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GRADUATION 2014Salute to SeniorsX

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Graduating ClassesBrandywine.................................................................................3Buchanan....................................................................................5Cassopolis...................................................................7Dowagiac...................................................................9Edwardsburg.............................................................15Niles...........................................................................22

Scholarship RecipientsJacob Wright................................................................4Rachel Frost.................................................................8Thomas Bosler..............................................................8Austin Broda...............................................................12Eleanor Hein...............................................................14Dustin Long.................................................................18

Presenting the class of

2014

GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors 3

3 Brandywine

Nathan Anders Taylor Baxter Maggie Beaver Samantha Bell Sierra Brattain Jacey Callahan Heaven Chambers Taylor Clingaman

Austin Coger Karli Covyeou Jessica Cramer Tyler Danner Issac Davis Tori DeMeulenaere Sarah Derosa Kyle Duncan

Morgan Dunnuck Brandon Earles Chancemychal Eberly Victoria Ebersol Jacob Ferenczi Jayci Fietzek Josh Flanagan Austin Ford

Sarah Fortner Madison Gordon Kane Greer Tyler Hardy Brock Hartline Taylor Hayden Hannah Horst Tia Hullinger

Larry Hungerford Isaac James Jessica Johnson Trevor Jones Jessica Jorgensen Jacob Juhasz Cory Katterheinrich Charles Kuemin

Kenny Laurita Tammy Lee William Lewis Paul Lochmondy Danny Low Katie Luczkowski Chris Ludwig Megan Luhrsen

Ciara Markin AJ Millin Trent Moskwinkski Alec Nichols Collin Nichols Robert Okayama

3 Brandywine

BRANDYWINE

Joyce Olsen Elise Ostrander

4 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors4 Brandywine

Dylan Percy Ally Perkins James Pierce Dakota Porter Frank Riley Michael Robbins Vincent Sallee

Abby Schroeder Kyle Scott Robert Sells Alex Severinghaus Christian Shell Brandon Shriver Maranda Smallmon Alli Srmek

Kyle Stanage Jonathan Swanson Tiaira Tedder Jiaxin Teng Bela Tiser Wes’Nohda Topash Morgan Tucker Chelsie Vetterly

Aaron Wentz Kali Wieczorkowski Hannah Williams Allie Wilson Allie Woods Jake Wright Allison Zacharski Evan Zacharski

4 Brandywine

Adam Riffel

BRANDYWINE

Leader Publications Scholarship Recipient: Jake Wright, BrandywineJake Wright, the son of Jacob and Pamela Wright, is a graduate of Brandywine High School. He plans to study mathe-

matics and actuarial science at Michigan State University.Jake was the treasurer of the National Honor Society and also participated in football, baseball, Spanish Honor Society

and more. He also worked at Wings, Etc. in Niles.

How have you been a leader in your community, how do you believe it will affect your future endeavours, and what advice would you offer future students in your community?

Growing up in a small, close community has had more positive ef-fects on me than I had once thought. I have lived my whole life in Niles and in the Brandywine community. Through the years I

have had many opportunities to contribute to our community to be a leader and a role model. Last spring, the Brandywine varsity baseball team went to visit students at Merritt Elementary to read with a class of first graders every Wednesday. As one of the team members, I was able to benefit from these events just as much as the kids were. Over the time I spent there, I saw a clear impact that was made as these kids looked forward to the days we would come visit them. Soon, reading became “cool” to them and they looked up to us as leaders.

I was also able to take a leadership role as a fifth grade camp coun-selor last May. For three days I had to lead a group of eleven year olds around a large camp and stay on time to every event.

Although this may seem like a difficult task, I was able to manage it without too much struggle. I earned their respect and was able to lead them through a great learning experience.

Among my own peers, during high school I lead mainly through my actions. As valedictorian of my class, leading academically is a given. I am constantly giving others assistance when I can and I am always open to their problems. I love to be the one that others can look to when faced with a challenge.

Since childhood I have been an active member of various sporting teams and for most of those years, a three-sport athlete. Over the years, I was awarded the role of team captain on many of my past teams.

As time went on, I was able to lead through my actions and effort. I am certain that my positive attitude and demeanor for success contrib-uted to our 8-1 Football record this past season.

Looking back on these past few years of schooling, I can definitely see that the opportunities here have truly helped me in my personal growth. The experiences that I have had leading and working together with my peers will be a crucial asset to my life after graduation.

