Our stars are shining! Spotlight on Schools March, 2011
Filcik named to All-State team
Zeeland East senior John Filcik capped a highly successful season in tennis this fall with a special honor: he has been named to the Division 2 Singles All-State Tennis Team by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association. East tennis coach Jed Mulder praised Filcik’s athletic ability, but more importantly, spoke of his good character and strong work ethic. “He is a tremendous leader on and off the court,” Mulder said during an award presentation for Filcik at the Zeeland Board of Education meeting December 6. Filcik, the son of Kevin and Marcie Filcik, finished the boy’s tennis season with a 32-3 record at No. 1 singles, losing only to two state champions and a state runner-up. Individually, he won the OK Green title for his flight and won seven different tournaments throughout the year. His 85 career wins are top all-time for Zeeland East. Congratulations, John!
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Chix set school record for wins and earn conference, district titles
It was a game that will be talked about for years. Zeeland East was denied victory in the last seconds—and by a fraction of an inch—in the Chix’ clash with East Grand Rapids in the Division 3 regional football final November 13. The final score: 17-13. Looking back, however, it was a remarkable season and we congratulate the team on a job well done for: * Setting a school record for wins in a season (11); * Winning the OK-Green Conference title; * Winning the Division 3 district title with a 62-21 victory over St. Joseph November 5; * Setting a school record for points scored in a season (531).
Eight Zeeland high school students on youth council
Eight high school students from Zeeland East and West and one from Holland Christian have been appointed to the City of Zeeland Youth Council for 2010. Sally Gruppen, mayor pro tem for the city of Zeeland, introduced the new panel to the Board of Education November 15. She said this marks the ninth year of the program, which gives young people a chance to learn about city government and handle a modest budget for helpful projects in the city. Congratulations, students! This year’s members, in alphabetical order, are: Breanna Gruppen, ZEHS senior, serving as clerk of the council; Madison Kraai, ZWHS junior; Keren Rottschafer, HCHS senior; Cam Pratt, ZEHS junior, serving as mayor pro-tem of the council; Alec Riemersma, ZEHS freshman; Rachel Taylor, ZEHS junior, serving her second term on the council and appointed mayor; Summer Van Appel, ZWHS freshman; Kenneth Walker, ZEHS senior, serving his second term; and Devan Watt, ZWHS freshman.
Schulist shatters school record on way to state title
Congratulations to Zeeland West junior Rachele Schulist who is the state champion in Division 2 cross country. She shattered her school record November 6 by running an impressive time of 17 minutes, 39.7 seconds at the Michigan International Speedway in Berlin. Rachele beat out more than 250 state qualifiers to earn the first place finish. Schulist won in dramatic fashion. She lost the lead to Middleville’s Allyson Winchester with about 800 meters remaining but surged ahead to capture first place.
Cool Teacher and Ashley
Fun projects, like collecting leaves to make an animal, made Lincoln first grade teacher Ashley Bocanegra a big hit with student Sydney Brander. So, Sydney wrote a letter to WGVU public television in Grand Rapids and entered Bocanegra’s name as a Cool Teacher candidate. Her wish came true. On December 8, the WGVU crew arrived, bearing cameras and pizzas. They photographed and filmed Sydney, interviewing her about the traits that make Mrs. Bocanegra special. All the students gathered for a group shot, gave a shout-out greeting for the WGVU viewing audience, then settled at their desks for delicious pizza, compliments of WGVU. This is Bocanegra’s eighth year teaching for Zeeland. She worked one year as a seventh grade math teacher at Cityside Middle School and has been working as a first grade teacher at Lincoln ever since. Congratulations, Ashley. And, thanks, Sydney, for using your writing skills to make something special happen.