Tag Archives: Alpha Wolf

Wyoming High School recognizes eight at Alpha Wolf program

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The fall 2022 Alpha Wolf recipients. From left, sophomore Berlinda Pablo-Pablo, junior Gage Behrenbrinker, freshman Zander Creamer, junior Dominik (Buster) Cross, sophomore Tarren Calvert, senior Bryce Bosovich, and freshman Omar Resendiz-Parra. Not pictured is Jesus Valadez Cano. (Courtesy, John Doyle)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

With the addition of the freshman class to the high school, this year’s fall Alpha Wolf program was expanded to eight students.

In fact, “Welcome” was part of the theme of the fall 2022 program as the school welcomed 652 students as freshmen and sophomores. Before the 2022-2023 school year, the Wyoming High School was 10th-12th grade but a building renovation allowed the district to move its ninth grade students into the high school this school year.

Along with the addition of the freshman and sophomore classes, the school welcomed 170 students from other schools, of which 47 students were from different countries, and 28 new staff members.

To represent the high school body, 1,300 paper chains were strung together across the gym’s ceiling.

“Every paper chain represents you. It represents our staff,” said teacher John Doyle, who helps to organize the Alpha Wolf program. “There are over 1,300 chains and they are all connected because that is what we are about.”

A11 Moment Ahead

Guess speaker Mark Kuiper, from the Wyoming High School staff, focused on the second part of the Alpha Wolf theme, “What is your A11 Moment Ahead?”

“An Alpha Wolf Moment Ahead is when you chose not to judge someone based on the color of their skin or that they talk different than you and they may share a different view of the world.” Kuiper said. “Instead you get to know them, know their story…An AW Moment Ahead of kindness, compassion, and graciousness usually appear in the usual, in the mundane, ordinary day-to-day, hour-by-hour routine of our lives. We need to look past our own face. We need to look up.

“Because the moment you look up, you begin to see the signs and when you decide to chose kindness over indifference, when you decide to chose compassion over apathy, when you chose grace over holding a grudge…you are seeing AW 11 Moments ahead become a lifetime and it will change a life.”

Zander Creamer walks up to receive his award. (WKTV)
Zander Creamer is congratulated by his family. (WKTV)

Freshmen

Zander Creamer

According to many, the best word that encompasses freshman Zander Creamer is leader.

“This young man is getting it done at Wyoming High School,” according to staff. “Whether in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria or participating in extra-curricular activities he radiates Alpha Wolf 11 to all who cross his path.”

It did not take long for Creamer to settle in at the high school and as he did, he helped others make the transition to their new chapter in life.

“He is really a sweet kid who constantly has a smile on his face to try and to make people feel welcome and to lift them up when they are feeling down,” students and staff said.

No matter the setting, Creamer makes the effort to get to know the people around him and let them know they feel valued and appreciated through his contagious smile and kind words.

He figures out math problems on his own time. He enjoys robotics, riding his bike, and eating Mexican food as well as spicy, sweet and sour. He has a love for soccer and enjoys watching the Olympics, especially baseball.

Freshman Omar Resendiz-Parra sits in the audience. (WKTV)
Omar Resendiz-Parra accepts his award with his family. (WKTV)

Omar Resendiz-Parra

From that description, it did not take long for students to recognize that freshman Omar Resendiz-Parra was the next Alpha Wolf.

“I have never heard him say an unkind word or be remotely critical about anyone,” said one of his teachers. “He has never said anything out of frustration or irritation. In fact, he has challenged himself to be a better version of a kind and gracious person that he already is.”

During parent teacher conferences, Resendiz-Parra helped his father understand by translating everything. He does everything with a kind heart, according to another staff member, and he is willing to help anyone on a daily basis.

Students and staff all agreed that Resendiz-Parra leads by example.

Sophomores

Tarren Calvert

Sophomore Tarren Calvert shakes hands with family members. (WKTV)

Unusually the first thing sophomore Tarren Calvert will ask someone when he sees them is how his/her day is going.

Calvert simply does good deeds whether anyone is looking or not and people are looking. They have noticed how he goes out of his way to help others, especially helping classmates with homework and other tasks.

“It does not take long for everyone who meets this Alpha Wolf to feel the positive energy he gives with everyone he meets,” according to students and staff, adding that this junior varsity basketball star is positive, respectful and selfless.

