Tag Archives: hope college

Stories from Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan: An inclusive college experience

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By Emily Perton, Executive Director, Ready For Life

 

Recently I was taking a walk-through Hope College’s campus. As I walked, I came across a mentor from the Ready for Life program. We talked about how she had been listening to the Hope College radio station and heard one of the Ready For Life students broadcasting his weekly radio show. She asked me about a graduate from last year, and I had the pleasure of sharing how she was employed and living with some other graduates of Ready For Life. We parted ways, and I kept walking. I soon encountered one of the Ready for Life students hurrying to get to her dance class. I walked on and came across a Hope College professor who shared he was eager for basketball season to get started and how thankful he was to have one of the Ready for Life guys help out with the team. I ended my walk at the Ready For Life classroom where ten Ready for Life students and five mentors were playing board games on a Friday afternoon. In my ten-minute walk across campus, I was able to see the effect the Ready or Life program has!

 

Ready For Life Academy provides an inclusive college experience for adults with intellectual disabilities at both Hope and Calvin College. The program was established to provide an inclusive transition option for students ages 18-26. This Spring we have 12 students at Hope College and 5 students at Calvin College. The students audit 2 college classes each semester. They also take life-skill/transition classes taught by a certified special education teacher. They volunteer on campus or out in the community starting their sophomore year in the 4-year program. On top of the educational experience, the students are also gaining social skills through relationships with mentors on campus. Each semester between the 2 campus’ we have 30-40 college students who mentor the Ready For Life students. The students engage in many different clubs and activities on the campus where they are having an opportunity to receive the college experience.

 

At Ready For Life we desire to give students a place where they belong. We want them to know they make a difference and that when they are absent, we miss them. Once the students feel connected to the college community, they can believe in themselves and learn how to become independent adults. Throughout their four years in the program they gain the skills necessary to achieve the two goals of the program: independent living and paid employment.

 

As a mother of two young boys with Down Syndrome and the Executive Director of Ready For Life, I desire for them to have an enriched life with every opportunity available to them. I must admit when we adopted our oldest son with Down Syndrome we didn’t think about him attending college. I am not sure if we thought much past kindergarten when he was twenty-one months. But now as he, nine years old, and his brother, six years old, are attending school with their peers and experiencing inclusion, I envision them experiencing college life following High School. The requirements needed to get into the Ready For Life program are now the long-term goals we share at their IEP meetings. Our boys see themselves on a college track; Nico is determined to go to Calvin, and Gus is determined to go to Hope — apparently, we will be a house divided.

 

If you are interested in learning more about your child’s future as a college student, check out the Ready For Life program at rflnetwork.org, or sign-up to come to our “Visit Day” at Calvin College on Friday, March 9, 2018, at rflnetwork.org/events.

 

Reprinted with permission from Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan

Local resident takes the Civic Theatre stage in upcoming production of ‘Annie’

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Kira Alsum portrays Grace Farrell in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s upcoming production of “Annie.”

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Kira Alsum is very familiar with the show “Annie” as it is one of her favorites. In fact, she loves it so much, that when the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre opens its production of the world’s most famous red-headed orphan this weekend, it will be Alsum’s third time in an “Annie” show.

 

“It is such a different show for its time, and now,” Alsum said of the musical based on Harold Gray’s comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” “She is such an optimist in a very dark time, the Depression, and I think everyone needs a little ‘the sun will come out’ at some point, especially right now.”

 

From the Kentwood area, Alsum portrays Grace Farrell, a part she first performed at her high school alma mater Grand Rapids Christian.

 

“Not only do I love the music of ‘Annie,’ I love Grace Farrell,” Alsum said, adding she really became familiar with the character during her Grand Rapids Christian performance. “She is a strong woman and is one of the few in musical theater.”

 

It is Grace Farrell who comes to the orphanage run by Miss Hannigan for the purpose of selecting an orphan who will be the guest of billionaire businessman Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks for the holidays. It is Grace Farrell who stands up against Miss Hannigan to take Annie and against Warbucks who was expecting a boy orphan. And finally, it is Grace Farrell who helps Warbucks open his heart to Annie and Annie to find a place to call home.

