Tag Archives: East Kentwood High School

“Sugar” McLaughlin aims for FREE basketball camp at East Kentwood

July 19, 20223-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, West Michiganbasketball, City of Kentwood, East Kentwood High School, sports, summer campsCris Greer

A photo from a past Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin All-Star Basketball Camp at East Kentwood. (Courtesy)

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

This year, camp is free!

At least that’s the goal of the Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin All-Star Basketball Camp, which takes place Aug. 2-4 at East Kentwood High School.

Giving back

“He’s always wanted to give back to the community,” said Bobbie McLaughlin, brother of the area’s biggest basketball star who set records in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s at Creston High School and Central Michigan University.

Nothing but net

Considered the best high school basketball player in Grand Rapids history, Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin averaged 33 points a game his junior and senior seasons at Creston High School in the late 1970s and then went on to score more than 2,000 career points at Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Central Michigan Athletics Hall of Fame and in 2005 was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame.

The camp has been shut down since 2019 because of Covid, and, with “all the crazy things going on for kids in the inner city,” organizers wanted to offer a chance to offer something at no cost.

“Everywhere he goes, the kids are asking about the camp,” said Bobbie, who attended Grand Rapids South High School back in the day. “They’re really thirsty. So we put our heads together and said, ‘Let’s give them a free camp.’ Let’s show them some love.”

Campers practice their skills at the Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin Basketball All-Star Camp at East Kentwood. (Courtesy)

A fundraising campaign is going on right now to help the McLaughlins raise money to make it happen. The goal through the social media platform Vertical Raise is $10,000. They are more than halfway there, he said, as local businesses such as Brann’s Restaurants have contributed, as well as individuals.

The three-day camp is for boys and girls grades 5-12.

Hours are 8-11:30 a.m. for grades 5-8, and from 1-4 p.m. for grades 9-12 from Aug. 2-4.

“All the area kids, inner city kids, just come out and have a good time… We’re just looking for people to help make this happen,” Bobbie McLaughlin said.

Guest speakers

Along with learning basketball skills with drills and instruction, Bobbie McLaughlin said camp organizers are arranging guest speakers to help educate and motivate the kids to learn more than just basketball.

“(Mel) said we need to show some positive love for the kids. Everything’s been a little crazy, not just in Grand Rapids, but all over. We just said, ‘What can we do to help these kids out?’”

The camp has been a staple of summers in Grand Rapids for about 25 years. It originally took place at Ottawa Hills High School, but moved to East Kentwood in 2018 when attendance swelled to more than 200 campers, said Bobbie McLaughlin, who lives in California but looks forward to returning to see old friends and relatives. (He was a pretty good baseball player back in the day.)

Some notable campers

The camp has produced some notable players over the years, including Kobe Bufkin (Michigan), Marcus Bingham (Michigan State University) and Xavier Tillman (Michigan State, Memphis Grizzlies), just to name a few.

“We know it’s working, we know these kids are learning and having fun,” McLaughlin said.

“We’re so proud of them. A lot of the parents come up to us after the last day of camp and say, ‘Where are you gonna be next week? This is such a good thing for these kids.’”

McLaughlin said he is in the middle of finalizing a gift bag each player will receive during the camp, which includes a T-shirt, wristband, hat and hopefully a book, which was written about his brother’s life.

Check out “Sweet Shot”

“Sweet Shot: The Basketball Life and Legacy of Melvin ‘Sugar’ McLaughlin,” which was released in 2021, looks at the player’s life on and off the court, from his early childhood in Ann Arbor to today.

“Sweet Shot,” a book about local basketball star Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin, was released in 2021. (Courtesy)

Author Vernon E. Wendt — a theology professor at Concordia University-Chicago, ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and East Grand Rapids native, is expected to be in attendance at the camp, Bobbie McLaughlin said.

“It’s a really cool book,” McLaughlin said. “We want to make an impact.”

In addition, players can compete in contests for trophies, he said. And camp organizers will present sportsmanship and MVP awards.

It’s all about spreading joy, and a message, he said.

“We teach them, sports is like life…you have to learn to play together, to work together, to be a team. Take that home. Spread it. That’s our concept.”

And don’t be surprised to see Sugar put his skills on display.

He still “balls,” his brother said. “He’s always doing something for kids.”

Sugar McLaughlin said in a video message that he wants kids to grow, learn and be the “best version of themselves.”

“Come and join us for this very beautiful and positive experience,” Sugar McLaughlin said. “This is something that is true to my heart and very special to me.”

Learn more about the camp by calling 616-222-6126.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

It’s a robots rumble as teams gather at East Kentwood High School

March 31, 20223-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Educationcompetition, COVID, East Kentwood High School, FIRST Robotics, sinceJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Red Storm Robotics will hosts its first competition in two years. The delay was due to the pandemic. (Supplied)

After two years away from the battlefield, robotic teams from around the state will once again enter the East Kentwood High School gym to face off for honors and a chance to compete at the state level.

The East Kentwood FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, hosted by East Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, will take place this Friday, and Saturday. There are 34 teams scheduled to compete. Among the local teams are Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, Wyoming High School’s Demons, and Potter’s House’s Tactical Hams. The event also will be recorded by WKTV and aired on Comcast Channel 25 along with being available on the WKTV on-demand site.

This year’s competition is called “Rapid React,” hosted by Boering. The purpose of the competition is to have teams look at today’s global challenges related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9. Teams are focused on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

“By encouraging FIRST participants to think about future transportation sustainability, we’re also empowering them to be the next generation of leaders and innovators, tackling the world’s toughest challenges,” according to the FIRST Robotics website.

Teams had six weeks to build a robot that would be able to load and move basketballs to designated areas. In the final part of the competition, robots must be able to demonstrate climbing abilities by moving through a series of bars. Through the competition, the teams will demonstrate skills in mechanical engineering, computer-aid design, electrical engineering, programming, systems integration, website building, animation, and fabrication/machining.

Thursday is when the pits officially open and inspections take place. The action starts on Friday, with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. and qualifying matches starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday the big day with opening ceremonies again at 9 a.m. and qualifying matches starting at 9:30 a.m. Alliance selections will take place at 12:30 p.m. with playoff matches set for 2 p.m. and awards around 5 p.m.

One of the FIRST robotics teams carries its robot off to the pits. (WKTV)

Each team is required to attend two district competitions. Those teams that earn enough points or certain awards, then advance to the state competition which will be April 13-17 with the national competition set for April 20-23 in Houston.

The event is free and open to the public. Masks are required for all participants, volunteers, and spectators. Participants and those in the pits are required to wear safety glasses.

The East Kentwood High School is located at 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.

Started in 1992, FIRST is an international high school robotics competition founded by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen — the man behind the Segway — and MIT professor emeritus Woodie Flowers. In fact, Kamen often has stated that FIRST is the invention he feels most proud of.

For school glory, and scholarship, East Kentwood esports players earn titles in emerging competitive sport

December 28, 20213-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Going Local, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sportsEast Kentwood High School, Esports, WKTV Sports CoverageJoanne

Video gaming on the big screen — the East Kentwood High School esports team in action. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It is unclear if letter jackets are still in style at high schools but, if they are, East Kentwood High School’s top esports players earned their letters recently as the Falcons won the Esports State Championship in League of Legends at Eastern Michigan University, beating Northville High School.

The title is the latest success story for the school’s new esports teams and players, who compete in the emerging competitions of electronic sports, also called competitive video gaming. Some of the games they compete in include Super Smash Bros, League of Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and Rocket League.

State esports title team from East Kentwood High School League of Legends team, from left, are Kha Di Le, Andrew Hua, Tony Truong, Jacob Le, Anna Ngo and Brandon Le . (Supplied)

The early December League of Legends matches were streamed on Twitch by PlayVS, with professional “shoutcasters” calling out the games.

East Kentwood’s League of Legends team members include Kha Di Le, Andrew Hua, Tony Truong, Jacob Le, Anna Ngo and Brandon Le.

The League of Legends team are the top players in the school, but coach Bill Dixon told WKTV that he and his fellow coaches expect as many as 100 students to compete at some level this school year.

“Only one of these kids is in athletics, so for the rest, Esports gives them an opportunity to connect with their school with something other than academics,” Dixon said.

A history of support and success

“Esports started for East Kentwood High School about 4 years ago,” Dixon said. “A group of four teachers and administrators (Dixon, Justin Michalowski, Chad Songer and Geoff Westman) decided to offer this opportunity to our students. The rationale was there is an underserved student population that needed an outlet to compete for their school outside of the traditional athletic model.

“We wanted to keep the important elements of athletics: eligibility standards, practices, team building and try outs. What separates Esports from traditional sports is that 90 percent of our student population are playing these games and have a chance to participate.”

The East Kentwood High School esports team, at right, in action. (Supplied)

The school’s esports program has produced back-to-back championships in both Valorant and League of Legends levels, and compete in state leagues such as PlayVS, Michigan High School Esports Federation (MIHSEF) and Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL).

“We have several Kentwood graduates that are competing at the collegiate level at schools like Michigan State (University), University of Michigan, and Grand Valley (State University),” Dixon said.

And, Dixon said in a previous announcement, at the recent League of Legends event, “I was also approached by three different college Esports coaches (Grand Valley, Oakland University and Davenport) that are trying to recruit our kids, offering scholarships.”

Dixon added that the East Kentwood program was “fortunate early on to get support, funding and vision from our principal, Omar Bakri.”

Since it’s beginning, the team has competed in more than 10 different competitions, “sometimes on a national/online format and sometimes with in person competitions,” he said. And East Kentwood has also hosted five events bringing in over a dozen different local high schools.

Bringing home the hardware — State esports title team from East Kentwood High School League of Legends team show off their medals. (Supplied)

“We’ve been fortunate to have excellent teams of great, committed students who have produced back to back championships in both Valorant and League of Legends,” Dixon said.

The East Kentwood program, in cooperation with the West Michigan Sports Commission, also helped run the “Rift Clash”, a League of Legends tournament, which was held live locally in 2019 and online in 2020. That tournament had 15 colleges and 1 high school — the host Falcons — competing. East Kentwood was able to beat several colleges and advanced to the semi-finals in 2020, before falling to MSU, the eventual winner of the tournament.

That team roster included Anna Ngo, Terry Pham, Ben Pham, Daniel Nguyen, Tony Truong and Scott Luu.

Kentwood Public Schools’ East Kentwood 9th grade, high school students to go virtual for a week due to COVID-19 outbreak

October 24, 20203-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Education, Going Local, Health, Kentwood Public SchoolsEast Kentwood High School, Kent County COVID-19, Kentwood Public Schools, WKTVJoanne

East Kentwood High School. (Supplied/KPS)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Kentwood Public Schools has joined several local public schools districts by closing school buildings and beginning temporary virtual education for all students after a series of positive COVID-19 test results.

In an Oct. 24 letter from district Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff to parent and students, and posted on the district website, the district explained its decision to cease in-person education at its East Kentwood Freshman Campus and the East Kentwood High School buildings from Saturday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 30.

“On Friday, October 23, 2020, we learned of another COVID-19 positive case at East Kentwood High School and/or the East Kentwood Freshman Campus,” the district letter stated. “In the past week on the East Kentwood Campuses, we have now had seven positive cases and currently have 123 individuals who are in quarantine. We worked late into the night Friday with the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) and they have made the recommendation that we close both the East Kentwood Freshman Campus and the East Kentwood 10-12 Building next week to allow for contact tracing and deep cleaning.”

Students will receive further detailed information from their teachers and principals regarding next week’s class schedule and how learning will continue, according to the letter.

“This decision is very difficult and not made without a great deal of discussion and advice from the Kent County Health Department,” according to the letter. “We apologize for the hardship this puts on our students, staff and families. The recommendation from the KCHD is intended to break and eliminate cycles of transmission and keep our EK Community safe. It is important that we all take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so we can stay safe and continue to offer in person school for our students, staff and families.”

The Kent County Health Department will conduct contact tracing and may contact members of the East Kentwood schools community for further follow up if it is determined that they were in “close contact” with an person who has tested positive.

“We are moving forward under the guidance of the Kent County Health Department and all measures have been taken to protect the wellbeing of our staff and students,” the letter states. And both buildings will be “thoroughly” cleaned and disinfected following district protocols.

If persons in the district community have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, the district recommends contacting the Executive Director of Human Resources, Jamie Gordon, in the KPS Administration Offices at 616-455-4400.

School News Network: Area schools use Dungeons & Dragons as a teaching tool

February 11, 20203-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingAnything But Classical, East Kentwood High School, Wyoming Junior High SchoolJoanne

Social studies teacher Brent VanEnk has built the game with students over four years. (School News Network)

Wyoming: ‘You sneak them into learning

Discover how Wyoming Junior High School teacher Brent VanEnk sneaks students into learning with a virtual reality game he developed. In a Dungeons & Dragons-esque fashion, the game takes the students through the start of humanity and ends between 1400 – 1500. Want to play along? Well then click here for more.