Sophomore Berlinda Pablo-Pablo walks up to accept her award. (WKTV)
Berlinda Pablo-Pablo stands with her family for a photo. (WKTV)

Berlinda Pablo-Pablo

All it took was the statement “She is a flute player and participates in the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Mosaic Scholarship program” for many to quickly guess that sophomore Berlinda Pablo-Pablo was the next sophomore Alpha Wolf.

“Those who have interacted with this student have said this Alpha Wolf 11 left them with a lasting impression,” according to staff. “She is hardworking, strives for excellence and is the embodiment of joy.”

According to her peers, Pablo-Pablo is “a great friend with a sweet and tender heart, a kind shoulder with a big smile, constantly friendly, and never rude to anyone, and she is supportive and ready and able to cheer up a person and make them laugh.”

Juniors

Gage Behrenbrinker

Junior Gage Behrenbrinker walks up to accept his award as his family watches. (WKTV)

A member of the variety football and basketball, junior Gage Behrenbrinker is definitely a servant leader.

Just some of the words/sayings staff and students said about Behrenbrinker were:

Very cool

Always happy

Likes helping classmates and is always helping at school

Works to improves everyone they are around

Always a positive attitude

Makes everyone’s day better

Polite

Respectful 

Inspiring

A great role model

A great leader

Someone we all look up to

Because of these many attributes, Behrenbrinker, according to many, is the perfect example of an Alpha Wolf.

Junior Dominkik (Buster) Cross is congratulated by family members. (WKTV)
Dominik (Buster) Cross poses with his family for a picture. (WKTV)

Domink (Buster) Cross

Always there for his friends and family, junior Dominik (Buster) Cross uses his voice to encourage the absolute best out of everyone.

According to staff, Cross is bold, honest, and optimistic and there is never a day that he does not put his best foot forward.

He leads by example, has a smile that lights up the room, and always shows grace especially in the face of challenges, which is why the students and staff chose him to as an Alpha Wolf.

Senior Bryce Bosovich is congratulated by family members and staff. (WKTV)
Bryce Bosovich stands with his family. (WKTV)

Seniors

Bryce Bosovich

“I have never had the opportunity to have this scholar in class at the junior or high school, but every time I have had conversations with him it has been super respectful, polite, and mature and sometimes sports related,” said teacher Shawn Veenstra who was one of several Alpha Wolf presenters.

For Bryce Bosovich, it was noted it was difficult to compact all the Alpha Wolf characteristics that he has in a short narrative, but the presenters were certainly willing to try.

Comments from students included: 

“He is my best friend and has always helped me when I am going through something.”

“He never fails to put a smile on my face.”

“He is always super nice to everyone in class and is always kind to people he sees. He has just an awesome personality and if I say so myself this guy has a bright future on his shoulders as well.” 

According to staff, Bosovich’s laugh is instantly familiar. He is thoughtful, respectful, selfless, and always positive.

Jesus Valadez Cano

Jesus Valadez Cano moved to the United States from Mexico a few years ago and in that short time has established himself as a person of integrity, humility and someone who cares about others and their successes.

“When others in class may not understand something or have different ideas Jesus (Valadez Cano) is considerate and works with them in a positive way,” according to staff. “There is no pretense and no arrogance from this student. He simply lifts others up. He has only one mode: positive.”

Known for working with Spanish students to make sure they understand their school, about every student in the school loves working with Valadez Cano because he is such a great listener, values the opinions of others and openly shares his own ideas. 

Wyoming honors 12 in spring Alpha Wolf 11 celebration

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Senior Zabiullah Najafi hugs a family member after being named a 2021 Alpha Wolf 11. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

“Did you think we were going to do this this year?” asked Wyoming High School teacher John Doyle to the school’s juniors seated in the high school gym.

“No,” the students responded.

“Did you think we were going to do anything this year?” he asked.

“No.” the students responded back.

The names on the wall: The 2021 Alpha Wolf recipients

The thing was the school’s annual Alpha Wolf celebration, which usually takes place twice a year: once in the fall and again in the spring. Started in 2014, the Wyoming High School students and staff would honor six exemplary students each semester with the Alpha Wolf 11 champion of Character Award — two sophomores, two juniors, and two seniors.

However, COVID — like it did for many events — but a halt to the celebration as the nation fought to stop the spread through social distancing. This resulted in the school placing a hold on the Alpha Wolf celebration in the fall, Doyle said, admitting it was not an easy decision to make.

But this spring has been a different story with social distancing guidelines easing and allowing more people in a room, which meant that the Alpha Wolf celebration was on.

