Excellence in Education recognized the top-achieving high school seniors from Kalamazoo County’s public and non-public high schools recently. This year, 42 seniors were selected for the honor, which comes with a $1,200 scholarship. Each student also recognized an educator who significantly impacted their K-12 journey. Students, their families and their significant educators attended a reception on Wednesday, April 12, at the Fetzer Center. Dr. Edward Montgomery, President of Western Michigan University, was the keynote speaker.

“The Kalamazoo area has a long history of educational excellence and innovation, so it is fitting that we continue the tradition of honoring those practices through the Excellence in Education program,” said committee chair Keevin O’Neill, superintendent of Vicksburg Community Schools.

A collaborative effort among all Kalamazoo County public and non-public schools, local foundations, educational groups and the business community, Excellence in Education was designed in 1986 to focus community attention on the academic and professional excellence of graduating high school seniors and educators within Kalamazoo area schools.

The Excellence in Education program is supported by a permanent endowment established at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Funding for the endowment was raised through the leadership of the Monroe-Brown Foundation, with strong support from local foundations, businesses, organizations and individuals.

For more information on the 2023 awardees and their significant educators, view the 2023 Student Presentation at kresa.org/exined.