HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, TeachersMeet the Future

Meet the Future

Creative, innovative, imaginative … Many of today’s students are all that and more in a vast variety of interest areas. Meet the Future features students with exceptional and unusual gifts.

For real, she dances a fine reel

Comstock Park Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

This second-grader gets a kick out of Irish step dance.

Dedication & drive, in the dojo and beyond

Northview Beth Heinen Bell

This seventh-grader is working toward her black belt in karate, an accomplishment that signifies an elite level of proficiency and mastery.

He forecasts snow days with increasing accuracy

Kent City Beth Heinen Bell

Aspiring meteorologist Fernando Diaz-Guzman cares about keeping people safe and sees accurate weather forecasting as a way to do so.

Someday, he could be on your election ballot

Forest Hills Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

At 16, Kasen Wooters is already a seasoned pro when it comes to campaigning.

‘It feels magical’: Student talks passion for film

Cedar Springs Riley Kelley

This Cedar Springs senior has set his sights on a career in filmmaking.

This graduate found her passion in the arena with horses

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

Recent Kenowa Hills High School graduate Alyxzin Taylor’s passion is spending time riding, showing and loving her two pet horses.

National Merit Scholarship winner plans career in medical field

Forest Hills Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Two shoulder surgeries lead this Forest Hills Northern senior down the medical path to becoming an orthopedic surgeon.

Making music makes this junior feel ‘fulfilled, proud’

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Kai Christiansen is laying tracks for a future filled with music.

Senior shutterbug lives to capture moments in time

Sparta Riley Kelley

A Sparta High School senior is getting a head start on his dream to pursue professional photography.

High school junior earns high honors in culinary

Comstock Park Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

This Comstock Park High student is cooking up a delicious career.

For pro swine handler, it’s all about family bonding

Kent City Beth Heinen Bell

Macy first got a pig of her very own to care for when she was 3; now this eighth-grader is an expert at raising and showing pigs.

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Northview Morgan Jarema

It’s been nearly six years since Calder Burton inspired what quickly became one of our most popular series, Meet The Future. We recently checked back in with Calder, at a park, because — you’ll read why.

Fifth-grader publishes book, sequel to come

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Discover how student Isaiah Lowe became a published author and learn his plans for his next chapter.

Bespoke shoe biz signals successes to come

Kent City Beth Heinen Bell

This creative sixth-grader has started his own shoe customization business and YouTube channel to help him achieve the goal of higher education.

Already thinking page count & merch

Kent City Alexis Stark

Fourth-grader Xavier Beiter isn’t waiting until he grows up to pursue his passion of writing and illustrating comic books.

Credit to Minecraft? Student plans future in engineering

Cedar Springs Riley Kelley

Cedar Springs High School senior Joslyn Zavala is working toward a career as a civil engineer. Kent Career Tech Center, she said, helped her figure that out.

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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.

Teacher recognized for ‘excellence in Chinese teaching’

She’s in year 20, and ‘goes at it like year two’

For real, she dances a fine reel

Dedication & drive, in the dojo and beyond

Business, college and K-12 leaders come together to boost student literacy

Middle-school artists add ‘squish’ to second-grade designs

One Book, One City program culminates with visit from author

Pi Day slices fun with math

Level playing field offers connection for students of all abilities

High school broadcasters inspire middle school channel

What would closing U.S. Dept. of Education mean for special education in Kent County?

Through his eyes, he communicates

Meet the Future

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