“As Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said, we needed this for our soul,” Doyle said. “It was tough to let a lot of things go last year and this was an opportunity to celebrate the students and all that they have gone through.”

The celebration was a little different this year as the number of local officials and dignitaries had to be limited and instead of the whole school coming together to celebrate, there was three different assemblies for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Serving as this year’s guest speaker was Grand Rapids Community College President Dr. Bill Pink, who talked about kindness, compassion and grace in the face of the Oklahoma City bombings that took place in 1995, something that Pink experienced firsthand as he was a middle school teacher in Oklahoma City at the time.

The changes certainly did not damper the moods of the students who guessed the students being honored as the clues were given for each Alpha Wolf recipient. There was four for each grade level which totaled the annual 12 awards given for the year.

  • From the left, sophomores Liza LaMar, Alyjah Chandler, Cristian Diaz, and Alexa Hudson (WKTV)
  • Sophomore Alyjah Chandler (second from right) with his family. (WKTV)
  • Sophomore Cristian Diaz (third from left) with his family (WKTV)
  • Sophomore Alex Hudson (center) with her family
  • Sophomore Liza LaMar (second from right) with her family (WKTV)

Sophomore Alpha Wolf Recipients

Alyjah Chandler: Alyjah was described by peers as a person who works to lift others up. He projects positivity and has focused on the importance of mental health. According to staff, he puts others first in order for them to be successful with one teacher writing that “He has been an eleven since the first day I met him.”

Cristian Diaz: From his love of pizza to the honors chemistry class, Cristian was an easy one for the sophomores to name. His enthusiasm is contagious with Cristian always greeting everyone. Through his actions, he demonstrates that contributions matter and has made that known whether at school or on the Wyoming soccer team.

Alexa Hudson: Alexa also was described as a positive person and one of the “kindest persons you’ll have every met.” As one peer wrote, Alexa is a “great student and great friend.” According to teachers, she is a fantastic leader, leading by example and has become a source of pride for the high school band, where she plays the alto saxophone.

Liza LaMar: Liza was described as best exemplifying the last lines of Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb”: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Liza is the light setting a great example, helping out when she can, and encouraging others to participate.

 

  • From the left, juniors Rocco Albanese, Isaiah Clark, Mateo Ledesma, Lejla Nakic
  • Junior Rocco Albanese (fifth from the right) with his family and friends (WKTV)
  • Junior Mateo Ledesma (fourth from the right) with his family and friends) (WKTV)
  • Junior Isaiah Clark (second from left) with his family (WKTV)
  • Junior Lejla Nakic (fourth from left) with her family (WKTV)

Junior Alpha Wolf Recipients

Rocco Albanese: Rocco was described by his teachers and peers as a” rock solid foundation” who always puts people first. He talks to everyone and is known to stand up for the people who are not able to defend themselves. He essentially serves as a “rock” to his friends and staff.

Isaiah Clark: There is all kinds of strength according to Coach Irv Sigler. Isaiah demonstrates strength both on and off the wrestling mats. He leads by example, demonstrates kindness, and spreads positivity.

Mateo Ledesma: While unable to see it, it is Mateo’s fantastic smile that draws people in. He befriends everyone and makes them feel at ease, according to students and staff, who added that he genuinely cares about his peers. He is a good listener, leaving his peers feeling that their ideas and beliefs have value.

Lejla Nakic: Lejla is someone who makes you feel good about yourself, according to her peers. She always acts in kindness and is very willing to help students who are struggling. She is hardworking, very friendly with staff and peers agreeing she is “the sweetest person you could ever meet.”

  • From the left, seniors Taejah Cross, Zabiullah Najafi, Brandy Kehl, Eduardo Francis Estrada (WKTV)
  • Senior Zabiullah Najafi (third from left) with his friends and family (WKTV)
  • Senior Eduardo Francis Estrada (second from left) with his family (WKTV)
  • Senior Kaejah Cross (left) with her parents (WKTV)
  • Senior Brandy Kehl (center) with her family (WKTV)

Senior Alpha Wolf Recipients 

Taejah Cross: Taejah is a shining example of graciousness as he always puts others first. One teacher noted that last year, he offered to clean up a mess another upper class left. His willingness to help has lead him to be a captain on the basketball, volleyball and track teams.

Eduardo Francis Estrada: Eduardo simply brightens up the room, accord to staff and his peers. He has a welcoming spirit and through his acts of kindness, compassion, and graciousness, is always trying to make the school a better place.

