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Student Leaders

Proudly sponsored by Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, learn about students at all grade levels who put their passions to work, and go “above & beyond” to serve their school, peers and community in surprising ways.

Trades are a passion for this award winner

Career Exploration Janice Holst

Senior Mia Ramos is one of 65 high-school students statewide to be named a recipient of the 2021 Breaking Traditions Awards from the Michigan Department of Education...

Student vaccine ambassadors spread the message: ‘do your part’

Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

Six students from GRPS schools were chosen to be COVID-19 vaccine ambassadors by the state of Michigan...

Aspiring high-school ag teacher hopes to return to her home district someday

Student Leaders Alexis Stark

She was recognized in March for teaching in elementary programs and promoting agricultural literacy...

Newcomer paves her way in biology, business

Student Leaders Erin Albanese

This Wyoming High School senior has overcome language barriers and other obstacles of succeeding in the U.S. and now is choosing from among major college scholarship offers...

‘I’ve always believed in justice’

Forest Hills Morgan Jarema

Committed to social justice and anti-racism advocacy, eighth-grader Ari James is working to be an agent of change in her school, community and state...

Third-grader collects winter clothes, blankets to help those in need

Byron Center Erin Albanese

(Photo by Dianne Caroll Burdick) Brown Elementary third-grader Jojo Gurd has worked to collect winter clothes and other items to help people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids...

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, third-grader

Northview Morgan Jarema

This student leader wants everyone to be included...

Senior Scouts return to grade school, sprinkling kindness

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Four former Dutton Elementary students are using their platform as Girl Scouts to inspire kindness in younger generations of Wildcats...

This student leader aspires to inspire

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

His advice: seize all opportunities, reach out to others...

Inspiration from others fuels his ambition

Student Leaders Phil de Haan

A political hopeful prepares further during a national conference for student leaders...

‘I didn’t give up’

Student Leaders Hannah Lentz

If a challenge becomes an excuse, said senior Clair Jansma, “it's much harder to overcome and you sacrifice opportunities”...

‘I want to change the world’

Northview Morgan Jarema

Ja'Kaurie Kirkland makes an impression on pretty much everyone he meets, including us. Learn what’s behind his positive outlook...

Young leaders leave a literary legacy

Student Leaders Janice Holst

Fifth graders did their research, worked with a budget and chose a new collection of books for their school as part of a new library legacy committee...

She’s a model for leadership, addressing big issues

Lowell Morgan Jarema

With a focus on local, national and global issues, Eleanor Cooper has dedicated herself to serving as a voice for minorities, an advocate for change...

This leader is always learning

Student Leaders Morgan Jarema

Elle Waldron is president of the Northview High National Honor Society, but she prefers listening to telling others what to do...

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...

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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

Mobile Farm Science Lab ‘udder-ly’ engaging

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

Newcomer students experience first Thanksgiving

Learning life skills ‘where life happens’

State of the Student tackles four big topics

High-schoolers talk mental health with education leaders, legislators

Student Leaders

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