Local students celebrated at Turn-Around Achievement Awards

The 2015 Turn-Around Achievement Award Recipients
Photo Credit: Bob Frei

Twenty students from ten local high schools were recognized at the 10th annual Clare-Gladwin Area School Board Association’s Turn-Around Achievement Awards on May 7. 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 despite extreme personal or academic struggles.

The Keynote Speaker at the awards ceremony was Lindsay Golden, an admissions specialist at Mid Michigan Community College. Originally from Clare, Golden revealed the series of poor decisions she made during her teen years that ultimately led to her dropping out of high school and making choices that threatened her well-being. “At that point, I was the worst possible version of myself,” she said. “It was then I decided I couldn’t live like that anymore.” Golden’s revelation resulted in her returning to school and working around the clock so she could graduate with her class. Today, Golden holds an associate’s degree from Mid Michigan Community College and is working toward her bachelor’s. “What you have accomplished is a big deal,” Golden said, addressing the students. “You should be so proud of yourselves.”

As the awards were presented, tears of joy were shared by both the students and the teachers as they reflected on their journeys to success. “As an educator, you hope to make an impact on students’ lives,” said Lori Taylor, Clare High School teacher. “But I didn’t expect for the students to make such an impact on mine.”

Many award recipients thanked their educators, families, and friends for their encouragement along the way.

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. 

The 2015 Turn-Around Achievement Award recipients include:

Beaverton Jr/Sr High School

April Gibson

Weston Muma

Bullock Creek High School

Trae Duby

Larissa Miller

Clare High School

Christopher Delong

Marissa MacDonald

Clare Pioneer High School

Emanueal Butts

Coleman Jr/Sr High School

Zachary Harris

Shyanne Loggie

Farwell High School

Kailyn Brugger

Travis Smith

Farwell Timberland High School

Joe Elsie

Gladwin High School

Donna Canfield

Blake Roggow

Harrison High School

Devon Barron

Joshua Veite

Harrison Alternative High School

Christopher Hoefling

Bradley Walsh

Meridian High School

Kayla Callahan

Devin Wood