Brandy Kehl: The cloak of courage is perhaps one of the most important virtues and one that Brandy shows everyday. She demonstrates courage by standing up for other people and fighting for equality and justice all in her effort to bring more joy in the world. 

Zabiullah Najafi: Doyle admitted is a special student. He spent several years locked in a detention camp and came to Wyoming where he grew and worked to help translate so as to help others be heard. He has plans to change the world and the staff and his peers said they know he will. 

Six more Wyoming students identified as leaders of the pack in Alpha Wolf program

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Wyoming High School students gather for the spring Alpha Wolf 11 Champions of Character awards. (WKTV)

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, patience, and the passion to reach for the stars and change the world.  

Harriet Tubman
Junior Dale Cross III



Wyoming High School sophomore Lisa Cross admitted to friends that it was hard to announce the juniors selected as recipients of this year’s spring Alpha Wolf 11 Champions of Character Award. It was hard because, one of them was her brother, Dale Cross III.

“I kept trying not to look at him, but I think he knew,” she said.

As one Alpha Wolf student admitted, you never really know until your name is announced.

Started in 2014, every fall and spring semester, the Wyoming High School students and staff honor six exemplary students with the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character Award — two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors. These students are recognized not for their academic or athletic achievements but for treating others by “being kind, compassionate, and gracious.”

Along with students and staff, special guests included members of the Wyoming community, City of Wyoming officials, public safety leaders, school district administration and members of the Wyoming Board of Education.

“It is always fun to do this and to have this great time together as a community,” said Principal Nate Robrahan. “I think we need to remember that we are a community and we are only better because we are together in what is our community of Wyoming High School, and you guys know enough that I am always so proud to be the principal of this community.”

The fun for many is the revealing of those who will receive the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character Award. Often, the recipients are just as stumped as the students, looking around to see who will be receiving it before realizing that it is him or her.

Sophomore Alpha Wolf 11 Recipients

Sophomore Rohim Mohammod

When Rohim Mohammod came to the school he struggled to speak English, even through he knew three other languages. That struggle has lead him to “pay it forward” by helping others who face the same challenge.

“He is one of these kids who is always trying to make a difference,” said teacher John Doyle who along with a group of students presented the awards. Mohammod has gone beyond just Wyoming High School, but helps immigrants from his country along with discussing human rights and the plight of refugees.

Sophomore Cameron Simon

Cameron Simon is the defintation of “kind, compassionate, and gracious” and is just simply meant to be the next Alpha Wolf, according to the presentators. Sometimes called the class clown, Simon is always willing to give extra support to anyone who needs it. He has participated on the football, basketball, and track teams.

Doyle said Simon never judges and has gone on to volunteer in his community.

Junior Alpha Wolf 11 Recipients

Junior Thomas Bushman

Everyone likes and appreciates someone who makes them feel good about themselves, which is the kind person Thomas Bushman is. He is described as a kindhearted person who greets everyone with a smile and asks them how they are doing, Doyle said. Bushman is polite, outgoing and “ridiculously” nice.

“He is a fantastic leader by example and a true inspiration,” Doyle said with other presenters adding that Bushman continually works to learn and improve for the success of everyone.

“There is a reason this person has a third after his name,” said Lisa Cross of her brother Dale. “You see those named the third are said to have meaning of positive affirmation. They bring the confidence you need in yourself to have in your purpose and your desires. The third represents the mind, body, and spirit. I believe this person, who carries the last name of third, is an essential eleven leader in our school and our community.”

Another student who leads by example, Doyle said of Dale Cross III adding that Dale works hard to make his community better. Lisa Cross noted that because of Dale’s positive mentorship, he already has been selected as a team captain for next year.

Senior Alpha Wolf 11 Recipients

Senior Rayne Vieau-Parfait receives congratulation hugs from friends. (WKTV)

Perhaps no one was more surprised at being named Alpha Wolf 11 recipients than the two seniors.

Rayne Vieau-Parfait is known for her compassion but is content, according to presentators, at being the person behind the scenes. As one presentator put it “she is an excellent listener and when her big round eyes look at you through her glasses, it feels like she can see into your soul.”

Doyle went on to say that Vieau-Parfait is known for being “an easy and interesting person to talk to and she laughs at everything as she has a great sense of humor. She is happy, inquisitive, and very interested in others. She is an excellent example of genuine kindness. Her curiosity is one of her best qualities.”

Avery Robinson III accepts the Alpha Wolf award from Principal Nate Robrahan. (WKTV)

Avery Robinson III started off the ceremony as the student guest speaker and he concluded the event by being named an Alpha Wolf. According to presenters, Robinson is known for giving a voice to everyone.