As for college life, my leadership skills will definitely be useful when group projects are assigned. I also believe that self-motivation (leading oneself) is a very important skill to have while achieving goals. After graduating college, my leadership skills and ambition will be a huge help when searching for a job. During my career, I hope that I can use these skills in the workplace to earn respect and gain promotions to reach my career aspirations.

I have three words of advice for the future students in our commu-nity: go for it. Through high school you will be presented with tons of opportunities and the best thing to do is experience all that you can.

In my eyes, there are very few situations that will negatively affect you. The experiences that you may not enjoy are still valuable. Learn-ing from your mistakes can have the greatest influences on you, even if it may not seem like it at the time. Put yourself out there and you’ll benefit greatly from the lessons.


5 Buchanan

Evan Zacharski

Elizabeth Adair Darron Angelmyer Alexis Bashara Evelyn Batres Rachel Bonek Alex Brown Kristen Canfield Alicia Cantu

Cassandra Carpenter Michael Critzer David Dalrymple Ronald DeFreez Kevin Dey Hunter Dickinson Alia Dobrzykowski Siphathisile Dube

Roxie Elliott Kaitlynn Enders Alyssa Farmer Dakota Forler Douglass Freeman III Rachel Frost Anthony Fuller Madison Gabriel

Danielle Ginn Miranda Glaser Bradley Gonder Lucas Gonzoga Landon Grwinski Levi Grwinski Andrea Guerrero Meghan Hall

Lance Haner Ashley Henrichsen Madyson Hernandez Blake Herwick Luke Higgins Charles Johnson Jonathan Johnson River Kelley

Drew Kilgore Brianna King Madison Koziel Chad Kring Peter Kristl Alex Leiter Rachael Lewis Timothy Lindamood

Sierra Litka Taylor Lunog Brandon McCarty Michael Meersman Brookelin Mefford Adam Mitchell Dara Molica Trey Morgan

5 Buchanan

BRANDYWINE BUCHANAN

6 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors6 Buchanan

David Nichols Mackenzie Orphanidis Jacob Pardy Randy Payne Justin Pearson Paul Pflueger Timothy Piazza Erica Poznanski

Madison Prillwitz Sutthinee Punthong Alan Reed Jr Alex Reitz Solomon Remmo Morgan Roberts Jack Rugless Brittany Schmidt

Haylei Shepard Cynthia Sheardson Andrew Smith Mackenzie Smith Skyler Smith Haley Smuda Devan Spray Kaleb Stacy

Lelaina Steakley Trevor Stauss Spencer Thompson Devin Trost Jim Van Dyck Madeline Vorrath Todd Wagner Alyssa Walkden

Kiah Weaver Ashley Williams Dylan Williamson Dakota Windom Jordan York Ashlynn Young Brooklyn Young

6 Buchanan

BUCHANAN

Stuart Ayers

(BPT) — In a few weeks, high school students around the U.S. will close one chapter of their lives and enter another as they graduate and move on to continue their education or enter the workforce.

Approximately 90 percent of students who spent their high school years partici-pating in career and technical education (CTE) courses will graduate, a significantly higher rate than those who do not partici-pate in CTE classes. CTE students are also more engaged. Eighty-one percent of high school dropouts say relevant, real-world learning opportunities would have kept them in high school, according to the As-sociation for Career & Technical Education (ACTE).

Many CTE programs partner with col-leges, universities and employers to offer

course credit and on-the-job training. The National Restaurant Association Educa-tional Foundation’s (NRAEF) ProStart pro-gram recently announced its 2014 National ProStart Collegiate Passport. More than 60 colleges and universities nationwide offer ProStart students course credit and scholar-ships for completing the two-year program, which prepares students for foodservice industry careers. To receive the industry-recognized ProStart National Certificate of Achievement, students must pass two na-tional exams and work 400 mentored hours.

“Eighty-one percent of students who re-ceive the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement are still working in the indus-try five years later, a testament to the strength of ProStart and our students, who are heav-ily recruited by post-secondary schools for

their skills,” says Rob Gifford, executive vice president, strategic operations and phi-lanthropy for the National Restaurant Asso-ciation and the National Restaurant Associa-tion Educational Foundation.

“Graduates have proven to have a com-prehensive knowledge of culinary and management basics as they begin our pro-grams,” says Terri Ann Parks, director of regional recruitment for The Culinary In-stitute of America. “Our partnership with ProStart has allowed us to bring some of the best and brightest culinary students to our college nationwide.”