Teacher Bryce Pulley with Paul Shannon, left, and Eire’hon Payton-Moore. (School News Network)

Kelloggsville: ‘Thinking about my world and deciding how to make it’

More Dungeons & Dragons coming as we head over to Kelloggsville Middle School where first-year teacher Bryce Pulley uses the software Inkarnate to help students learn more about geography. D&D players have used the software to create the intricate and detailed maps the game demands. How does Pulley use this software? Well X marks the spot to learn more.

Damone’t Johnson and Cacia Mitchell play their violas. (School News Network)

Kentwood: Musicians take on anything but classical

Just because they wear formal attire when entering into a concert venue does not mean East Kentwood High School’s Anything But Classical Orchestra is your typical musical performance group. In other words, be prepared to — at minimal toe tap and at maximum dance — along. Click here to read more.

For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

School News Network: Kaleidoscope of Cultures

January 28, 20203-bottom, City of KentwoodAsian Student Union, East Kentwood High SchoolJoanne

The Asian Student Union exists to educate the community about Asian cultures (courtesy photo)

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

In 2019, the East Kentwood High School Asian Student Union showcased the kaleidoscope of Asian cultures during its first Asian Festival.

Chinese dragons performed (courtesy photo)

The night of festivities planned by students, included ethnic foods, dances and games.

The Asian Student Union is a club at East Kentwood High School whose purpose is to educate the community about Asian cultures and celebrating their accomplishments.

“In a community riddled with hundreds of cultures, languages and ethnicities, it is of paramount importance that the community understands their stories,” said Thang Lian, a student officer in the club. “The Asian Festival took inspiration from streets lit by hundreds of lights, food stands littered about, and the general familial, laughter-infested atmosphere of the giant Asian cities.”

Students paint Chinese lanterns durning the East Kentwood High School Asian Festival (Courtesy Photo)

School News Network: Blessed by Brooklyn supports GRPS elementary school athletics

January 9, 20203-bottom, City of KentwoodBlessed by Brookelyn, East Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids Public SchoolsJoanne

Tonya Elias plans to turn an old warehouse into a resale store. (School News Network)

By Phil de Haan
School News Network

It was a 14-word headline – “Name of 10-year-old killed in Gaines Township golf cart crash is released” – followed by an 86-word story.

In those words on the mLive website on July 19, 2014 was a tale of tragedy: details on the death of Brookelyn Elias, who had died the day before when a golf cart she was on rolled over.

Brookelyn Elias never backed down from a challenge on the soccer field, and her mom approaches life with the same determination (courtesy of Elias family)

But the story didn’t end that terrible day in July five years ago. And it won’t end anytime soon says Brookelyn’s mom, Tonya Elias. That’s because in the wake of Brookelyn’s death, she and her husband, Paul, started a nonprofit called Blessed by Brookelyn, using the life insurance money received after her death to do so.

“Out of our grief, we have developed a deeper faith and perseverance,” she says. “And we are using the nonprofit that carries Brookelyn’s name to impact our community.”

Among those on the receiving end of that positive impact are elementary schools in the Grand Rapids Public Schools system. This past soccer season Blessed by Brookelyn donated some 150 pairs of cleats, plus numerous pairs of shin guards, soccer socks and even balls to the GRPS soccer program. They also purchased gift cards for GRPS volunteer coaches in memory of Brookelyn.

Now Elias and her organization are collecting basketball shoes to donate this winter to GRPS for the elementary school season, which starts after Christmas (donations are still needed, and Elias can be reached at blessedbybrookelyn@gmail.com or via the charity’s Facebook page).

The current basketball shoe drive for GRPS requires some washing of the footwear before it is given to the students (courtesy of Elias family)

A Teacher Giving Back

The connection to GRPS schools is a natural for Elias, a former GRPS teacher who taught at both Harrison Park and Westwood middle schools before moving to East Kentwood High School, where she continues to teach while also heading up her charity.

But beyond her background and belief in education, there is also Brookelyn’s history as an athlete, including as a soccer player who loved the game and was a strong last line of support as a defender. Today the charity that bears her name provides a similar last line of support, equipping numerous kids who might not otherwise be able to play with the tools needed to participate.

For Kellie Kieren, a physical education teacher at North Park Montessori and district coordinator for elementary soccer for GRPS elementary schools, the partnership with Elias has been unexpected but vital.

“It fell into our laps,” she says. “Tonya is an amazing human being. Whatever she could do, she just wanted to help. She and Paul are particularly passionate about helping kids in need within Grand Rapids, and they’ve done amazing things for our district. She will get it done.”

And it’s not just soccer and basketball gear that Tonya collects. Word is getting out about the charity, and donations of clothing now make regular appearances at both the Elias house (on Facebook, Tonya jokes with friends that “yes, the porch is always open”) as well as at the headquarters for both the charity and Paul’s HVAC business on Madison Avenue SE in Grand Rapids, just south of 28th Street.

It was a joy for Tonya Elias to be part of the GRPS elementary soccer season and students felt the same way (courtesy of Blessed by Brookelyn Facebook page)

Developing Center for At-risk Youth

The couple is in the process of renovating the building, which they purchased in the summer of 2018, and there, Tonya plans someday to open a resale store. She also brings in young people every week who are required to complete community service hours due to car theft, petty theft, assault, and various other juvenile offenses in Kent County. Together they sort clothes and cleats and whatever else needs doing, and they often have a meal together.

Eventually, she says, the goal is to set up a job training and internship program for at-risk youth, with all of the money from the resale store going to provide their mentees with a paid, part-time job to go along with a structured learning experience.

Through it all, Tonya and Paul draw strength both from memories of their precious daughter, and from the power of the stories that are now being written because of the charity that bears Brookelyn’s name. Indeed, on the Blessed by Brookelyn Facebook page there are lots of posts about the work of the charity, the need for donations, where things stand with the renovations and more, but there are also more personal entries.

On Oct. 13, there was this from Tonya: “Yesterday, the soccer season at GRPS ended. I cried. I cried because of the kids. The season was over. I cried for the kids. I cried from all the hugs. But the tears weren’t tears of sorrow but tears of joy. Tears for the smiles, the laughter and joy that came from them allowing me to be a part of their story.”

Their story, her story, Brookelyn’s story.

For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

School News Network: Reality 101

December 31, 20193-bottombudget, East Kentwood High SchoolJoanne

Senior Morgan Arnold worked to balance her budget on a lawyer’s income. (School News Network)

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

Senior Kuwann Crawford wasn’t looking to live an extravagant lifestyle on his firefighter’s salary, but he found himself feeling flummoxed when discovering that being able to pay the bills meant living with his parents.

“This is very stressful,” he said, looking for ways to cover the cost of housing, transportation, food, furniture, technology and clothes, before even thinking about having anything left for entertainment or charity.

Kuwann was participating in a simulated budgeting session using an app called Bite of Reality 2 in East Kentwood High School teacher Amy Broekhuizen’s personal finance course.

Junior Breona Goldman considers housing options. (School News Network)

His challenge: create a budget on an income of $1,864 a month (the amount left after deductions from a $2,500 monthly income). He and his classmates chose professions with varying salaries and visited 10 stations with options for how to spend their money. An Audi Q7? A used Ford Focus? Restaurants every night? Cooking at Home? High-tech electronics? A modest Internet package?

Kuwann at first chose to live in a studio apartment for $640 month, drive a used Honda Civic for $459 per month in total transportation costs, and eat at home for $360 a month. He soon found he couldn’t stretch his income to pay for everything else.

“I’m in debt!” he said, after figuring in clothing costs. “I feel like I’m seeing how hard it is to be an adult and realizing all these responsibilities.”

Kuwann circled through the stations twice, begrudgingly agreeing to live with his parents and switch to a used Ford Focus to cut costs. “Figuring out how to manage the money is stressing me out.”

After more finagling, he ended up with $109 at the end of the month, 30 percent of which he put into savings and 70 percent toward the credit card debt the game had assigned him.

Senior Chase Montague found out he needed a ‘side hustle’ to make ends meet. Senior Kuwann Crawford had to readjust his budget several times. (School News Network)

Lessons In Money Management

Ben Harman, a relationship development manager with Arbor Financial Credit Union, offered the simulation as a cornerstone of several sessions he’s led in the class on financial literacy. He said many students don’t know how to buy a car or even what a credit report is, and East Kentwood is unique in offering a personal finance class. The Kalamazoo-based credit union has partnered with other high schools as well.

“The reason it’s important to reach these young people is they haven’t really had a chance to make a ruckus of their credit reports or bank accounts; they probably don’t have many bills,” he said, adding that if he can protect one of them from being taken advantage of losing money he considers himself successful.

East Kentwood’s semester-long personal finance class can be taken as an elective or for a math credit. Topics include taxes, checking and savings, credit cards, loans, credit reports, investing, insurance and budgeting.

Senior Kuwann Crawford works to balance his budget. (School News Network)

“The big takeaway is for them to really understand that a lot of the financial decisions they make now are ones that need to be continued throughout life,” Broekhuizen said. “They don’t have to have that instant gratification of buying it now and getting into debt… You need to get into the habit of saving so you can make those large purchases without going into debt.”

During the simulation, senior Morgan Arnold had a bit more money to work with than Kuwann, with her $4,100 lawyer’s take-home income. She had the most left over in the class — $1,400 — at the end of the month. “You don’t need to buy a new car to have a nice car,” was one of her tips. “Prioritizing is the biggest thing.”

Senior Chase Montague, however, learned he would need to take on a “side hustle” blogging to live on his journalist’s salary, $1,700 a month after deductions, wasn’t cutting it.

Senior Deivi Martinez also struggled, deciding against becoming an actor after trying to cover expenses on a $2,100-a-month income. “I couldn’t afford a nice car and a decent apartment,” he said. Instead, he wants to be an electrician.

For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood things to do this weekend

October 18, 2019Citizen JournalismEast Kentwood High School, EKHS Falcom Marching Band Invitational, Grandville High School, Trunk or TreatJoanne

It was a beautiful bright autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue you could drown in it.
Diana Gabaldon, “Outlander”

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Seventy-six trombones

Flutes, drums, and more will be filling the field at East Kentwood High School as the EKHS Falcon Marching Band Invitational, which takes place Saturday, Oct. 19. Twenty-six bands from across the state will be competing including bands from Kelloggsville and Wyoming. The event opens at 10:30 a.m., with awards being presented at 7 p.m.

Did someone say treats?

The City of Kentwood will be hosting its annual Trunk or Treat Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. Held at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility at 5068 Breton SE, kids can dress up in their favorite costume and collect treats from a number of decorated trunks. There also will be a bounce house, hayrides, and face painting. If you have time this evening, Encounter Church, 4620 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, will be hosting a Trunk or Treat from 6 – 8 p.m. Also, next Sunday, Oct. 27, Kentwood Baptist Church, 2875 52nd St. SE, will host its Trunk or Treat from 6 – 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

Getting Crafty

The holiday craft shows are now up and running. This weekend, Grandville High School will be hosting its Fall Harvest Craft Show from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the high school, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. Breakfast and lunch offerings will be available. For a list of upcoming craft shows, click here.

Fun Fact: Cathelepistemian

Michigan was the first state to establish a university, which was called Cathelepistemian, which means university. It was established in 1817 in Detroit. The name was later changed in 1821 to the University of Michigan. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1841.

East Kentwood student joins GR Symphony for free Sept. 21 concert

September 16, 2019Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, EntertainmentEast Kentwood High School, free concert, Grand Rapids Symphony, John Ball ParkJoanne

GRS Music Director Marcelo Lehninger will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony in the free Sept. 21 concert at John Ball Park. (Supplied)

By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Grand Rapids Symphony

Music Director Marcelo Lehninger believes it’s the Grand Rapids Symphony’s job to serve its community.

Naturally, that means playing music people want to hear, but it also means taking the orchestra out into the community to play for people where they live.

Grand Rapids Symphony returns for the second season of its Neighborhood Concert Series with Symphony on the West Side, a FREE concert, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, in John Ball Park, 1300 W. Fulton St.

While the concert is free admission, tickets are required for the program that’ll be held in the park west of downtown Grand Rapids.

Music Director Marcelo Lehninger will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony in such popular favorites as Rimsky-Korsakov’s explosive Flight of the Bumblebee and Tchaikovsky’s lovely Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker Ballet.

Cellist Zachary Earle, from East Kentwood High School, will be joining the Grand Rapids Symphony for the Sept. 21 free performance. (Supplied)

Grand Rapids Symphony Associate Concertmaster Christina Fong will be soloist in the Autumn Concerto from Vivaldi’s highly popular The Four Seasons. Cellist Zachary Earle, a 17-year-old student at East Kentwood High School, will be soloist with the beautiful Swan from Camille Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals.

The concert also includes Aaron Copland’s El Salón México, and Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture, an arrangement of musical themes from George Gershwin’s folk opera.

Come early for pre-concert entertainment from vocalist Kathy Lamar plus pre-concert activities for kids.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for Symphony on the West Side. Free parking is available at John Ball Park. Guests can bring food and beverages including alcoholic beverages.