“There couldn’t be a more perfect theme then student voice, be brave for our last Alpha Wolf recipient today. This Alpha Wolf exhibits bravery in all aspects of their life,” the student presenters said.

Doyle added “He is the hand that will always reach to pick you up when you fall. He is the level headedness you need in times of person turmoil. He’s that brave voice who speaks up for those in the need of advocacy and the kind heart when its compassion, kindness and understanding that you seek.”

Alpha Wolf Teacher Recipient

Teacher Steve Zajac

Receiving the teacher award was math teacher and wrestling coach Steve Zajac. Receiving honorary Alpha Wolf 11 awards were the high school cafeteria staff, who all received aprons with the Alpha Wolf 11 logo.

“When I see what is going in this school, the support and character that is being built right in our community, this is the most amazing place to be,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “So I encourage you as you go on, because some of you will go on to other schools, some of you are going into the workforce, some of you are going to go on to college, remember those words, ‘be kind, be compassionate, and be gracious’ whether you are at your job, someday when you have your own individual families, whatever community you are involved in.

If you keep those things in mind, your life will be better and the community you live in will be better.”

The Wyoming High School cafeteria team with their new Alpha Wolf aprons. (WKTV)

Leaders of the Pack: Wyoming hosts fall Alpha Wolf awards

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org


The Saturday after homecoming, this Wyoming High School student showed up to help a teacher clean her room. Another works to find a way to make every person smile. And a third is such an inspiration that his peers and the high school staff all agreed he needed to be named an Alpha Wolf

On Thursday, Dec. 7, the Wyoming High School hosted its fall Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character program. This is when the school recognizes six students in the fall and another six in the spring, for treating others by “being kind, compassionate, and gracious.” Those words are part of the school’s motto. The award has nothing to do with what a student does in extracurriculars after school but instead focuses on what they do during school hours, as people, to make the school a better place, according to Principal Nate Robrahan, who added that on a scale from one to 10, these students are an 11.

The 900 high school students were joined by high school faculty and staff; city officials including Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt; members of the Wyoming Board of Education and other school officials including Superintendent Craig Hoekstra; and community members at the Thursday assembly. 

“It is different this year,” Robrahan said to those in attendance. “You know we always try to make the assembly fresh.”

Junior Alpha Wolf Kimberly Burhans gets a hung from a family member after her name is announced.

To kick off the event, the school celebrated its diversity showcasing the 32 different countries represented in the school with an Olympic-style Parade of Nations (pictured above) with students carrying cards and flags of the different nations. The parade made a circle through the gym and then finally circled around the large United States flag that had been unfolded by the Wyoming High School’s Varsity Dance Team.

Guest speaker Dr. Mulonge Kalumbula, originally from the Congo and who graduated from the former Wyoming Rogers High School (now the Wyoming High School), talked about how the kindness of strangers allowed him to become a better person and in turn Kalumbula is now in a position to help students like himself. Kalumbula is the the supervisor for the Social Studies, Career Technical Education, World Languages and Advanced Placement Program at Grand Rapids Public Schools. 

Sophomore Alpha Wolfs

Ann Salvador with a friend.

From there, teacher John Doyle took the stage, describing each Alpha Wolf before announcing the person who was then congratulated by friends and family. 

It was sophomore Anna Salvador who came to her teacher’s aid one Saturday morning to help clean the room after a homecoming event. She came alone but cheerfully did the task at hand, Doyle said. “She is kind to everyone,” Doyle said, adding it might be the reason she broke records when it came to voting among her peers and the staff.

Sophomore Alpha Wolf Sawyer VanDyke with a family member.

The second sophomore Alpha Wolf is one who is making an impact in both the school and the Wyoming community, Doyle said. Sophomore Sawyer VanDyke is known for having “a smile that lights up a room,” Doyle said, adding that VanDyke has been described as a great role model, has high expectations of himself, has tremendous balance in his life, is kind, polite, a hard worker, a great leader, and most of all, is humble. 

Junior Alpha Wolfs

Junior Alpha Wolf Kimberly Burhans with family.

Having experienced dark times in her own life, junior Kimberly Burhans has worked to help others find the silver lining in life’s challenges, according to Doyle. She works to make “connections with other kids” and has volunteered at Parkwood Elementary. She has been a part of Key Club and Student Council not because it looks good on a resume but because she wants to make Wyoming “a more loving and kind place.”

