KRESA’s Early/Middle College Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Honors Graduates at Completion Ceremony

Kalamazoo Valley Community College hosted a memorable celebration on May 8, 2025, as students from Kalamazoo RESA (KRESA), Gull Lake, and Van Buren’s Early/Middle College (EMC) Programs were honored at the EMC Completion Ceremony. This year’s event was especially significant, marking the tenth anniversary of the KRESA EMC program.

The Kalamazoo County EMC is an innovative initiative that provides students with a unique educational pathway—allowing them to earn an associate degree or certificate while still enrolled in high school. Over five years, students gradually transition from traditional high school courses to college-level studies, with the ninth-grade year dedicated to high school classes only. Designed for motivated students ready to embrace academic challenges, the EMC program opens doors to higher education and career opportunities.

Students, families, and educators gathered to celebrate these exceptional achievements, with keynote addresses by KRESA EMC Alumni Dean Morris (Schoolcraft High School), Connor Buggie (Portage Central High School), and Madison Piper (Gull Lake EMC), who also participated in KRESA Career Connect’s CTE Teacher Academy program.

Congratulations to the following 2025 KRESA Early/Middle College Program Graduates:

• Amos, Maggie – Climax-Scotts
• Baker, Karah – Galesburg-Augusta
• Bigelow, Eden – Portage Central
• Block-Carmean, Lindsey – Comstock
• Boehme, Katherine – Portage Central
• Bowsher, Haven – Galesburg-Augusta
• Budiwarman, Katelyn – Portage Central
• Buggie, Connor – Portage Central   
• Bybee-Gibb, Rowan – Portage Central        
• Camren, Alexander – Comstock      
• Carter-Williams, Grace – Galesburg-Augusta                                                  
• Cooney, Tara – Kalamazoo Central
• Deitz, Aidan – Portage Northern
• Dennis, La'Mya – Loy Norrix
• DeYoung, Madalyn – Schoolcraft    
• Dodde, Caden – Portage Northern
• Dykema, Megan – Schoolcraft
• Fraley, Paige – Climax-Scotts
• Garrison, LeeAnn – Parchment        
• Giebel, Jace – Galesburg-Augusta
• Glover Jr, Marques – Parchment      
• Headley, Isabelle – Parchment         
• Houts, Alayna – Portage Northern
• Kleis, Malia – Kalamazoo Central
• LeSuer, Simone – Loy Norrix
• Murphy, Emmalee – Loy Norrix         
• Patel, Krisha – Comstock
• Prince, Samantha – Galesburg-Augusta
• Reincke, AngelMarie – Climax-Scotts          
• Sackett, Joseph – Portage Northern              
• Shell, Alyssa – Kalamazoo Central
• Singh, Harmanjit – Comstock           
• Spinney, Cole – Loy Norrix   
• Springer, Evan – Comstock  
• Wight, Kalynn – Portage Central       
• Woolsey, Tyler – Comstock

Learn more about Early/Middle College.