Tag Archives: Grand River Prep High School

Grand River Prep senior Jacob Pewee lighting up the track, uplifting his teammates

City of Kentwood, Sports, West Michigan, ,
Jacob Pewee won both the 100m and long jump in the Alliance League championship. (Courtesy, Grand River Prep)





By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



As a youngster, Grand River Prep sprinter Jacob Pewee was told he was fast.

“As a kid, I was always fast,” said Pewee, a senior at GRP. “Many of my friends let me know that. In general, I just enjoy running as it is one of my favorite things to do so I decided to put my skills to the test by joining track and field.

“I wish I would have joined sooner because I would be a lot farther than I am now despite my current accomplishments.”

Most recently, Pewee was the conference champion in the 100m sprint (11.50 seconds and the long jump (18 feet, 7 inches). He also was third in conference in the 200m and a member of the 4x400m relay team that placed second in school history. The boys team finished third overall in the Alliance League.

Pewee broke the 100m school record (11.50, regional qualifier) and the 200 record at 23.86. He also ranks fourth in school history in the long jump and sixth in school history in the open 400m. Last season he won all-region honors in the long jump.

“The very first time I participated in track and field was in sixth grade when I was about 12 years old,” said Pewee, who played varsity basketball as a junior. “When I moved to Michigan from Iowa and entered high school I decided to get back into it my junior year and am currently doing it as a senior. I’ve been loving it ever since.

“One of my favorite events is the 100-meter dash. I enjoy putting in the work during practice and applying it by going all out on the track. It leaves little room for error and is highly competitive which I love. Running against people around my skill level not only humbles me, but also pushes me to greater heights because I’ve always believed I can do good no matter what.”

Pewee was accepted to attend Grand Valley State University, but is still deciding if he’ll run track there.



“Judging by my performance and how quickly I’m improving in such a short time I think it’s inevitable.”


GRP track and field Coach Seth Pronger spoke highly of his leader

“Jacob has always been one of my most energetic and hardworking athletes in my time here,” Pronger said. “He’s embraced his role as a team leader as someone who uplifts the team and centralizes his teammates’ focus not only through his words, but through his actions as well. He’s always humble and regardless of the result of his competitions, he fist bumps all of the competitors in his heat.

“Jacob has an infectiously positive energy that carries through the entire team. He has more than earned his teammates’ respect on a personal and athletic level. As talented of an athlete as he is, it’s his superlative character that makes him the perfect leader for this team.”

Pronger said he’s relentless in working towards his goals

“Jacob pushes his limits in practice and has an acute attention to detail to make sure he is performing at the highest level,” Pronger explained. “No matter how tired he is, he will always go all out and finish his races and workouts even stronger than he started them. 

“At his current trajectory, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Jacob qualify for the state meet and continue to further extend his school records and decorated track career here at Grand River Prep.”

Lee Boys win first outright conference title since 1980

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
(Image courtesy, Lee High School)



By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org


An 89-68 win Tuesday over Grand River Prep gave the Lee boys their first outright conference championship in 43 years … well before Coach Dominic Shannon was born.

“This is special,” Shannon said. “Our first outright conference championship since 1980 — I was born in 1986.”

A huge turnaround

Lee now sits atop the Alliance League at 7-0 and is 17-1 overall. Last year, the Legends were 2-6 in the league and 5-16 overall.

Shannon said he noticed last fall that the team had potential, and “with some grooming, could be good.”

“With a strong start to the season and the togetherness the boys began showing early in the season, our conversation as coaches began to shift to something great and something special,” Shannon explained. “We began the conversation of ‘leaving the mark,’ and now their team will forever be remembered.”

As far as the Legends win over GRP, Shannon talked about his unselfish team that has improved each game.

“We finished the game with 23 assists … we share the ball and enjoy sharing the ball, making it easy to coach,” he said. “Joe Russau and Marc Whitfield receive the majority of the press, rightfully so, but they would tell you just like I know that the team is a team. There have been a few games this year where we have five student-athletes in double figures and that’s a credit to our unselfishness.