Junior Alpha Wolf Kim Nguyen

Positive, caring, modest, genuine, humble, sweet, gracious, respectful, polite, honest, compassionate, a great friend, a team player and a good heart was just some of the descriptions given of the other junior Alpha Wolf, Kim Nguyen. “She definitely bleeds a purple heart,” Doyle said, adding that Nyguen demonstrates peace, calm and serenity while having a fire within that has sparked others. 

Senior Alpha Wolfs

Senior Alpha Wolf Mouahinde “Terry” Almame

The first senior Alpha Wolf is one who is an inspiration to many and determined to make the world a better place. Quoting Wyoming High senior Mounahinde Almame’ s own words, Doyle said “‘I’ve come a long way in the last few years, from Africa to the United States. I’ve learned that even when life is hard a person needs to keep going. We need to keep moving forward in life because we all can improve who we are, become better people whose world can change and they themselves also learn how to change the world like me.’

Doyle added “All I can say is thank you for showing Wyoming High School what it truly means to be a dreamer who never gives up.”

Senior Alpha Wolf Taina Rodriguez

The other senior Alpha Wolf is one who is inherently kind, compassionate and gracious, Doyle said. “She always enters a classroom with a smile,” he said, adding that peers and teachers alike have noted she approaches everything with a positive attitude. According to Doyle, a teacher said “This Alpha Wolf inspires me to be a better human being.” A member of the Wyoming High School choir and cheerleading team, the final Alpha Wolf named was senior Taina Rodriguez. 

Shout Outs

At the program, teachers are able to give Shout Outs to students for showing the traits of kindness, compassion, and graciousness. 

Students recognized were Jahna Beechem, Josh Anesty, Hannah Martinez, Rohim Mohamid, Anacristina Torres, Rush Bash and Devin Jones. 

5 Local Things You Need to Know: Headlines for the week

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WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

 

More than 1,700 students set to graduate from schools in Wyoming, Kentwood

More than 1,700 students will be graduating from high schools in Kentwood and Wyoming during the next couple of weeks. Go here for a breakdown of when some of the local graduation ceremonies are taking place.

 

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The bill allows airports to use Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds on state of the art surveillance cameras in public areas such as baggage claims or pick up and drop off areas. Go here for the complete story.

 

 

Glue-in, souvlaki: Festival of the Arts is all about making memories

The VOICES vintage Airstream trailer, which is a a local and regional oral history project that collects, preserves and shares stories form everyday residents of West Michigan, will be at this year’s 49th Festival of the Arts, set for June 1, 2, and 3. The trailer will be there to collect stories from Festival volunteers and participants. Go here to read the story.

 

Evolution of Meijer Gardens summer concert series a bit of a surprising success

The venue and the mix of musical genres and audiences has not only been a success, the summer concert series has benefited Meijer Gardens on several levels: promotional, financial and patron inclusiveness. Click here to read the story.

 

Wyoming High School presents its spring Alpha Wolf 11 awards

Started in 2016, the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character award recognizes six students each semester and one teacher each year for character and treating others by “being kind, compassionate, and gracious”. Read more here.

 

Wyoming High School presents its spring Alpha Wolf 11 awards

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Alpha Wolf: Senior Long Ho

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Wyoming High School Senior Long Ho took the school’s Alpha Wolf assembly in stride. He cheered with his classmates as the names of the sophomore and junior Alpha Wolfs were announced, but as teacher John Doyle began to describe the first of the two senior Alpha Wolfs, he became quiet, putting his down.

 

“He demands so much of himself,” Doyle said. “When he first got [to the high school], he was afraid to speak in front of groups and he went from there to running about every club the school has, robotics, science olympic…”

Alpha Wolf: Senior Raelynn Watkins

 

With hands over his head, Ho began to cry. His friends seated around him patted his back and shoulders whispering to him. 

 

“Your 12th grade senior Alpha Wolf is,” Doyle paused and looked directly at the Wyoming High School senior class, “ Long Ho.” The entire auditorium of almost 900 attendees erupted in cheers as Ho stood up and walked down to accept his award and hugs from him his family.

 

Started in 2016, the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character award recognizes six students each semester and one teacher each year for character and treating others by “being kind, compassionate, and gracious” according to Principal Nate Robrahn. Those words are also part of the school’s motto. The award has nothing to do with what a student does in extracurriculars after school but instead focuses on what they do during school hours, as people, to make the school a better place, Robrahn said. “It is the supreme pack leader who on a scale from one to 10 is an 11.”