 

“The Civic production of ‘Annie’ has all of the songs and moments that you love and remember from childhood, but updated technology in our building – including projections and LED lights – have given this production a fresh new energy,” said Director Allyson Paris.” It is a charming show – the thing Holiday memories are made of.”

 

The musical is peppered with familiar songs such as a “Hard Knock Life,” “Little Girls,” “Easy Street,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” and of course “Tomorrow.”

 

“While working on this production, I’ve heard so many people –neighbors, friends, family members – say that they grew up watching and listening to ‘Annie,’” Parsons said.  “They always say this with a wistful smile, and I’m sure that’s because the message of optimism and hope resonates with people of all ages and from all walks of life.”

 

Alsum encourages everyone to come just to see the orphans.

 

“I am amazed at how talented the orphans are,” she said, adding that the adult cast is incredible too but you expect adults to have a certain level of professionalism. That level can be seen in even the youngest cast members of the show she said, adding, “They are amazing singers and actors.”

 

Alsum, who graduated from Hope College with a degree in theater and vocal music, said she credits the encouragement of young talent to the strong support of theater at local high schools such as Grand Rapids Christian and East Kentwood and programs like the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s School of Theatre Arts, where she got her start.

 

Alsum’s interested in theater began in third grade and by high school “it had deep roots as I knew it was something I did not want to stop doing.” She has volunteered with Civic Theater over the years and was in the past production of “Holes.” She also has volunteered with other companies such as Circle Theater and was part of Circle’s “Annie” crew. She most recently completed a marketing internship at a professional theater company in Rhode Island and has performed with Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company. Her next great production after “Annie” will be getting married.

 

But first comes the 27 performances for the show, which being that it is Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s holiday offering, tickets are selling quickly.

 

“So ask me after the 27 performances if I still love the show,” Alsum said with a laugh. Leapin’ lizards, we’re betting just as the sun will come out tomorrow, she sure will.

 

“Annie” runs Nov. 17 – Dec. 17 at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m .Wednesdays – Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (There is no matinee performance on Nov. 18.) Tickets are $18-$37. There is a give thanks special not eh Wednesday, Nov. 22, before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, performances with tickets being $15/students and $27/adults. For more information, call 616-222-6650 or visit grct.org.

West Michigan universities, colleges come out on top in recent ‘U.S. News & World Report’

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Calvin College President Michael Le Roy with students. (Calvin College)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Just before high school students select colleges and start sending applications into the Federal Student Aid, “U.S. News & World Report” comes out with its annual college rankings and this year, several Grand Rapids colleges and universities did quite well in those rankings.

 

Calvin College was ranked tops in Regional Colleges Midwest. Colleges in this category focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. The rankings are split into four regions, north, south, midwest, and west. The midwest ranking includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

 

Calvin College President Michael Le Roy in a statement said it was encouraging when an independent source such as “U.S. News and World Report” recognizes the work of the faculty, staff and students. The college also ranked second in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the Midwest.

 

Other colleges that ranked in the Regional Colleges Midwest are University of Detroit Mercy, which was ranked No. 19, and Adrian College, ranked No. 20. The University of Detroit Mercy program is offered at Aquinas College and the college has an affiliation with Cornerstone University.

 

The Cook Carillon Tower at Grand Valley State University, Allendale campus.

In the Regional Universities Midwest category, Grand Valley Stated University ranked No. 29, Aquinas College, No. 47 and Kuyper College, No. 59. This category is for universities that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs. The Regional Universities also are split info four regions, north, south, midwest, and west. The midwest region includes the same states as the Regional Colleges. Other local and Michigan universities listed in the Regional Universities Midwest are University of Michigan – Dearborn, No. 38; Ferris State University, No. 83; Cornerstone University, No. 115, and Davenport University, No. 122.

 

For the National Universities category, universities that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs and are committed to producing groundbreaking research, the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor ranked the highest at No. 28. Michigan State University was at No. 81; Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University tied at No. 207.