If the concert cannot be held due to inclement weather, Symphony on the West Side will be held the following day at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, in John Ball Park.

GR Associate Concertmaster Christina Fong will be a soloist in the Sept. 21 free performance. (Supplied)

It’s the second season of the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Neighborhood Concert Series, a new initiative launched with help from the Wege Foundation.

“A symphony orchestra in the 21^st century has become a service organization,” said Marcelo Lehninger. “We’re here not only to entertain our audience but also to serve our community.”

In 2018, the Wege Foundation awarded the Grand Rapids Symphony a $1 million grant to enhance initiatives in diversity, equity and inclusion to engage a broader audience and share live orchestral music with everyone in its community.

Last year, the Grand Rapids Symphony held its first Symphony on the West Side in John Ball Park in July 2018 followed by La sinfonía navideña, a Spanish-flavored Christmas concert, in Wyoming in December at the Dan Heintzelman Fine Arts Center at Wyoming Junior High School.

In November, the Grand Rapids Symphony plans to present a second free concert, La sinfonía navideña at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Kroc Center, 2500 S. Division Ave.

Associate Conductor John Varineau will lead the orchestra in holiday favorites. Admission is free but tickets are required for entrance. Call the Grand Rapids Symphony for details.

Though concerts in DeVos Performance Hall remain central to the orchestra its audience, new programs in new places are important for the continued growth of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

“I have a passion and a mission to reach the hearts and souls of everyone in this community,” said Lehninger said. “Sometimes people feel they don’t belong. We’re trying to show them that, yes, they do belong. Hopefully, they’ll understand that’s it’s their orchestra too.”

Tickets

Admission is free for “Symphony on the West Side” but tickets are required for entrance.

Free tickets are available GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza). Call 616.454.9451 x 4 or go online to GRSymphony.org for more information.

Tickets also are available at John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. Call (616) 336-4300 or go online to jbzoo.org.

Other locations for tickets include Rylee’s Ace Hardware at 1205 W. Fulton St., at Nawara Brothers Home Store at 1030 W. Fulton St., at Bridge Street Market at 405 Seward Ave. NW, and at Dairy Queen at 956 W. Fulton St.

Tickets are available at all of the above locations during normal business hours.

Kentwood’s FIRST Robotics event featured on WKTV

July 31, 20193-bottomEast Kentwood High School, FIRST Robotics, WKTVJoanne

Top Dawgs: Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs took home the prestigious Chairman’s Award.

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

School starts in just a few weeks and soon after, many of those students will be spending their after school hours building a robot for the annual FIRST Robotics competition.

Saturday, Aug. 3, WKTV will feature a special presentation of the 2019 FIRST Robotics competition that took place at East Kentwood High School in April. The show features highlights of the day’s events along with interviews with local teams, such as East Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, and patrons and parents.

The program airs at 2 p.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and WKTV AT&T Channel 99.

School News Network: Multi-talented Falcon senior shines on and off the field

June 6, 20193-bottom, SportsEast Kentwood High School, Kentwood Public Schools, School News NetworkJoanne

East Kentwood Captain Kyle Dent hopes to tag the runner. (Courtesy Photo)

By Cris Greer
School News Network

East Kentwood senior Kyle Dent has not only excelled in football and baseball for the Falcons; he also has succeeded in the classroom.

As a quarterback, he passed for 1,800-plus yards with 17 touchdowns. This spring in baseball, he sported a .300 batting average with 13 runs and nine stolen bases.

East Kentwood standout Kyle Dent looking to score from third base during a Falcon baseball game (courtesy photo)

In the classroom he carried a 3.88 GPA, and earned all-academic honors throughout high school. He’s also involved in coaching EK football camps for students in grades 2-5.

“He demonstrates leadership on and off the field and embodies what a Falcon should be,” baseball coach Marty Jackimowicz said of his two-year captain. “He has a great work ethic in practicing and tries to help others around him to also elevate their play.

“Beyond baseball, Kyle is a really great person,” Jackimowicz added. “He is always there for his teammates and classmates and wouldn’t hesitate to help anyone who needed it. He has a great personality and people are naturally drawn to him because of it.”

A four-year letter winner in baseball, Kyle played shortstop and pitched for the Falcons, and also was the team’s leadoff hitter.

East Kentwood senior Kyle Dent had a .300 batting average with 13 runs scored and nine stolen bases this spring (courtesy photo)

Gridiron Standout too

Football coach Tony Kimbrough said Kyle also was a captain on his team last fall because of his strong work ethic and overall leadership abilities.

“He led our team to a record of 9-2 and (we) went undefeated in the OK Red Conference,” said Kimbrough, who played football at Western Michigan University, in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. “Great teammate and one of the most positive players I have ever coached. He is the model for the term student-athlete.”

Kyle, who completed 60 percent of his passes and was named First Team All-Conference last fall, will continue his football career at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He plans to major in athletic training with hopes of attending physical therapy school thereafter.

“As for football and baseball, I’ve been playing them ever since I was able to,” said Kyle, who also wrestled for a couple years in high school. “I picked up the sport of wrestling in about third grade, really only to better my agility and conditioning for my other main sports.”

He said he doesn’t stray far from sports no matter what time of year it is.

“Whenever I am not in practice or in a season, I find myself doing a lot of training for them, intense training and more relaxed and fundamental training,” he said. “I love to just go out and throw, whether it’s a baseball or a football. I find this to be a great way to relieve stress for me as well as keep me occupied.”

For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

May 21, 20193-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingBoth Christian High School, East Kentwood High School, Godwin Heights High School, Lee High School, Wyoming High SchoolJoanne

By WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.“
~Winnie the Pooh

Pomp and Circumstance

Many members of the Class of 2019 will make that final walk across the stage this week marking the end of their K-12 school years. Kelloggsville High School beat everyone to the punch and hosted its graduation ceremony last week. Godfrey’s Lee High School’s commencement is Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at Resurrection Life Church and Wyoming High School also has graduation tonight at 7 p.m. at Grand Rapids First. Godwin Heights will have its commencement Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at its school auditorium. East Kentwood High School has commencement on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at the school stadium and South Christian’s Class of 2019 graduates on Thursday as well. Next week, Grand River Prep hosts its graduation ceremony at Calvin College’s VanNoord Arena on Thursday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. WKTV would like to say congrats to all the 2019 graduates.

Avery Robinson III accepts the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character award from Principal Nate Robrahan. (WKTV)

Pack Leaders

Last week, Wyoming High School recognized six more students as Alpha Wolf 11 Champions of Character. There were two each from the sophomore, junior and senior classes. All the students demonstrate the school’s motto of being “kind, compassionate, and gracious.” We wanted to give these students one last around of applause for being so awesome: sophomores Rohim Mohammod and Cameron Simon; juniors Thomas Bushman and Dale Cross III; and seniors Rayne Vieau-Parfait and Avery Robinson III. This year’s Alpha Wolf 11 teacher is math teacher and wrestling coach Steve Zajac.

Grow some food to donate to a local food pantry.

Grow A Row

Michigan State University Extension is encouraging home gardeners to consider “growing a row” of produce for donation to their local food pantry this season. Many northern Michigan pantries are seeking donations of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. Pantries ask that donated produce is clean, fresh, ripe, whole, uncut, undamaged and in separate packaging for different produce types. If using pesticides, make sure to follow the pesticide instructions. Please don’t donate produce that you wouldn’t buy for your own family.

Fun fact:

6 years for a 4-year degree

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 60 percent of the students who attended a four-year program in 2010 took six years to graduate from the program. It was 59 percent for those who attended public institutions, 66 percent for those who attended private non-profit institutions and 26 percent for those who attended private for-profit institutions.

School News Network: For some students, graduating takes five to six years – ‘and that’s OK’

May 6, 20193-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingEast Kentwood High School, Omar Bakri, Wyoming Public SchoolsJoanne

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

How can a student arrive in the U.S. speaking no English, with little formal education, and graduate from high school in just a few short years?

“Magic,” said Roufai Tagba, a refugee from Togo, who started attending East Kentwood High School in 2016 after a six-month journey from his native country.

Tagba left behind violence and famine in Africa, where he lost his parents, to start anew in the U.S. He spoke no English and was overwhelmed with uncertainty, to say the least. He didn’t believe he could learn in English. “I don’t know how to start,” he said about beginning high school at East Kentwood.

Staff and students in the English-language learner program embraced Tagba, as they do the many other immigrants and refugee students who attend East Kentwood. It wasn’t long before he was learning English – and passing math, social studies and science.

“EK is like magic,” Tagba said again, shaking his head and smiling. “I started loving to learn, I started being happy when I’m learning and I started to be able to say something and make sense in English.”

Tagba, 19, is finishing up credits required under the Michigan Merit Curriculum while attending school during the day and working second shift at Steelcase. He is graduating May 23 and hopes to become trained as a flight attendant, a profession in which he could use the six languages he speaks.

“I cannot wait to have my diploma,” he said. “It’s like I’m dreaming, to see myself graduate.”

He gives advice to others who face situations like his own: “If you want a great life, a special life, if you want to speak English fast, come to EK. They have everything to help you.”

Roufai Tagba talks about starting school at East Kentwood speaking no English and with little formal education. He graduates this month

For Some, It Takes Longer

East Kentwood administrators see many students like Tagba cross the stage at graduation, students who have overcome huge odds to earn a high school diploma. Sometimes it takes them a bit longer and they’re a couple years older than their peers.

Many English-language learner students, who make up 23 percent of EK’s enrollment, arrived with spotty or nonexistent formal educational. Often they need a fifth and even sixth year in high school to earn their diplomas. (For most situations, students cannot enroll in a traditional high school if they turned 20 years old before Sept. 1 of a school year.)

Districts including Kentwood, Grand Rapids and Wyoming face distinct challenges in their four-year grad rates, partly because of their large immigrant/ELL populations. But they are making progress under the radar.

“Our goal isn’t to hurry up and get them through.” said East Kentwood Principal Omar Bakri.

“Our goal is to make sure they have what’s necessary to make it to the next level. Sometimes it takes five or six years and that’s OK.”

Evan Hordyk, Kentwood Public Schools executive director for secondary education, said students working for five or six years rather than dropping out shows they understand the importance of a high school diploma.

“It also shows that they value what they have here at EK and what we are providing for them,” he said.

Roufai Tagba chats with East Kentwood Principal Omar Bakri

No One-Size-Fits All Deadline

The district has seen improvements in graduation rates overall, with the four-year rate for all East Kentwood students increasing from 83 percent in 2014 to 88 percent in 2018, according to MI School Data. But after factoring in fifth- and sixth-year graduates, that rate increases to 92.15 and 92.7 percent, respectively.

Looking closer at data, improvements by demographic groups are also clear:

The four-year graduation rate for African-American students and white students is 92 and 91 percent, respectively. Both of those groups have seen increases over the past five years, with the African-American four-year rate increasing by seven percent.
In that same five-year period, the four-year graduation rate for Hispanic students has increased from 59 to 79 percent, while the Hispanic dropout rate has dropped by two-thirds from 18 to 6 percent.
The four-year rate for economically disadvantaged students has increased from 76 to 85 percent.

The most dramatic improvement is among ELL students, like Tagba. The four-year rate for ELL students at East Kentwood has risen from 69 to 74 percent over the past five years, with even greater increases in the five- and six-year graduation rates (see chart).

Bakri said many of the students are refugees, have faced war, extreme poverty, food insecurity and unstable living conditions. But, at EK, they feel comfortable quickly and are with students who have similar circumstances.

“One of the great benefits of having the most diverse high school in Michigan is they don’t stand out in a negative way,” Bakri said. “They look like everyone else; they blend in, which is a good thing.”

The Newcomers program at Union High School teaches English and other basics to newly arrived immigrant and refugee students

Trend Seen Elsewhere

The trend of ELL students graduating at higher rates, especially as fifth-year students, is also evident at Grand Rapids and Wyoming Public Schools.

In GRPS, where 25 percent of students are English-language learners, the four-year graduation rate for ELL students has increased dramatically, from 37.8 percent in 2014 to 63.8 percent in 2018, and the five-year rate is 77 percent. African-American, Latino and low-income students have also made sharp gains. Overall, four-year graduation rates have increased from 49.6 percent in 2014 to 71.15 percent in 2018, including 98.85 percent at City High/Middle, 90.71 percent at Innovation Central, 70.49 percent at Ottawa Hills and 81.87 percent at Union.

The district has done many things to boost those numbers, from more closely tracking students’ academic progress to emphasizing the importance of graduating in four years, said Ron Gorman, assistant superintendent of pre-K-12 instructional support. But when it comes to English-language learners, for many, graduating in four years isn’t realistic, he said.

For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

School News Network: YouTube’s video message: ‘This is where we come from, and we love it’

March 11, 20193-bottomEast Kentwood High SchoolJoanne

From left, seniors Michelle Pham, Summer Brown, Erik Lopez and Shamar Green worked on a video to tell the story of East Kentwood. (School News Network)

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

While the phrase “we are family” can be said in many languages, its feeling is universal inside the hallways and classrooms at East Kentwood High School.