 

Alpha Wolf: Junior Juan-Pablo Marcos

The student body nominates the students they feel should receive the award with faculty, support staff and administration having a say on the final six, which is made up of two from the sophomore, junior and senior classes. This year, it was noted that more than 700 students from the 900 at Wyoming High School voted, a record for the Alpha Wolf program.

 

In fact, the Alpha Wolf program has become so well received that teachers now do “Shout Outs” to students who also have exemplified the school’s motto. This year, the students approached Doyle, who with teacher Jon Bushen, organized the event, about doing “Shout Outs” for the teachers. Doyle noted that is shows just how well received the program has been.

 

Alpha Wolf: Junior Nolan Weatherby

So in front of the entire student body, special guests such as Wyoming Department of Public Safety Chief Kimberly Koster and Wyoming Assistant City Manager Megan Sall and guest speaker John Angotti, six students were recognized with every name causing the auditorium to erupt with cheers and applause.

 

Seniors: Along with Cho, Raelynn Watkins received the Alpha Wolf award. Described as the school’s “Wonder Woman,” Raelynn’s super strengths included lifting up others, generosity and brining people together. “She has been known to take the money she earned from her job and go to the store, dropping off items to others who needed it, often without them knowing who did it,” Doyle said. 

 

Alpha Wolf: Sophomore Marshaun Morris

Juniors: To shouts of “That’s my man!”, Juan-Pablo Marcos was named an Alpha Wolf. Known as “that theater, band kid,” he always has a smile on his face, Doyle said, adding he just makes people happy. Marcos is familiar to many both in school and outside as he has performed in an number of the school’s theater productions including most recently “The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

 

Known for playing one of the largest instruments in the high school’s band, the baritone saxophone, Nolan Weatherby, was named an Alpha Wolf. Weatherby brings a source of pride to all he does and to all he meets, Doyle said.

 

Alpha Wolf: Sophomore Hanna Martinez

Sophomores: The nomination comments received for Hanna Martinez pretty much wrote her Alpha Wolf narrative, according to Doyle. “Her goal is to make people happy,” he said. “She is a great listener, sweet person and positive. She greats everyone with ‘Hello Beautiful,’ making everyone feel welcome.”

 

For some Alpha Wolfs, they don’t know they are leading and such is the case of Marshaun Morris, Doyle said. “No matter how his day is going, he gives a positive attitude to everyone,” Doyle said, adding that he motivates people to be better, making everyone feel special.

 

Teacher Jake Ritsema with Alpha Wolf teacher Jeff Kordich

Selected as the Alpha Wolf Teacher for the 2017-2018 year was math teacher Jeff Kordich. According to the student presenters, Kordich is known for being in a good mood, passing those positive vibes to others, and for his generosity.

Wyoming high’s latest Alpha Wolf ceremony to air on WKTV

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Wyoming High School’s December 2017 Alpha Wolf ceremony included a special flag ceremony. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

Late last year, as they have at the end of each semester for the last three three school years, Wyoming High School students and teachers honored six exemplary students with the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character Award — two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.

 

And WKTV’s cameras were there to assist the school in recording the event.

 

There will be special airings of the event on WKTV cable channel 25 next week, with the Alpha Wolf Awards being broadcast Wednesday, March 14, at 5 p.m.; Friday, March 16, at 11 p.m.; and Saturday, March 17, at 11 a.m.

 

The Dec. 7, 2017, ceremony was attended by the student body, special guests from the Wyoming community, City of Wyoming city and public safety leaders, school district administration and the Wyoming Board of Education members. There was also a special flag ceremony.

 

A special guest at the recent ceremony was the staff of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan and its executive director, Christy Buck, who spoke about the group’s Be Nice initiative. The program works in schools and the community to provide simple, common sense, ways to prevent suicide and be proactive to other dangers resulting from mental illness.

 

The Alpha Wolf program was led by teachers Jonathan Bushen and John Doyle, who started the program three years ago modeled on a program at Grandville high school, where he kids attended. But many teachers and staff members were involved.

 

School News Network: When Trouble Came to Find Me, She Was There

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Brooke Davis and Lexis Pearson, who credits the social worker with turning her life around. (School News Network)

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

Lexis Pearson was a self-described troublemaker when she was in seventh grade. Her poor choices led her to the office of social worker Brooke Davis.