Post-secondary career and technical edu-cation addresses the needs of high-growth industries like health care and foodservice. Health care occupations make up 12 of the 20 fastest-growing occupations while the

National Restaurant Association predicts that total restaurant and foodservice em-ployment will grow by 11 percent over the next 10 years.

Students who took postsecondary CTE courses earned a higher salary than high school graduates who did not take CTE courses, according to a National Assess-ment of Vocational Education report. A graduate with a CTE-related associate de-gree or credential typically earns an average of $4,000 to nearly $20,000 more annually than a person with an associate’s degree in humanities.

Even if students don’t immediately de-cide to participate in CTE coursework in college, they have the option to engage in CTE later in life to transition into a new ca-reer.

Career and technical training give students a competitive edge


7 Buchanan7 Buchanan

Stuart Ayers Deandre Ballard Lorin Best Ashley Bisson Sage Blair Thomas Bosler Joshua Brady

Khalil Brown Trevon Brown Christopher Burnham Frederick Bussey Alexis Christie Jon Christner Austin Christopher Gary Cooper

Cierra Davies Morgan Duvall Travis Edwards Joseph Emerson Jonathan Evans Tyeshia Fuller Cornelius Glass Raven Gross

Kolin Haithcox Tianni Hansford Abigail Harrison Cameron Hayden Tiffany Hensley Alec Hoff Robert Jackson

Chandler Krause Justina Lawhun

Lynnell Ballard

Ethan Harter

Logan Lawson Ranae Lintz Kryst Luangasa Dustin Luse Chematia Marisin Aja McCray

Stephanie Morgan Amir Muhammad Pamela Osborn Robert Owen Reellan Patridge Victoria Pearson Ashley Ramsey Denver Rigsby

Rebecca Shoulders Justin Smith II Ashley Stickle Shawn Teter Bret Tietsort Trevor TuckerChristian See Tommy Suggs

CASSOPOLIS

Career and technical training give students a competitive edge

8 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors8 Cedar Lane

Dakota Bennett Tharon Combs

Kombo Dafa

Mathew Fralick Jeffery Fuller Valerie Garcia Lettie Geurian

Gage Glidden

Tara Hamrick

Ashley Hess

Tyler Jones

Jaclyn Lyles

Tyler Mitchell Paul Norman Brady Sine

Not Pictured

Myles Rockey Elissa Wagner

8 Cedar Lane

CEDAR LANE

CASSOPOLIS DOWAGIAC

Alex Voss Emily Waldschmidt Skylar Wall Ryan Williams Jessica Wolski

Leader Publications Scholarship Recipient: Thomas Bosler, Cassopolis

How have you been a leader in your community, how do you believe it will affect your future endeavours, and what ad-vice would you offer future students in your community?

My proudest accomplishment as a leader is the FIRST Robotics team that we started in our community.

Our small, rural school did not have any STEM programs, but one of our teachers wanted to inspire our students to take on the technology of the future. This teacher con-vinced the school board to let us start a team under our school’s name, but there was no funding available. FIRST teams must support themselves, and in a small town that can be a challenge. Not to men-tion we students knew nothing about STEM. In one six week long sea-son, though, we pulled together to raise money and build a working ro-bot. Within a matter of weeks, I learned to code in LabView, drive the robot, and make presentations to potential sponsors all over the com-munity. As a sophomore, I was a leader on the team, and I never looked back.

We set our dreams high in our first year: the state championship competition. We spent time before the season preparing for the tsuna-mi of work that accompanied the season, and I taught new members to design, program and drive the robot. When the season opened, I had the privilege of being one of the five members of the drive team that ran the robot during competitions. After two regional competitions, we not so patiently waited to hear if we would advance and we qualified.

We had done it, mostly. We lacked the funds necessary to pay the entrance fee and transpor-

tation. However, in two weeks over our spring break, many of us scoured the town and raised five thousand dollars from community businesses and family members to fund the trip.

I think that our achievement of qualifying for state speaks for itself; but that isn’t even what I am the most proud of. I’m proud that as a team we put our collective brain and hearts together with very little ex-perience and advanced among schools much bigger and richer than we are. I am proud that I helped lead an effort that brought positive credit to Cassopolis. Playing a pivotal role on the Cassopolis RoboRangers helped me figure out what I want to do, which is to become an engi-neer, and I am enrolled at Purdue University for the fall.

I would advise every student to find an activity he or she is passion-ate about and take leadership responsibility to do his or her best to make that activity successful.

Thomas Bosler, the son of Kristine Widerquist Bosler, is graduat-ing Cassopolis’ Ross Beatty High School and will pursue a degree in computer engineering at Purdue University.

Thomas was the captain of his soccer team and participated in drama club, National Honor Society, band and Robotics.

Leader Publications Scholarship Recipient: Rachel Frost, Buchanan

How have you been a leader in your community, how do you believe it will affect your future en-deavours, and what advice would you offer future students in your community?

Throughout my time in High School, I have had many op-portunities to show leadership.

My leadership experience started in eighth grade. I was a shy girl, not very confident in myself.

Being in the band was a fun class to hang out with friends and play music. One day my teacher came in telling us that he would allow some kids to audition for Drum Major when we went into High School. I auditioned, and I made it. This boost-ed my confidence level tremendously, and ultimately was one of the best experiences of my life. Being Drum Major through-out High School has taught me to lead with authority, but also how to be the friend that people sometimes need.

Being a Drum Major fueled my fire to become a leader, and so now it just comes naturally. In the past two years I have become Captain of both Varsity Cross Country and Soccer, Captain of Science Olympiad, I have been a member of the Michigan Gateway Youth Advisory Council, chosen to be a member of the Board of Directors of Cass and Berrien County, team leader for the Spirit Club, founder of Girls Be Positive, and the founder of College Positive Communities.

If I could give future High Schoolers advice for their years ahead, I would tell them to be themselves. So many times friends will try to get you to do the same things they are do-

ing. I made the right choice and stayed in band when some of my friends didn’t. I decided to run cross country when all of my friends chose not to. I learned to be myself and learn what makes me smile, and what I like. I enjoyed having the respon-sibility of people looking up to me because of that. I want fu-ture students to feel the same way. Being a leader helps one learn who they are as a person.

My future is starting now. High School is pretty much over, and it’s time for me to start my role in the adult world. Since I do have the experience of being a good leader, I plan on doing the same in future situations. I am confident in many chal-lenges that I take on.

Being a leader, I have learned that it is okay to make mis-takes because sometimes that is the only way you can learn. I plan on attending Michigan State University in the Honors Science College, Lyman Briggs. I will major in Pre-medicine, and continue onto Medical School to become a doctor. I am excited to take on the responsibility of that position and being able to save lives.

My attitude of leadership plays a large role in my future goals. Being a leader will continue with me throughout my life.

A leader is who I am.

Rachel A. Frost, the daughter of Michael and Michelle Frost, is a Buchanan High School graduate who will study pre-medicine at Michigan State University this fall.

She participated in a variety of activities including: soccer, cross country, marching band, concert band, Michigan Gateway Youth Advisory Council, Science Olympiad, Spirit Club, founder of Girls Be Positive group and much more. She was president of the student council, president of the Class of 2014 and dual enrolled at Lake Michigan College.


Congratulations Patrick!

Perfect attendance, you medaled at State IT competition

and placed at Nationals, Student of the Month many times,

Student of the Year VBTC 2014. We couldn’t be more proud, son.

Keep up the great work!Love,

Mom & Dad

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9 Dowagiac

Aaron Adams Morgan Adams Patrick Armstrong Khristina Baker Misty Bannow Alec Barnas Alexa Batty Ronnie Beebe

Antonia Belasques-Reynaga Emily Bennett Shane Bevins Mercedes Bienz Idalia Blanco

Nicholas Bogen Mkena Bolin Travis Bowers Josh Boyd Kayla Brewer

Leonel Brito Austin Broda Jennings Brosnan Blake Bundy

Daniela Cabral Cassandra Cannon Alissa Canovas Katie Castaneda

Jacob Chapman Paige Charles Candious Clabin Jasmine Collett

Elvia Contreras Joshua Cooper Amanda Craft Kenneth Creameans

9 Dowagiac

CEDAR LANE

DOWAGIAC

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and can be found in the Niles Daily Star, Dowagiac Daily News,

Cassopolis Vigilant and Edwardsburg Argus

10 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors

RESIDENCE LIFE AT IU SOUTH BEND

Start your college career living on campus at IU South Bend. Make new friends, get involved in student life, and live on your own. The apartments are modern, private, and have 24-hour security. And, by the way, studies show students do better in class when they live on campus. For more information call 574-520-5805 or visit housing.iusb.edu/.

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10 Dowagiac

Miroslava Cruz-Cordero Connor Daly Katie Dantone Brandon Dayhuff Brandon Degraff Maggie Denly Brittany Donoho Ricardo Esparza Raya

Nichole Favela Julia Ferrier Brody Froehlich Austin Garrett Brenda Granados Carl Grant Megan Green Victor Halcomb

Vendela Hale Shawn Haley Brianna Hall Trace Hatcher Andrea Hatter Taylor Heffington Courtney Hershberger Christian Hess

Evan Hickman Davion Highsmith Courtney Hunsberger Paige Huston

Nicole Irwin Triston Jiles Makenna Kanous Michelle Keene

Hazel Kennedy Dean Klann Eric Krebs Laura Larson

Katelyn Ledesma Trevor Letiz Aaron Lemus Gabrielle Leonard

10 Dowagiac

DOWAGIAC


11 Dowagiac

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Lonnie Mitchell Heather Montgomery Alejandra Moreno Carolina Moreno Daniel Moreno Sandy Moreno Collin Morris Crystal Murray

Bryce Oliver Michaela Owen Perla Perez Lucas Petro Christina Preston Tommy Preston Madison Proshwitz Caitlyn Reed

Heather Reiter Jeremy Richcreek Emily Roach Terry Robison Crieona Rodgers Mackenzie Ruff Noemi Sanchez Emily Schaus

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11 Dowagiac

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12 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors12 Dowagiac12 Dowagiac

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DOWAGIAC

Leader Publications Scholarship Recipient: Austin Broda, Dowagiac

How have you been a leader in your commu-nity, how do you believe it will affect your fu-ture endeavours, and what advice would you offer future students in your community?

Throughout my high school career, I have always been an individual that has been very involved. More importantly, I have

always been a leader in the extracurricular ac-tivities that I am a part of. I have always been a very committed and hard working person in my endeavours, and these traits have earned me the respect of my peers that allows me to be a strong and successful leader in all areas of my life.

Currently, I am the president of the Rotary Interact Club (a community service club at my high school), Vice President of the Na-tional Honor Society, Captain of the Varsity Baseball team, and the Valedictorian at my school. In the past, I was a captain of the Var-sity Football team. As a result, I have had a lot of experience being a leader, and with each experience I have developed my leadership skills further.

Throughout all of my leadership experience, the leadership role that has taught me the most about being a leader is being the presi-dent of the Rotary Interact Club. As president, I was sent to the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy and the Rotary Youth

Leadership Academy advanced session to improve upon the strong leadership qualities that I already possessed. In attending these

sessions, I learned much more than I had ex-pected about everything from the importance of giving back to the community to critical thinking about ethics. Most importantly, I learned that being a leader is not a position of glorified superiority; being a leader is a duty and a position of service. A good leader un-derstands that it is his/her duty to serve the people that he leads to the very best of his/her ability.

I am now confident that I am an under-standing and knowledgeable leader that can handle any situation that I am faced with. Be-ing the president of Rotary Interact, in addi-tion to all of my other leadership experience will undoubtedly benefit me for the rest of my life; I possess the skills and knowledge to be a leader in any situation I am faced with, and I know what to expect in a leader when I am not one myself. Furthermore, the hard work that being a leader is has conditioned me to be able to handle a large workload and stress, a skill that will make handling stressful situa-tions in life much more manageable.

If I were able to offer any advice future to students in my community, I would empha-size the importance of community service and giving back to the community. Though it may not seem so, the community that a stu-dent lives in is extremely supportive of them. It took me a long time to realize this myself, but as soon as I did I realized how important it is to be grateful and to show appreciation for all of the support that is given.

Austin Broda, the son of Lisa Broda, is graduating Dowagiac Union High School as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. He will attend the University of Michigan to study mechanical engineering.

Austin won a variety of honors for athletics in football and baseball as well as serving in the band, leading the Front Row Crew, Rotary Interact, National Honor Society, Student Senate as well as other awards.


13 Cassopolis

CongratulationsGRADUATES

Best Wishes, Leader Publications

14 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors14 Cassopolis14 Cassopolis

Leader Publications Scholarship Recipient: Eleanor Hein, Niles

How have you been a leader in your community, how do you believe it will affect your future endeavours, and what advice would you offer future students in your community?

I have been a leader in many different aspects, from being the drum major of the high school marching band to a lead-ing member of my FFA parliamentary procedures team to a

leader in individual volunteerism and more. Each of these is a different kind of leadership, and I believe that each of my leadership experiences will greatly impact my future.

As a drum major, I learned that a leader is not someone who is above everyone else, but someone who has confi-dence while putting the needs of others before herself It was my goal in that position not to achieve my own personal wants and needs, but to help as many band members to achieve theirs. My success was measured by theirs collec-tively. That year, the band earned a division one rating at marching festival. In the FFA,

I have found leadership to also be a role of modeling. In-stead of telling others what to do, I show them. I do not tell others to follow my lead, but rather inspire them to do so. In doing this, my team successfully made it to the national con-test. As an officer in numerous organizations (4-H, Key Club, SADD, etc.), I have learned to effectively communicate with large and small groups of people to get done what needs to be done.

I did not realize until after a while that a leader starts as an

individual. Doing my ‘Chuck the Duck’ project, I inspired many other young people to do their own individual acts of volunteerism to benefit others.

With all of these experiences and the characteristics that I have obtained from them, I plan to change the world. I want to make the world a better place for those less fortunate than myself.

With my degree in anthropology, I plan to use my leader-ship to go to countries in all over the world so that I can find those who need something desperately and take any step necessary to give to them whatever it takes to convince them that we live in a wonderful world of life, love, and opportuni-ty.

I have no doubt that the lessons on leadership that I have learned over the past seventeen years of my life will benefit my future plans greatly.

To the future students, never doubt yourself. Life is too short for fretting and the world to vast for hesitation. While the world needs good leaders, it also needs good followers. Be whichever of the two you need to be in order to be the best you can be. Furthermore, always do what is right, even if you’re the only one doing it. Look at every day as a new opportunity and do not waste them. Assume the best of all people and strive to give hope, generosity, and kindness al-ways. Make the world brighter, one day at a time. Finally, never ever forget where you came from. Your community (for me, Niles) will always be there to catch you when you fall.

Eleanor Hein, daughter of Ronald and Leona Hein, will graduate from Niles High School. She will attend Mercyhurt Uni-versity where she will pursue a degree in anthropology and archaeology.

Throughout her high school career, Eleanor was a member of the Niles golf and soccer teams, the Niles High School Marching Band, Key Club, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, 4-H Club, and Future Farmers of America, as well as numerous other groups.

(BPT) — With each passing year, student loan debt is digging a deeper hole for more young Americans. Over a nine-year period, the average student loan balance among 25-year-olds has grown 91 percent, from $10,649 in 2003 to $20,326 in 2012. More than 38 million Americans have outstand-ing debt amounting to nearly $1 trillion. This figure has nearly quadrupled over the last four years, surpassing both credit cards and auto loans as a leading source of per-sonal debt, according to Pew Research and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

While the statistics are startling, some of today’s young people are prepared to take on the financial challenge. Younger genera-tions (those in their mid-20s to early-30s) are showing signs of taking their finances seriously, according to a MassMutual 2013 State of the American Family Study. Nearly two-thirds want to be actively involved in all decisions regarding their finances, and almost half are actively seeking ways to educate themselves about personal finance, a rate significantly higher than older gen-erations. For young people looking to take control of their future, there are ways to ease the strain of student debt. MassMutual offers the following tips to help graduates manage their loans:

• Seek out scholarships — College is expensive, and taking out student loans is often inevitable. If you are still in college or considering getting your degree, be sure to research and apply for a range of schol-arships to help lower your education costs. “One of the most powerful steps young people can take to mitigate educational debt is to aggressively seek out scholarships to help fund college,” says Michael Fanning, an executive vice president with Mass-Mutual. “Graduating from college with less debt can help take the financial worry out of the equation when making ‘grown up’ deci-sions like homeownership, starting a family and saving for retirement.”

• Make a budget that includes all ex-

penses — Expenses fall into three catego-ries: fixed, flexible and discretionary. Sit down and review all of your monthly costs, from meals to rent payments, and identify which category they fall in. From there, you can allocate funds to each area. It’s critical that you have a full understanding of all ex-penses, debt and assets in order to not only stay on top of fixed expenses - like your student loans - but also build a realistic fi-nancial plan.

• Borrow or swap — Before making a purchase, ask a friend or relative if you can borrow or swap for a similar item. This es-pecially holds true for items you may use only once or very few times. Going on a backpacking trip abroad? See if you can borrow a friend’s backpack rather than buying a new one. Looking to update your wardrobe? Ask a friend to swap outfits, doubling each other’s wardrobes instantly.

Buying something with your money isn’t the only way to get it.

• Keep living at home — Rent is a huge expense. If you’re moving away from your hometown to work, it’s unavoidable. But if your first job is close to home, consider ask-ing if you can move in with your parents for the first year or two to save on expenses. Use the money you’re able to save during that time to make larger payments toward your student loans to pay them down quick-er. That will also allow you to bolster your savings for when you do move into a place of your own.

• Avoid credit card debt — Post-gradu-ation is a crucial point that will help deter-mine your credit-score for years to come. Younger generations have close to $5,000 in credit card debt, according to Mass-Mutual’s study. To keep credit card debt in check, only use one or two cards at a time

with limits that aren’t high, and pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest. Missteps could affect the rate you pay on big purchases down the road, like a car or home loan.

• Ask for a raise — Once you have estab-lished a solid foundation at your job, usually around the one-year mark, raise your hand and ask for a raise. Be sure to approach your supervisor prepared, both with how much more you want and why you deserve it. Highlight how you’ve demonstrated value to company over the year and how your work merits a raise. Even if you don’t get it right away, you’ve started the conversation.

Taking steps today to manage your fi-nances and get out of debt will help ensure a successful, debt-free financial situation in the future. For more tips and information regarding smart money management, check out www.massmutual.com/myfuturenow.

Balancing student loan debt with future goals


Ford Adams Gabriel Adkins Jordan Ballard Joseph Beck Rachael Benjamin Katherine Benyi Dylan Billings Sean Billisitz

Alexis Blake Erin Born Ethan Boutwell Matthew Bowman Brett Bowman Jackson Brady Megan Bretschneider Garret Bronkema

Ethan Brovold Joshua Brown Jack Bywaters Justin Campbell James Chapman Brandon Claire Elyse Clark Laura Coble

Brandon Cooper Dave-O Crum Douglas Dallich Melissa Debartolo Mary Katherine Paige DeVries Kaitlyn Dickeson Dalaini Disher Dylan Dixon

Tristan Doughman Jordan Douglas Dean Duke Carrie Easton Dyllan Elder Katie Engle Jerry Everest Taylor Figueroa

Dillon Finley Harley First Kaley Frank Darren Freeze Jordan Fuller Kaleigh Galloway Colin Giles Forest Grahl

Jordan Gregory Mari Grover Hannah Gugel Olivia Hack Becky Haines Robert Hakes Savanna Hamminga Ashlynn Handy

15 Edwardsburg

EDWARDSBURG

16 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors16 Edwardsburg

Coleman Hardy Austin Harman Abbie Harris Olivia Hartline Madison Hatkevich Jacob Herman Christopher Higgs-Coulthard Michael Hinegartner

Hannah Hoffman Chris Holston Alex Huffman Dylan Hulett Michael Hunsberger Megan Jankoviak Linden Jones Kyle Jordan

Austin Karacson Dustin Kelly Shane Kimbrell Kristen King Nicole Kish Nicklaus Klaer

Tylar Kowalewski Sarah Kronewitter Kyle Lamb Nicholas Lamphier Elizabeth Lang Nicole Lee

Garett Lewis Dustin Long Otto Lundbergh Annie Makielski Maris Marazita Austin Martin

Ted Mayfield Quinten McCollough Mackenzie McCracken Brady McKay Joshua McNeil Tyler Meggs Patrick Meredith-Selner Kori Merrick

Julya Miller Olivia Miller Kristen Miller Devyn Mishler Rachel Moore

16 Edwardsburg

Congratulations

HannahWe love you

very much and are very proud

of you.Paul & Mom

EDWARDSBURG


17 Edwardsburg

Gabby Morrow Siera Murphy Travis Myrick Brianna Nemeth Noah Neuerburg Madelaine Newberry Kaytlin Nonnenacher Lindsay Nunez

Daniel Overhulser Leif Pallo Trevor Peffley Ray Pharham Chezney Piersall Amanda Pilarski Brooke Pitt Tiffany Pope

Abigail Praklet Melissa Raab Catie Razzano Brendan Reed Gregory Reed Casey Reese

Arsalan Rehman Brandon Reith Hannah Rice Alyssa Richcreek Hunter Rieck Tanner Rieck

Sarah Ritchie Ryan Rivers Halie Rogge Ashli Routson Aidan Rump-Smith Alexis Ryman

Tarah Salguero Jasmine Salyers Emilee Schimpa Gaby Shirripa Ian Schramm Travis Schultz Nick Seward Andrew Shafer

Victor Sheetz Taylor Shelby Taylor Sipe-Bretschneider Brad Snyder Kayla Solloway Matthew Sommer Aaron Stanage Alex Stanage

