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EFE and EFA Recognizes 2019 Kalamazoo RESA Outstanding Seniors

Scholarship recipient with EFE teacher Graduating seniors from Kalamazoo RESA’s Education for Employment (EFE) and Education for the Arts (EFA) programs were recognized on Thursday, April 25 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, for their remarkable academic accomplishments at the 2019 Outstanding Senior Awards Breakfast.

In addition to honoring the 64 high school seniors who were nominated by their EFA and EFE teachers, every single student also received a scholarship, totaling in $64,450, an effort made possible by the contributions of 43 generous donors.

During the banquet, several alumni including Christopher Blevins of Secant, Erich Miner of Duncan Aviation and Delta Global Services, and Ellyssa Seager of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts addressed the graduating seniors and their families, offering words of advice and heartfelt congratulations.

“I now get to apply everything that I’ve learned with computers on a daily basis, and I get to learn more every day out in the field,” beamed Blevins. “I had no idea that I would be in such a good position right out of high school. I can truthfully say that because of EFE, I was able to find my path, and learn what I enjoy.”

The EFE program also honored Todd McDonald, Principal/COO of CSM Group as the recipient of the 2019 EFE Business & Industry Award for its passionate commitment to growing the talent pipeline in Southwest Michigan and for giving EFE students authentic work-based learning experiences.

“Last year Todd approached us about providing personal protective equipment for our Construction Trades students. As a result, each student in that program for the past two years has received a hardhat, fluorescent vest, safety glasses and work gloves courtesy of CSM Group,” explained Cameron Buck, EFE program administrator. “This equipment has allowed the students to see how important safety is in the construction trades field, how seriously CSM takes safety and the opportunity to experience the value CSM places on the safety of its employees.”

In her closing remarks, Kalamazoo RESA Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Programming, Deb Miller, channeled the late Larry Schlack, a dear friend and strong supporter of EFE. “Choosing a career you love means you will not have to work a day in your life. So, find what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.”

View photos from the Kalamazoo RESA Outstanding Senior Awards on the Kalamazoo RESA Facebook page

Congratulations to the 2019 Kalamazoo RESA Outstanding Seniors:

Andre Aro

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Kate Aro & Patricia Boylon

Program

EFE Electronics & Robotics

College

Hope College

Career

Engineering

 

Tucker Batdorff

Vicksburg High School

Parent

Lora Batdorff

Program

EFE Computerized Manufacturing & Engineering Design

College

Glen Oaks Community College

Career

Diesel Mechanics

 

Garrett Bell

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Kevin & Beth Bell

Program

EFE Law Enforcement

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Criminal Justice

 

Dammon Beverly

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Irvin & Christine Beverly

Program

EFE BMA & Marketing

College

Wayne State University

Career

Business

 

Roxanne Brown

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Harry & Sandra Brown

Program

EFE Accounting

College

Davenport University

Career

Accounting & Finance

 

Brandon Buchanan

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Steve & Dianne Buchanan

Program

EFE Cybersecurity

College

Kalamazoo Community College

Career

Undecided

 

Eli Caranci

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Darin & Amy Caranci

Program

EFE Accounting

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Aviation Flight Science

 

Tanner Clements

Comstock High School

Parents

Brad & Brenda Clements

Program

EFE Conservation Biology

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College &

Michigan State University

Career

Fisheries & Wildlife

 

Kedzie Coleman

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

Ferris & Rhonda Coleman

Program

EFE Culinary Arts

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Psychology or Culinary Arts

 

Alex Cox

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Dason & Nicole Cox

Program

EFE Engineering in Wood Technology

College

N/A

Career

Apprenticeship program for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters

 

Gregory Culp

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

Jerome & Michelle Lunzy

Program

EFE Law Enforcement, Accounting & BMA

College

Undecided

Career

General Studies

 

Luke Cunningham

Portage Central High School

Parents

Daniel & Linda Cunningham

Program

EFE Veterinary Science

College

Undecided

Career

Kinesiology

 

Xavier Davis

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Willie Thurman & Nikisha Davis