 

But by her junior year, Pearson had turned herself around to the point of being named an Alpha Wolf 11, a character recognition from her high school for being an “11 on a scale of 10” in the areas of kindness, compassion and graciousness.

 

She said the role Davis played in helping her change was huge. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have graduated high school,” Pearson said. “She was that little bit of motivation I needed; actually she was a lot of motivation.”

 

Pearson, who graduated from Wyoming High School in the spring, is one of many students Davis has impacted over the years as a school social worker. Now splitting time between Kelloggsville and Kenowa Hills public schools — and, on top of that, providing consulting services for educators — Davis’ presence in the lives of young people, like Lexis, is having a wider impact.

 

Fellow educators say that what Davis does, for any student, in any way they can benefit, is steer them in the right direction. She offers a listening ear, helping hand, sage advice or just information to get them where they need to go.

 

Spreading Her Influence

 

Davis started her career as a counselor in Kelloggsville in 2004. She has returned to the district part-time as a social worker and trainer at 54th Street Academy, which serves students from several Kent County districts. She also works part-time as a social worker at Alpine and Zinser Elementary schools, in Kenowa Hills.

 

Brooke Davis discusses goals with a student in her 54th Street Academy office. (School News Network)

“Kelloggsville is so excited to have Brooke Davis back,” said Assistant Superintendent Tammy Savage. “Brooke has such a passion for working with students, staff and families and this comes through in everything she does. … Having Brooke back is just like finding a long-lost friend or relative; they have come home and everyone’s life is better because of it.”

 

When she’s not working with students, Davis is training staff members in various districts through her company, BTD Consulting, on how to reduce suspensions in their buildings. (Not one to shy away from work, she also works retail at Younkers department store.)

 

She said her roles are about being a servant leader in every aspect of her life. “You always have more to give,” Davis said. “I love being back at Kelloggsville because it gives me the opportunity to work with economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse students. It is really hitting that passion that I have.”

 

Her passion developed over time. Davis, originally from Detroit, received her bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Aquinas College. “I thought I was going to be a speaker and urban planner,” she said.

 

But when she began working at St. John’s Home (now D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s), which offered residential care for foster children, she fell in love with the work. She decided to return to Grand Valley State University for a master’s in social work. At St. John’s, she connected with a Kelloggsville principal who hired her to work as a counselor. Over the next five years she worked at the elementary and middle school levels there, then for 11 years at Wyoming Public Schools at the elementary and secondary levels.

 

Last year she joined the staff at Kenowa Hills and started her consulting firm to work with principals, superintendents and teachers to set up systems concerning student behavior, and to teach them how to look at data to address behavior.

 

Many students have a hard time re-acclimating to school after they are suspended, she said, which puts them at a higher risk for dropping out. “The nice thing about Kelloggsville is we still have an alternative program that really seeks to get those students into school, and to know the barriers that keep them from learning in a traditional program. It helps them overcome those barriers so they can transition back into a traditional program.”

 

Brooke Davis sits down with junior Sky Hommerson to help her get back on track in school (School News Network)

The Ability to Connect

 

Davis said she was raised by good role models, but can relate to students with whom she works. Her parents emphasized education and demonstrated a great work ethic. Still, “I was a little tough as a kid — with really no reason to be be tough — but I was very verbose. I had two parents that loved me, and a great education, but coming from the city of Detroit, I want kids to have those same things that I had.”

 

At Kenowa, Davis works with the elementary students and does it well, said Alpine Elementary Principal Jason Snyder. “She is phenomenal,” he said. “The thing with Brooke is she has a passion for kids that is unmatched.”

 

She steps up to meet the needs of every child she works with, going “above and beyond” to make sure that child is successful. “She’s inspiring to me and pushes me to be a better leader,” Snyder said.

 

‘Little, Life-Changing Things’

 

Davis said she loves her jobs because she wants to serve others, to share knowledge and resources. That’s the “why” of it: “If you call me and I have it, I’m going to give it you,” she said.

 

That mentality is what made the difference for Lexis Pearson, the Wyoming grad who now is a certified nursing assistant and works in a nursing home. “To repay Brooke, I would have to give her the world,” she said.

 

Davis showed her possibilities. Pearson said she had a rocky life at home and was looking at the future through a narrow lens. “I grew up in a rough neighborhood. For me to see an African-American woman who was this successful … She is my inspiration.”

 

Brooke was just always present, she said. “When trouble came to find me, she was there to redirect me and let me know that the choices I was making were poor.

 

“It was the little things that counted,” she added. “Little things that, for me, were life changing.”

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.