Turn-Around Achievement Awards honor students who have ‘taken charge of their futures’

The 2013 Turn-Around Achievement Award Recipients.
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Twenty students from ten local high schools were recognized at the eighth annual Clare-Gladwin Area School Board Association’s Turn-Around Achievement Awards on May 2. Held at Mid Michigan Community College, community leaders in education celebrated the accomplishments of local high school students who have made a positive and significant change in their lives during their high school careers.

“Every student’s story is different. Some have overcome academic challenges, while others have figured out how to handle negative peer pressure,” said Sheryl Presler, Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District superintendent. “This ceremony is designed to honor the students who have persevered during some very difficult personal or family situations and have taken charge of their futures.”

The Keynote Speaker at the awards ceremony was 1996 Harrison High School graduate Cora Hallauer. Holding an associate’s degree in elementary education and business from Mid Michigan Community College, Hallauer revealed details of her turbulent upbringing and how, despite her circumstances, she was able to achieve her goals. Hallauer and her husband currently own three area businesses.

As the awards were presented, tears of joy and pride were shared by both the students and the teachers as they reflected on their arduous journeys to success. Many award recipients thanked their educators, families, and friends for their encouragement along the way.

“As a principal, it’s days like today that make it all worthwhile,” said Beaverton High School Principal Joe Passalacqua.

In addition to a certificate, recipients of the Turn-Around Achievement Awards were given one of three scholarships, each of which entitles them to six credit hours of in-district tuition at MMCC. The Scholarships included the Doug Dodge Academic Opportunity Award for the Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, and Harrison schools students; the Al Roeseler Academic Opportunity Award for the students from Coleman High School; and the Tom Gilstad Academic Opportunity Award for those attending Bullock Creek High School or Meridian High School. 

“This is why we go into education,” said Farwell High School Principal Dee Yarger. “We don’t always get to celebrate these successes, but with events like this, we can. It’s just phenomenal.”

Turn-Around Achievement Award recipients include:

Beaverton High School

Kalene Batoha

Haeden McVicker

Bullock Creek High School

Bethany Coyle

Cody Evans

Clare High School

Poppy Adams

Gabrielle Cooper

Coleman High School

Elizabeth Bushre

Steven Snear

Farwell High School

Shane Cox

Mariah Veenstra

Farwell Timberland High School

Devon Verdon

Ashlee Wale

Gladwin High School

Ashlee Height

Andrew Teal

Harrison High School

Vanessa Kocur

Dylan LaPorte

Harrison Community/Alternative Education

Stacee Bonovitch

Summerlee Darabos

Meridian High School

Victoria Conway

Jarid Hoyt