Lee’s Ny’Zhem Marshall rushes to the hoop against the Titans. (WKTV/Alex Bernhardt)



“Ny’Zhem Marshall stands at 6-4 and nearly averages a double-double for us. Clarence Lewis is one of the best on-ball defenders in the state — Jr Metcalf is a talented freshman point guard with much potential and Leto Mena, with his willingness to stay ready and provide great energy for the team each night.”

Shannon said the coaches entered the season expecting to continue shifting the culture of the athletic environment at Lee High School.

“Me working in the school district is also having an impact as it’s allowing relationships to grow,” he explained. “By shifting the culture, we set expectations and hold each other accountable; student-athletes and coaching staff. Last year, our team didn’t perform in regards to our record, but I do believe the foundation was laid for the basketball program.

“I really credit my college coaching experience for my preparation of myself and of the coaching staff. We all perform well and it makes my job easy as the head coach. Capturing the outright conference title is huge and will drive us into March as we build towards the Breslin Center. We want to ride this momentum and continue our rebuild of the program.


“We want to be around for a while and plan to be around for a while.”

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

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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.

Many of the private schools also are starting before Labor Day

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It is not just the local school that will be starting before Labor Day, but many of the area’s private schools as well.

 

Both Wyoming and Kentwood are home to several faith-based and charter schools. Most of these schools will be opening Aug. 28. Those schools include: Grand River Prep, Potters House, South Christian High School, West Michigan Aviation Academy, West Michigan Lutheran ad Legacy Christian School. West Catholic and Catholic Central High Schools also are starting on Aug. 28.

 

 

Grand Rapids Christian High School started before everyone — and this includes public schools as well — on Aug. 16, while the first day of school for all the Calvin Christian schools is Aug. 29

 

Tri Unity Christian High School is one of the only private schools scheduled to start after Labor Day on Sept. 5.

 

Michigan law mandates that public schools may not start before Labor Day. However, districts may seek a wavier with the Michigan Department of Education reporting a record number of waivers for this school year totaling 123. This included 99 school districts and charter schools and 24 intermediate school districts, which includes Kent Intermediate School District. The Kent Career Technical Center is started on Monday, Aug. 21.

 

A for a list of the public school start dates, click here.

Game on: WKTV’s featured games for March 6-10

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The WKTV Mobile Unit will be out covering local high school basketball playoffs this week. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

 

This week in WKTV’s featured high school sport games will be determined by which local teams are advancing in the basketball tournaments, but the coverage crew will be at  Godwin Heights Monday, March 6, for the boys basketball game between Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights. The late week game will be determined later this week, tentatively on Friday, and will be announced.

 

WKTV videos and broadcasts several games each week during high school sports season.

 

The early week game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on  WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood. The late week game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.

 

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action in January, see now.wktv.org/sports/

 

DVDs and Blue-Rays of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org

 

Game on: WKTV’s featured games Jan. 23-27

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WKTV Staff

 

In WKTV’s featured high school sports games this week, the coverage crew will be at Godwin Heights for a boys basketball game against Godfrey Lee at on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and then a girls and boys basketball doubleheader at Byron Center Zion Christian against Grand River Prep on Friday, Jan. 27.

 

In the Tuesday game, Godwin Heights enters the week with a 10-0 record after an 81-20 win over Belding on Jan. 20 which pushed the team’s OK Silver Conference record to 4-0. Wyoming Lee enters the week with a 7-3 record (2-2 in conference).

 

In the Friday night games, the Zion Christian girls entered the week with a 5-3 record and Grand River Prep at 0-6.

 

WKTV videos and broadcasts several games each week during high school sports season.

 

Each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on  WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood. Every Friday game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.

 

Check here for this week’s complete schedule for Wyoming and Kentwood area high school varsity sports teams.

 

DVDs of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org

 

‘Nutcracker’ includes sibling youth dancers from Kentwood

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The Grand Rapids Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” returns to DeVos Performance Hall for two weekends — Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-18. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

When the annual run of the Grand Rapids Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” hits the stage Friday, Dec. 9, it will include staring rolls by the company’s professional dancers and, as always, often a stage full of youth dancers.