That’s the message student filmmakers shared in creating a YouTube Video that contains testimonies about attending and teaching in the most diverse high school in the state.

Students in teacher Geoffrey Westman’s Falcon News Network broadcasting class created an eight-minute, 34-second documentary last spring to tell the story of East Kentwood, or “EK,” through the eyes of students, teachers and administrators. The video recently aired on FNN and at the Kentwood Education Foundation’s annual Black & Red Gala.

It shows school where flags from dozens of countries hang from the ceiling and no one is an outsider. Interviewees said:

“It’s a little piece of heaven.”

“It’s a beautiful space for students to be their authentic selves.”

“It teaches (students) to be human, to take off their ethnocentric lenses and have empathy.”

Erik Lopez and Shamar Green work with the camera. (School News Network)

Twelve students, several of whom graduated last year, took on the project after Mosaic Film Experiencerepresentatives approached them about showcasing diversity and inclusion through video. Mosaic founder Skot Welch, whose children graduated from East Kentwood, discussed the idea with Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff. Mosaic, which provides digital media opportunities for youth, introduced students to Carbon Stories Grand Rapids, filmmakers who lent equipment and shared storytelling tips. Students also partnered with The Wyoming/Kentwood channel WKTV.

Students brainstormed their vision, interviewed between 20-30 people and put everything together as a staff.

Class of 2018 graduate Allison Biss spent many hours crafting and editing the documentary. “It’s a representation of what I learned and the experiences I had while at East Kentwood,” said Biss, who is majoring in broadcast and cinematic arts at Central Michigan University. “Often, I asked myself what legacy I would leave after graduating from EK. Through the documentary, I am able to impact others in a positive way, even though I’m no longer a Kentwood student.”

Senior Shamar Green, who worked as a producer, said he wanted the video to convey that EK is “what the world should be,” he said: a place where people from all over the globe come together in harmony.

“People always ask, ‘How does EK work, with all our different ethnicities, races and culture?’” Shamar said. “We wanted to show them that we can handle it. It doesn’t have to be a tolerating thing; it’s an accepting thing.”

Senior Summer Brown, also a producer, said she hopes to counter negative perceptions she sometimes hears about Kentwood. “We are a great school,” she said. “We have all these things going on. We have all these students who love each other and care about each other. We work well together.”

Summer Brown interviews Michelle Pham in the Falcon News Network studio

Falcon News Network class member Erik Lopez was interviewed for the documentary. “I basically talked about why I like EK. What I really like about it is the diversity. Being Hispanic, I felt very much like I belong here. I transferred here from another school that wasn’t like that, and I immediately noticed the difference.”

Westman said the project gave students a change to work on something meaningful from start to finish.

“They did a wonderful job,” he said. “I hope it was an eye-opening experience for them as far as the whole process goes, from planning through filming and execution, all the way through the editing phase.”

Welch, of Mosaic, said facilitating the video’s creation was a gift from Mosaic to the district meant to instill a greater sense of inspiration, motivation and honor. Mosaic crew member Liz Merriman and Derk Baartman worked closely with students.

“It is one of the most amazing school districts I‘ve experienced because of its ethnic diversity and the high level of academic excellence they are constant getting awarded for,” Welch said. “It is something that is noteworthy nationwide.”

Inclusion, Academics and So Much More

Along with diversity, students said there is something for everyone at EK, socially and academically. “I don’t see too many kids walk the halls alone,” Shamar said. “Everybody’s got two or three friends they can fit in with. There are many people and so much to do. Eventually you find your footing.”

Summer said career exploration courses like Falcon News Network, clubs, sports and Advanced Placement offerings mean it’s easy to go beyond the basics. “We value academics so much, and it creates a higher level of student-integrated pride in our school,” she said.

“I want the Kentwood community to see (the video) and be prideful and know we are Kentwood. We are family. This is where we come from and we love it.”

For more stories on area schools, visit School News Network at schoolnewsnetwork.org.

School News Network: How best to get the jump on college? Students give the lowdown

March 7, 20193-bottomAdvanced Placement, College, East Kentwood High SchoolJoanne

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

These days, students have multiple ways to get credit for college courses – and save college tuition – while still in high school. We asked a few from East Kentwood and Rockford high schools which options they chose, and why.

Advancing with Advanced Placement

Kyle Dent, East Kentwood senior

Kyle is tallying up Advanced Placement courses, hoping to start college next year with a semester’s worth of credits completed through AP calculus, AP biology and AP economics.

He loved AP statistics as a junior. “The way they teach the curriculum is amazing,” Kyle said. “I can communicate and relate with (the teachers).”

While he’s not sure where he wants to go to college, Kyle said he’s prepared because of the challenging courses he’s taken. “It allows you to get college credits if you are willing and able. … It pushes kids to another level.”

Kyle said he would have enrolled in EK Middle College had it started his sophomore year. The program started last semester.

“If I had had the opportunity to do it, I would have, without a doubt,” he said. “I don’t see a con to taking middle college and AP.”

Rockford junior Elsa Dondit said she enjoys the challenge of AP classes

Elsa Dondit, Rockford junior

Elsa is taking an AP language and composition class this year, which also earns her credit at Ferris State University. She took AP U.S. history as a sophomore, and plans to take AP psychology, calculus and literature as a senior. Besides the lure of earning college credits without racking up tuition costs, she says the courses help her learn college skills such as time management and preparing for a major exam.

Plus, she enjoys the classes. Although a lot rides on getting a good score on the AP test, she figures that helps her gear up for the demands of higher education. She’s considering Hope College or the University of North Carolina.

“I like the challenge of it,” said Elsa, who aims to study psychology or a medical field in college. “I like the push for this big test at the end. It’s a good environment to be in to get yourself ready: learning how to learn and learning how to take tests.”

Taking the Middle College Path

East Kentwood sophomore Olivia Lewis said learning to navigate college courses is a benefit to EK Middle College

Olivia Lewis, East Kentwood sophomore

In August, Olivia started taking the Grand Rapids Community College courses, “Introduction to College” and “Environmental Geology” as one of 25 students in the first cohort of EK Middle College. She and her peers will take two college courses each semester through their senior years taught by GRCC instructors at East Kentwood.

They will then complete a fifth year, technically still as East Kentwood students — but with classes on GRCC’s campus full-time — to earn a tuition-free, 60-credit associate of arts degree.

“At first I just wanted to try something different,” said Oliva, who is considering transferring to Michigan State University after GRCC to become a special education teacher. “I could have taken AP, but now I’m actually getting college credits and I don’t have to take an exam,” she added, referring to AP’s requirement to earn college credit.

“The program will show me how college works, what the teachers are like, and it will expose me to different expectations.”

Potential savings are huge. The cost of full in-state tuition plus room and board at MSU is $24,844 per year. Starting with two years completed could save Olivia nearly $50,000.

Olivia said her parents were pleased she signed on to the opportunity. “They were excited for me and glad I was going to get my associate degree early. They both didn’t finish college.”

East Kentwood sophomore Jad Ramadan said saving money is a major plus of EK Middle College

Jad Ramadan, East Kentwood sophomore

Jad joined EK Middle College because he saw it as a can’t-lose option. He explained: “In the beginning I wanted to challenge myself. I needed a challenge.

“I felt like it would save a lot of time and money that my parents didn’t have, so I could grow up and do what I wanted to do.”

He wants to be a defense lawyer and plans to transfer from GRCC to MSU or Ferris State University.

Olivia and Jad said they will try to squeeze AP classes into their busy schedules to build their stack of college credits even higher.

Covering All the Bases

Rockford senior Jacob Simkins takes both AP and early college courses to get a hard start on a university program

Jacob Simkins, Rockford senior

Jacob is taking classes in AP calculus, physics and biology. But he’s also taking college courses, in health care and medical terminology, from Grand Valley State University as part of Rockford’s dual-enrollment agreement with GVSU’s health science program.

Along with two AP courses he took last year, and a Ferris State senior composition class earlier this year, Jacob figures on piling up about 15 college credits by the time he graduates. That should give him a great jump on work toward a degree in the biomedical field, either at MSU or Central Michigan University.

Jacob said he’s happy to take advantage of both AP and early college courses, to save money and get college basics out of the way.

“I figure if they have the classes offered and I can take them, why not? I don’t have to waste credits on fulfilling prerequisites.”

He hopes to be doing graduate-level math by the time he’s a college freshman or sophomore, putting him further ahead toward a career in medical research. He said he relishes the challenge of college-level work.

“It’s the best. It teaches you how to learn, and how to buckle down.”

Rockford senior Jake Engelkes said AP courses are run like college classes

Jake Engelkes, Rockford senior

Jake is taking AP statistics, and took a senior composition class first semester through Rockford’s concurrent enrollment agreement with Ferris State University, in which Rockford instructors teach FSU-level courses.

He is counting on both classes to help him get started at Indiana Wesleyan, where he has a baseball and academic scholarship. He says the courses help with his GPA and get him an early start on his business major. Because of the scholarship, he has to play ball for four years, but the college credits will still help, he says.

“It’ll just get me moving quicker to my major, and knocks out these classes that I would have to take,” Jake said, noting the FSU credits will transfer to Indiana Wesleyan.

“I think the AP classes prepare you so well for college,” he added. “The teachers do such a great job. They run it like a college class.

Rockford senior Riley Belcher says the AP tests make her a little nervous, but knows it will help her in college

Riley Belcher, Rockford senior

Riley also took FSU senior comp, which doubles as an AP class, and is taking AP psychology. The latter class causes her some anxiety, knowing she must pass the test to get credit for it.

“I’m not a great tester,” she admitted. “That scares me a little bit, but I know it’s going to help me in college in the major I want to go into.”

Riley plans to major in special education and get a master’s in school counseling. She’s looking at Taylor University — which carries at $35,000 tuition tag – and needs to score at least a 3 on the 5-point AP test in order to get college credit. Either way, she would still earn high school credit and gain background in her field.

She preferred the FSU course and excelled in it. The teacher was tough, she said, but in a good way.

“I like the freedom that we had. It was cool to see what I could work on, because he definitely pushed you harder to do better.”

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood weekend news you ought to know

January 11, 20193-bottom, Citizen JournalismAgatha Christie, East Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Sunday Night FunniesJoanne

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“If you place your head in a lion’s mouth, then you cannot complain one day if he happens to bite it off.” 
                                                 - Agatha Christie

Mayhem and Murder

Did Emily Brent do it in the library with the candlestick?

Join Cathy Van Lopik, aka Emily Brent, and the rest of the Grand Rapids Civic cast for a little murder mysteries by one of the best, Agatha Christie. Civic Theatre presents “And Then There Were None Jan. 11 – 27 at its theater, 30 N. Division Ave. Tickets are $18 – $29 with student tickets $26.

Some Local All Stars

East Kentwood High School lead the way for the AP All-State listings for the state of Michigan.

This past football season lead to four local high school players earning the title of first team AP All-State in the state of Michigan. East Kentwood, somewhat unsurprisingly, lead the way with three of those All-Staters coming from their team after a tremendous season from the Division 1-2 Falcons finishing the season 9-2. A student also came from South Christian High School and Wyoming’s Tri-Unity Christian had two seniors for 8-man football.

Something Funny’s Goin’ On

Getting their funny on: Brian Borbot (center) with comedians Stu McCallister (left) and. Matt Harper (right).

Brian Borbot, part of the Sunday Night Funnies, talks with area comedians about the art of being funny. The podcasts are part of a new feature at the WKTV Journal. To check them out, click here. Sunday Night Funnies is at 8:30 p.m. every Sunday at Woody’s Press Box, 5656 Clyde Park Ave. SW.

Fun fact:

https://youtu.be/-i2WHcFgIz8

Oymyakon, Russia

That is consider the coldest inhabited place in the world. In Oymyakon, the winter temperatures are known to average -58 F (-50C). Water freezes at 32 F. About 500 people live in the area. And while many Michiganders treasure having remote start to warm their cars, those in Oymyakon have to run their cars 24/7 to make sure the batteries do not die. The community earned the title in 1933, when a temperature of -90 F was recorded. The city beat its own record in 2013, when a -98 F temperature was recorded. Now that’s cold.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood weekend news you want to know

November 30, 20183-bottom, Citizen JournalismAnnual Holiday Music Festival, Brian Jirous, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, East Kentwood High School, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Jennifer Lewis, Lee High School, Legacy Christian, Santa Parade, Sesame Street, South Christian, The Potters House, Wyoming High SchoolJoanne

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

"Sing, sing a song,
Make it simple to last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear,
Just sing, sing a song..."
        - "Sing" by Joe Raposo, written for "Sesame Street" in 1971

The airport is alive with music

Several Wyoming and Kentwood high school choirs will be performing at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s Holiday Music Festival, which is Dec. 3 – 7. Some of the groups scheduled are Potters House, Legacy Christian, South Christian, Wyoming High School, Lee High School, and East Kentwood High School. Performances are daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. andJe are free.

