grade, 1 year fourth grade) Notable Currently coaches boys’ basketball team at Orchard View, which he led to the school’s first district title since 1995 this winter Why Education?

“I loved my teachers and the experiences provided through being a part of the school community of Mona Shores.

I love the opportunity to be a positive example for many students. I wanted to live a life that meant something.”

Why Shores?

“This was the only school district I applied for, and it was on purpose.

I love everything about living here.”

Rachel (Lillie) Chasco

2nd-grade teacher at Ross Park

Courtney (Dangel) Coffin

Kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Park

David Check

7th-grade technology/science teacher at middle school Graduation Year 2004 College Grand Valley State University Educational Career 9 years – biology, chemistry, Earth science, seventh grade science, seventh grade technology Notable Defensive coordinator for the varsity football team; was pulled up to varsity football as a sophomore; in baseball, caught every inning his senior year Why Education?

“I really enjoyed chemistry with (Sara) Busken when I was in (high) school.

She made me want to go into science.”

Why Shores?

“I taught at a school in Grand Rapids for six years, and it felt like it was time to come home. I lived in the district during my time at the other school and knew my kids would be going to school at Mona Shores. I wanted to make the change and be a part of this school district.”

Cheryl (Steinhauer) Correll

Pre-School teacher at Ross Park

Beth Cotner

Science teacher at middle school

Others Jennifer Fallert

Noon Monitor at Churchill

Katie (Closz) Fallert

Special education resource room teacher at Churchill Graduation Year 1973 College Grand Valley State University Marygrove College Educational Career 11 years pre-school 21 years special education Notable Memorable moment was the trip with the choir to Europe. They were in an international singing contest, stayed with host families in Holland and England, took a hydrofoil boat across the English Channel and met a group of kids from Muskegon High School in Germany while they were singing on the steps of a German church.

Why Education?

“I love kids, and I wanted to be able to make a difference in the lives of kids who are struggling. I chose special education because I had a sister who really struggled, and I saw how much extra support and help she needed, and I wanted to be able to help other kids who faced struggles with learning and being in a school setting.”

Why Shores?

“I grew up in Shores, my kids went to Shores, and I knew it was a great district to go to school and work in.”

Shannon (Gaultney) Glinski

Accountant at Central Office Graduation Year 1998 College Northwood University Educational Career Accountant at Shores Notable Has been a member of the Mona Shores Education Foundation for 10 years and is currently the President of the foundation.

Why Shores?

“I was in banking for 11 years before coming to Shores. I was excited to have the opportunity to work in the district that I attended. I love the work schedule.

I also am able to work in the building that my two sons attend school.”

Rhonda Grevious

Para-Pro at middle school

Amanda (Mills) Heethuis

English teacher at middle school Graduation Year 2005 College Muskegon Community College Grand Valley State University Michigan State University Educational Career 8 years at middle school Notable Varsity cheer coach at Shores

Angela Goodwin

Physical education teacher at Ross Park & Churchill Graduation Year 1999 College Muskegon Community College Grand Valley State University Western Michigan University Educational Career 14 years as a teacher 2 years of second grade in Florida 5 years at Three Oaks in Muskegon 7 years at Shores Notable Coaches the JV softball team.

Why Education? “(Teaching was) just something I always wanted to do. My parents said that I picked this career when I was in kindergarten and would play school with my little brother a lot.”

Why Shores?

“I had a great experience being a student at Shores, and it is a district I am proud to say I live and work in when speaking to others.”

Why Education?

“I grew up with a lot of teachers in my life and always knew I wanted to do the same. I remember my dad working in the school where I went to kindergarten, my grandpa being a school psychologist at Muskegon, and helping my aunt put together her portfolio when she was looking for jobs.”

Why Shores?

“A year after graduating, I told my coaches I was willing to help out if they ever needed it and was soon after offered the middle school competitive cheer assistant coach position. Once I started, it was addicting, and it became evident that I was in it for the long haul.

I love the area and the community.”

Others Andy Hogston

Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment at Central Office Graduation Year 1990 College Olivet College Michigan State University Educational Career Art teacher (1998-99 at Whitehall High School; 1999-2000 at Shores High School; 2000-04 at Whitehall Middle School) Assistant principal (2004-12 at Shores Middle School) Principal (2012-18 at Campbell Elementary) Notable Loves hunting and fishing, woodworking, painting, etc.

Why Education? “(I wanted) the opportunity to make a difference.”

Why Shores?

“This is a special school community and a wonderful place to raise a family.

This is also an opportunity for me to give back to the school community that was instrumental in helping me become who I am today.”

Lauryn Hughes

Sherri (Sattory) Johnson

Pre-School teacher at Ross Park

Amber (Mann) Kennert

Young 5’s para-pro at Campbell Graduation Year 2000 Educational Career 2 years as special education para-pro Notable Started dating her husband in 10th grade in Warren Kent III’s English class; graduated from Daniel’s Hairstyle Academy and still does hair in her home salon Why Education?

“I wanted to give back in honor of those who gave to me. I struggled all through school, but there were those few teachers who stuck their neck out for me to make sure I graduated. I enjoy working with the special education kiddos. If I am able to give them half the school experience I had, then I feel I have accomplished something.”

Why Shores?

“They invest in their students.

They recognize the weaknesses and the strengths and aren’t afraid to help.

I am proud of what Shores did for me, and I want to be a part of that.”

1st-grade teacher at Churchill

Leah Kern

Science teacher at middle school Graduation Year 1993 College Central Michigan University Saginaw Valley State University Educational Career 15 years; has taught both sixthand eighth-grade science Notable Loves to travel and hang out with her 2-year-old daughter Why Education?

“I needed a change from sports medicine.

Also, I wanted to work with kids in the classroom as well as coaching.

I have coached volleyball, basketball and track for many years.”

Why Shores?

“This is a great district, and I wanted to move back home closer to family.”

Denise (Chase) Lennon Para-pro at Campbell

Susan (Schaner) Maire

Reading specialist at Campbell

Megan (Carlston) Johnson

Resource room teacher at Ross Park

Cheri (Greenwald) Kimball Secretary at middle school

Others Jessica (Pascavis) Kever

Occupational therapist at Central Office Graduation Year 2003 College Grand Valley State University Educational Career 6th year at Shores Notable Babysat for choir director Shawn Lawton’s children all four years of high school. “They had Jessi when I was a senior. Playing with those kids kept me imaginative and creative. It is what pushed me to a career working with kids.”

Why Education?

“I chose a degree in occupational therapy because I knew I wanted to work with people, specifically kids. I was excited about the opportunity to work in the public schools as an OT to work with students with special needs.

I love being a part of the classrooms to support teachers, paraprofessionals, and students. Since working in the public school system, I have a new respect for teachers. They are so dedicated and put so much of themselves into their classrooms everyday.”

Why Shores? “(I wanted) to be a part of the amazing teams we have here in all of our buildings. The teachers at our district put students first. I was so excited to have this opportunity to work as an OT in the district where I graduated from.”

Sue McAvoy

Director of Human Resources at Central Offices

Julie (Carr) Knowlton

4th-grade teacher at Lincoln Park Graduation Year 1991 College Michigan State University Grand Valley State University Educational Career 22 years; has taught second, fourth and fifth grades Notable Teaches at Lincoln Park where she went to school since DK. All three of her children attended Lincoln Park (as well as a niece). Teaches in the room she was taught in (4th grade). “I teach with people I graduated with and have lifelong friendships with. It’s awesome.”

Why Education? “(I have) always enjoyed working kids.

I babysat since age 13 and taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded throughout high school and college.”

Why Shores?

“I began my teaching career in Lansing (first 3 years).

I met my husband who was moving back to Muskegon and was fortunate enough to get a job at Mona Shores.”

Mary (Van Andel) Lumpp

5th-grade teacher at Churchill Graduation Year 1972 College Western Michigan University Educational Career Has been at Churchill since 2000 Notable Was a “Shipmate” doing pom-pom

Tracie (Jones) Kreps

6th-grade teacher at middle school Graduation Year 1993 College Grand Valley State University Marygrove College Educational Career 15 years Notable Works out at FitBody Bootcamp; loves reading, traveling and relaxing poolside Why Education?

“I wanted to be a part of something that would give kids an incredible experience, a safe environment, and have a positive impact on kids.”

Why Shores?

“Though I have learned this as an adult teaching in this district, it is an amazing place to be. Every teacher in my building is here for the same purpose...for kids.

Heart and souls are poured into these careers. Kids matter at MSMS.”

routines during football and basketball games, but it was short-lived due to being in a toboggan accident Jan. 1, 1970, her sophomore year, when she broke 4 vertebrate at the bottom of her spine.

Why Education?

“I wanted to be a teacher my whole life, and even though my counselor at Shores tried to talk me out of it due to so many laid-off teachers, I never changed my mind.”

Why Shores?

“I feel proud to be an educator in Mona Shores as it is a fantastic school district and it will always remain close to my heart.”

Others Kris (O’Neil) McKinley

2nd-grade teacher at Lincoln Park Graduation Year 1985 College Muskegon Community College Michigan State University Western Michigan University Marygrove College Educational Career 29 years at Shores; has been teaching second grade since 1990 when she started her career as a long-term sub in February of 1989 at Hile Elementary.

She did teach one year of fourth grade in 1990-1991. She started at Lincoln Park in the fall of 1991 and has been there since.

