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: kresa.org/emc