 

Again this year, Kentwood sisters Grace and Micah Jones will be among those lending their talents to the production a part of the ballet’s youth dance program — one sister because she sees dance as a possible future career and the other because it is just “so much fun.”

 

The classic family holiday tradition returns to DeVos Performance Hall for two weekends — Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-18 —  with four evening shows and four matinees. Live orchestra music is provided by Grand Rapids Symphony, conducted by symphony Associate Conductor John Varineau.

 

Grace, a 16-year-old junior at Grand River Preparatory High School, has been dancing at Grand Rapids Ballet for 11 years and has been a member of the Junior Company since its inception. This year will be her 8th Nutcracker appearance.

 

Grace Jones

“I started dancing when I was 2, my parents saw that I loved movement and loved dancing,” Grace said last week, prior to a rehearsal. “My parents saw I needed something to get my energy out so they said ‘Let’s put her into dance.’ I really didn’t get into ballet right away. I was into jazz and tap and hip hop, but at about 5, I went into ballet because I loved the movement.”

 

She also loved The Nutcracker, thanks to her father, Ronald.

 

“I remember going to The Nutcracker every year, when I was younger,” she said. “My dad would take me every year, starting at 4 and then every year until I was 8, when I got to be in it for the first time.”

 

Seven productions later, she is still excited about the annual holiday production.

 

“I have always loved being in front of the audience,” Grace said. “I love sharing, I love exposing the audience to something new. For me, when I first watched it, it was so beautiful, to watch those beautiful dancers, the beautiful colors and costumes and shapes they make on the stage. I said ‘Wow. I want to do that.’ … Now I want to give some other girl that feeling, the feeling I felt when I was younger.”

 

According to her mother, Sandra, Grace hopes to dance in college while pursuing professional opportunities. But she sees dance as a means to other career paths as well.

 

“I love teaching, maybe teaching dance, “ Grace said. “I would love to show others the joy I found in dance.”

 

One of the people she has shown the love of dance to is her sister.

 

Micah, age 13 and a 7th grader at Cross Creek Charter Academy, says music is her first love — she has been playing the piano for 8 years, and her mother says she has talked about assisting with her college expenses by playing piano for ballet companies.

 

Micah Jones

But Micah has been with working with the Grand Rapids Ballet youth program for four years and will be in the Nutcracker for the third year.

 

“I saw saw my sister, and other people, in dance and it looked so fun,” Micah said, explaining why she wanted to dance. “It is so free, you get to move how you want to move.”

 

She also said she receives plenty of advice and encouragement from her older sister.

 

“Since she is such a good dancer, she really helps me when I need help, with technique or how I am supposed to move,” Micah said.

 

And as far as her first time in front of the usually large crowds watching the Nutcracker, any advice from her older sister?

 

“She told me not to think of the crowd, just remember your choreography, remember what you are there to do.”

 

While the two sisters will be dancing different rolls this season, the thing they have in common is an affinity for the famous battle scene. “It is a giant battle scene,” Grace points out, while Micah simply says the scene is “so much fun.”

 

Anybody who has seen the production knows what they are talking about; those how haven’t have two weekends worth of opportunity.

 

For more information, call 616-454-4771 or visit grballet.com

 

More than 1,500 local students take their graduation walk

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2016 graduation ceremonies kick off tomorrow and run through next week.
2016 graduation ceremonies kick off tomorrow and run through next week.

It’s May. The weather is finally warm. The flowers are blooming and it’s time for more than 1,500 students to take their final walk down the aisle to receive their high school diplomas.

 

In the Kentwood and Wyoming areas, there are 11 schools hosting graduation ceremonies within the next two weeks. Here is a rundown of dates and the top students for each school.

 

Starting out of the graduation ceremonies will be South Christian High, which will graduate 154 students Thursday, May 25. Graduation is set for 7 p.m. at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW. The school has three valedictorians: Joshua Boers, Colin Hartgerink and Nicolas Kuperus.  The remaining students in the top ten are: Peyton DeRuiter, Lucy Dykhouse, Cassidy Huizinga, Hannah Koning, A.J. Samdal, Bradley Scholten and Alex VanKooten.