Program

EFE BMA & Marketing

College

Lawrence Technological University

Career

Sports Management & Marketing

 

Arwin Depue

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Arwin Depue & Jeri Gower

Program

EFE Accounting

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Undecided

 

Hailie Doyle

Portage Community High School

Parents

James & Julie Doyle

Program

EFE Veterinary Science

College

Undecided

Career

Veterinary Medicine

 

Brad Ferris

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Stephen Ferris & Melissa Yanos

Program

EFE Work-based Learning

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Computer Science

 

Henry Fiocchi

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Dino & Teresa Fiocchi

Program

EFE Law Enforcement II

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Communications

 

Sharmane Flanders

Portage Central High School

Parents

Tony & Monica Flanders

Program

EFE Art & Design Career Skills

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Art & Design

 

Sabina Gamez

Schoolcraft High School

Parents

Jaime & Joanie Gamez

Program

EFE Health Science

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Nursing

 

Sam Gearig

Vicksburg High School

Parents

David & Christine Gearig

Program

EFE Work-based Learning

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

 

Andrew Hoover

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Marty & Lisa Hoover

Program

EFE Computerized Manufacturing & Engineering Design

College

Grand Valley State University

Career

Computer Engineering & Computer Science

 

William Hovestadt

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Aaron & Krista Hovestadt

Program

EFE Advanced Marketing

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

International Business

 

Megan Ianni

Portage Northern High School

Parent

Julie Ianni

Program

EFE Engineering in Wood Technology

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Finance or Law

 

Emma Kellam

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Timothy & Lisa Kellam

Program

EFE Health Science

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Nursing

 

Kyle Kelly

Vicksburg High School

Parents

James & Mary Beth Kelly

Program

EFE Marketing

College

Iowa State University

Career

Biological Systems Engineering

 

Abby Lafler

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Richard & Melissa Lafler

Program

EFE Accounting II

College

Spring Arbor University

Career

Psychology

 

Brandon Lee

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Richard & Alison Lee

Program

EFE Marketing

College

Grand Valley State University

Career

Business

 

Logan Loofboro

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Steve & Cindy Poor

Program

EFE Culinary Arts

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Culinary Arts

 

Linus Mallett

Portage Northern High School

Parents

John Mallett & Mary Severe

Program

EFE Advanced Marketing

College

University of Colorado

Career

Finance

 

Rowan Mathieson

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

Adisah & Angie Harrier

Program

EFE Conservation Biology

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Biology

 

Hailey McConnaghy

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Michael & Amy McConnaghy

Program

EFE Health Science

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community COllege

Career

Nursing

 

Nathan McNair

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

William & Robin McNair

Program

EFE Accounting

College

Ferris State University

Career

Actuarial Science

 

Haylee Meadows

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Kevin Meadows & Kristin Lockrem

Program

EFE Teacher Academy

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Elementary Education

 

Lindsey Miller

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Scott & Katherine Miller

Program

EFE Professional Health Science

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College &

Davenport University

Career

Nursing

 

Naree Mitchell

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

Ronald & Marie Cole

Program

EFE Law Enforcement II

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Criminal Justice or Communications

 

Sheila Mwanda

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Kennedy & Alice Mwanda

Program

EFE Digital Video Production

College

Grand Valley State University

Career

Journalism

 

Cameron Nosal

Portage Central High School

Parents

Patrick & Lori Nosal

Program

EFE Marketing

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Pre-Dental

 

Halle Phelps

Schoolcraft High School

Parents

Kurt & Rachel Phelps

Program

EFE Business Administration Management & Operations

College

Olivet Nazarene University

Career

Elementary Education

 

Cameron Phillips

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

Guy & Stacy Phillips

Program

EFE Accounting

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Finance

 

McKenzie Phillips

Galesburg-Augusta High School

Parents

Keith & Terri Jordan

Program

EFE Business Administration Management & Operations

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Nursing

 

Trinity Posey

Portage Northern High School

Parent

Myisha Crayton

Program

EFA Advanced Musical Theatre

College

New York University, Tisch School of Arts

Career

Musical Theatre

 

Leslie Powers

Portage Central High School

Parents

Todd & Judy Powers

Program

EFE Health Science

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Labor & Delivery Nurse

 

Jakob Preston

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Jason Preston & Jennifer Savage

Program

EFE Electronics & Robotics

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

 

Lillian Randall

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Jared & Karen Randall

Program

EFE Aviation Technology

College

Undecided

Career

Flight Science

 

Alyssa Riker

Portage Northern High School

Parents

Christopher & Heidi Riker

Program

EFE Accounting & Finance

College

University of Akron

Career

Accounting

 

Serenity Rostick

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Octavious Rostick & Nicole Broughton

Program

EFE Construction Trades

College

Western Michigan University or

Ferris State University

Career

Construction

 

Nathalie Sampson

Portage Central High School

Parents

Dan & Aaron Sampson

Program

EFE Accounting & Finance

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Spanish & Undecided

 

Vic Simmons

Vicksburg High School

Parents

David & Heather Simmons

Program

EFA Creative Writing Online

College

Michigan State University

Career

Political Theory & Public Relations

 

Olivia Smith

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Sean & Amy Smith

Program

EFE Business Administration Management & Operations

College

Kalamazoo College

Career

Biology & Environmental Studies

 

Nicklas Spencer

Galesburg-Augusta High School

Parents

Samuel Spencer & Jane-Marie Adams

Program

EFE Accounting

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Law

 

Annemarie Stacey

Portage Central High School

Parents

Joseph & Christine Stacey

Program

EFE Teacher Academy

College

Indiana University, Purdue,

University of Indianapolis

Career

Psychology

 

Abigail Stark

Gull Lake High School

Parents

John & Kathleen Stark

Program

EFE Business Administration Management & Operations

College

University of Washington

Career

International Studies & Public Policy

 

Parker Stoken

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

Paul & Dorothy Hotrum

Program

EFE Computer Technology II

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Computer Science

 

Cassandra Tank

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Herman & Pamela Tank

Program

EFE Art & Design Career Skills

College

Grand Valley State University

Career

Video & Film Production & Entrepreneur

 

Asiana Tidwell

Loy Norrix High School

Parents

Andre Sawyer & Micheala Tidwell

Program

EFE Business Administration Management & Operations

College

Wayne State University

Career

Marketing

 

Allyssa VanLoo

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Mark & Kathy VanLoo

Program

EFE Veterinary Science

College

Missouri State University

Career

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

 

Alex VanMiddlesworth

Climax-Scotts High School

Parents

Troy VanMiddlesworth & Nikki Gale

Program

EFE Computerized Manufacturing

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Machine Tool Technology

 

Alvaro Velasco

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Eric Munoz & Annick Beaulieu

Program

EFE Computer Science Software Engineering

College

Undecided

Career

Software Engineering

 

Samantha Verburg

Galesburg-Augusta High School

Parents

Randy Verburg & Tiffany Wellborn

Program

EFE Marketing

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Kinesiology

 

Jaden Vroegop

Gull Lake High School

Parents

Curt & Jennifer Vroegop

Program

EFE Cosmetology

College

N/A

Career

Business

 

Leeanna Wagner

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Mark & Windee Wagner

Program

EFE Fundamentals of Health Science

College

Grand Valley State University

Career

Nursing

 

Naquria Ward

Loy Norrix High School

Parent

Annissa Pace

Program

EFE Business Administration Management & Operations

College

Olivet College

Career

Criminal Justice

 

Gabby Wark

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Gary Wark & Kimberly Pillars-Wark

Program

EFE Marketing

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Business

 

Grace Wile

Vicksburg High School

Parents

Larry Wile & Lorie Stock

Program

EFE Dental Assisting

College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Career

Dental Hygiene

 

Joshua Winters-Brown

Kalamazoo Central High School

Parents

Samuel Brown & Pear Rojas-Brown

Program

EFE Computer Technology

College

Western Michigan University

Career

Computer Engineering & Computer Science