HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, TeachersGrads with Grit

Grads with Grit

A series proudly sponsored by Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, about students who have had to overcome unusual challenges and hardships to graduate this spring.

No excuses, even in the face of loss

Kelloggsville Sean Bradley

After loss, Kelloggsville senior resilient ahead of graduation...

The story behind the yard sign: a proud first

Northview Morgan Jarema

This first-generation high school graduate sees his diploma as a ‘golden ticket to a better life’...

After struggling to focus, senior now sees infinite possibilities

Lowell Erin Albanese

After struggling in school and falling behind in credits, Damian Torres found the support he needed at Unity High...

Going to the mat got him to graduation

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

Sports helped this transfer student stay on track with academics...

Finding Luis

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Godwin grad Luis Ramos-Sanchez hopes to motivate others to discover who they are...

Beating cancer, with kindness and grace

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Kenowa Hills senior beats bone cancer and graduates on time with the class of 2022...

Embraced by community, twins persevere

Caledonia Alexis Stark

‘Go-getter’ Caledonia High twins have stayed involved, learned to ‘grow through what you go through’ after losing their dad during their senior year...

Maturing, overcoming obstacles and planning for the future

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

Aiden Bond has worked through mental-health struggles, COVID and more on his way to graduation...

‘She does what she needs to do’

Wyoming Erin Albanese

After living independently for years and facing the death of her brother, Wyoming High School senior Adriana Ortiz-Torres looks toward her future in college and beyond...

The people on the journey

East Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

This East Grand Rapids senior says she can finally be herself...

Bolstered by community, she navigates loss & looks to the future

Kelloggsville Phil de Haan

Her mom, her faith and her school have helped this Kelloggsville High senior get through some of the toughest days of her life...

Ukrainian exchange student forges ahead amid change, uncertainty

Northview Morgan Jarema

It’s a lot to think about for any high-school senior: a new country, new culture and friends. And back home: war...

On his own since 12, refugee student sets his sights on college and career

Kent ISD Morgan Jarema

‘Education is the universal key to unlocking any door,’ says Myanmar native an...

Post high school, she’s pursuing big dreams in the Big Apple

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

A year after graduating from high school during the pandemic lockdown, Mariah Barrera is wrapping up her first year at Columbia University in New York City...

Determination is key to getting it done

Grads with Grit Janice Holst

Sparta’s adult education program thrived during the pandemic. It offered new beginnings to a diverse group of students, including refugees, young parents, older adults, recent drop-outs and students from other districts...

A graduation victory for this band of brothers

Lowell Beth Heinen Bell

A quartet of fifth-year seniors at Unity High School weren’t sure they would be able to graduate, until they met each other and realized that they could do it together...

123...6 Page 2 of 6

- Sponsorship -

GET OUR HEADLINES IN YOUR EMAIL

SUSTAINING SPONSORS

Join these sponsors

- Sponsorship -

MEDIA PARTNERS

School News NetworkA Window into Your Public Schools

ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Kent County Cup winner finds new career focus through esports

Student broadcaster pushes for positive coverage in advisory role

Retired teachers return as mentors

Friend, athlete, advocate uses abilities to help others

Marshmallows & math make for a sweet multiplication lesson

Senior makes artistic mark on snowplow

Initiative aims to double enrollment in career & technical education by 2030

Fourth-grade Choristers come together in song

High-schoolers share thoughts on school safety, engagement & more

Student broadcaster pushes for positive coverage in advisory role

On podcast, teen shares about major loss, forgiveness & gratitude

Poet pens work celebrating school library’s achievement

Grads with Grit

GET OUR HEADLINES IN YOUR EMAIL

SUSTAINING SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS