Students and educators from Alger County public schools were recognized across the region at the Excellence in Education Awards on Monday, April 24 in Marquette.
The 30th annual Excellence in Education Week (EEW) program acknowledged the academic achievements of 47 high school seniors and awarded 25 educators with professional development awards. The students were selected from the top five percent of their graduating classes in Marquette and Alger counties and each received a scholarship of $1,500 to further their post-secondary education. The professional development awards of $500 were given to educators to enhance their academic training or classroom activities.
“Since Excellence in Education Week began in 1994, we’ve been fortunate to partner with schools, businesses, foundations and individual citizens in Marquette and Alger counties to recognize students, their families and their teachers for the culmination of their hard work together,” said Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development CEO Amy Quinn.
The ceremony was held at Northern Michigan University’s Northern Center and was attended by students, their parents, and the educator who had the greatest influence on their academic success. EEW is a week-long celebration of students and educators in Marquette and Alger counties that acknowledges academic achievement. The program was established in 1994 through a collaboration between businesses, schools, foundations, and Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development. Since its inception, EEW has awarded over $2.7 million in academic scholarships and professional development awards.
“I’m not a math person, but Mrs. Hayse taught me how to understand and appreciate even the hardest subjects we covered. She’s a wonderful person who pushes me to be the best that I can be and is always there when I need help —even if it’s not for math,”Valima told GLYCD.
Some of the honorees also received additional specialized awards, according to GLYCD. That included SC’s Valima receiving the Nicolet National Bank Scholarship and Munising’s Micaiah Peramaki winning the Neenah Incorporated Scholarship.
On the educator side, Burt Township’s Amy Ross will expand her 4-6 grade classroom with a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Professional Development Award to start a classroom kitchen. Students will learn measurements, ratios and sequencing while learning life skills and a healthier lifestyle.
Munising Principal Nicole Lasak received the UP Health System Administrator Professional Development Award. She will develop a staff recognition and wellnewss program to promot self-care and physical and mental well being.
Alger County winners include (student’s influential educator in parentheses):
AuTrain Onota: Educator: Amy Pihlainen-Gabler Burt Township: Educator: Amy Ross
Students: Monique Brisson (James Cotey), Elizabeth Holloway (Hilary Ludecke), Kane Nebel (Matt Mattson), Josiah Peramaki (Mandy Frantti), Micaiah Peramaki (Eileen Gaynor); Educators: Jessica Kelto, Nicole Lasak, Heather Nayback Superior Central: Students: Madisen Begovac (Shannon Hancock), Brylee Tyner (Dawn Hayse), Sophia Valima (Dawn Hayse); Educator: Shannon Hancock