And the winner is…

Jennifer Lewis and Brian Jirous were declared the newest members of the Wyoming Board of Education this week. Both ran in the Nov. 6 election. Jirous was the only candidate who filed for one of the two open seats on the board. Lewis was one of two write-in candidates. It took a couple of weeks for the write-ins to be hand counted, according to school officials. The two will be sworn in at the Wyoming Board of Education meeting set for Jan. 14 at 6 p.m.

Santa is coming to town

While it is still a week yet until Kentwood hosts its annual tree lighting and parade, set for Dec. 7, and the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Santa Parade, Dec. 8, you can get your celebrating started at Byron Center’s community festivities this Saturday, Dec. 1. The parade portion has been cancelled due to the weather but the chili dinner and holiday concert at Pathway Church, 8350 Byron Center Ave. SW, is still taking place.

Fun Fact:

Light It Up

Ever wonder how many lights you can fit on a Christmas tree? Well a group in Belgium did, managing to get 194,672 lights on a real tree on Dec. 10, 2010. Seven years later, Universal Studios Japan was not about to be out done, so they managed to place 570,546 lights on an artificial tree. You have to admit, that is a lot of lights. (Source)

Local schools participate in airport’s 24th annual Holiday Music Festival

November 28, 20183-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingEast Kentwood High School, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Lee High School, South Christian High School, Wyoming High SchoolJoanne

By WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) will soon be filled with festive sounds of the season. The 24th Annual Holiday Music Festival will take place the week of Dec. 3-7 in the Grand Hall. Daily performances run from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Some of the groups scheduled to perform are Potters House at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3; Legacy Christian 7th and 8th Grade Choir at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5; Wyoming High Concert Choir at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6; East Kentwood Varsity Voices at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6; South Christian High School Madrigals at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec.6; and Lee High School Varsity of Voices at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 7. A full schedule is available on the Airport’s Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/FlyGRFord.

A total of 18 West Michigan schools are scheduled to sing a variety of carols during the Festival. Local choirs representing public and private schools will sing 20 minute song sets throughout the day.

“We love having the schools here during the Holiday Music Festival. The music helps to put passengers and guests in the holiday spirit around the airport,” said GFIA Marketing & Communications Director Tara Hernandez. “We hope to put smiles on passengers’ faces as they listen to the carolers.”

All Festival performances are free and open to the public.

School News Network: ‘She’s come so far’

November 28, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of KentwoodCrossroads Alternative High School, East Kentwood High School, Kentwood, Lighthouse Academy, School News NetworkJoanne

Farhiya Abdullahi stands with Ian Gibson, Crossroads Alternative High School’s assistant principal

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

Quick to react with words and fists, Farhiya Abdullahi became a regular in school administration offices. She spent many days suspended, and was eventually expelled.

“The way I reacted was terrible. I had so much anger built up in me… My mouth was terrible,” she said. “My attitude was terrible. I was suspended literally every month.”

Farhiya sat at the desk of Crossroads Alternative High School Assistant Principal Ian Gibson, the administrator who expelled her two years ago and welcomed her back last fall.

Turns out, a lot can happen in a year: Gibson recently recommended Farhiya for a School News Network article about how far a student can go after deciding to change.

Farhiya Abdullahi says time to reflect and the realization that she was out of options led her to change her ways

Farhiya now has 16.5 of 19 credits required to graduate and could earn her diploma as early as December, before her peers. Compare that to a year ago when she had earned just four total credits.

Farhiya immigrated to Kentwood as a toddler with her mother, Nunay Ali, and six siblings, as refugees from Kenya. Farhiya does not remember Kenya. She and her family speak Maay Maay, a Somali dialect.

“My mom ended up coming to America to make not only her life better, but her kids’ lives too. She wanted us to get our education. In Kenya, there aren’t that many opportunities. This is the place she felt her kids needed to grow up.”

Farhiya’s father, who emigrated from Africa separately from the rest of the family, moved away completely when Farhiya was young. “My mom was struggling; she had seven kids and was new to the country… She was a single mom and she had to raise all of us by herself.”

Farhiya had a few negative early experiences in school; her resentment grew and she began getting in trouble. She got in many fights at Crestwood Middle School, and, at East Kentwood High School, her fists landed her in long-term suspension.

She enrolled at Lighthouse Academy briefly, then at Crossroads Alternative High School in 2016. “I stayed in school for a month and got expelled,” she recalled.

Learning to not react to drama was a key to getting on the right path

Leaving Behind Anger and Resentment

Being out of school gave Farhiya time to reflect. She knew her options were limited and she had passed few classes at school. She realized her self-created predicament was sad, but she also knew she could get herself out of it.

Farhiya re-enrolled at Lighthouse and passed a couple classes. Last October, a Lighthouse staff member asked Shirley Johnson, the district’s assistant superintendent of student Services, if she would meet with Farhiya to talk about reinstatement. Johnson agreed.

“In my mind I was like, ‘I don’t deserve it. I got long-term suspended and I got expelled, and she’s still willing to talk to me?’ ” Farhiya recalled.

At the reinstatement hearing, Johnson asked Farhiya why she wanted to go back to Crossroads.

Her answer: “I sat down this summer and thought about everything. I shouldn’t be putting my mom through this. I shouldn’t be putting myself through this. My mom brought me here for better opportunities and I’m just putting it to waste.

“On top of that, I’m trying to graduate. I want to be successful. I want to make a better living for myself and my family. I don’t want to sit here and struggle. I see a lot of people in my family struggling because they have no education. They are working, breaking every bone in their body, just to survive.”

Johnson said students including Farhiya need champions and an advocate for a second chance. “I saw her heart and her authentic self in the process,” she said. “Farhiya has really made significant gains since returning to school, and I couldn’t be more proud of her maturity and growth.”

Farhiya was all in.

Back at Crossroads, she ignored drama, avoided conflict and soon realized she could excel. “Teachers are motivating here. Teachers will help you,” she said.

She completed 12 classes in a matter of months, often working at home into the wee hours. She was soon Crossroads’ No. 1 student and last spring earned a science award.

Mom Nunay Ali stands with Farhiya Abdullahi after Farhiya received her U.S. citizenship Oct. 31.

“She’s a model student now. She’s got that grit we talk about here in Kentwood,” Gibson said. “She has this positive vibe about her… She is absolutely college-bound.

Added Principal Rick Hatfield, “She’s done a phenomenal job. Farhiya has had exemplary behavior, academically and emotionally, since she was reinstated.”

Farhiya recently received her citizenship from U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, with her mother by her side.

Farhiya plans to go to Grand Rapids Community College. She said she is interested in healthcare or social work.

Her mother, who once was more accustomed to her daughter being out of school than in, is now proud of Farhiya, and says their relationship has improved.

That matters a lot.

“If I could buy my mom the world, I honestly would. The only way I can do that is to further my education.”

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

School News Network: Collaboration centers in every school to foster student engagement

November 2, 20183-bottom, City of KentwoodCollaboration Centers, Crestwood Middle school, East Kentwood High School, Kentwood Public Schools, School News Network, Valleywood Middle SchoolJoanne

From left, freshmen Marisol Pham, Sewa Ojo, Madison Rogers and Sylvia Shaver work in the Collaboration Center

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

In U.S. History teacher Tyler Pettit’s class, ninth-graders formed arguments on the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II. While students debated, others pulled up information on laptops to support their points and make counterpoints as to whether actions were justified. They sat in a “fish bowl” style, in a circular formation.

A new wide open space with lots of technology made the activity run smoothly, Pettit said. Students gathered in the Collaboration Center, a large wide-open space fully equipped with technology, such as large screens affixed to the walls, a huge screen on the wall of a stage and ample outlets, plus comfy furniture, moveable desks, and breakout rooms. It’s an optimal environment for group work, presentations, skits and instruction that requires movement and engagement, said teachers and students.

“It allows for students to learn how they want to learn. It allows for ownership really; that’s the biggest thing,” Pettit said.

Students say they love the open-space concept in the Collaboration Center at East Kentwood Freshman Campus

“Everything is very cutting edge,” added Principal Andy Kolzow. “It allows students to innovate. It allows teachers to be creative in their lesson planning and create more engaging lessons.

As the facility improvements made possible through a $64.8 million bond passed in November 2015 continue to take shape, the district is coming together – literally – in big, open spaces at all 16 schools and the Kentwood Administration Building, 5820 Eastern Ave. SE.

“One of the centerpieces of the bond was for each school have a Collaboration Center,” said Superintendent Mike Zoerhoff.

Collaboration Centers were built over the past two years at several schools including Valleywood and Crestwood middle schools, East Kentwood High School and Freshman Campus and Glenwood, Bowen and Explorer elementary schools. All will be built by 2021. At the elementary level, the centers serve as redesigned media centers blending features of a traditional library with the collaboration-center concept.

Zoerhoff said technology in the centers will be kept up to date, with bond money set aside to replenish equipment and devices.

Students are enjoying the spaces for many subjects and uses. “It’s not a classroom, and that helps because we are so used to being in a classroom seven hours a day,” said freshman Sylvia Shaver. “It’s nice to be in an open space with comfy seating.”

“I like being in here because it’s bigger and it’s not like being in a box,” added freshman Madison Rogers.

Tables, desk and other seating areas allow students to collaborate easily

A Community Hub

While students are using Collaboration Centers for academic purpose, a space under construction with plans to open in January at the Administration Building will bring together community groups. It will be a venue available for rent, with space for 50 to 100 people to meet, use technology, and have another connection to the schools.

“Kentwood Public Schools is a hub for the community and surrounding communities.

We love to have our facilities used because the taxpayers paid for them,” Zoerhoff said.

He envisions it as space for government and business partners to meet and as a professional development hub for teachers. “We appreciate the community support and want to make sure we are a community school and share these facilities with the surrounding community.”

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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

School News Network: STEM fair projects lead to university research spots

October 23, 20183-bottom, City of KentwoodEast Kentwood High School, School News Network, STEM, University of MichiganJoanne

Brady Strabel and Gabrielle Dykhouse, now University of Michigan freshman, researched gene editing for last spring’s East Kentwood High School STEM Fair (courtesy photo)

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

They may be in Ann Arbor establishing roots as college freshman, but four 2018 East Kentwood High School graduates used their senior STEM Fair projects to gain acceptance into a prestigious University of Michigan research program.

Now, as research assistants in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, they are conducting research on the environment, anatomy and magnetics in outer space, while working alongside U of M researchers on an ongoing or new research project.

Science teacher Chad VanHouten, in back, challenges students to research topics they are interested in (courtesy Photo)

Last spring, students had the chance to pick their own topics and delve into research for the fair. AP Biology students Brady Strabel and Gabrielle Dykhouse partnered on a project on gene editing in bacteria; Emma Pinchak studied small crustaceans called isopods (think potato bugs) and their dexterity and speed. Dat Huynh researched optimal light intensity for aquatic plants.

“The goal of the STEM Fair is to provide an opportunity for students to do research that they are interested in, not necessarily research that we put on them,” said AP Biology teacher Chad VanHouten, who emphasized that giving students free reign of learning can lead to great things. “We have four kids this year that used their STEM Fair projects to get into this elite program, and it is research above and beyond their normal major.”

Dat Huynh presents a calculus project he did along with research on aquatic plants (courtesy photo)

Bringing Science to the Next Level

The students are now researching complex topics. Gabrielle, a neuroscience major, is studying technology related to cardiac electrophysiology (the electrical activity of the heart).

She said her high school experience paved the way for her. “I wanted to pursue research in Michigan’s groundbreaking medical operations. My research experience definitely set me apart from the newbies and my (Advanced Placement course) content knowledge has made the college content transition very easy,” she said.

For UROP, Gabrielle interviewed with a Harvard medical school graduate cardiologist, now a U of M researcher, about his project with atrial defibrillation. She said the researcher told Gabrielle that her high school project set her apart.

“He basically said that out of his nine applicants mine stood out by far, and if I’m interested the position is mine.”

Emma, an environmental science major, is conducting global warming research in the area of forestry management. She said she was able to tell UROP program leaders about high school lab experience.

“Nothing seems too difficult. I’m especially seeing overlap in examples of famous studies we talked about in (East Kentwood biology and environmental science classes), especially to do with pollution and ecology.”

Brady, who is considering computer science or aerospace engineering as majors, is working on the project involving devices that measure magnetic fields for extreme environments.

Emma Pinchak, right, tells an East Kentwood graduate about her research on isopods (courtesy photo)

“We’re basically developing, packaging and deploying these new magnetometer systems around the poles and in space,” he said. “East Kentwood science exposed me to laboratory experience, helping me to identify my interest in research and strengthening my application for applying to research teams.”

The district’s annual fair is open to all STEM classes – middle school students have also participated – challenging students to make posters about the research they’ve done, from building robots to creating rat mazes. Students, parents and community members attend

“Kids are teaching kids, which we love,” VanHouten said.