Notable The day she interviewed at Shores was the day of her final exam at MSU. “I had to hurry and take my exam, drive back to Muskegon, eat something, grab my suit, and race to the old ad. building. for my interview. I was the last person interviewed that day. I believe that I was number 70. Being the last to interview was very good for me.”

Why Education?

“I chose education as my course of study because my mom was a third-grade teacher at Muskegon, and I was always helping in her classroom from the time I was in 1st grade. I helped set up her classroom, correct papers, trace paper borders, etc.”

Why Shores?

“I was thrilled to back to teach at my Alma Mater. I was very comfortable at MS. Most of my old teachers were still there.

It was fun.”

Jay McMahon

Para-pro at Ross Park Graduation Year 2012 College Muskegon Community College Educational Career 1st year as a para-pro Notable Member of debate team, where he helped team win league, and he won best speaker award; also played tennis, where he was a City champ his senior year Why Education?

“I enjoy teaching.”

Why Shores?

“I know the area and the people in it.”

Heather (Zitka) Mills

2nd-grade teacher at Campbell Graduation Year 1988 College Western Michigan University Educational Career 22 years; taught in Florida too Notable She remembers “amazing teachers like Mr. Funkhouser, who wrote back to me regularly in my journal in Psychology class, and Mr. Jensen, whose sense of humor made Social Studies class so much fun, working with numerous peers at Bill Knapps restaurant.”

Why Education?

“I wanted to make my students feel as special as my elementary teachers did when I went to Hile School.”

Why Shores?

“Once a Sailor, always a Sailor.”

Nikki McRoberts

Front office clerk at the middle school Graduation Year 1992 College Muskegon Community College Educational Career 5 years as clerk at middle school; previously, subbed at various schools in the district Notable Served as secretary on Brianna Scott’s campaign for MSU Board of Trustees; Scott, a Shores alumnae, won Why Education?

“My mom is a retired kindergarten teacher from Campbell, and I saw the joy it brought to her every day. I also love interacting with kids/students.”

Why Shores?

“My mom taught for Shores, and my son, stepson and stepdaughter are all graduates from Shores.”

Nick Mosley

Orchestra teacher at the middle school Graduation Year 1999 College Western Michigan University Southern Oregon University Educational Career 15 years teaching; 5 at Shores Notable Was drum major of marching band; plays organ & piano at Forest Park Church Why Education?

“I love working with kids and music is my passion.”

Why Shores?

“The students and staff are second to none. And it feels like home.”

Others Pam (Richardson) Nason

Kindergarten teacher at Churchill Graduation Year 1975 College Michigan State University Educational Career Pre-school 8 years; kindergarten 18 years Notable Loves to kayak, crochet and snowmobile Why Education?

“I love working with young children.

It’s the best job ever.”

Why Shores?

“I always felt a strong bond and a sense of school pride, and I wanted that for my children.”

Amanda (Beattie) Nunez

Pre-school teacher at Ross Park Graduation Year 2008 College Grand Valley State University Educational Career 2 years at Muskegon; 1st year at Shores Notable Was Staff Member of the Year for the yearbook staff; currently fixing up a 100-plus-year-old home.

Why Education?

“I really love working with little ones and watching things click when teaching them basics.”

Why Shores?

“I am proud to be a Sailor.”

Beth (Vande Vrede) Prentice

7th-grade English teacher at middle school Graduation Year 1999 College Calvin College Marygrove College Educational Career 16 years at middle school Notable 1998 broke school cross country record; 1999 broke 1600m run record in track; member of 1998 girls’ track City champion team; individually, was All-State Academic for cross country in 1998, state qualifier for cross country 1998 and in track 1997, 1998, 1999 Why Education?

“I was inspired and influenced by phenomenal educators at Mona Shores (Jen Adams, Jennifer DeBruyn, Carrie Helmer, and Steve Morrell). I wanted to make a positive impact on kids’ lives.

Why Shores?

“Mona Shores holds staff and students to the highest standards, and the pride for this district is fervently shared by our community.”

Jeanne (Kenny) Proefrock Para-pro at Ross Park

Amy (Peters) Recor

1st-grade teacher at Lincoln Park Graduation Year 1991 College Albion College Aquinas College Educational Career Lincoln Park: student teacher 1999; multi-age teacher 2000-2008; part-time Young Fives teacher 2008-2011; first grade 2011-present Notable Remembers when Shawn Lawton (a student teacher her senior year) sang a goodbye song – “Bring him Home” from Les Mis – to the choirs. “He was going to follow Molly (his wife) to Chicago so she could pursue her dream.”

Why Education?

“Because I love kids.”

Why Shores?

“Because I love Shores.”