 

West Michigan also captured a couple of spots in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category, colleges that emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the library arts fields of study, which Kalamazoo College ranking at No. 76 and Hope College was No. 106.

 

The rankings are based on several key measures of quality including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. Data was collected from each institution that included several indicators of academic excellence.

 

The data also includes other ranking information such as Grand Valley State University was ranked No. 3 in Top Pubic Schools and No. 4 in Best Value Schools. For more information or to see the rankings, click here, and for just the Michigan rankings, click here. For more information on the schools in this story, click on the name of the school.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts hosts an evening of cool jazz

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Tania Chantzi

By Angela Peavey

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

 

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts features international singer Tania Chantzi for a “Hot Evening of Cool Jazz” Saturday, March 25, from 8 – 10 p.m. Hosted by Leslie and Stelios Dokianakis, guests will mingle, enjoy a drink, and experience  the smooth sounds of jazz classics and American Songbook favorites performed by Chantzi and her quartet.

 

Tickets for the event are $50/person and are in support of the SCA’s “Growing Young Artists” program for K-8thgrade migrant students. Space is limited; call 269-857-2399 or sc4a.org to reserve your tickets.

 

Native of Greece, Chantzi has performed with the bands Jazzin’ Around, Da Band, and Dear Rene. She is currently studying Jazz Voice at Hope College. Her quartet for the evening is an all-star lineup of West Michigan instrumentalists: Rufus Ferguson (piano), Jeff Beavan (bass guitar), Jim Cooper (vibraphone), and Steven Perry (drums).

 

“We are very excited about this event,” said Kristin Armstrong, SCA Executive Director. “We’re transforming the lobby into a club setting for the evening. This is the only opportunity to experience this group – it’s going to be a wonderfully intimate night of live music with these very talented musicians.”

 

Armstrong noted that proceeds from the evening will support the SCA’s “Growing Young Artists” (GYA) program which gives pre-K through 8th-grade migrant students the opportunity to participate in a two-week project based learning intensive. Taught in Fennville and South Haven schools, GYA supplements the students’ math, science, and language classes through arts-infused project based learning. As a result, the students learn important soft skills like teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, and empathy.

 

“Leslie and Stelios are deeply supportive of Growing Young Artists and our children’s programs. This special event was their brainchild – a way to introduce friends to the SCA and our programming through an evening of great music.” Armstrong said only a few tickets remain for the event; they can be purchased online or by calling the SCA.

 

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts is located at 400 Culver St., Saugatuck.

Latin Grammy nominee, Mariachi Flor de Toloache performs Sept. 15 in Holland, Mich.

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picture-712-320x320On September 15 at 7 pm, Tulipanes presents Latin Grammy Nominee, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, the first and only established female mariachi band founded in New York in 2008.

 

When: Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 pm

 

Where: Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave., Holland, Mich.

 

BUY TICKETS NOW: http://bit.ly/2bjVPJu
$15 Adult / $5 Student

 

Members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. They coalesce as would a band of sisters, with a grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary Toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion.

 

picture-698-320x320While working to preserve centuries-old traditions of Mariachi, their mélange of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings Mariachi music to new audiences. Sponsored by Hope College.

 

See more about Mariachi Flor de Toloache: http://www.mariachinyc.com/

 

El 15 de Septiembre, 2016 en la noche, Tulipanes presenta el grupo nominado por un Grammy Latino, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, el primer y único conjunto Mariachi de mujeres exclusivamente fundado en Nueva York, EU, en 2008. Miembros vienen de culturas diversas como México, Puerto Rico, Republica Dominicana, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Alemania, Italia, y los Estados Unidos. El resulto de este ramo cultural es una versión de música tradicional de México con un sonido nuevo y fresco. Se fusionan como una banda de hermanas con una belleza graciosa y vibrante que embruja sus audiencias como la legendaria Flor de Toloache que se usa hasta este día para ser una poción de amor. Mientras preservan las tradiciones Mariachi de cienes de años, sus mezclas de estilos tradicionales y modernos amplían los límites del género y lleva música Mariachi a nuevas audiencias.