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

School News Network: Women in skilled trades hone skills, explore careers, network with industry experts

October 17, 20183-bottomEast Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids Community College, GRCC, Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC, School News NetworkJoanne

(Courtesy photo) Driving big equipment is a highlight of Project Accelerate

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

(Courtesy photo) Women in Project Accelerate, pictured with an engineer, visit a worksite

Camille Reed is a business owner who wants to learn more about the construction industry. Brenna Mosley is a 2018 East Kentwood High School graduate with a dream to run an architecture and construction firm. Serena Small is a stay-at-home mother pursuing a degree in construction management. Elma Balic is an architectural drafter who wants to get away from from her desk and into the field.

The women, all with different backgrounds and goals, are exploring careers in construction, engineering, design and skilled trades by visiting businesses, seeing fieldwork up close and getting into the driver’s seats of big machines. They are completing Project Accelerate, a seven-week, once-weekly course offered through The Build Initiative, a Pontiac-based program that works to build knowledge for women interested in construction and related fields.

“My goal is to get as much information about the industry as possible,” Mosley said. Grand Rapids Community College is hosting the 10-woman cohort, the first for Grand Rapids, in space at the GRCC Leslie E.Tassell M-TEC. GRCC instructors lead sessions on carpentry and safety. Another cohort is planned for next fall.

“Our participants are entry level to CEO,” said Program Director Rita Brown, as participants attended a Friday session on construction law in a GRCC classroom. “What they have in common is they’re women and they want more knowledge. You can lead better with more knowledge, (and) you can learn better when you know where to get that knowledge.”

Women are networking, aligning talents and learning the scope of jobs available in the traditionally male-dominated fields, she said. They drove Caterpillar construction machines with help from Michigan CATand Operating Engineers 324 representatives, read blueprints with an engineer from Soils and Structures and listened to speakers in the industry.

“This program is about gearing up; it’s about exposing strengths we didn’t even know we had, reinforcing areas that need to be reinforced,” said Brown, who relies on volunteers to run the program. “Not a single bit of this is about lack at all. This as about the fact that we can do it for ourselves. It’s about accelerating our careers.”

Julie Parks, GRCC executive director of workplace training, said GRCC is excited about the partnership and to bring women into the building who are involved in construction and related fields. “We have women in our skilled trade programs and this is a way to connect them with people in the industry,” she said.

GRCC is exploring ways to provide articulated credits for Project Accelerate experiences in the future. “What we are really trying to do is help find pathways,” Parks said.

Brenna Mosley, a 2018 East Kentwood High School graduate, is exploring careers in construction

Showing the Way for Women

Brown knows how to navigate the industry. She owns a steel detailing company and is the north central regional director for National Association of Women in Construction. She started Project Accelerate about six years ago after realizing the need. It also has cohorts in Detroit and Flint.

During the economic downturn, Brown had to downsize her staff. Her female employees were unsure of their next move.“The men seemed to be at least a little bit more sure of what they could possibly do, but the women were not as sure,” she said.

According to information from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 9 percent of U.S. construction workers are women. Jobs are in high demand. According to West Michigan Works 2018 Hot Jobs list, jobs in construction are all projected to grow by at least 11 percent and as much as 22 percent by 2024.

Project Accelerate can help launch women into those jobs. “We are not trying to populate one single area of the industry. We are trying to make sure that women have the knowledge and opportunity to decide what their next best steps are,” Brown said. “From this program they will move to actual training programs, certification programs, degrees, jobs or will become better at the work they are already doing,” she said.

Participant Camille Reed, who co-owns a multi-service company that specializes in painting, carpentry and facilities management, said she wants to meet other professional women through Project Accelerate.

“For me, it’s the empowerment they are giving ladies to enter the construction field,” she said. She also was part of a Detroit cohort of Project Accelerate in June and July, and has learned everything from bricklaying, engineering, work-site development and road construction. “This is just giving me another insight of the construction field, and it gives me the change to network,” she said.

Serena Small, of Lansing, never considered a career in construction until she met Brown at a program called Women In Skilled Trades. She is currently enrolled at Lansing Community College majoring in construction management, which she knows will connect her to many different opportunities. She said Project Accelerate is another way to build her construction savvy.

“It’s opening my eyes to the construction industry as far as it’s not just manual labor. There are a lot of different careers in the construction industry,” Small said.

“This is definitely what I needed. I needed more information on the possibilities and the different careers that there are.”

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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Gaines Township McDonald’s latest to be remodeled with new self-order kiosks

October 9, 20183-bottom, City of KentwoodEast Kentwood High School, Kalamazoo Avenue, McDonald'sJoanne

The new self-order kiosks are just one of the new additions at the renovated McDonald’s.

The McDonald’s restaurant at 6095 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Gaines Township is inviting guests to experience McDonald’s in a new way with a greater level of choice, engagement and service. These changes are reflective of a new and innovative restaurant model that has been successfully rolled around the world and puts more choice and control in the hands of guests by evolving how they order, what they order, how they pay and how they are served.

The restaurant, which is located near East Kentwood High School and the Kalamazoo Avenue exit off of M-6, recently underwent extensive renovations and upgrades both inside and outside. These renovations include new self-order kiosks, table service, updated ways to pay and a redesigned seating area.

“We’re excited to share this evolved experience at McDonald’s with our customers,” said Carl Wiseman, McDonald’s owner/operator. “We appreciate and value our guests’ feedback on this new experience, and we’re looking forward to offering them a new way to dine at McDonald’s.”

A sneak peek inside the renovated McDonald’s on Kalamazoo Avenue.

For those looking to order at their own pace, the Gaines Township McDonald’s has new digital self-order kiosks which make ordering and paying for a meal easy. Kiosks empower guests to browse the menu, find new options and tailor their meal just the way they want. Guests’ orders are delivered to tables by McDonald’s crew members, allowing customers to relax and enjoy a more custom dining experience. The restaurant features mobile order and pay, which allows customers to order and pay through the McDonald’s app and then either pick up their order inside or have it brought out to their vehicle when they arrive. McDonald’s owner/operators and restaurant teams in Gaines Township and all around West Michigan are also placing a higher emphasis on hospitality by focusing on greeting customers, assisting with technology and ensuring a clean, welcoming environment.

This McDonald’s restaurant is among the latest in the area to offer this new level of choice, engagement and service. It is one of 400 McDonald’s restaurants in the state of Michigan that will be upgraded before the end of 2019, and is part of a total investment of around $205 million across the state.

Chamber scholarship recipients offer a little advice to the upcoming Class of 2019

June 21, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingEast Kentwood High School, godfrey Lee Public Schools, Lee High School, Wyoming High School, Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of CommerceJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

In April, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce awarded its Brent VanderKolk Scholarship to four area high school graduates.

VanderKolk was a chamber member and the chamber’s legal council along with being a freind to many, said Bob O’Callgahan, President/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. VanderKolk passed away in 2011 at the age of 37. The chamber decided to honor VanderKolk by naming the annual scholarship award after him.

This year’s award recipients are: Maria Aguirre from Godwin Heights High School; Adriana Sanchez-Parada from Lee High School; Shontiana Jackson from Wyoming High School; and Allison Biss from East Kentwood High School.

We were able to catch up with two of the students before they walked down the graduation aisle. These students offered a few words of wisdom to those coming into high school and to the Class of 2019.

Adrianna Sanchez-Parada

Lee High School

Godfrey Lee Public Schools

Parents: Gallina Parada and Alejo Sanchez

When Adrianna Sanchez learned that one out of three freshmen at her school were failing one to two classes, she decided to do something about it.

“That was a big number of students failing,” Adrianna said. “When I was a freshman, there was a freshman transition class that was helpful to me so I decided to bring that program back.”

Adrianna pulled together members of the upper classes to serve as mentors, offering words of advice and to be there to help guide the freshmen.

“I’ve learned a lot about leadership especially through band,” Adrianna said. “I’ve been a drum major and have gone to a leadership conference where we learned about leadership through service. Through this program, our upper classes were able to show a different type of leadership through service.”

Adrianna has loved being involved at Lee High School and admits her involvement has prevented her from having a job. She has participated in soccer, National Honors Society, Spanish club, drama club, and student council, where she served as president. She plans to attend Western Michigan University in the fall.

Her advice for those entering high school: Try different clubs that you have never thought of and do not be afraid to be different.

Her advice for next year’s seniors: Don’t stress about the little things but also don’t let the assignments slide because it will come back at you. And lastly, watch out for every opportunity that you might have.

Allison Biss with Chamber President/CEO Bob O’Callaghan

Allisson Biss

East Kentwood High School

Kentwood Public Schools

Parents: Cheryl and Brian Biss

“Some people have sports, but I am not the sporty type,” said Allison Biss when thinking about her search for a high school activity that encourage her creativity. She was not a performer and some hobbies she didn’t felt she had started early enough to participate in. But once she discovered film and video, she knew she had found the passion that allowed her creativity to shine.

“You could be given a video and create five clips with the end product being different depending on lighting or how you edit it,” she said.

A WKTV intern, Biss was awarded Central Michigan University’s Lem Tucker Scholarship for broadcasting and journalism, which covers a 100 percent of her tuition, room, and board.

At school, Biss participated in the broadcast program serving as an anchor and primary editor. Outside of broadcasting, Biss has been very active serving as a class officer for three years, on the National Honor Society, Student Council, and JV sideline and competitive cheerleading.

Her advice for those entering high school: It is not as bad as it seems. Always introduce yourself. Be that someone who cracks the joke and eats lunch with new people. Also don’t be afraid to try new things because high school is short.

Her advice for next year’s seniors: Don’t think of the moments as being the last ones, but new beginnings. Enjoy the moments while you have them because it goes by super quickly.

School News Network: Giving back as others gave to them

June 15, 20183-bottom, City of KentwoodCrestwood Middle school, East Kentwood High School, Kentwood Public Schools, Learning Cafe, School News NetworkJoanne

From left, Yvonne Uwimana, Jacqueline Uwimeza, refugee students Lucie and Clemence and Chantal Uwimana hug

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

The three sisters, refugees from Rwanda, share experiences good and bad about getting used to life in America: Making friends was difficult; American food was hard to get used to; and being part of two cultures can be conflicting, they tell younger peers, for whom they tutor and provide translation.

They also tell them ways to have a successful future, like going to college, working hard and being respectful.

The girls, Jacqueline Uwimeza and Yvonne Uwimana, a freshman and junior at East Kentwood High School, respectively; and Chantal Uwimana, a seventh grader at Crestwood Middle School, devote their Monday evenings to volunteering at the Learning Café , a place where volunteers of all ages mentor African refugee children and adults at 235 Sheldon Blvd. SE, next to St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

They say they are giving back in ways others gave to them. Seven years ago, the girls arrived in the U.S. unable to speak English and unfamiliar with American culture.

From left, Jacqueline Uwimeza, Lucie Uwimbabz, Clemence Akimana and Chantal Uwimana have fun at the Learning Café

They now speak English fluently, are excelling in school, and tutoring, translating and interpreting for other refugee children who speak Kinyarwanda and go to schools in Grand Rapids, Kentwood and other districts.

“It gives you a feeling like you are important,” Jacqueline said. “It feels like you are giving back. A lot of people helped us, and sometimes you don’t feel like you are doing enough to help others, but with this, it makes you feel like you are paying back and paying it forward.”

The center bustles with laughter, singing and children chatting, busy with school work and academic activities. The sisters are there to help, and encourage the students to learn all they can in English and school, while holding onto their African culture. Devout Catholics, the girls also help tutor and translate for adults after church on Sundays.

Home in Refugee Camp

The sisters remember life in a refugee camp in Rwanda, where they were born. They jumped rope, played with rocks, picked fruit from the forest, sang, danced, went to school and fetched wood and water. It was home.

“Because we were kids, we didn’t know about the conflict,” Jacqueline said. “It’s a different story for the parents. For us it was fun. It’s all we knew.”

“It was a good place,” added Yvonne.

The girls were shielded from the conflicts that led their family members to flee to the camp. They still have only general knowledge of the first Congo War and other conflicts that displaced people in the region.

Still, they couldn’t believe their luck seven years ago when they were chosen through an immigration lottery to move to the U.S. with their mother and grandmother.

“It was like paradise, to be honest,” Jacqueline said. “The refugees would always tell us about America, so it was a dream come true. We never thought it would happen to us, because it happens to very few people. But as we got older we started to miss where we came from.

From left, Florence Mukashyaka gets a little help from Yvonne Uwimana

A Knock at the Door

After arriving in the U.S., they moved into an apartment in Grand Rapids, and started the journey of becoming acclimated to the U.S., going to school and learning English. But it was intimidating and scary, they said, starting over in a whole new world.

“It was a challenge for our mom to learn how to drive and take care of all of us and work,” said Yvonne, who remembered her mother, Claudette Nyrasafari, would leave for work at 4:30 a.m., return in the evening and then attend English-language classes.

One winter day, someone knocked at their door, but they recalled being afraid to answer. The knock came again and again, until finally, the girls’ mother opened it to find Lisa McManus, co-founder of the Learning Café. She had learned about the family from neighbors.

McManus soon connected them with resources such as clothes, furniture, English tutoring and other help navigating life in Michigan.

