HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

Diagnosis, robotics shape her confidence, drive & compassion

Grads with Grit Hannah Lentz

Senior Ellie Clark keeps herself busy helping run her organization, Ellie’s Elephants, which has raised more than $350,000 for diabetes research since 2004. She was diagnosed with the condition when she was 4...

The world is now the stage for graduate who overcame behavioral issues

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Shamar is known as a jokester, a fun-loving, energetic student. He dreams of becoming a professional actor. But he spent several years constantly in trouble and struggling to find his way...

‘100 percent mesmerized by my job-this is what I get to do today’

Cedar Springs Janice Holst

Making sure each student is recognized and learns life lessons are what matters, said this Cedar Springs teacher...

Blessed and grateful: challenges faced with positive attitude

Caledonia Hannah Lentz

Senior Cayleigh Constance has overcome challenges from family illness to mental health. After a four-month hiatus, she’s on track to graduate this year...

She starts small but thinks big: ‘I want girls to change the world’

Rockford Charles Honey

Rockford senior Jillian Snyman is passionate about her commitment to women’s rights, combating sexual abuse and violence, and electing strong Democratic leaders...

Passion for dance, hometown values will follow this grad to college and beyond

Grads with Grit Janice Holst

Coping with loss, yet this graduate heads to college with confidence and hometown values...

She focuses on words and beyond, helping ELL students be successful

Byron Center Erin Albanese

As an EL teacher and club adviser, Christy Tripp-Arkema advocates for students, serving as a bridge and a voice. She’s a high-energy, passionate instructor who learns along with her students and makes sure they have what they need to be successful...

‘No matter what life throws at us, we grow, like flowers’

East Grand Rapids Morgan Jarema

Said counselor Elle Burgess of Elizabeth Walski’s positivity in the face of numerous challenges, 'If anyone has shown they have grit, it’s her'

‘It was the right job for me — always has been’

Rockstar Teachers Bridie Bereza

In Cindy Prentler’s second grade classroom, books inspire, teach, and beautify the space...

‘He’s ready for the world’

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Byron Center High School senior Nik Ursiny will graduate May 23 after learning to manage and overcome physical and mental conditions -- taking hold of his own story and advocating for himself...

She’s a mentor, performer, editor with ‘a servant’s heart’

Northview Morgan Jarema

Mary Holohan is a natural leader, whether performing skits for elementary school kids or editing stories at the student newspaper...

Dad mixes cooking, anti-bullying message

Grand Rapids Charles Honey

Parent to GRPS kindergartner has found the right recipe for giving back to school, sharing food, skills and spreading kindness...

Nick Minnema – special and driven, for all the right reasons

Reading & Writing with Rademacher Tom Rademacher

The Forest Hills Transition Center student and athlete competed this month at the Special Olympics World Games half a world away – in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city of Abu Dhabi, as well as the UAE’s largest city, Dubai...

Take a ‘walk in the woods’ at this elementary school

Rockstar Teachers Janice Holst

A fifth-grade teacher’s hobby has transformed the hallways, with a carved woodland creature at nearly every classroom door...

Getting along, helping out are keys for this born leader

Kent City Janice Holst

This high school junior takes pride in keeping up her grades, but isn’t limited to classroom excellence...

Her joy: watching them ‘discover what they can do’

Godwin Heights Bridie Bereza

Rockstar Teacher Susie Poliski...

1...282930...38 Page 29 of 38

- 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.

Her career path was laid in first grade

She helps students develop language, read, write & grow

Not just a volunteer, but ‘a piece of the library’

He is demonstrating how important English is in business

Partnership pairs high-schoolers with scientists for real-world research

Simulated crime ties science, critical thinking & data analysis

Opportunities abound at first in-house career fair

Partnership with Black-founded nonprofit brings dedicated learning space

Learning life skills ‘where life happens’

State of the Student tackles four big topics

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Student news crew interviews state superintendent

Profiles of Students, Staff, Teachers

GET OUR HEADLINES IN YOUR EMAIL

SUSTAINING SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

ABOUT US

FOLLOW US

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS