mypersonal michigan hero - michigan farm bureau … · on august 10th, we brought mary kate home on...
TRANSCRIPT
1
MYPERSONALMICHIGANHERO
Essays by the Top Ten Winners of the 2013-2014 Contest.
AND
A complete list of all participating schools and their local winners.
Sponsored by
For Michigan 8th Grade Students
2
There is so much that is great about Michigan…our natural beauty and breathtaking lakes, our thousands of thriving communities, and our millions of energetic people. But nothing can compare with our Michigan heroes, the people who live and work in our Great State and make a difference in the lives of young people.
That’s what this book is about…the heroes of Michigan as seen through the eyes of Michigan eighth grade students. Thousands of students from nearly 450 Michigan schools participated in the 2013-2014 America & Me Essay Contest and submitted essays based on the topic, “My Personal Michigan Hero.”
Inside you’ll find reprints of the ten best essays in the state. These essays are about teachers, community leaders, family members, and more…everyday people making an extraordinary difference. Also inside is a complete list of all the schools that participated in the 2013-2014 contest , and the local winners from each school. Every student named in this book, and every student who submitted an essay, has our deepest thanks and congratulations.
Farm Bureau Insurance has been the proud sponsor of the annual America & Me Essay Contest since 1968. The contest has become a tradition in Michigan schools and continues to encourage Michigan young people to recognize the heroes in their communities and their state.
This book is a salute to Michigan heroes and how they make Michigan a better place to live. We hope you enjoy it.
Jim Robinson Executive Vice President Farm Bureau Insurance
A TRIBUTE TO MICHIGAN HEROES…
3
TOP TEN ESSAYSFrom the 2013-2014 America & Me Essay Contest
4
Jacob PasekSaint Brigid Catholic
School, Midland
MY PERSONAL MICHIGAN HEROMaria was born in Detroit, Michigan. She was
athletically talented, really tall, and had a great laugh. Maria worked at various jobs and had a hard time making ends meet. Maria struggled with her job and raising her son, Kyle. Maria became pregnant with me. She knew she had two choices; to end my life or to continue it. Even though she was having trouble with life’s obstacles, Maria chose life for me and I will always be thankful for her decision.
If it wasn’t for my birthmother Maria, I wouldn’t be here today. After giving birth to me, she put me in foster care for a while, but realized that she couldn’t care for me. She loved me so much, but she knew that love wouldn’t provide for my basic needs. That is why Maria is my hero. She right then and there, decided that adoption was the best idea for both of us. She thought of my needs over her needs. Maria’s decision to choose adoption positively affected my future. She worked with a pregnancy counselor to locate a family that she felt would not only provide, but love and cherish her child. Finally, she found a family that she felt would be the best family for her son. The family had the same interests she had: camping, fishing, and being outdoors. Maria called the pregnancy counselor and told them not to let any of the other birthmothers take this family.
In August 1999, Maria handed me over to Angela and Dave, and said, “Take good care of him.” It was a deep and touching moment for my parents and Maria. My parents took me home to a very excited brother who couldn’t wait to hold and play with me. I also came home to loving grandparents and welcoming aunts and uncles.
My parents wanted Maria to know that I was being well cared for so they kept in contact, by sharing pictures and letters. Maria was really busy, but we would go and see her and celebrate my birthday together. Life continued to move forward, but in November of 2008, life stopped for a moment. We received a call that Maria had died of a heart attack. It was really hard knowing that she was gone and there will be no more birthdays and Christmases to celebrate together. We attended her funeral and it was very beautiful. At the cemetery, a white dove was released; Maria would have liked that.
In Maria’s death, she gave me a new life. Even though she is still gone, I have her athletic gifts, her height, but most of all her contagious laugh. My family camps, goes fishing and enjoys the outdoors just like Maria hoped I would get to do. Maria’s choice of life and a better future for me is why she is My Personal Michigan Hero. I will never forget Maria and her great decision she made for me. Thank you, Maria.
1st
5
Paul PavliscakEagle Creek Academy,
Oakland Township
MY PERSONAL MICHIGAN HEROMost kids probably consider their dad to be
their personal hero. He may root them on at their baseball game, or wrestle them on the floor, or drive them and their friends to school events. My dad was no different. Little did he know our time together would be cut short when I was four years old.
A typical toddler spends time laughing and playing with his dad, a role model like no other. Memories of my dad playing Santa to my preschool classmates, and dressing as one of my favorite characters, Bob the Builder, are just a few. However, I also have vivid memories of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, watching my mom cry, and learning about how life changes with a cancer diagnosis. I remember telling the oncologist I want to be just like him, only to see him look at me in wonder that a three-year-old even knew what an oncologist was.
While most people would ask, “Why me?,” my dad never questioned his fate. He instilled in me that something good would come of this tragedy, although he had no idea what that would be. My family bonded closely to make the most of each day. I learned the real meaning of family, and how death is the horrible part of life that nobody likes to talk about, including most adults.
My dad didn’t waste a breath, always making me feel loved and special. Routine activities like eating breakfast, watching TV, and driving to preschool suddenly took a new meaning to my dad and me. We embraced these moments together, knowing what would lie ahead.
Simple things, like learning to throw a baseball, I never shared with my dad. The experiences we did share have taught me about my belief in family, in God and never to take even the smallest of things in life for granted. No matter what, I will use these life lessons to help others in whatever capacity I can.
I began to do just that, after my mom and I attended a grief support group for four years, when I reached out to the other small children who shared the experience of losing a parent. I would often hold their hands, read them a story or just let them know that I understood what they were feeling. At age eight, I was recognized by the mayor in my city for mentoring kids through their grief.
In summary, my personal Michigan hero is my father, David Pavliscak. He is a hero because he taught me the core values of life: to genuinely care for others and express my feelings, and to use these gifts to help others not feel abandoned during times of loss. Thank you dad, for giving me these life lessons that will make me a successful man. If I can be half the dad to my future children that he was to me, I will have attained the greatest accomplishment life has to offer.
2nd
6
John BlaneySpiritus Sanctus
Academy, Plymouth
THE SILENT HEROUsually heroes are seen as brave leaders
or people who speak up, but my hero is quiet and humble.
My family was at Greenfield Village enjoying the sunny day. We rushed to the train station; I got in line behind a family with a disabled child. The child I would guess was about two or three years old and couldn’t walk. The little girl kept asking me questions; I felt awkward and wanted nothing more than to leave the conversation.
My mom was expecting around August and everyone was excited. On September 17th, 2005, we welcomed a baby girl into the family, we named her Mary Kate. We were too young to understand medical talk, but my parents explained to all of us that Mary Kate would be in the hospital for a little while. A few weeks later, my parents pulled in the driveway with our new sister. I was confounded by the equipment my parents also carried in. Over the months, we needed more equipment for her and I felt a little awkward to go out in public with all of Mary Kate’s medical equipment. Once, our family was at the zoo and a little boy looked at Mary Kate and frowned, I felt furious.
One day, my parents were gone and my sisters were upstairs, probably playing with dolls, and my babysitter wasn’t around. I was in the family room with Mary Kate. She crawled over to me and rolled a small toy to me, I rolled it back. Eventually, hours began to pass and we became entangled in our own little game, we just silently rolled the ball back and forth. I really enjoyed her company. Over the next few months, I became more interested with helping Mary Kate when I could. I would pay no attention to public gossip toward our family. Whenever I encountered someone with Down Syndrome, I always enjoyed conversing with that person because they were always nice, loving and very social.
In the end of July, my parents called my siblings into the family room. Mary Kate had been in the hospital for a while but my parents didn’t usually tell us about her condition, but their facial expressions told me something was happening. They began to explain to us in plain words that Mary Kate was sick and was going to leave us soon. I felt crushed over the next week and we went to the hospital as much as possible.
On August 10th, we brought Mary Kate home on the ventilator. We were awake all night at her side, and on August 11th, 2009, Mary Kate passed away. We were immediately surrounded by family and friends. Our parish priest came on his motorcycle and my principal came in her jeep. Mary Kate is a hero to me because she helped me realize how precious the disabled are. Now, I see Mary Kate in everyone who is disabled. If someone is mistreating the handicapped, I step in and tell the person to stop. When I see a person with Down Syndrome, I smile and remember Mary Kate.
3rd
7
Alissa BonkowskiLakeview High School,
Lakeview
Life for me, is pretty amazing, but it never used to be that way. I used to be the laughing stock, the girl who no one wanted to be around, the girl with no hope for her future. I got called names like stupid and brainless, and it was all because I did not know how to read. Then a person came into my life and changed the direction I was headed in.
It was 2007. I was seven years old and attending my first year at Baker Elementary. I was ready for an education! As I walked into the classroom, I was greeted by two very nice students. They moved in a matter of weeks.
It was reading day at school and I came with a picture book so I at least had a book. As I read, I heard a faint chuckle. When I turned I saw a boy, Brock was his name, chuckling at the fact that I was reading a picture book. I wanted to say, “At least I can read!” But there were two things wrong with that; one, I couldn’t read. Two, he had a chapter book in his hand. I was embarrassed to be holding the picture book so I hurried and put it in my bag. My teacher, Mrs. Covert, noticed this.
“Are you alright?” she looked at me with kind eyes.“I am…I guess” I replied.“What’s the matter?” she asked as she put her arm around me.“It’s just…” I motioned for her to come close, “I can’t read.”“Oh! That’s no problem.” She said, “I will help you.”“Can we keep this between us?” I asked.“Your secret is safe with me,” she whispered.
The next day, I met with Mrs. Covert and she explained how I would start off on easier books, to get used to words and syllable sounds, then I’d move to harder books. Mrs. Covert sat with me and helped me pronounce my words and once I was ready, I would read it to her. If there were no mistakes in my pronunciation, I would move on to a harder book. Each and every day I would come into Mrs. Covert’s classroom and read. With me reading every day, I soon was reading higher level books than the boy who made fun of me. I came to find that reading made all of my subjects such as math, English (of course), science, and social studies extremely easy.
Sadly, after second grade, I had to move. So when the end did come, Mrs. Covert cried over her class leaving. During my third grade year I went to Lakeview and visited Mrs. Covert, making sure to get a famous “bear hug” from her. By the time fourth grade came around, I hadn’t visited much, fifth and sixth grade not at all, and when seventh grade came, Baker Elementary had been torn down. I stood at the edge of the grassland where Baker and my Michigan hero both changed my life.
At first I began to cry, and then I thought of what had been brought to me instead of what was lost. A faint smile crossed my face.
4th
8
Jennifer NewlandMarlette Jr./Sr. High
School, Marlette
5thMY PERSONAL MICHIGAN HERO
The hero of the story is not always the star, but rather, the underdog. Sometimes, the hero is not always the most obvious choice, but rather, a second thought. Occasionally, the hero shies away from the spotlight, rather than wanting all eyes on them. But, when the hero falls, makes mistakes, and has backs turned on them, the hero of the story will always be the one to help them get back on their feet. This is what happened to make Laurie VanSumeren my personal Michigan hero.
Laurie is the second of five children. She grew up in a small town, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, on the shore of Lake Superior. Laurie graduated as valedictorian from Brimley High School, and went to college at Michigan Technological University. It was here that she met the love of her life, Scott. The two married in 1987, and together had three kids. Both Laurie and Scott worked to provide their children with a blessed and stable life.
…It should have not taken him that long to pick her up.
In the winter of 2007, Scott left home to pick up their youngest daughter from a roller skating party. An hour later, Laurie received a call from her daughter, asking where her dad was. On her way to pick her daughter up, Laurie was directed to a new route by a police officer. The road to the rink was closed. There had been an accident.
On December 1, 2007, Scott VanSumeren was in that very car accident, which left him paralyzed from the neck down, with limited mobility in his arms.
Today, six years later, Laurie still has not left Scott’s side. She has also managed to continue working as a computer technician and always remained a stable figure for her kids. She could have walked away when times got hard. She could have quit her job, neglected her kids and left Scott, but she didn’t. Laurie remained loyal.
The crash impacted everyone closely associated with Scott, especially his children. While everyone else grieved in their different ways, Laurie remained strong. As everyone else broke down and wept, Laurie remained outwardly calm. Laurie became the rock of the family, and the glue that held all of the seemingly broken pieces together. Not only did she help her kids through it, but she continued to encourage them to strive to do their very best in everything they did. Thanks to all of her pushing and determination, the two oldest children are college graduates, and the youngest is a sophomore at Michigan Technological University. Not only did the kids need help coping with the emotional effects of the accident, but so did Scott. Scott, a man who enjoyed hunting, building,
9
fishing, camping, and being all-around independent, was now unable to do the simplest of tasks, such as feeding and dressing himself. With the help of Laurie’s patience, persistence, and cooperation, he is now healthy, and is once again taking part in some of his favorite activities, including hunting from his power chair.
Above all else that she is, Laurie is sacrificial. Her time is split between work, kids, and Scott, leaving very little time for herself. In more recent years, Scott has taken part in hand-cycling races, some as long as ten miles. Many people congratulated Scott on his accomplishment, but few congratulated Laurie, who biked the whole race, right next to his side. Most people ask how Scott’s health is doing, but few ask about Laurie’s health, which wavered after the accident. Her schedule has to be ready to change at the drop of a hat…or blood pressure. She is both flexible and generous with her time.
A real hero doesn’t stop speeding bullets, or fly through the air. A real hero is the person willing to brave the storm, despite not getting any of the credit. It is high time that these heroes get the recognition that they deserve.
Aunt Laurie, this is for all of the times that nobody asked how YOU were holding up after the accident. For all of the times that no one congratulated YOU for your accomplishments. For the tears you didn’t cry, and the self-pity you chose not to show. This is for everything: Thank you. Most of all, Aunt Laurie, thank you for being my personal Michigan hero.
10
Mollie DavisVassar Middle School,
Vassar
Boom! The bomb went off as soon as SSG Travis Mills lowered his bag to the ground. Travis was on a mission in Afghanistan when an IED knocked him off his feet. Hitting the ground, his limbs and blood created what I can only imagine being a gruesome scene. Travis Mills has an amazing story, and is a hero to many. He is my personal Michigan hero because I live in the same small town that Travis grew up and went to school in. I’ve been able to meet Travis and hear about this extraordinary man’s road to recovery, and how he is inspiring people everywhere.
The event that had the biggest impact on me was when just a month after Travis was injured, some of the sixth graders from my school went to Washington D.C. on our annual trip. Our teacher jumped through a lot of hoops and pulled some hometown strings so that we could make a stop at the Walter Reed hospital where Travis was being treated. We were all awestruck when Travis came outside in a powered wheelchair to see us. There wasn’t a dry eye on the bus! Once everyone got off the bus, Travis said, “Alright, stop crying.” Then in typical Travis fashion, he told some jokes to cheer us up; kind of ironic. We were able to talk to him and get our picture taken with him. His positive attitude and smile was amazing. This visit will stick with me forever.
My next inspiring encounter with Travis was when he came to our homecoming football celebration in his hometown Vassar, Michigan. Travis is a former Vassar High School football player. The entire week of homecoming was in Travis’ honor. We called it “Hometown Hero”Homecoming. Everyone was gearing up for his first hometown visit since he made national news! It was all very exciting. Travis was in the parade, and attended the Thursday night bon-fire. We also had a ceremony before the football game honoring Travis and his military service and sacrifice. Again, while giving his speech during this ceremony, Travis was very positive, and fun loving; telling jokes. It seems as though nothing could keep him down.
Finally, Travis, his wife, Kelsey, and their daughter, Chloe, made a documentary about what happened. The film was premiered at our little hometown Vassar Theatre. The theatre was packed to watch the story of this heroic family. Before the documentary started, Travis was asked to give a speech. One thing Travis said that really struck me was, “It wasn’t a sad thing to happen to me. Yeah, I didn’t expect it, but that’s just the way God is saying, ‘Hi’, to me.” Watching that documentary convinced me that Travis is a true hero.
God may have knocked Travis down, but he got back up. I learned that life is going to have obstacles you may not like, but you just have to move on. Travis is my hero because he put his own life in danger to protect the rest of us, and is using this experience to inspire and teach others.
6th
11
RyLee NakamuraHolton Middle School,
Holton
SUPERHEROES IN DISGUISEUpon hearing the word hero, I think of
comics like Batman or Iron man, thoughts of saving lives and cities. My superheroes may not have superpowers, but they have something more powerful, something that creates superheroes of its own. They save dreams; the hopes and futures of students. My Michigan heroes are the teachers of Holton, who changed my life forever.
These teachers take risks, thinking outside of the box. They’re supportive, encouraging students to do their best and go further. They’re kind, truly caring about students. They manage to make their classes exciting no matter how boring the subject. All in all, they are heroic in every way and I feel blessed to know these amazing people.
In a new school, being a shy person isn’t easy. Being outgoing, talkative or social has never been my strong suit. Mrs. Felt, Mrs. Bosset and Mr. English, being the bubbly people they are, slowly made an impact on me. They sparked the evolution of the RyLee I am today. When 6th grade ended, it was hard to leave the teacher I knew and loved. Though I soon found that Mr. Holiday, Mr. Gripton, Mr. Russell, Mr. MacDonald, and Mrs. Rodrigues were just as nice and fun as my teachers last year. So I began coaxing out of my shell. I have been in 8th grade for a few months now, and I’m positive by the end of this year Mrs. Wagenmaker and Mrs. Wosinski will have the same impact as previous years. I’ve come to appreciate all my teachers have done. Not only did they increase my knowledge, but they let me show it. They’ve helped me overcome shyness. I’m still an introvert, that will never change, but they have opened my eyes. They taught me, I will make mistakes, and embarrass myself. That’s a part of life. I can now accept that with a smile on my face. Years from now when I’m grown, I’ll look back and remember these teachers, who started it all.
Not only have these teachers helped me, but they’ve helped many others. They have helped every student who has stepped foot into their class. I’ve seen students learn and mature tenfold. Heartwarmingly, these teachers are role models for kids who don’t have any people to look up to. They are the parental figure for students who don’t have that support. Most students won’t admit it, but they know in their hearts that these teachers have truly helped us all.
The teachers of Holton have changed my life forever. I will never forget that. In past schools, I’ve never had teachers who cared. These teachers are different. They teach to see students learn and become successful. They see a future in every student; making sure they learn to their full extent. They have never given up on a student. I will forever be grateful for all they have done. They’re not Superman, nor superhuman, they’re just normal people. If only everyone could witness amazing people like these.
7 th
12
Shawn McNamaraCentreville Jr. High,
Centreville
There are many things about Michigan that might make other states jealous. We have beautiful lakes, fantastic weather and no shortage of Michigan heroes! Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. There are police officers, teachers, doctors and social workers who can all be labeled heroes by the people who count on them. One of Michigan’s strongest heroes is Captain Matt McNamara, from the Centreville Fire Department in Centreville, Michigan.
Captain McNamara helps out his community every single day. He puts out fires that are blazing in homes, barns, fields, and vehicles. He saves lives by teaching children how to use fire extinguishers and smoke detectors and he supports his local community by offering training and information whenever he can.
Several years ago, Captain McNamara researched and wrote a grant that brought a brand new fire truck to Centreville, Michigan. Writing a grant is not easy, and people might not think that is the kind of work that heroes do, but I think working that hard for your community makes you a hero.
Matt McNamara has been a volunteer firefighter for over twenty years. During that time he has had to make lots of tough decisions and sacrifices to be a good fireman. Being a Michigan hero sometimes comes as a cost to the hero and those that love them. Captain McNamara has had to miss out on all kinds of things to help protect the people in his community from accidents and fires. One year at Christmas, the presents at the McNamara house had to sit under the tree for many hours while Captain McNamara fought a house fire during the bitter cold weather. It can sometimes be hard on a hero’s family to make the sacrifice too, but knowing their loved one is helping to save someone else makes the sacrifice worth it every single time.
Being a firefighter is not always as exciting as people might think. There are many behind the scene things that firefighters have to do like paperwork, washing the trucks, training, and rolling up hoses after a big fire. Yet, that is what heroes do. They do the work that does not necessarily make them rich or famous. They do the work that helps their community. They do the work that other cannot or will not do. That is what Michigan heroes do and Captain Matt McNamara is not only a Michigan hero, he is also MY hero because he is my dad.
8 th
13
Carter PenneyJohn E. Owens High
School, Reading
JONATHAN RAND, MY MICHIGAN HEROI was complaining to my mom about going
to see an author for one of her medical books. We were going to my mom’s college. I didn’t understand why I had to go. My parents had left me alone at home in the past, why not now? Why was it so important that I go to this speech? When we got there, books were laid out by Jonathan Rand. Why were Jonathan Rand books being sold at a speech for a medical author? We walked into the auditorium filled with kids and their parents. We sat down, and I finally figured out what was happening.
Prior to this experience, someone had told me that the public library lets you play on their computers for a full hour without charge, provided you have a library card. That is where I spent an hour of my day, in the library playing on the internet. Of course you can’t hang out there as much as I did without noticing some of the books. In the more kid-oriented section, I noticed some books called American Chillers and Michigan Chillers. I heard from other people that they were a lot like Goosebumps books. I was never a big fan of Goosebumps, but I felt like it was worth a try. I checked out the one that looked the most interesting to me, Invisible Iguanas of Illinois. There, an adventure began.
Soon I began writing my own stories inspired by the many ideas and the style of Jonathan Rand. “Geckozilla,” “Super Monsters,” and “Extinct and Alive” were some of my favorites. My relatives started getting Jonathan Rand books as my birthday and Christmas presents. As I read and wrote more, my writing abilities improved exponentially. I even started looking forward to writing assignments.
It was after I started getting into other authors that my parents took me to the Jonathan Rand speech. He was funny, informative, and inspiring. I even got my picture taken with him. I got books signed by him (his actual signature that he wrote with his own hand was on a book that I now owned!) The only thing I thought about on the way home was how I had been in the same room with him.
Although I started reading his books again, I was still out-growing them. I started reading other, more mature books, such as Ender’s Game, Wayne D. Barlowe’s books, and Hunger Games. Then, another adventure began.
Jonathan Rand is my Michigan Hero because he inspired me to read, to write, and to imagine. He helped me realize my dream of being an author myself. I don’t want to write stories about romance, about bullies, or about normal lives. I want to write about crazy ideas, of life, death, survival, what lies beyond our understanding, and what lies in the untapped parts of our imagination. Jonathan Rand is my Michigan Hero because he created a mind, hungry to explore its own imagination.
9 th
14
Colton RauTrinity Lutheran School,
Bay City
BRIAN BARCZYK – MY MICHIGAN HEROOn November 1st, 2013, I got the chance
of a lifetime! I got to travel down to Shelby Township, MI and meet my Hero in person! Brian Barczyk owns BHB Reptiles, the largest snake breeding facility in the United States, and it’s located right here in Michigan. He hatches over 30,000 snakes every year, has hundreds of varieties of snakes, and also has several Monitors, 3 Alligators, Bearded Dragons, Tortoises, Leopard Geckos and a Crested Gecko. Brian himself has developed the world’s first scaleless Ball Python! He worked for 4 years on this project, and personally gave me the opportunity to meet his 1st hatchling named Mr. Smooth. Brian also hosts a weekly web show called SnakeBytesTV. Brian travels all over the world teaching animal conservation and tolerance to the very misunderstood animal, the snake.
Brian is my hero because someday I want to be just like him! Since I was four years old I have known that I want to work with reptiles, and become a herpetologist. I would also like to breed reptiles and arachnids, and am currently raising several varieties of lizards and tarantulas.
When I first met Brian I was completely star struck! I mean, how do you actually from words when face to face with your hero? Lucky for me, Brian could tell I was nervous, and he treated me with respect and talked to me like an adult that knew reptiles. In my opinion, that is another reason that makes Brian Barczyk a hero. Most people wouldn’t give a 13 year old the time of day, not Brian! Brian and I have talked several times and he’s always willing, and ready, to encourage the passion of reptiles in people of any age, especially kids. While I was at BHB Reptiles, he took several hours out of his busy schedule and gave me the full tour around his enormous facility. He let me handle several snakes, help with feeding and work with his daily chores. The best part is he told me that he could see my passion for reptiles in my eyes and welcomed me back down to work with him any time I want to! If that’s not the best description of a hero, then I don’t know what is! Brian Barczyk is an amazing person, nice to people, awesome with animals, and a world traveler that gets asked to speak all over the world about his profession and yet he still had time to talk to me!
Within the next year I will finally have my first adult, breeding pair of Leachianus Geckos. Who knows? Maybe this will be the beginning of my future business! Maybe I can even have a weekly web show like SnakeBytesTV. Wherever God takes me in His future plans, one thing is for sure, I will be like Brian and always treat everyone I meet with respect and kindness…and I will always make time for a child interested in my field.
10th
15
Besides the top ten statewide winners whose essays appear at the front of this book, we also want to recognize the local winners from each school.
On the next several pages, you will find a listing of all the schools that participated in the 2013-2014 America & Me Essay Contest…and the local winners from each school. The first place essay from each school went on to the statewide competition from which the ten best essays in the state were selected.
We want to thank all the participating schools and their winners. Thank you for participating, thank you for your excellent essays, and thank you for telling us about your Michigan heroes. We wish you continued success and a great future.
Farm Bureau Insurance Michigan’s Insurance Company
A SALUTE TO EACH OF OUR PARTICIPATING SCHOOLSAND LOCAL WINNERS…
16
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…A.D. Johnston Junior High School, Bessemer 1st place - Caitlin Lynch 2nd place - Jonathan Bale 3rd place - Jacob Suzik
Adams School /Sigel #3, Bad Axe 1st place - Claudia Fitzpatrick
Adrian Middle School 7/8, Adrian 1st place - Shania Beevers 2nd place - Alexann Ferguson 3rd place - Alejandro Madrid
Advanced Technology Academy, Dearborn 1st place - Janice Lee Stefanide 2nd place - Nyah Hodges 3rd place - Jessica Haro
AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School, Southfield 1st place - Angela Kirma 2nd place - Christina Tufenkjian 3rd place - Shamiran Jeddo
Akiva Hebrew Day School, Southfield 1st place - Elijah Wolfe 2nd place - Audrey Rogers 3rd place - Samantha Schwartz
Akron-Fairgrove Junior/Senior High School, Fairgrove 1st place - Katelyn Smith 2nd place - Amariah VanHorn 3rd place - Garrett Reder
Al-Ikhlas Training Academy, Detroit 1st place - Salwa Omar 2nd place - Tayiba Uddin 3rd place - Adam Walid
All Saints Catholic School, Canton 1st place - Sarah Bindon 2nd place - Elise Cloutier 3rd place - Sean Gillikin All Saints Central Middle School, Bay City 1st place - Ben Short 2nd place - Cameron Adcock 3rd place - Erin Emmrich
Allendale Middle School, Allendale 1st place - Emily Taylor 2nd place - Destany Gryka 3rd place - Allison Kessler
Armada Middle School, Armada 1st place - Tyler Dolkowski 2nd place - Adam Job
Ashley Community Schools, Ashley 1st place - Doug Gavenda 2nd place - Nicole Hardman 3rd place - Shelly Moore
Assumption School, Belmont 1st place - Matthew Watkins 2nd place - Joshua Ball 3rd place - Noah Clements
Athens Jr./Sr. High School, Athens 1st place - Braelyn Roach 2nd place - Jillayne Wheeler 3rd place - Tristen Rivera
Atkins Middle School, Saginaw 1st place - Ali Isa 2nd place - Autumn Langmaid 3rd place - Rachel Andres
Atlanta Jr/Sr High School, Atlanta 1st place - Tracy Syck 2nd place - Tanner Sayles 3rd place - Hunter Reeves
Auburn Hills Christian School, Auburn Hills 1st place - Mikel Hall 2nd place - Lindsay Cowan 3rd place - Anna Sitto Baker Middle School, Rochester Hills 1st place - Christina Thymalil 2nd place - Tara Serafini 3rd place - Alicia McCallum
Baldwin Street Middle School, Hudsonville 1st place - Ethan Ehrnstrom 2nd place - Cielle Waters-Umfleet 3rd place - Shane Werner
17
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Bark River-Harris, Harris 1st place - Amber Smith 2nd place - Jacob Gartland 3rd place - Rebecca Wagner Baseline Middle School, South Haven 1st place - Alayah Till 2nd place - Wendy Gonzalez 3rd place - Erica May
Bath Middle School, Bath 1st place - Marissa Clark 2nd place - Jaylen Miller 3rd place - Jack Skidmore
Battle Creek SDA Academy, Battle Creek 1st place - Haley Agy 2nd place - Logan Bateman 3rd place - Bayani Pastrana
Beal City Public School, Mt. Pleasant 1st place - Andie Loos 2nd place - Amanda McMullen 3rd place - Brett Upton
Bedford Jr. High School, Temperance 1st place - Jacob Goa 2nd place - Nolan Ansara
Belding Middle School, Belding 1st place - Madeline Lake 2nd place - Madi Baar 3rd place - Sydney Gladding
Bellaire Middle School, Bellaire 1st place - Lexi Niepoth 2nd place - Hunter Putz 3rd place - Morgan Bailey
Berrien Springs Middle School, Berrien Springs 1st place - Nate Padla 2nd place - Andrew Kertawidjaja 3rd place - Keren Castro
Bethlehem Lutheran School, Saginaw 1st place - Bradley Gipson 2nd place - Daisey Powers
Big Bay de Noc School, Cooks 1st place - Maddie Mcphee 2nd place - Brooke Dalgord 3rd place - Nolan Raredon
Big Rapids Middle School, Big Rapids 1st place - Tiarra Benson 2nd place - Hailey Brock 3rd place - Arya Rao
Blissfield Community Schools, Blissfield 1st place - Karter Zimmerman 2nd place - Nicholas Moore 3rd place - Kayla Waynick
Bois Blanc Island, Bois Blanc Island 1st place - Grant Spray
Borculo Christian School, Zeeland 1st place - Katie Bolhuis 2nd place - Travis Tolsma
Bothwell Middle School, Marquette 1st place - Viana Hawes 2nd place - Alicia Diedrich 3rd place - Sabrina Stanley
Boulan Park Middle School, Troy 1st place - Sanjana Pashine 2nd place - Abhilash Balanethiram 3rd place - Jessica Liu
Boyd Larson Middle School, Troy 1st place - Maheem Syed 2nd place - Shriya Shah 3rd place - Eleanor Smith Boyne City Middle School, Boyne City 1st place - Basia Kornoely 2nd place - Olivia Looze 3rd place - Elliott Sitkins
Breckenridge Community School, Breckenridge 1st place - Kayla Belles
Bridge Academy West, Detroit 1st place - Aisha Almashraki 2nd place - Reham Saeed 3rd place - Amena Miah
18
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Brown City Jr./Sr. High School, Brown City 1st place - Alexandra Hanson 2nd place - Avery Earl 3rd place - Polina Ogboh
Burr Oak Community Schools, Burr Oak 1st place - Noah Greene 2nd place - Brooke Cooper 3rd place - Noah Norton
Byron Center Charter School, Byron Center 1st place - Anna Morgan 2nd place - Maggie Whitney 3rd place - Alma Grace Vriesman
Byron Center Christian School, Byron Center 1st place - Jenna Gronsman 2nd place - Gabriele Sundelius 3rd place - Brittney Veldhouse
Cadillac Heritage Christian School, Cadillac 1st place - Ella Williams 2nd place - Bryce Pangborn 3rd place - Abigail Fekete
Calvary Baptist Academy, Midland 1st place - Christina Brenner
Calvary Schools of Holland, Holland 1st place - Landyn Beal 2nd place - Aaron Favier 3rd place - Adeline Alderink
Canton Charter Academy, Canton 1st place - Krupa Patel 2nd place - Eseosa Arhebamen
Carl T. Renton Junior High School, New Boston 1st place - Jakob Scroggie 2nd place - Kendra Orban 3rd place - Karmin Spoonamore
Carleton Middle School, Sterling Heights 1st place - Taylor Nevinski 2nd place - Sara Schultz
Caro Middle School, Caro 1st place - Scarlet Bringard 2nd place - Kyle Graf 3rd place - Mackenzie Baranski
Carrollton Middle School, Carrollton 1st place - Jenna Carter 2nd place - Jordan Sumption 3rd place - Molly Conden
Carsonville-Port Sanilac Schools, Carsonville 1st place - Hailey Knox 2nd place - Alexandra Herrington
Carter Middle School, Warren 1st place - Jennifer Audet 2nd place - Isabella Babbish 3rd place - Courtney Skrinner
Caseville Public School, Caseville 1st place - Olivia Grates 2nd place - Brandon Lecznar 3rd place - Carly Simmons
CASMAN Alternative Academy, Manistee 1st place - Jaisa DesJardins
Central Academy, Ann Arbor 1st place - Huda Vaid 2nd place - Abdallah Beghidja 3rd place - Reneen Hasen
Centreville Junior High, Centreville 1st place - Shawn McNamara 2nd place - Samantha Mohney 3rd place - Nicklaus Weber
Cheboygan Middle School, Cheboygan 1st place - Maurice Bronson 2nd place - Kevin Bur 3rd place - Samantha Carter
Chesaning Middle School, Chesaning 1st place - Brooke Keck 2nd place - Patrick Kue 3rd place - Nathan Martin
Chippewa Middle School, Okemos 1st place - Elizabeth Bartlett 2nd place - Nicole Manning 3rd place - Ariana Truesdail
19
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Christ Lutheran School, Stevensville 1st place - Sarah Jackemeyer 2nd place - Morgan Virsik 3rd place - Cali Laughlin
Christ the King Lutheran School, Southgate 1st place - Noah Davis
Christian Leadership Academy, Bloomfield Hills 1st place - Hannah Rose Schmidt 2nd place - Kyana Donaldson 3rd place - Mackenzie Buchan
Clare Middle School, Clare 1st place - Brandy Holt 2nd place - Heather Martin 3rd place - Brooke Rawson
Clarkston Junior High School, Clarkston 1st place - Gillian Anderson 2nd place - Matthew Gencay 3rd place - Kelly Cousino
Coleman Community Jr/Sr High School, Coleman 1st place - Shane Gross 2nd place - Lucie Ullom 3rd place - Amelia Servis
Colon Jr. / Sr. High School, Colon 1st place - Rachel Jensen 2nd place - Haley Tyler 3rd place - Myah Brimmer
Comstock Northeast Middle School, Kalamazoo 1st place - Kierra Lovelace 2nd place - David Hoskins 3rd place - Daryn Dratt
Coopersville Middle School, Coopersville 1st place - Lucy Schuiling 2nd place - Blake Reynolds 3rd place - Amanda Zomberg
Cornerstone Christian Academy, Fremont 1st place - Joe Wheater
Corpus Christi Catholic School, Holland 1st place - Garett Shrode 2nd place - Matthew Asselin 3rd place - Philip LaPorte
Cramer Junior High, Essexville 1st place - Katie Bublitz 2nd place - Jaylie Dice 3rd place - Abbey Behan
Cranbrook Boys Middle School, Bloomfield Hills 1st place - Ned Mylod 2nd place - Kinan Wagner 3rd place - Jared Mettes
Crescent Academy International, Canton 1st place - Amani Abuelenain
Cross Lutheran School, Pigeon 1st place - Lance Gascho 2nd place - Kirsten Shupe
Cross of Glory Lutheran School, Washington 1st place - Anna Loeffler 2nd place - Matthew Miller 3rd place - Javan Lowes
DeTour Village High School, DeTour Village 1st place - Jordan Hartley 2nd place - Holly Moser 3rd place - Skylar Pardee
Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills 1st place - Jared Freeman 2nd place - Natalie Albaran 3rd place - Jae Young Chang
Detroit Enterprise Academy, Detroit 1st place - Day-Jah Williamson 2nd place - JaDan Fuggerson 3rd place - Ambria Ward
DeWitt Junior High School, DeWitt 1st place - Elliana Simon 2nd place - Madeline Harrant 3rd place - Kara Johnson
20
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Discovery Middle School, Canton 1st place - Jennifer Long Huang 2nd place - Noor Shah 3rd place - Apala Vaishnav
Divine Child Elementary School, Dearborn 1st place - Kennedy Bingham 2nd place - Alaina Celeski 3rd place - Jessica Lesinski
Dowagiac Middle School, Dowagiac 1st place - Ciara Hinton 2nd place - Elizabeth Turczi 3rd place - Haley Soderbloom
Dryden Community Schools, Dryden 1st place - Lacey Davis 2nd place - Elizabeth Irla 3rd place - Hannah Weiss
Durand Middle School, Durand 1st place - Arlene Tyler 2nd place - Ashley Burk 3rd place - Grant Hart
Dutton Christian Middle School, Caledonia 1st place - Kiley Hengeveld 2nd place - Will Warsen
Dwight Beach Middle School, Chelsea 1st place - Nora Fahle 2nd place - Sarah Hintzen 3rd place - Max Caselli
E.F. Rittmueller Middle School, Frankenmuth 1st place - Ryan Foley 2nd place - Dana Williams 3rd place - Mikayla Philp
Eagle Creek Academy, Oakland 1st place - Paul Pavliscak 2nd place - Jhenna Gamache 3rd place - Mary Jackson
East Hills Middle School, Bloomfield Hills 1st place - Camryn Brent 2nd place - Taylor Southward 3rd place - Elena Marcozzi
East Jackson Middle School, Jackson 1st place - Jenny Majchrowski 2nd place - Simyah Gant 3rd place - Brooke Wollet
East Jordan Middle School, East Jordan 1st place - Anna Roskamp 2nd place - Rayne Speer 3rd place - Rebecca Barkley
East Rockford Middle School, Rockford 1st place - Paul Reinke 2nd place - Greta Kruse 3rd place - Zoe Anderson
Ebenzer Christian School, Ellsworth 1st place - Alleah Sundelius 2nd place - Makayla Liermann
Eccles School - Sigel Township S.D. #4, Harbor Beach 1st place - Aaron Talaski 2nd place - Rebecca Zurek 3rd place - A.J. Lewis
Edwardsburg Middle School, Edwardsburg 1st place - Hope Walls 2nd place - Stacey Snodgrass 3rd place - Ann Marks
Emanuel Lutheran School, Lansing 1st place - Zach Pederson 2nd place - Nick Gibson 3rd place - Joshua Kreiter
Emerson Middle School, Livonia 1st place - Ryan Celmer 2nd place - Jozef Mularkski 3rd place - Ashley Long
Emmanuel Lutheran School, Dearborn 1st place - Emma Noeller 2nd place - Dunya Abueita 3rd place - Katherine Fodor
Engadine Consolidated Schools, Engadine 1st place - Evan McNeal 2nd place - Aubrey Simmons 3rd place - Justin Lumsden
F.C. Reed Middle School, Bridgman 1st place - Tim Dunkel 2nd place - Brock Dobbins 3rd place - Luke Wilcox
21
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Faith Christian School, Lake Odessa 1st place - Lauren Weldy 2nd place - Callie Edmonds 3rd place - Andrew Gonyou
Faith Lutheran School, Bay City 1st place - Robin Rodriguez 2nd place - Zachary Bleicher 3rd place - Cameron Ranck
Fennville Middle School, Fennville 1st place - Desiree Garcia 2nd place - Cheyenne Wheeler
Forest Area Community Schools, Fife Lake 1st place - Ruth Archambault 2nd place - Julia Hopson
Fort Gratiot Middle School, Fort Gratiot 1st place - Annelise Timm 2nd place - Ciara Heeckendorn
Fowlerville Junior High School, Fowlerville 1st place - Cameron Daniels 2nd place - Olivia Holmes 3rd place - Autumn Barbour
Franklin Road Christian School, Novi 1st place - Katherine Robinson 2nd place - Madelyn Holleman 3rd place - Megan Jones
Fremont Christian School, Fremont 1st place - Grace Krick 2nd place - Seth Vander Kooi 3rd place - Erica Grasley
Friends School in Detroit, Detroit 1st place - Solomon Jagun 2nd place - Taylor Cotton 3rd place - Kamya Harrison
Gaylord Middle School, Gaylord 1st place - Maia Rinke 2nd place - Macey Moyer 3rd place - Katie Butler
Gesu Catholic School, Detroit 1st place - Benicia Booker 2nd place - Kauai Johnson 3rd place - Kileyah Cook
Gladstone Middle School, Gladstone 1st place - Charlotte Strom 2nd place - Sydney Chouinard 3rd place - Nicole Noblet
Gladwin Junior High School, Gladwin 1st place - Alia Bittner 2nd place - Abigail Scott 3rd place - Wyatt Raymond
Gobles Middle School, Gobles 1st place - Sabrina Torres 2nd place - Samantha Winne 3rd place - Lauren Gettys
Godfrey-Lee Middle School, Wyoming 1st place - Devon Weathers 2nd place - Diego Gandara 3rd place - Jackelyn Garcia
Goodrich Middle School, Goodrich 1st place - Paige Dombrowski 2nd place - Skylar Szymkowski 3rd place - Hunter Keefer
Grand Blanc East Middle School, Grand Blanc 1st place - Andrea Benchley 2nd place - Brittany Duddles 3rd place - Jody Finch
Grand Haven Christian School, Grand Haven 1st place - Catherine Bradford-Royle 2nd place - Hanna Klaassen 3rd place - Natalie Van Houwelingen
Grand Traverse Academy, Traverse City 1st place - Silas Kornexl 2nd place - Joe Cort 3rd place - Rachel Ko
Grandville Middle School, Grandville 1st place - Amy Charboneau 2nd place - Zoe Willoughby 3rd place - Sophie Kaminski
Grant Christian School, Grant 1st place - Emma Brink 2nd place - Grace Dole 3rd place - Curtis Omans
22
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Greater Lansing Adventist School, Lansing 1st place - Joshua Perez 2nd place - Elijah Ringstaff
Grosse Ile Middle School, Grosse Ile 1st place - Garrett Davis 2nd place - Campbell Compeau 3rd place - Chloe MacNee
Grosse Pointe Academy, Grosse Pointe 1st place - Sophie Leslie 2nd place - Toriano Spencer 3rd place - Tate Kuelling
Guardian Angels School, Clawson 1st place - Jacob Bromm 2nd place - Emma Clemons 3rd place - Christina Byk
Guardian Lutheran School, Dearborn 1st place - Rachel Urso 2nd place - Brendan Downer 3rd place - Emily Flohr
Gwinn Middle School, Gwinn 1st place - Jasmine Westerberg 2nd place - Cassidy Johnson
Hanover-Horton Middle School, Horton 1st place - Elizabeth Burmis 2nd place - Alayjah Cognata 3rd place - Bo Shepherd
Harbor Beach Middle School, Harbor Beach 1st place - Victoria Pawlowski 2nd place - Kaira Ocomen 3rd place - Kaylin Cady
Harbor Springs Middle School, Harbor Springs 1st place - Maddy Fuhrman 2nd place - Grace Roguska 3rd place - Marin Hoffman
Harper Creek Middle School, Battle Creek 1st place - Sophia Weller 2nd place - Savannah Shifflett 3rd place - Ryan McCafferty
Harper Woods Middle School, Harper Woods 1st place - Katherine Jaminet 2nd place - Taylor Smith 3rd place - Delario Hall
Harrison Park, Grand Rapids 1st place - Maria Ramirez 2nd place - Amarion Houston 3rd place - Yadani Ayana
Hart Middle School, Hart 1st place - Emma Babbin 2nd place - Jaden Hanks 3rd place - Augustus Gale
Hartford Middle School, Hartford 1st place - Hayley Williams 2nd place - Adroama Davila 3rd place - Alex Szakal
Hartland Middle School at Ore Creek, Hartland 1st place - Gage Schlueter 2nd place - Kaitlyn Redies 3rd place - Nina Butts
Haslett Middle School, Haslett 1st place - Kathleen Stattelman 2nd place - Anneliese Stattelman 3rd place - Eric Jordan
Hayes Middle School, Grand Ledge 1st place - Amari Travis 2nd place - Halle Perry
Heritage Christian School, Hudsonville 1st place - Jori Eriks
Heritage Junior High School, Sterling Heights 1st place - Mara Woods 2nd place - Jayla Bradford 3rd place - Divya Seenivasan
Hillsdale Academy, Hillsdale 1st place - Toni-Marie Gossage 2nd place - Nolan Sullivan 3rd place - Abigail Grenke
23
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Hillside Middle School, Northville 1st place - Barbara Davis 2nd place - Emma Petropoulos 3rd place - Jeremy Puckett
Holland Christian Middle School, Holland 1st place - Chloe Vander Laan 2nd place - Analisia Hines 3rd place - Lucy VanRegenmorter
Holt Lutheran School, Holt 1st place - Antonea Harris 2nd place - Myah O’Sullivan 3rd place - Michael Eaton
Holton Middle School, Holton 1st place - RyLee Nakamura 2nd place - Danielle Tanner 3rd place - Lindsey Westerhouse
Holy Cross Lutheran School, Saginaw 1st place - Nathan Krueger 2nd place - Emily Becker 3rd place - Matthew Jahnke
Holy Family Catholic School, Grand Blanc 1st place - Sheridan Allen 2nd place - Payton Ranville 3rd place - Shane Gantos
Holy Ghost Lutheran School, Monroe 1st place - Alex Elliott 2nd place - Ryan Langton 3rd place - Lauren D’Haene
Holy Name Catholic School, Escanaba 1st place - Janel LaPalm 2nd place - Victoria Chenier 3rd place - Claire McInerey
Holy Name School, Birmingham 1st place - Emily Rooney 2nd place - Gabrielle Healy 3rd place - Bryn Parks
Holy Redeemer Grade School, Detroit 1st place - Irma Jaramillo 2nd place - Jeovanni Jimenez 3rd place - Anika Mosley
Holy Trinity School, Comstock Park 1st place - Jordan Triick 2nd place - Megan Parker 3rd place - Nick Reidzans
Hopkins Middle School, Hopkins 1st place - Katelyn Pendock 2nd place - Emily Poling 3rd place - Brooklyn Keenan
Houghton Lake High School, Houghton Lake 1st place - April Johnson 2nd place - Halie Stuhlmann 3rd place - Lauren Perry
Howardsville Christian School, Marcellus 1st place - Jessica Rosales 2nd place - Lucas Withers 3rd place - Olyvia Johnson
Huda School & Montessori, Franklin 1st place - Nadia Khan 2nd place - Danya Obeid 3rd place - Malik Aljamal
Hudsonville Christian Middle School, Hudsonville 1st place - Meselech Beld 2nd place - Megan Van Houten
Ida Middle School, Ida 1st place - Jacob Vandervlucht 2nd place - Jessie McLachlin 3rd place - Riley Vargas
IHM - St. Casimir Middle School, Lansing 1st place - Kaitlin Buckwalter 2nd place - John Scrimger 3rd place - Isabella Centeno
Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Ira 1st place - Dominic Jakubowski 2nd place - Amy Charbonneau 3rd place - Rachel Rhein
Immanuel Lutheran School, Bay City 1st place - Leah Sneller 2nd place - Tiana Storey 3rd place - Brendan Samsell
24
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Immanuel Lutheran School, Saginaw 1st place - Luke Kaul 2nd place - Casey Schaeff 3rd place - Sophee Robinson
Immanuel Lutheran School, Macomb 1st place - Nicole Fluegge 2nd place - Caleb Deer 3rd place - Isabelle Melis
Inter-City Baptist High School, Allen Park 1st place - Jessiann Wiedmann 2nd place - Hope Tally 3rd place - Marissa Manville
Ionia Middle School, Ionia 1st place - Addison Baylis 2nd place - Grace Riccius 3rd place - Rachel Bestrom
Iron Mountain Central Middle School, Iron Mountain 1st place - Miranda Julian
Iroquois Middle School, Macomb 1st place - Jason Ribbentrop 2nd place - Alexis Vought 3rd place - Melissa Varghese
Island City Academy, Eaton Rapids 1st place - Estrella Huerta 2nd place - Aurora Woodman 3rd place - Racole Darling
Jackson Catholic Middle School, Jackson 1st place - Michael Richards 2nd place - Cameron White 3rd place - Joey Imperial
Jackson Christian Middle School, Jackson 1st place - Maria Salow 2nd place - Alexis Hannewald 3rd place - Cassidy McNeil
James R. Geisler Middler School, Walled Lake 1st place - Ankita Rao 2nd place - Riley Barry 3rd place - Sachi Arora
Jeffers Junior-Senior High School, Painesdale 1st place - Cierra Stevens 2nd place - Bethany Foreman 3rd place - Emma Pietila
Jenison Christian Middle School, Jenison 1st place - Kylie Matthysse 2nd place - Ashley Mulder
JKL Bahweting Middle School, Sault Ste. Marie 1st place - Griffin Zajkowski 2nd place - Morgaine Brennan 3rd place - Sydnie Dumas
Johannesburg Middle School, Johannesburg 1st place - Caleigh Madej 2nd place - Brandy Baker 3rd place - Jasmyn Priestley
John E. Owens High School, Reading 1st place - Carter Penney 2nd place - Hannah Reichhart 3rd place - Dakota Shay
John Paul II Catholic School, Lincoln Park 1st place - Nina Biundo 2nd place - Genevieve Kozak 3rd place - Anna Izzo
Jonesville Middle School, Jonesville 1st place - Megan Miler 2nd place - Jenna Glassburn 3rd place - Jettsen Behm
Joy Preparatory Academy, Detroit 1st place - Cierra Murphy
Juniata Christian School, Vassar 1st place - Hannah Rickerd 2nd place - Heather Cooper 3rd place - Dominick Bennett
Kelloggsville Middle School, Grand Rapids 1st place - Michael Huynh 2nd place - Grady Sakshaug 3rd place - Allison Diaz
25
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Kent City Junior/Senior High School, Kent City 1st place - Teanna McCuaig 2nd place - Hunter Nelson 3rd place - Isabella Kruis
Kraft Meadows Middle School, Caledonia 1st place - Kirsten Peek 2nd place - Samantha Williams 3rd place - Ashley Grove
Laingsburg Christian School, Laingsburg 1st place - Jonathan Nichols
Laingsburg Middle School, Laingsburg 1st place - Micalah Brundage 2nd place - Brett Baker 3rd place - Sophie Wilsey
Lake City Middle School, Lake City 1st place - Trevor VanHaitsma 2nd place - Jimmy Young 3rd place - Ethan Linderman
Lake Michigan Catholic Jr/Sr High School, St. Joseph 1st place - Tanner Nutting 2nd place - Dominic Damico 3rd place - Anna LaSata
Lakeview High School, Lakeview 1st place - Alissa Bonkowski 2nd place - Caleb Inman 3rd place - Lilienne Moore
Lakeview Middle School, Battle Creek 1st place - Ryan Hopkins 2nd place - Susan Par 3rd place - Nettie Chane
Lakeville Middle School, Otisville 1st place - Alexis Cargill
Lakewood Middle School, Woodland 1st place - Lucas Jackson 2nd place - Sydney Chase 3rd place - Kayla Sauers
Lamont Christian School, Coopersville 1st place - Anthony Stroven 2nd place - Chloe Pals 3rd place - Zachary Drost
L’Anse Creuse Middle School East, Chesterfield 1st place - Elizabeth Foley 2nd place - Allison Sutter 3rd place - Olivia Brown
Lansing Christian School, Lansing 1st place - Jenna Li 2nd place - Lydia Whipple 3rd place - Davis Tebben
Lawrence Jr. Sr. High School, Lawrence 1st place - Emma Beal 2nd place - Arianna Avina 3rd place - Ashley Dean
Lawton Middle School, Lawton 1st place - Alissa Waite 2nd place - Kendra Hudson 3rd place - Andrew Gunnett
Legacy Christian School, Grand Rapids 1st place - Jack Spencer 2nd place - Chase Coke 3rd place - Rhiannon Beintema
Legg Middle School, Coldwater 1st place - Micki Slack 2nd place - Carly Duke 3rd place - Brandon Hartman
Lenawee Christian School, Adrian 1st place - William Kliesch 2nd place - Lucas King 3rd place - Camille Hinkley
Lincoln Middle School, Ypsilanti 1st place - Bryce Watkins 2nd place - Jalen White 3rd place - Alexis Slovinski
Lowrey Junior High School, Dearborn 1st place - Ayah Chami 2nd place - Molouk Harp 3rd place - Zeinab Khattab
26
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Luther L. Wright Junior-Senior High School, Ironwood 1st place - Angelina Jarvela 2nd place - MaKenzie Marshall 3rd place - Madison Clausen
Macomb Christian Schools, Warren 1st place - Mikayla Mitchell 2nd place - Anthony Zambo 3rd place - Carson Washburn
Mancelona Middle School, Mancelona 1st place - Mystina Barber 2nd place - Shawna Buckler 3rd place - Rebecca Morrison
Manistee Catholic Central School, Manistee 1st place - Johnna Hanson 2nd place - Mason Callesen 3rd place - Barry Seymour
Mar Lee School, Marshall 1st place - Bailey Hoffman 2nd place - Bradley Brubaker 3rd place - Austin Amaro
Marlette Jr/Sr High School, Marlette 1st place - Jennifer Newland 2nd place - Emily Schaub 3rd place - Zachary Herman
Marshall Middle School, Marshall 1st place - Derry Kramer 2nd place - Iris Tullar 3rd place - Natalie Stiner
Martin Junior High School, Martin 1st place - Gabriella Hansen 2nd place - Frankie Johnson 3rd place - Micala Young
Marysville Middle School, Marysville 1st place - RJ Russel 2nd place - Hannah Delor 3rd place - Hayley Delor
Mason County Eastern Junior/Senior High, Custer 1st place - Alexandra Van Sledright 2nd place - McKenna Lake 3rd place - Campbell Shoup
Mattawan Middle School, Mattawan 1st place - Tyler Krasny 2nd place - Rylee Miller 3rd place - Emma Brown
McBain Rural Agricultural Schools, McBain 1st place - Lucy Rees 2nd place - Kaden Jacobson 3rd place - Kennedy Pollington
Mendon Middle School, Mendon 1st place - Arjun Vorster 2nd place - Emily Loudenslager 3rd place - Cole Burpee
Menominee Catholic Central School, Menominee 1st place - Taylor Johnson 2nd place - Jennifer McMahon 3rd place - Celeste Haines
Menominee Junior High School, Menominee 1st place - Kallan Wilde 2nd place - Nelly Sanchez 3rd place - Jaden Russell
Merritt Academy, New Haven 1st place - Emily Gittens 2nd place - Maddyson Timms 3rd place - Caprice Darr
Metro Charter Academy, Romulus 1st place - Hafeez Oyeneyin
Michigan Math & Science Academy, Center Line 1st place - Justin Wilton
Mid Peninsula High School, Rock 1st place - Kaitlyn LaChapelle 2nd place - McKenna LaCosse 3rd place - Samantha Wilson
27
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Mio-AuSable Junior High School, Mio 1st place - Ryan Everly
Moline Christian School, Moline 1st place - Ally Bird
Moran Township School, St. Ignace 1st place - Alicia Garen 2nd place - Abby Larsen 3rd place - Aaron Welch
Most Holy Trinity School, Fowler 1st place - Mariele Feldpausch 2nd place - James Wohlfert 3rd place - Anthony Hufnagel
Mt. Morris Junior High School, Mt. Morris 1st place - Dillon Johnson 2nd place - Tabitha Salami 3rd place - Hailey Wheeler
Muskegon Catholic Central Middle School, Muskegon 1st place - Adam Gawron 2nd place - Sama Daweth 3rd place - Zoie Price
Nellie B. Chisholm Middle School, Montague 1st place - Jakeb Schilz 2nd place - Heather Levasseur 3rd place - Savanah Wiegand
New Bedford Academy, Lambertville 1st place - Jacob Sweet 2nd place - Tiahna Mosley 3rd place - Isabelle Williams
New Lothrop Area Schools, New Lothrop 1st place - Rebekah Stankiewicz 2nd place - Savannah Taylor 3rd place - Kennedi Church
North Adams-Jerome Schools, North Adams 1st place - Kate Drawe 2nd place - Emilee Cramer 3rd place - Jennifer Haire
North Branch Middle School, North Branch 1st place - Rachel Schwartz 2nd place - Grace Pfromm 3rd place - Brianna DeMeyers
North Dickinson School, Felch 1st place - Lily Segerdahl 2nd place - Reighan Johnson 3rd place - John Nelson
North Pointe Christian Middle School, Grand Rapids 1st place - Alyce Apol 2nd place - Cassandra Cook 3rd place - Alek Hedlund
North Rockford Middle School, Rockford 1st place - Eden Stargardt 2nd place - Nicholas Besta 3rd place - Randall Bryant
Northern Michigan Christian School, McBain 1st place - Emerson Romanchuk 2nd place - Grace VanHaitsma 3rd place - Anna Tea-Hui
Northport Public School, Northport 1st place - Sarah Reynolds 2nd place - Joan Ogemaw 3rd place - Tiana Schocko
Northville Christian School, Northville 1st place - Neha Seshadri 2nd place - Jordan Modjeski 3rd place - Grace Fanelli
Northwest Kidder Middle School, Jackson 1st place - Deidra Lyons 2nd place - Hannah Parsons
O.J. DeJonge Junior High, Ludington 1st place - Allison May 2nd place - Ben Knoer 3rd place - Lance Root
Olivet Middle School, Olivet 1st place - Ashley Stempfley 2nd place - Gabe Moore 3rd place - Anna Williams
Orchard Lake Middle School, West Bloomfield 1st place - Rishabh Parekh
28
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Otsego Middle School, Otsego 1st place - Eryn Dendel
Our Lady of Lake Huron School, Harbor Beach 1st place - Julian Tenerife 2nd place - Owen Woody 3rd place - Cole Anderson
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, Farmington 1st place - Ryan Houlihan 2nd place - Aaron Amaya 3rd place - Gabriella Mukhtar
Our Lady of the Lakes Middle School, Waterford 1st place - Michael Fluegel 2nd place - Olivia Hankey 3rd place - Charlotte Szakal
Our Lady of Victory School, Northville 1st place - Meredith Green 2nd place - Grace Gulowski 3rd place - Caitlin Jefferson
Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Grosse Pointe Woods 1st place - Samantha Lopiccolo 2nd place - John Lizza 3rd place - Katelynn Mulder
Our Savior Lutheran, Lansing 1st place - Wesley Joubert 2nd place - Dasja Nappier 3rd place - Michael Moldenhauer
Our Savior Lutheran School, Grand Rapids 1st place - Rachel Mueller 2nd place - Darnell Frye II 3rd place - Anna Baermann
Owendale-Gagetown Area School, Owendale 1st place - Aaron Fahrner 2nd place - Luke Retford 3rd place - Zane Schember
Owosso Middle School, Owosso 1st place - Andrew Dallas 2nd place - Bailey Griffith 3rd place - Taylor Ladd
Oxford Middle School, Oxford 1st place - Kaylee Seeling 2nd place - Sofia Hessler 3rd place - Emilie Appleyard
Parchment Middle School, Parchment 1st place - Lauren Heaney 2nd place - Amber Pryor 3rd place - Delaney Novak
Parker Middle School, Howell 1st place - Hanna Schimmel 2nd place - Isabel Swartzmiller 3rd place - Anna Stocker
Peace Lutheran School, Warren 1st place - Brooke Ann Duerr 2nd place - Larysa Transit 3rd place - Courtney Oltman
Peace Lutheran School, Livonia 1st place - Mark Sabit 2nd place - Nathan Hockenberry 3rd place - Nick Doletzky
Peace Lutheran School, Shelby Township 1st place - Mallory Belisle 2nd place - Madison Brown 3rd place - Tim Stockman
Peace Lutheran School, Saginaw 1st place - Eliza Gorsline 2nd place - Sadie Kapp 3rd place - Peyton Schmidt
Pellston Middle School, Pellston 1st place - Haley Taylor 2nd place - Abbigail Fowler 3rd place - Taylor Myroniuk
Pennfield Dunlap Middle School, Battle Creek 1st place - Julia Miklusicak 2nd place - Emily Tolf 3rd place - Jaylyn Shephard
Petoskey Middle School, Petoskey 1st place - Mikayla Lowell 2nd place - Ryan Bickel 3rd place - David Paquette
29
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Pickford Middle School, Pickford 1st place - Kelsie Sibbald 2nd place - Taylor Opolka 3rd place - Samuel Bush
Pinconning Area Middle School, Pinconning 1st place - Marissa Dake 2nd place - Rayce Reinshuttle 3rd place - Dakota Anderson
Pinewood Middle School, Kentwood 1st place - Brenna Wisdom 2nd place - Rachel Nichols 3rd place - Annalise Brandon
Pittsford Area School, Pittsford 1st place - Mollie Smith 2nd place - Luke Gier 3rd place - Madison Monahan
Pleasant View Elementary Magnet School, Lansing 1st place - Theresa Cheeks 2nd place - Radasha Ashley 3rd place - Julianna Markham-Adkison
Plymouth Christian Academy, Canton 1st place - Seth Windle
Plymouth Christian High School, Grand Rapids 1st place - Micah Kruithoff 2nd place - Janine Sweetman 3rd place - Anika DeMeester
Potterville Public Schools, Potterville 1st place - Allison Gilliam 2nd place - Chanler Kendrick 3rd place - Courtney Peterson
Powell Middle School, Washington 1st place - Grace Konnie 2nd place - Katie Vega 3rd place - Mara Gottschling
Prairie Baptist School, Scotts 1st place - Ravennah Gray
Ravenna Middle School, Ravenna 1st place - Lauren Hapser 2nd place - Hayley Dekker 3rd place - Kayla Spoelman
Resurrection School, Lansing 1st place - Maggie Jacobs 2nd place - Carson Abbott 3rd place - Fisher Welch
Reuther Middle School, Rochester 1st place - Keneth Sokoli 2nd place - Angela Mammel 3rd place - Delna Sholapurwalla
Richmond Middle School, Richmond 1st place - Haley Fortuna 2nd place - Dylan Clemons 3rd place - Caitlin Weishaar
Ring Lardner Junior High School, Niles 1st place - Julia Kosten 2nd place - Alec Janowski 3rd place - Olivia Bella
Rogers City Area Schools, Rogers City 1st place - Caitlin Eisenstein 2nd place - Nicholas Budnick 3rd place - Hannah Flemming
Romeo Middle School, Romeo 1st place - Marina Fietsam 2nd place - Daniel Vance 3rd place - Lily Hansen
Ross Beatty High School, Cassopolis 1st place - Thomas Hunter Colley V 2nd place - Christopher Cox 3rd place - Dana Majewski
Royal Oak Middle School, Royal Oak 1st place - Eve Anderson 2nd place - Adrienne Parks
Sacred Heart Academy, Mt. Pleasant 1st place - Kate Goenner 2nd place - Diana Lebeau 3rd place - Hannah Adinkrah
30
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Sacred Heart School, Dearborn 1st place - Cameron Godin 2nd place - Jonathan DeBerardino 3rd place - Katharine Walters
Saint Thecla Elementary School, Clinton Township 1st place - Gladys Oster 2nd place - Judy Oska 3rd place - Robert Kroll
Salem Lutheran School, Owosso 1st place - Allison Perry 2nd place - Abigail Svarc 3rd place - Raeanne Forrester
Saline Middle School, Saline 1st place - Hailey Sullivan 2nd place - Rebecca Mitchell 3rd place - Jessica Lyons
Sally Allan Alexander Beth Jacobs School, Oak Park 1st place - Chumie Groundland 2nd place - Estee Luss 3rd place - Devorah Gelberman
Sampson Webber Academy, Detroit 1st place - Karnae Riddle 2nd place - Desire Smith 3rd place - Alfred Sheffield
Sandusky High School, Sandusky 1st place - Jared Tubbs 2nd place - Cassidy Albrecht 3rd place - Haley Nelson
Sarah Banks Middle School, Wixom 1st place - Liza Knight 2nd place - Anna Goward 3rd place - Joseph Russell
Saranac Jr/Sr High School, Saranac 1st place - Kaitlyn Depotty 2nd place - Audra Hawkins 3rd place - Jonathan Greenfield
Sault Area Middle School, Sault Ste. Marie 1st place - Haley Alaspa 2nd place - Matt Knowles 3rd place - Shaina Sauro
Schoolcraft Middle School, Schoolcraft 1st place - Rene Andino 2nd place - Brooke Crissman 3rd place - Zoey Dubuisson
Seneca Middle School, Macomb 1st place - Corbin Hison 2nd place - Erika Unalivia 3rd place - Mackenzie Bailey
Shelby Junior High School, Shelby Township 1st place - Rileigh Wardzinski 2nd place - Bridgette Tepper 3rd place - Gabriella Braun
Shrine Academy, Royal Oak 1st place - Bridget LaPoint 2nd place - Cassie Morris 3rd place - Tiffany Ellison
Spiritus Sanctus Academy, Ann Arbor 1st place - Lauren Chewter 2nd place - Christen Schoenle 3rd place - Miriam Wong
Spiritus Sanctus Academy, Plymouth 1st place - John Blaney 2nd place - Jacob Grobbel 3rd place - Blaine Ritz
Spring Lake Middle School, Spring Lake 1st place - Ava Hatton 2nd place - Jenna Hoffius 3rd place - Audra Bialik
St. Anselm School, Dearborn Heights 1st place - Natalie Delaney 2nd place - Monica Allen 3rd place - Sidney Caudell
St. Anthony of Padua School, Grand Rapids 1st place - Ashley Vandermeulen 2nd place - Rachel Heibel 3rd place - Morgan Hipp
31
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…St. Augustine School, Richmond 1st place - Juliana Cieglo 2nd place - James Powers 3rd place - Cecelia Haden
St. Brigid Catholic School, Midland 1st place - Jacob Pasek 2nd place - Daniel Baker 3rd place - Monica Rose Martin
St. Charles School, Newport 1st place - Alexandria Zelenak 2nd place - Josephine Patterson 3rd place - Claire Bechard
St. Charles School, Greenville 1st place - Hunter DeWitt 2nd place - Gerritt Weick 3rd place - Noah Amidon
St. Clare of Montefalco School, Grosse Pointe Park 1st place - Andrew Hallam 2nd place - Akil McDaniel 3rd place - Ananda Vaughn
St. Edith School, Livonia 1st place - Rory Cox 2nd place - Maria Galaviz 3rd place - Fidaa Dib
St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School, Reese 1st place - Kirk Barber 2nd place - Anthony Wark 3rd place - Brandon Beattie
St. Francis of Assisi School, Ann Arbor 1st place - Michael MacGillivray 2nd place - Catherine Sesi 3rd place - Sarah Morris
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Petoskey 1st place - William Coveyou 2nd place - Seth Izzard 3rd place - Allison Hoffman
St. Gerard School, Lansing 1st place - Charlie Mora 2nd place - Jeremy Guerrazzi 3rd place - Cassidy Johnson
St. Germaine Catholic School, Saint Clair Shores 1st place - Malen Taylor 2nd place - Madalyn Slabaugh 3rd place - Chris Federlein
St. Hugo of the Hills School, Bloomfield Hills 1st place - Mary Claire Vachon 2nd place - Cameron Schneider 3rd place - Charlotte Krause
St. Joan of Arc School, St. Clair Shores 1st place - Nathan Davis 2nd place - Emma Fetterman 3rd place - Lauren Ross
St. John Lutheran School, Fraser 1st place - Megan Guiles 2nd place - Cole Misuraca 3rd place - Gracie Cairns
St. John Lutheran School, Bay City 1st place - Mackenzie Town 2nd place - Rachel Helmreich 3rd place - Kendall Merritt
St. John Lutheran School, Rochester 1st place - Emma Kuo 2nd place - Rebecca Oleskie 3rd place - Madelyn Stevens
St. John Vianney Catholic School, Flint 1st place - Drew Holifield 2nd place - Nikhil Mukkamala 3rd place - Matt Hutchings
St. John’s Lutheran School, Bay City 1st place - Calista Hernandez 2nd place - Amanda Salgat 3rd place - Dayna Pembroke
St. John’s Lutheran School, New Boston 1st place - Gage Lewen 2nd place - Samantha Jackman 3rd place - Zachary Whitt
St. John’s Lutheran School, Port Hope 1st place - Morgan Gust 2nd place - Elijah Ceplecha 3rd place - Melissa Siemen
32
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…St. John’s Lutheran School, Hemlock 1st place - Ryan Davidson 2nd place - Meghan Bartlett 3rd place - Jamie McPhail
St. John’s Lutheran School, Westland 1st place - Joyce Tranchida 2nd place - Raven Henry 3rd place - Nathan Prieskorn
St. John’s Lutheran School, Saginaw 1st place - Laura Schrader 2nd place - Matt Taylor
St. Joseph School, Lake Orion 1st place - Dylan Daye 2nd place - Paulina Ramirez-Gomez 3rd place - Sarah Siekkinen
St. Joseph School, West Branch 1st place - Josephine Mathis 2nd place - Emma Waack 3rd place - Morgan Green
St. Joseph School, Pewamo 1st place - Karson Hengesbach 2nd place - Olivia Smith 3rd place - Grace Thelen
St. Joseph School, Battle Creek 1st place - Jack Gallagher 2nd place - Adam Ritsema 3rd place - Kirstin Finnila
St. Lorenz Lutheran School, Frankenmuth 1st place - Lauren Frank 2nd place - Olivia Maurer 3rd place - Hannah Loucks
St. Luke Lutheran School, Clinton Township 1st place - Lynsey Woomer 2nd place - Ashley Soley 3rd place - Hailee Gore
St. Margaret School, Otsego 1st place - Rachel Beckwith
St. Mary / McCormick Catholic Academy, Port Huron 1st place - Jared Fuller 2nd place - Gabrielle Ogden 3rd place - Delaney Southers
St. Mary Cathedral School, Gaylord 1st place - Averi Bebble 2nd place - Bryce Seidell 3rd place - Ben Handley
St. Mary Catholic School, Pinckney 1st place - Tyler deBeauclair 2nd place - Alexis Sanchez 3rd place - Carmen Capstick
St. Mary Catholic School, Rockwood 1st place - Liam Jakovac 2nd place - Drew Dykowski 3rd place - Elizabeth Gower
St. Mary School, Spring Lake 1st place - Leah Mckenna 2nd place - Matt Gagnon 3rd place - Christina Byrne
St. Mary School, Mt. Clemens 1st place - Jonathan Kowynia 2nd place - Genevieve Penn-Nabity 3rd place - Angela Angelucci
St. Mary’s Catholic School, St. Clair 1st place - Carly Delor 2nd place - Erin Parlow 3rd place - Julia Kukawka
St. Matthew Lutheran School, Walled Lake 1st place - Jack Dooley 2nd place - Nicholas Frahm 3rd place - Ronia Cabansag
St. Michael Lutheran School, Richville 1st place - Holly Gray 2nd place - Emily Beller 3rd place - Dana Rodammer
St. Monica Catholic School, Kalamazoo 1st place - Delaney Hewitt 2nd place - Sydney Hale 3rd place - Andrew Lucas
33
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…St. Patrick School, Carleton 1st place - Jillian Theobald 2nd place - Adam Simpson 3rd place - Garrick Beste-Walz
St. Patrick School, Ada 1st place - Maura Fitzpatrick 2nd place - Bethany Blattner 3rd place - Nichole Mitchell
St. Patrick School, Brighton 1st place - Collin Meaney 2nd place - Jimmy Connor 3rd place - Matthew Buschman
St. Patricks School, Portland 1st place - Lauren Bengel
St. Paul Catholic School, Owosso 1st place - Josie Hufnagel 2nd place - Blake Birchmeier 3rd place - Savanah Horner
St. Paul Lutheran School, Stevensville 1st place - Liza Moncrief 2nd place - Zebulon Papenfuss 3rd place - Christopher Graebel
St. Paul Lutheran School, Millington 1st place - Rylyn Roth 2nd place - Hannah Hall 3rd place - Alexis Rolfe
St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Saginaw 1st place - Katie Gray 2nd place - Hailey Ruediger 3rd place - Donilyn Goddard
St. Peter Lutheran School, Hemlock 1st place - Joseph Guttowsky 2nd place - Lindsay Hagenow 3rd place - Katie Fehn
St. Peter Lutheran School, Eastpointe 1st place - Olivia Rice 2nd place - Madison Scott 3rd place - Megan Haller
St. Peter Lutheran School, Macomb 1st place - Lacey Juengel 2nd place - Rachel Zauel 3rd place - Lindsey Karam
St. Peter’s Lutheran School, Big Rapids 1st place - Grace Webb 2nd place - Julie Farrier 3rd place - Leah Maginnis
St. Peter’s Lutheran School, Plymouth 1st place - Kimberly Beckerman 2nd place - Damon Pearce 3rd place - Caleb Schroeder
St. Peter’s Lutheran School, Richmond 1st place - Rachel Simons 2nd place - Rachel Busch 3rd place - Dakota Stewart
St. Pius X Catholic School, Flint 1st place - Evan Babka 2nd place - Rachel Doerr 3rd place - Benjamin Kessler
St. Pius X School, Southgate 1st place - Madison Fedele 2nd place - Noah Wigginton 3rd place - Hannah Eory
St. Raphael School, Garden City 1st place - Adia Ciecierski 2nd place - Sharon Woodard 3rd place - Gregory Rouland
St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic School, Flushing 1st place - Anastasia Rousseau 2nd place - Elise Biederman 3rd place - Elizabeth Reed
St. Robert Bellarmine School, Redford 1st place - Niamh Maloney 2nd place - Chevonne Wheeler 3rd place - Krystyna Myslinski
St. Stanislaus School, Dorr 1st place - Sydney Urben 2nd place - Noelle Oman 3rd place - Chanlyn Commons
34
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…St. Stephen School, New Boston 1st place - Madison Fluent 2nd place - Delmar Carr III 3rd place - Jonathan Hedges
St. Thomas More Academy, Burton 1st place - Margaret Beste 2nd place - Mary Abbott 3rd place - Maria Leblanc
St. Thomas the Apostle School, Grand Rapids 1st place - Anna Simonait 2nd place - Sarah Baxter 3rd place - Claire DenBraber
St. Valentine School, Redford 1st place - Ravyn Clanton 2nd place - Christian Vargas 3rd place - Danielle Mondoux
St. William Catholic School, Walled Lake 1st place - Justin Petrill 2nd place - Elizabeth Dulzo 3rd place - Amanda Paler
Star International Academy, Dearborn Heights 1st place - Amira Habhab 2nd place - Hadeel Abdelkader 3rd place - Furat Al-Waely
Stevenson Middle School, Westland 1st place - Sydney Lowery 2nd place - Jenna Deering 3rd place - Torrionah Miller
Sturgis Middle School, Sturgis 1st place - Hannah Bowen 2nd place - Donte Brown 3rd place - Jesse Pattison
Swan Valley Middle School, Saginaw 1st place - Kelsey Landra 2nd place - Annabelle Midcalf 3rd place - Emily Buska
Swartz Creek Middle School, Swartz Creek 1st place - Emani Davis 2nd place - Haley Combs 3rd place - Katarina Jonascu
T.S. Nurnberger Middle School, St. Louis 1st place - Hallie Fales 2nd place - Gabriella Nava 3rd place - Patrick Hawley
Taylor Exemplar Academy, Taylor 1st place - Jarod Wladysiak 2nd place - Taranbir Kaur
Tekonsha Middle School, Tekonsha 1st place - Paighton Huff 2nd place - Brittney Sammons 3rd place - Sarah Runyon
The Chatfield School, Lapeer 1st place - Elise Dudley 2nd place - Eli Dunsmore 3rd place - Kane Sweet
The Japhet School, Madison Heights 1st place - Katya Kornievskaia 2nd place - Taryn Harrison
The Midland Academy, Midland 1st place - Dylan Doak 2nd place - Brooke Tweedie 3rd place - Kennedy Franklin
Thompson Middle School, Southfield 1st place - Skye Dewitt 2nd place - Damia Wright 3rd place - Kennedy Smith
Traverse City Christian School, Traverse City 1st place - Emma Holtvluwer 2nd place - Braden Weber 3rd place - Sarah James
Traverse City East Junior High School, Traverse City 1st place - Margot Woughter 2nd place - Savannah Stepke 3rd place - Gabriel Chung
35
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Tri-County Middle School, Howard City 1st place - Amy Wheeler 2nd place - Austin Ulrich 3rd place - Britney Workman
Trillium Academy, Taylor 1st place - Reyna Rodriquez 2nd place - Talia Beckman 3rd place - Breanna Dietz
Trinity Lutheran School, Bay City 1st place - Tyler Pashak 2nd place - Katherine Greene 3rd place - Olivia Kowalski
Trinity Lutheran School, Reese 1st place - Kennedy Krieger 2nd place - Aaron Dennis 3rd place - Kelly Ratajczak
Trinity Lutheran School, Jackson 1st place - Brittney Bones 2nd place - Hope Hinton 3rd place - Jared Oberst
Trinity Lutheran School, Utica 1st place - Elli Herppich 2nd place - Austin Fearn 3rd place - Justin Peck
Trinity Lutheran School, Berrien Springs 1st place - Nathan Adams 2nd place - Gabrielle Umana 3rd place - Matthew Carpenter
Trinity Lutheran School, Clinton Township 1st place - Preston McKale 2nd place - Caroline Hardies 3rd place - Riley Simmonds
Trinity Lutheran School, Bay City 1st place - Colton Rau 2nd place - Jacob Garwick 3rd place - Adam Arrowsmith
Trinity Lutheran School, Monroe 1st place - Savannah Grieve 2nd place - Kyle Peazel 3rd place - Ian Ryan
Tri-Unity Christian School, Wyoming 1st place - Nomsa Nyambe 2nd place - Isabelle Eerdmans 3rd place - Jarred Baeder
Ubly Junior High School, Ubly 1st place - Macy Knoblock 2nd place - Ashton Lemke 3rd place - David Sorenson
Union City Middle School, Union City 1st place - Rachel Lipscomb 2nd place - Joshua Lee 3rd place - Hayden Black
Unionville-Sebewaing Area Middle School, Sebewaing 1st place - Mackenzie Nusz 2nd place - Amelia Gangler 3rd place - Mya Atkari
University Liggett School, Grosse Pointe Woods 1st place - Jackson Wujek 2nd place - Holland McClinton 3rd place - Annelies Ondersma
University of Detroit Jesuit Acad & HS, Detroit 1st place - Kevin Williams 2nd place - Jaden Thomas 3rd place - Landen Adamski
Upton Middle School, St. Joseph 1st place - Hannah Moore 2nd place - Haley Kutchie 3rd place - Ryan Haynes
Vanderbilt Area School, Vanderbilt 1st place - Ester Arlt 2nd place - Samantha Luft 3rd place - Nicolas Straub
Vassar Middle School, Vassar 1st place - Mollie Davis 2nd place - Ashley Gary 3rd place - Lindsey Hervert
36
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Verona Mills Elementary School, Bad Axe 1st place - Aurora Krueger 2nd place - Zackory Schweitzer 3rd place - Mathew Edwards
Waldron Area Schools, Waldron 1st place - Kaitlin Wilcox 2nd place - George Kintner 3rd place - Randi Jacobs
Warren Woods Christian School, Warren 1st place - Jamie Zelewski 2nd place - Michael Jones 3rd place - Sohil Jain
Washtenaw Christian Academy, Saline 1st place - Josiah Lewis 2nd place - Elijah Poisson 3rd place - Rebecca Thomas
Wayland Union Middle School, Wayland 1st place - Jessica Henderson 2nd place - Camilyn Huyck 3rd place - Chloe Tobin
West Hills Middle School, West Bloomfield 1st place - Kyle Peres 2nd place - Kendy Lewis 3rd place - Shaveena Sivapalan
West Iron County Middle School, Iron River 1st place - Steven Nelson 2nd place - Neil Tomasoski 3rd place - Victoria Maloney
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, Walker 1st place - Alyssa Juarez 2nd place - Isabelle TenElshof 3rd place - Glory Oliva
West Village Academy, Dearborn 1st place - Carlos Jennings 2nd place - David Riggins 3rd place - Grenique Jones
Western Middle School, Auburn 1st place - Kristie Gray
Wexford Montessori Magnet School, Lansing 1st place - Noah Snider
Whitefish Township Middle School, Paradise 1st place - Liam Pigeau
Whitehall Middle School, Whitehall 1st place - Adrianna Southhall 2nd place - Kaytlyn Honore 3rd place - Madalyn Boyd
Whitmore Lake High School, Whitmore Lake 1st place - Spencer Chagnon 2nd place - Cody Redman 3rd place - Ryan Bank
Williamston Middle School, Williamston 1st place - Jack Bellinger 2nd place - Isabelle Herb 3rd place - Alexis Russell
Woodland School, Traverse City 1st place - Delaney Jorgensen 2nd place - Sage Rancour 3rd place - Peyton Reilly
Wyandot Middle School, Clinton Township 1st place - Kylie Kuskowski 2nd place - Veronika Vucaj 3rd place - Hannah Garavaglia
Zion Christian School, Byron Center 1st place - Nicole DeYoung 2nd place - Joanna Verduin 3rd place - Cassidy Baker
Zion Lutheran School, Bay City 1st place - Jordyn Daly 2nd place - Ben VanSumeren 3rd place - Calista Layle
37
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS and LOCAL WINNERS…Zion Lutheran School, Harbor Beach 1st place - Olivia Brandt 2nd place - Brooke Arntz 3rd place - Caitlin Brown
Zion Lutheran School, Auburn 1st place - Jacqueline Morand 2nd place - Rachel Diehl 3rd place - Katie Doud
Congratulations TO ALL THE LOCAL WINNERS.
38
PICTURES FROM LAST YEARS EVENT and WINNERS
39
PICTURES FROM LAST YEARS EVENT and WINNERS