Yvonne also needed medical attention. When she arrived in the U.S. she was deaf, due to an infection that had damaged her eardrums. She learned English by reading lips, and underwent several surgeries. She now hears well.

Chantal also has overcome speech difficulties.

The sisters have big dreams for the future: Yvonne hopes to become a surgeon. Jacqueline is interested in everything from medicine to law to public service. Chantal also wants to go into the medical field.

“I’m very proud of these girls. They are very smart girls,” McManus said. “They are wonderful role models because they were where the other kids are. They’ve done it. They’ve been able to be successful.”

She continued: “They have very strong belief in their the ability to do things, make things happen. They know how to work really hard. That is very good for the other kids to see. From a tutoring standpoint, they are able to communicate. It’s not just about speaking another language; it’s understanding what the other person needs because they’ve been in their shoes.”

Yvonne said she wants fellow refugees to be brave, to believe in themselves.

“I want to encourage the people who came from Africa to not be afraid,” she said. “If they need help, ask a teacher. Don’t be afraid of anything.”

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

5 Local Things You Need to Know: For the weekend, to start next week

June 1, 20183-bottom, Citizen JournalismChick-Fil-A, East Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Melaine Morrison, Schuler Books, Shrek! The MusicalJoanne

By WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

Kentwood: East Kentwood teacher is Shrek

East Kentwood High School is Shrek in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s upcoming production of “Shrek! the Musical,” which starts its two-week run Friday, June 1. The show runs through June 17.

For more on the story, click here.

Wyoming: Touch-a-Truck event

Wyoming’s Chick-fil-A will be hosting a Touch-a-Truck – Wyoming Emergency Vehicles on Saturday, June 2, from 2- 5 p.m.

For more on the story, click here.

Kentwood: Author comes to Schuler Books

Social justice educator, author, and activist Melanie S. Morrison comes to Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE, on Monday, June 4. Morrison will be discussing her new book “Murder on the Shades Mountain: The Lynching of Willie Peterson and the Struggle for Justice in Jim Crow Birmingham.”

For more on the story, click here.

The Porters are set to open the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series.

Wyoming: Concerts in the Park start Tuesday

The kid friendly group The Potters kicks off the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Tuesday, June 5, at Lamar Park. The event is free and starts at 7 p.m.

For more on the story, click here.

All-American Girls Professional Baseball Uniform League Uniform, circa 1952

Kent County: Public Museum host pop up exhibit

Grand Rapids Public Museum will host a pop-up experience this weekend only, June 1 and 2, featuring its Fashion Collection. This opportunity will allow visitors to see how the Museum photographs, catalogs and documents artifacts for the Museum’s online database, grpmcollections.org.

For more on the story, click here.

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

May 22, 20183-bottomEast Kentwood High School, Godwin Heights High School, Graduation, Grand River Prep High School, Kelloggsville High School, Lee High School, South Christian High School, Wyoming High SchoolJoanne

2018graduation ceremonies kick off today and run through June 4.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

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

Tuesday, May 22

Wyoming High School has 275 students graduating. Graduation is at Grand Rapids First, 2100 44th St. SW, at 7 p.m.

Godfrey’s Lee High School has about 150 students graduating. Graduation is at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, at 7 p.m. For the school’s top ten, click here.

Wednesday May 23

Godwin Heights High School has 144 students graduating. Graduation is at the high school auditorium, 50 35th St. SW, at 7 p.m.

South Christian High School has 170 students graduating. Graduation is at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW at 7:30 p.m..

Thursday, May 24

East Kentwood High School has around 600 students graduating. Graduation is at the the school’s stadium, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, at 7 p.m. The rain date is May 25.

Tuesday, May 29

Tri-Unity Christian School has 18 students graduating. Graduation is at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30

West Michigan Aviation Academy 133 students graduating. Graduation is at Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE. at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 31

Kelloggsville High School has 137 students graduating. Graduation is at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW, at 7 p.m.

Potter House has 53 students graduating. Graduation is Calvary Baptist Church, 1200 28th St. SE at 7 p.m.

Friday, June 1

West Michigan Lutheran High School has 5 students graduating. Graduation is at West Michigan Lutheran High School, 601 36th St. SW, at 7 p.m.

Monday, June 4

Grand River Prep High School has 134 students graduating. Graduation is at Calvin College’s Van Noord Arena, 3201 Burton St. SE, at 6:30 p.m.

Local singer wins Meijer Summer Games national anthem contest

May 10, 20183-bottomByron Center, East Kentwood High School, Macy Krupiczewicz, Meijer State Games of MichiganJoanne

Local singer, Macy Krupiczewicz, won the Meijer State Games of Michigan National Anthem Contest. Krupiczewicz will perform at the summer games opening ceremony on June 22 at East Kentwood High School in front of an estimated 6,000 people.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan hosts a contest to find an audience-favorite singer to perform the National Anthem at the opening ceremony. Contestants submitted videos of themselves performing the National Anthem, then viewers could vote for their favorite performer through Facebook. There are over 6,000 members in the Meijer State Games of Michigan National Anthem Facebook group, where Krupiczewicz was declared the winner by 66 votes over her competition.

“Everyone knows how much music means to me, so to have a fan base of people rooting and voting for me is amazing,” said Krupiczewicz. “If you put enough passion into something, you’re bound to get there some day.”

Krupiczewicz is originally from Byron Center, Mich. She is a Michigan State University alumna, where she received a degree in broadcast journalism. Next year she will move to Nashville to chase her singing dreams. She will continue to pursue journalism, but pursuing her dream is the biggest thing, according to Krupiczewicz.

Heglund-Sova Realty is a company specializing in all areas of real estate and property management. Their success is attributed to the combined years of experience from their professional team.

“Heglund-Sova Realty is overwhelmed with the amount of people who voted, and we wish Macy the best of luck singing the National Anthem at the Meijer State Games opening ceremony,” said Jim Heglund, president of Heglund-Sova Realty. “It’s an honor to be able to sponsor such a fun event in the Grand Rapids area, which brings people together from all over the state.”

East Kentwood student makes her acting debut in Civic’s ‘Akeelah and the Bee’

April 19, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of KentwoodAkeelah and the Bee, Ania Powell, East Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Kentwood Public Schools, Scripps National Spelling BeeJoanne

East Kentwood student Ania Powell makes her Civic Theatre debut with “Akeelah and the Bee.”

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

Ania Powell can relate to Akeelah Anderson challenges of stepping out of your comfort zone in “Akeelah and the Bee,” Grand Rapids Civic Theater’s upcoming children’s production.

“I always wanted to act,” said the East Kentwood High School 11th grader during a recent interview. “So I decided you’ve got to start somewhere. So let’s see how it goes.”

Her starting point was auditioning for the Civic production, which will run April 20 – 29, and landing the role of Ratchet Rhonda, a schoolmate of Akeelah.

“I was really surprised and excited,” Powell said of landing her first role at Civic Theatre. “There were 60 or more people who auditioned and about 12 were called back, so that was pretty exciting as well.”

Actually Powell is one of a half of dozen new faces to Civic Theatre in the “Akeelah” production which also reunites actors from the 2017 Civic production of “Ragtime,” including Eddie Stephens, Marissa Baty, Micah Mcdonald, Dona Curry, and Michael Travis.

Also new to Civic is guest director Dwandra Nickole Lampkin, associate professor of theatre and director of Multicultural Theatre at Western Michigan University.

“I don’ always jump at the opportunity to direct…I’m an actor first,” Lampkin said. “But in talking with Allyson Paris, associate director at Civic Theatre and co-director for ‘Akeelah,’ I realized this project was something bigger than myself. I thought, here is a theater that wants to commit a spot in their season to a show with a different perspective (both culturally and racially). I not only wanted, but needed to be a part of that. I thought, ‘if Civic Theatre is making this commitment, how can I not?’”

“Akeelah and the Bee,” based off the 2006 film starring Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett, tells the story of 11-year-old spelling enthusiast Akeelah Anderson. She must overcome many obstacles including her neighborhood in South Los Angeles, the prejudice of those she is competing against along with those of her friends and family, and finally her own self doubts to land a spot and participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Powell said she can understand the challenges Akeelah faced. To be able to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Akeelah had to make a lot of sacrifices, Powell said, and to be part of a production such as “Akeelah and the Bee,” Powell had to make some tough choices as well.

“I learned that you have to be very committed to to a production,” Powell said about being in the show. “I usually play softball in the spring for school but I gave that up in order to focus on the show.”

Marissa Baty as Gail Anderson, Blessing Ouding as Akeelah, and Eddie Stephens as Dr. Larabee

Rehearsals for a show are almost daily which means a lot of time at Civic Theatre and Powell said learning lines and really getting to know her character has been a challenge.

“Akeelah went through a lot of stuff to accomplish what she wanted and she didn’t it let her stop her,” Powell said. “That inspires me as well.”

And Powell believes that “Akeelah” can inspire others to step outside of their comfort zone and try new things like she did.

“I would tell people that this show is about not being afraid to take that step outside of the box because you never know what it is going be like or if you will ever have the chance to do it again,” Powell said.

“Akeelah and the Bee” is April 20-29 at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. The show is recommended for 5th graders and older. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday with 2 p.m matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $16-$10. For more information about the show or to purchase tickets, call 616-222-6650 or visit www.grct.org.

Grandville team nabs top honors at FIRST Robotics event, Potter’s House named top rookie team

April 6, 20183-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingEast Kentwood High School, FIRST Robotics, Lee High School, Red Storm, Wayland High School, Wyoming High SchoolJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It was a packed house as East Kentwood High School hosted its fourth annual FIRST Robotics event just before Easter.

More than 800 students from around West Michigan and as far away as Troy and Milan, competed at the two-day event in hopes of landing a spot in the state competition set for April 12-14 at Saginaw Valley State University.

Teams for the Kentwood and Wyoming area included home team East Kentwood’s Red Storm, Wyoming High School’s Demons, Lee High School’s Rebel Robotics, Potter House’s Tactical Hams, and the West Michigan Aviation Academy’s Team Spitfire. There also were teams from Grandville and Grand Rapids such as Ottawa Hills High School.

After 80 some qualifying rounds, the final eight teams were announced Saturday afternoon with team alliance selections made for the semi-finals. Several of the local teams including East Kentwood’s Red Storm, Wyoming’s Demons, Lee’s Rebel Robotics, and Potter House’s Tactical Hams made the semi-finals.

But it would be the alliance of Kalamazoo’s Strike Force, Newaygo’s NC Gears, and Hackett Catholic Prep’s Irish Robotics that would bring home the win.

Several local teams did receive awards with Grandville’s Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs taking home the Chairman’s Award. This is the most prestigious award at FIRST as it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. Teams who have earned the Regional and District Championship Chairman’s Award can travel to the FIRST Championship to be considered for the Chairman’s Award.

Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs along with Wayland’s Widlcats and Lee’s Rebel Robotics were a district event finalist. The Wayland Wildcats also earned the Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors.

Receiving the Highest Rookie Seed was Potter’s House’s Tactical Hams and the Gracious Professionalism Award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson went to Grandville’s The RoboDawgs.

For a complete list of awards, click here.

WKTV broadcast the event live on Saturday, March 31. Visit wkvt.viebet.com to see the broadcast or check the WKTV TV schedule at wktv.org or wktvjournal.org.

March madness comes to East Kentwood as it hosts FIRST robotics competition

March 29, 20183-bottomEast Kentwood High School, FIRST, FIRST Robotics, GE Aviation, Grand Valley State University, Lee High School, Red Storm Robotics, West Michigan Aviation Academy, William Zoerhoff, WKTV, Wyoming High SchoolJoanne

FIRST Power Up, the theme for this year’s FIRST challenge, is based on a Mario game.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

The energy in the gym is electric. Mascots lead the crowds in cheers as the teams take the field. Someone runs in front of the bleachers with a team flag with others in the stands holding up illuminated signs of team numbers. It only gets quiet as the match is about to start. The buzzer goes off and the place erupts with noise.

This is March Madness not for basketball, but for robotics, specifically FIRST Robotics. This Friday and Saturday, the madness comes to East Kentwood High School’s field house as the district for the fourth year hosts the First Robotics event.

“I have been superintendent for the district for five years, so I have really gotten the chance to see this event grow,” said Kentwood Superintendent William Zoerhoff, who added that watching the students work as a team to figure out a problem using their STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — skills is pretty amazing.

Color coordinated fans are ready to cheer on their team at GVSU’s FIRST Robotics competition.

The program began with 28 teams in a New Hampshire high school gym, according to the FIRST website. In 2018, it is estimated that more than 400,000 students across the globe will come together and within six weeks, design, build, and program a functional robot which is able to fulfill the unique and complex challenges specific to that year’s game.

“But it is much more than just building a robot, “ said Grand Valley State University’s Dean of Engineering Paul D. Plotkowski. GVSU was one of the first organizations to host FIRST Robotic competitions with the university having its event last weekend. “It’s about teamwork. It’s about students coming together and solving a problem with each student having a specific task in accomplishing the goal.”

