Our stars are shining

Zeeland middle and high school orchestras broke new ground October 20 and performed a collaborative concert with the Black River School Orchestra at DeWitt Auditorium. Zeeland Director Marie Ten Elshof suggested the collaboration to Black River Director Tammy Clark last January.  Then, last July, the two met to begin putting the pieces together and finalizing details.  In preparation for this educational opportunity, the young musicians rehearsed with Professor Robert Nordling, director of the Calvin College Orchestra and the Calvin Community Symphony. 

The musical evening's theme:  Dux, Rats, Chix and Fiddlestix!

 Nearly 40 young artists were recognized by the Zeeland Board of Education October 17 for their winning entries in this year's Pumpkinfest Art Contest. Each year, the winners receive awards and gift certificates from Chemical Bank.  Works are then displayed in the bank's Zeeland lobby.  This year's winners are: 

• Best of Show - Angelena  Schramm (ZW);
• Chemical Bank choice award Kinsey Arendsen (CRK), Nate Pippin (CTY), Teada Ngin (ZE) and Morgan Jastrzembski (ZW);
• Best Theme - Breana Kruithoff (CRK),  Taylor Hinson (CTY), Jenna Vargo (ZE), and Katelyn McFarland (ZW);
• Best of School - Jackie VandenBosch (CRK), Asia Rubio (CTY), Sam Boerckel (ZE), and  Tikvah Underwood (ZW);
• Most Creative - Jeff Lewis (CTY), Jesse Delacruz (CTY), Hailey DeRidder (ZE), and Claire Casterline (ZW), Most Culture - Samantha Hoeve (CRK) and Maisie Fowler (CTY);   
• Honorable mentions:  Cityside:   Kayla Reed, Madison Morris, Gabrielle Larion, Amanda Veldheer.   Creekside:  Guillerrmo Elizardo, Rachel Prince, Anna Nguyen, Emmanuel Rosales.   East:   Katherine Duffrin, Pierce Neal, Cortney Cathey.   West:  Sarah Brown, Megan Owczarski, Amelia Greco, Alesha Schipper, Katelyn McFarland, Mina Klett, Josie Crocker.

Congratulations, students!

Congratulations to the Zeeland High School marching band. The group earned the top score this month at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Organizations (MSBO) Marching Band competition. For the band's first time ever in Class AA, the group was awarded top scores from all three judges. Our marching band is comprised of students from Zeeland East and West High Schools and is directed by Keith Walker. Great job!

Five of this year's seniors spent a week this past summer representing Zeeland at the 71st annual Girls' State, located on the campus of Michigan State University.  Since its beginning in 1941, approximately 30,000 young women of Michigan have participated in this practical experience in self government. Girls get involved and take on the challenges that officials face at  the city, county, and state levels. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Gilbert D. Karsten Post 33, were Rebecca Dumbleton, Courtney Glupker, Samantha Kraker, and Megan Mccluskey.

Zeeland West sophomore Josh Parks earned local, regional and state honors from the American Legion Auxiliary for his essay "Promoting the Spirit of Patriotism."   Josh was recognized for his accomplishment at a recent meeting of the Zeeland Board of Education. 

In the essay, Josh encourages young Americans to "step out of their comfort zones" to help the community through deeds such as tutoring a child who struggles with math or picking up trash on the street.  He says such actions "while not always as noticeable as joining the military and fighting, will still show that one cares about America." 

The sophomore's love of writing earned him recognition as well as cash awards which are being put away for college. He is the son of Jeff and Tami Joy Parks.

Congratulations, Josh!

 Mike Torrey, who has led Zeeland swim teams to an astonishing 9 state championships over 32 years here, was inducted into the  Michigan High School Coaches' Association Hall of Fame on Sunday, September 18, Central Michigan University.  Torrey was one of  15 coaches receiving the special honor.  

Since moving to Zeeland from Plymouth in 1978, Torrey has coached teams that amassed nine boys' and girls' state titles and eight runner-up titles.  Torrey was honored with a National Boys' Swimming Coach of the Year award in 2009. At that time, Torrey said, "We have core values in Zeeland that we believe in. Discipline, dedication, and sacrifice happen at all levels of the Zeeland swim and diving program." 

Congratulations, Mike, on your exceptional record and this latest in deserved awards. 

Read more.

In the photo at right, Mike Torrey, seated center, is surrounded by fellow coaches and friends who surprised him with a special reception after he was named National Boys' Swimming Coach of the Year in 2009.  The reception took place June 24, 2009,  in the Zeeland West cafeteria. 

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More than $2,800 in performing arts scholarships have been awarded to Zeeland students from the proceeds of this year's successful Street Festival at Zeeland East High School. We congratulate the following students and also wish to thank the many volunteers that made the festival a success. 

 The Creekside Middle School Student Council displays some of the more than 600 books they collected for the Zee Bus.  The books will be on the shelves of the Zee Bus or available to students who need books over the summer.  Good work, students!