Meredith (Hekkema) Rillema

Pre-school teacher at Ross Park Graduation Year 2010 College Child Development Associate’s certificate Educational Career 1 1/2 years of early childhood program Notable Enjoys crocheting and reading Why Education?

“I have always enjoyed working with kids and want to help them gain a love for learning early on.”

Why Shores?

“I wanted to give back to the schools that taught me.”

Others Belinda (Council) Schouten

Secretary at Lincoln Park Graduation Year 1985 College Muskegon Business College Educational Career 9 years as secretary at Lincoln Park Notable Married her high school sweetheart Why Education?

“I really enjoy working with the students and seeing how they grow and learn over the years.”

Why Shores?

“Mona Shores is where I graduated from and where my children went.”

Jessica (Raddatz) Stout

Resource room teacher at Lincoln Park & Ross Park Graduation Year 2000 Educational Career 12 years (elementary and pre-school) Notable Participated in choir, cheerleading and track at Shores Why Education?

“I wanted to make a difference in children.”

Why Shores?

“It’s where I grew up, where my children will go, and an overall great district.”

Stephanie (Jackson) Soyars

2nd-grade teacher at Churchill Graduation Year 2002 College University of Michigan Western Michigan University Educational Career 13 years at Shores (4 years at middle school teaching sixth-grade social studies, seventh-grade math and social studies and eighth-grade math; nine years at Churchill, teaching fourth grade and second grade) Notable Her husband Ben owns the Hearthstone Bistro Why Education?

“I love working with kids and wanted a job where I could make a difference.”

Why Shores?

“I enjoyed my time at Mona Shores and wanted to come back and be able to help students at Mona Shores receive the same great education that I did. I also wanted to raise my own children in Norton Shores and send them to Mona Shores.”

Jill (Koniarski) VanderWalle

Special education teacher at Lincoln Park

Ashlie (LeMieux) Szatkowski

5th-grade teacher at Lincoln Park Graduation Year 2006 College Western Michigan University Grand Valley State University Educational Career 7 years (2nd year at Shores; previously taught at WMAAA in Spring Lake and in Atlanta, Ga.) Notable Has run three marathons and 13 half marathons.

Why Education?

“I knew since third grade that I wanted to be a teacher. My third grade teacher was amazing, caring, passionate (every positive character trait there is), and I knew I wanted to inspire kids just like she did to me.”

Why Shores?

“This is my home and dream job.

I love everything about the community, people, coworkers, and kids. It is such an amazing place to be, and I can’t think of a better place to share my love for teaching than right here at Mona Shores. Once a Sailor, always a Sailor.”

Joe Vlasma

Helpdesk Technician at Central Office

Others Eric Wahlberg

Earth science teacher at middle school Graduation Year 1991 College Grand Valley State University University of La Verne Educational Career 22 years as earth science teacher Notable Mlive Defensive Player of the Year in football; builds house, hunts, fishes Why Shores?

“Mona Shores was and is the No. 1 district anywhere. If there was better, my kids would be attending it.”

Emily (Wickland) Young

3rd-grade teacher at Ross Park Graduation Year 2000 College Western Michigan University Grand Valley State University Educational Career 11 years Notable Played tennis at Shores; was in marketing for three years before deciding to go back to school for education Why Education?

“Even though I was not originally in education, I felt a strong drive to be in the classroom.

So, I left my marketing job and decided to get my teaching certificate.”

Debbie (Moen) Wilks

Community services secretary at Central Office Graduation Year 1988 College Associated Schools in Miami, Fl. Educational Career 18 years as community services secretary Notable Has a 21-year-old son who is a brain cancer survivor Why Education?

“I worked in corporate for a few years and had the opportunity to take those experiences and apply in Educational Admin. It’s such a rewarding experience knowing what we do impacts students.”

Why Shores?

“When the opportunity came to join the Shores team, there was no question.

We strive to be the best, and I wanted to build a career in that environment.”

Tara (Baskin) Zimmer

2nd-grade teacher at Lincoln Park

Tim Zinger

5th-grade teacher at Lincoln Park Graduation Year 2008 College Grand Valley State University Educational Career 6 years as fifth-grade teacher Notable Was president of 0 at Shores; Why Education?

“I knew since fifth grade that I wanted to be a teacher. I even have my writing from a time capsule I made in fifth grade stating that I wanted to be a fifth grade reading teacher at Lincoln Park Elementary School when I grew up. I enjoy helping kids see that they are capable of great things. The best moments from teaching are seeing students ‘light bulbs’ go off when they finally understand something they having been working hard to understand and seeing students treat others with kindness and respect.”

Why Shores?

“Shores is a great school district that is known across the state, nation, and world for their great programs, such as their music department and athletics.

We have a great supportive community here. The teachers are AMAZING and truly work great together to best support our students. I love how we focus on relationships/wellbeing first and foremost with the students and then everything else second.”