Teams are not only required to build a robot, but they have to come up with a business plan to help cover costs for parts and travel. In the cast of Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics, Zoerhoff said when funding for the school’s program was needed, the students pitched the team and event to Switch which signed on as a major community supporter.

In the end, it is not about winning either, according to Kentwood’s FIRST Robotics Competition organizer Wendy Ljungen, who is a chief consulting engineer for GE Aviation Systems. It is about getting students interested in the field of technology and in fact, there are a vast array of scholarships available to students who participate in FIRST.

“When GE got involved, it was looking at how to get more women involved in technology,” Ljungen said. “GE has been a strong force in creating a balance by encouraging girls and building a better pipeline.”

So nine years ago, a GE group, called Women in Technology, began to look around to see what programs there were to encourage students and specifically pull girls into the pipeline of technology and engineering. They found FIRST and had about three months —which included the two-week Christmas break — to pull together a team. They did and Kentwood’s Red Storm Robotics team became the top seeded Rookie team that year.

Mentors work with the South Christian High School team

From there, GE branched out to help with establishing three middle school teams in Kentwood — one which went to the world competition last year — along with helping with the Wyoming High School’s team the Demons and this year, re-establishing the Ottawa Hills High School team. Those teams along with West Michigan Aviation’s Team Spitfire, Lee High School’s Rebel Robotics, and Potter’s House’s Tactical Hams are among the more than 40 teams that will be at this weekend’s event.

This year’s competition theme is based on a Mario game with the robots required to be able to pick up cubes that can be placed on a scale along with passing them out for stacking. Robots also need to be able to climb a structure with some able to load another team’s robot and climb.

The “game” floor has all the bells and whistles of the Mario game complete with a giant scoreboard showcasing who has the most points. There is a few minutes before a winner is announced as final scores are tallied.

Each team is required to attend two district competitions. Those teams that earn enough points or certain awards, then advance to the state competition which will be April 12-14 at Saginaw Valley State University.

“It has been quite a journey,” Ljungen said. “When we started there was about 200 teams. There are now more than 500 teams with the goal that ever listed high school in the state will have a team.”

The growth of FIRST is evident as to accommodate all the teams with Forest Hills Central High School added to the schedule this year as a new FIRST Robotics event site. That competition is next weekend.

For more on FIRST, visit firstinspires.org. For Saturday’s live coverage, tune into WKTV Channel 25 or visit wktv.viebet.com.

School News Network: Water All Around, But Some Children Can’t Swim

February 12, 20183-bottom, City of KentwoodChallenge Elementary School, East Kentwood High School, East Kentwood High School Aquatics Center, Kentwood Public Schools, School News NetworkJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By Erin Albanese

schoolnewsnetwork.org

With his lifejacket snug and dripping wet, Kentwood’s Challenger Elementary School fifth-grader Jaden Brown pulled himself up an East Kentwood High School Aquatics Center pool ladder. He had just practiced swimming in deep water with his classmates.

During three sessions at the pool, offered to all fifth-graders from the district’s 10 elementary schools, Jaden has learned the basics of water safety and he’s feeling more confident in the pool. “It taught me how to swim a little,” he said. “I didn’t know how to swim before.”

Leena Karaein, left, and Kelly Le, Challenger Elementary School fifth-graders, get ready to swim

The Aquatic Center, which features two swimming pools and 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards, provides the perfect opportunity to teach swimming as a life skill to many students in the district who don’t know how to swim, said Aquatics Director Joey Sutherlin. He leads the session with Jock Ambrose, high school boys’ swim coach.

Yet, like skills taught in health and physical education, water safety is something all students need to know, Sutherlin said. The district is one of the most diverse in the state, with students from more than 60 countries represented and a large population of English-language learners.

In the U.S., about 4,000 people drown each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including data from 1999–2010. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1 to 4, and one of the top three causes among persons age 29 or younger.

There is disparity in rates of drowning among some ethnic groups, including African-Americans, with blacks also reporting less opportunities to swim. Swimming pool drowning rates among blacks, ages 5–19, were 5.5 times higher than those among white youth. This disparity was greatest at ages 11 and 12 years; at these ages, blacks drown in swimming pools at 10 times the rate of whites.

Coach Jock Ambrose talks about water safety to Challenger Elementary School fifth-graders

Skills for Life

“It’s lifelong learning. We live in Michigan. We are 10 minutes from natural water in any direction,” Sutherlin said, adding that the district has continued to invest in the pool, while some districts have ended their programs. Grand Rapids Public Schools, for instance, once offered water safety but it fell victim to budget cuts.

If the program saves even just one life it is worth it, he said. “We have to make sure we are not just educating our kids in math, science, English, but that we are teaching them survival skills as well.”

While the fifth-grade three-session course is a way to build the district’s competitive swim program by introducing swimming, water polo and diving to elementary school students, a key component is teaching safety topics. Those include floating, reaching out with an oar or branch to help someone struggling in the water, and throwing them a ring buoy or other floatation device. Students learn to enter shallow water feet first and have the chance to try swimming in deep water.

“We believe there is nothing more important than teaching all kids from a young age all the way through high school, the importance of water safety,” Sutherlin said. “We want to make sure they will be safe when they leave here.”

Challenger teacher Jennifer Ray said she’s seen her students become more interested and comfortable in the water, and even start coming to open swim sessions with their families. “There are definitely some of them who, over the three classes, their confidence in the water has grown.”

East Kentwood also offers high school electives including lifeguarding, and beginning, intermediate and advanced swimming.

Once students get really confident in the water, Aquatics Center staff encourages them try the diving board. Fifth-grader Leilani Moore took the plunge off the 3-meter board.

“It was amazing. I felt like I was flying!” she exclaimed.

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

Students practice swimming in deep water

School News Network: Getting Real with Straight Talk

January 17, 20183-bottom, City of KentwoodCity of Kentwood, East Kentwood High School, Erin Albanese, School News Network, Straight TalkJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

To truly address diversity and culture, sometimes you have to get down to the nitty-gritty. That was shown by East Kentwood students who recently discussed issues including gender roles, bridging a disconnect between general education and English-language learner students, and building mutual respect among students and teachers.

Sophomore Jamirea Lacy shares thoughts on connecting with ELL students

As part of a recent Student Council-designed Culture Week, students gathered on two days for Straight Talk during lunch periods.

“It’s about celebrating the vast array of cultures that we have in school because we are the No. 1 diverse school in the state of Michigan,” said senior Edgar Gatsinski, head of the council’s Diversity Committee. “We have a lot of different cultures and (57) countries represented at the school and we, as student council, wanted to celebrate that.”

Among activities that included games to identify countries and flags, and wearing traditional clothes from students’ native lands, Straight Talk was Culture Week’s way of exploring diversity deeper than through symbols and dress.

“I’ve been asking that key question: How can we acknowledge diversity more at East Kentwood?” Edgar said. “We talk about it, but aren’t really doing it.”

Junior Medina Vila waits to share her opinion

He noted the need for better connection among different student groups. “It’s important to me, given the current cultural climate in the world. I feel like this is so necessary. We need to come together in order for progress to be made. By doing this, that is the main goal.”

Overcoming Barriers Starts with Conversation

Students explored the need to better embrace and involve newcomers and to break down stereotypes. They also talked about student-teacher relationships, gender roles and of the risks of trying to fit in at the expense of not being authentic.

“I feel like once some of us step out of our comfort zone, like maybe we see an ELL student in class and we go and talk to them, then maybe other people will approach them,” said sophomore Jamirea Lacy.

Senior Edgar Gatsinski facilitates Straight Talk

“We have to overcome those language barriers that we have,” Edgar said. “There are other ways to connect with them, like sharing common interests.”

Students also talked about what makes it hard to reach out to others: awkwardness, fear of rejection and fear of what other people think. It’s difficult to step out of one’s circle of friends, they said, but there are ways to do it. “If you do talk to someone who is from a different culture, food is a great topic,” said junior Medina Vila.

Students said they have different standards concerning gender roles based on how they grew up. For some, they don’t really exist in their families, for others, gender roles are tied to tradition and heritage.

“I don’t think ‘being a man’ has an exact definition,” said Junior Ana Tran. “A woman can be anything. A man can be anything too.”

“My mom always instilled in me that it’s OK that she worked and my dad chose to be the one who stayed at home, but I feel like it’s a stigma that it can’t be that way,” Jamirea said.

Edgar said he thinks gender roles “are going to subside and be put aside because we are so progressive, noting that he still hears the “be a man” message from the older generation.

Students also discussed how teachers can better understand students and their cultures, especially within a heated U.S. political environment.

“Regardless of whatever political affiliation they have, I feel like they should still be a little more sensitive and a little more keen to what’s happening around them,” Edgar said. “There is a lot of divisiveness currently in the United States, and it would be nice if the teachers paid attention to that and saw where their students are coming from.”

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

A diverse group of students have straight-forward conversation

School News Network: Limbs lost, she gives back with her heart

January 12, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools3-D-printed, Challenger Elementary School, East Kentwood High School, Kentwood Public SchoolsJoanne

From left, Jason Gray-Moore, Cole Culp, Gabe LaComte and Joshua Cancler used a 3-D printing to make a prosthetic hand.

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

With her kind voice and seemingly ever-present smile, it’s easy to see how Kentwood Public School’s Challenger Elementary social worker Pam Buschle has impacted the lives of children over the past 26 years, offering support and a helping hand to many.

Now, with the help of East Kentwood High School engineering students, she’s made it possible to literally give a hand –- a 3-D-printed prosthetic one — to a child in need.

Students recently printed and assembled a hand prototype and will soon create a final version for a child, thanks to an online community of designers and a challenge from Buschle. They will be able to choose the child who will receive the hand, and they are especially interested in supporting someone from a war-torn country.

Social worker Pam Buschle uses an iPad with her prosthetic hand.

This gift was made possible by the No Limbits (pronounced “no limits”) Foundation, created by Buschle and her husband, Marty, a year ago. Its mission is to provide children with prosthetic limbs and to help people who have faced physical challenges have the highest quality of life possible in other ways. Challenger Student Council members raised about $500 for the foundation.

Buschle had both legs and both arms amputated while batting septic shock following routine surgery in early 2014. She now wears prosthetics to replace all four limbs, and is still able to work, walk, use her iPad, open doors and much more.

“I feel incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to give back,” Buschle said. “When I lost my limbs, the Kentwood community, students and teachers all gave back to me. This project is allowing me to give back to someone who might not have hope. I was the recipient of so much love and assistance, and now we are going to be able to offer that to someone.”

Because of cost, prosthetics are out of reach for many people. Buschle’s electric prosthetics cost $125,000 each, mostly paid for through insurance and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Fittings alone cost thousands of dollars. While the 3-D-printed hand is much more basic than Buschle’s, a professionally made, muscle-actuated hand can cost around $6,000 to $10,000, so cost is a huge barrier around the world.

A 3D-printed prosthetic will give new opportunities to a child who is missing a hand

Making Prosthetics Accessible

E-NABLE, a community of individuals from all over the world, offers free, downloadable designs for people to use their 3-D printers to create prosthetic hands and arms. Design kits are open source and available through the site.

At Buschle’s request, East Kentwood engineering teacher Randy Smith challenged seniors Gabe LaComte and Jason Gray-Moore, and juniors Joshua Cancler and Cole Culp, to 3-D-print the hand using files from e-NABLE. They spent about 20 hours using two printers in Smith’s classroom to finish a prototype by following a step-by-step process. They will next upload a video of the hand to e-NABLE, which will verify it and send specific measurements from a child for the final hand.

Money raised by Challenger students was used to purchase materials, including filament for the 3-D hand.

“I enjoyed doing 3-D printing of the hand,” Jason said. “You can help somebody who is not as fortunate as us and we can give them a hand because we have the resources to do it.”

Added Cole, “It’s a good opportunity to make a change for someone who doesn’t have something as basic as a hand. Some people go their whole lives without being able to pick up something. It’s nice to know you helped them with something like that.”

Social worker Pam Buschle lost her arms and legs while battling septic shock

No Limbits has also brought a child to Grand Rapids for a prosthetic hand, Zoey Krause from the Dominican Republic, whose father, Tim Krause, is an East Kentwood High School graduate. They sponsored a 5K run called Medaling Monkeys for special education students; provided scholarships for teenagers who need adaptive equipment to participate in a sport; sent care packages to people around the country who have lost their limbs; and they plan to build more 3-D hands.

Buschle said her career has given her perspective on life. For many years she worked with students on the autism spectrum.

“Seeing the resilience and hard work students would put into living their happiest, fullest life gave me a lot of inspiration when I went through this experience,” she said. “I was able to look at the students and families I had known for years, and think about how they put one foot in front of the other when things seemed very impossible and difficult, and draw a lot of strength from that.”

Buschle returned to work seven months after losing her arms and legs.

“It was really beautiful, being back in school, how much the students encouraged me and accepted me, and have shown me how to be compassionate and accepting and loving. Children are naturals at that. There are a lot of lessons we can learn from our students.”

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