The 2023 Grow & Lead Community Youth Development (GLCYD) Excellence in Education awards have been announced, with eight Alger County seniors from Munising and Superior Central winning the prestigious award.
From Munising, Kane Nebel, Monique Brisson, Micaiah Peramaki, Elizabeth Holloway, and Josiah Peramaki were given the honors.
“Our five recipients are all top-notch students. They’re leaders in every sense of the word and certainly exemplify what it means to be a Mustang,” Munising Superintendent Mike Travis said.
From Superior Central, Madisen Begovac, Brylee Tyner and Sophia Valima were selected to win the scholarships. Traditionally, the Excellence in Education award goes to the valedictorian and salutatorian, but a third award was given due to the lack of seniors graduating from other schools in the intermediate school district and the success at Superior Central.
“We’re appreciative of GLYCD for always putting on the Excellence in Education awards and their dedication to the youth,” Superior Central Superintendent Bill Valima said. “It’s always nice to see the kids recognized for the work they do.”
In addition to the student recognition, each winner was able to select an educator that made a difference in their individual educational career. Brisson chose James Cody, Holloway selected Hilary Ludeke, Nebel selected Matt Mattson, Josiah Peramaki chose Mandy Frantti and Micaiah Peramaki selected Eileen Gaynor. At SC, Begovac chose Shannon Hancock while Tyner and Valima both selected Dawn Hayse.
“All of our educators are influential in our kids’ lives, but it always means a lot to be selected by your valedictorian and salutatorian as who meant the most,” Valima said.
The Excellence in Education award is given to graduating seniors across the MARESA Intermediate School District, which spans from Republic-Michigamme to Burt Township. Winners from Negaunee and Munising were released before the deadline of today, so a further announcement from GLCYD with a complete list of honorees is expected. GLCYD also recognizes different educators for their contributions to the student body as a whole, but those will be released at a later date. Students and educators will be honored with a banquet and award ceremony at Northern Michigan University in the Spring.