 

On Friday, May 26, both East Kentwood High School and Godfrey’s Lee High School will be hosting their 2016 graduation ceremonies. Lee High School has around 90 students walking down the aisle at 7 p.m. at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Grandville. Making up the 2016 Lee High School top ten are Leonardo Vallejo, Emily Fishman, Selena Knutson, Dino Rodas, Allison Fisher, Giselle Perez, Ivan Diaz, Alonso Lopez-Carrera, Alejandro Vargas and Oliver Lorenzo.

 

East Kentwood High School’s graduation is at 7 p.m. May 26 at the school’s stadium, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. The rain date is May 27.  Making up the top ten are Andy Ly, Megan Callaghan, Makaela Dalley, Nolan Meister, Sara Anstey, Marilyn Padua, Tran Vo, Hao Nguyen, Venesa Haska, and Matthew Richer.

 

Tri-Unity High School and Wyoming High School will have graduation ceremonies on Tuesday, May 31.

 

Wyoming High School will have 265 students graduate at 7 p.m. May 31 at Grand Rapids First Church, 2100 44th St. SW. The top ten are Montana Earegood, Kayla Kornoelje, Stella Achiyan, Naomi Nguyen, Nhu Quynh, Christopher Hanson, Jada Haines, Rachel Bolt, Lazaro Cruz, and Kelly Gonzalez Diaz.

 

Tri-Unity Christian School will be graduating 17 students at 7 p.m. May 31 at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Grandville. The top two students for the class are Lisa McKelvey and Alissa VanderVeen.

 

Godwin High School has 126 students graduating on Wednesday, June 1. Graduation ceremonies are at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, 50 35th St. SW. The valedictorian is Esteban Romero Herrera. The salutatorian is Taylor Jarrett. The rest of the top top are Ashley Soto, Sandra Rivera, Chloe Fritz, Amel Causevic, China Nguyen, Karen Barrose, Hector Zoleta and Alex Mosley.

 

Several area schools will be hosting graduation ceremonies on Thursday, June 2.

 

Kelloggsville High School’s 2016 graduation ceremonies are at 7 p.m. June 2 at Kentwood Community Church, 2950 Clyde Park Ave. SW. The class has 140 students this year. The top ten are: Lan-Phuong Ton, Lucynda Pham, Kim-Ngan Nguyen, April M. Savickas, Shayla Huong Huynh, Ashley Duong, Chantal Lopez, Loc Tran, Michael Truong, and Sang Tran.

 

The Potters House will be graduating 44 students at 7 p.m. June 2 at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church, 1800 Plymouth Ave. SE., Grand Rapids. The valedictorian is Ashley VerBeek and the salutatorian is Emily Stout.

 

West Michigan Aviation Academy has 94 students in its 2016 graduating class. Graduation is at 7 p.m. June 2 at the school, 5363 44th St. SE. Making up the top ten are Abigail Kathleen Austin, Cindy Ngoc Ha, Connor Hendrik Hogan, Jonathan David Ketcham, Jason Thomas Kilgore, Hayley Elizabeth Latham, Jaxyn Bennett Ryks, Emily Ann Seykora, Samantha Rae Stuart, and Joshua Zane Vogeli.

 

West Michigan Lutheran High School is proud that its eight graduates will graduate with over a 3.0 GPA. The graduation baccalaureate service begins at 7 p.m. at the school, 601 36th St. SW, Wyoming. Valedictorian is Allison Klooster and salutatorian is Joshua Andree.

 

On Friday, June 3, Grand River Prep High School has 113 graduates for 2016. This year’s graduation is at 6:30 p.m. Calvin College’s Van Noord Arena, 3195 Knight Way SE. Class valedictorian is Christa Fernando. Salutatorians are Ajilan Potter and Megan Lawrence. The rest of the top ten include Victor Rojas Garcia, Samrawit Kahsay, Taitum Male, Julia Lammy, Antony Nguyen, Giselle Uwera, Mckenzie Male, Hai Truong and Kendall Garland.