17 Edwardsburg

EDWARDSBURG

18 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors18 Edwardsburg

Zachary Stanage Allison Steele Bobby Steinhoff Emilia Stockbridge-Garduno Grant Szalewski Paige Szlanfucht Zach Teter Bailey Thomas

Jackson Thoren Travis Tripp Dakota Truex Katelyn VanAken Tim Vanderheyden Andrew VanKirk Hilary VanOverbergh Austin Vega

Austin Wagner Andrew Wagoner Sarah Ward Taylor Wegner Kaelen Weidner Jacob Widup

Seth Williams Teryn Williams Zachary Williams Tyler Williamson Meranda Winchester Skylin Yoder

18 Edwardsburg

EDWARDSBURG

Leader Publications Scholarship Recipient: Dustin Long, Edwardsburg

How you have been a leader in your community, how do you believe it will affect your future endeavours, and what advice would you offer future students in your community?

Through Boy Scouts, school, and my church I have been given the opportunity to give back to the community where I proudly live. I have been able to volunteer in

food drives, stuff-a-bus, at our church’s free clothing store, packing baskets, highway clean-up and Operation Christmas. Also during high school, I have been a member of the march-ing band, National Honor Society, Robotics Team, and I men-tor at the primary school. For the past year, I have been em-ployed at Goodwill Industries where I work an average of 30-35 hours per week. These activities have shown me what it means to be involved in my community and how good it feels to make it a better place for my family and other families.

The above activities are all important and all gave me op-portunities to work with others and even lead, but through scouting I was presented with my greatest opportunity to lead and to give back. I was the Senior and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader as well as being voted into the Order of the Arrow by my fellow scouts. To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, you are re-quired to complete a community service project. I chose to install a playground at my church, Hope United Methodist in Edwardsburg. In order to buy the playground equipment I had to raise $11,500. To raise these funds I visited and wrote to all local businesses, notable Eagle Scouts, and large organ-izations. I presented my project idea to my three church con-

gregations, the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Conservation Club, and was featured in the local newspaper and on the local news channel. My goal was to tackle a large project that would benefit my community for years to come. Over 3 days I had to organize volunteers, material, equip-ment, and supplies. I led 33 volunteers in over 240 hours of community service. Through this community service project I was called on to use the leadership skills I had learned from scouting and to learn new ones.

My advice to future students in the Edwardsburg area ‘1s to get involved! There are so many different ways you can help people and help your community while learning relation-ship skills that will shape you for the rest of your life. I truly believe we gain the most by giving to others. It doesn’t take money to make a difference. Your time and yourself are two of the greatest gifts you can give.

My future endeavors will be affected in its entirety by my leadership in the community in more ways then I will ever know. As an Eagle Scout, I am a leader by choice. When peo-ple see me they think of me as a leader, so automatically I am held to a higher standard. As a leader in my community I gain first-hand knowledge and experience about my community and what I can do to help. I intend to go to college, earn my degree, start a family, and come back to my community. I will use my leadership to better my community and make it grow and prosper.

Thank you for your consideration of me for the Leader Pub-lications Scholarship.

Dustin Michael Long, the son of William and Kelly Long, will graduate from Edwardsburg High School and pursue a de-gree in mechanical engineering technology at Michigan Tech. He is an Eagle Scout, a member of the Edwardsburg High School Marching Band and National Honor Society, and has won numerous awards for academic excellence.


19 Edwardsburg19 Edwardsburg

Leaders of TomorrowPride Passion Purpose

Edwardsburg Public Schools

Congratulations Class of 2014Our graduates are going places. . .

University of Michigan Michigan State University University of Notre Dame Purdue University California Polytechnic State University University of Chicago

Union College San Diego State University DePaul University Michigan Technological University Emerson College Manchester University Ferris State University Ball State University

Western Michigan University Eastern Michigan University

Edwardsburg Public Schools 269.663.3055 Edwardsburg, Michiganwww.edwardsburgpublicschools.org

EDWARDSBURG

20 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors2020

He brings the Lake Effect to

WhirlpoolCorporation.

BRAD - LMC alumnus & communications manager


2121

HATS OFF TO THE

CLASS 2014!Please join us in congratulating some very special graduates and valued Wings Etc. Niles employees!

of

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRANDYWINE

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NILES

ATHLETES OF THE YEAR!

WINGS ETC. NILES IS APROUD SPONSOR OF

2008 S. 11th St Niles

683-9464www.wingsetc.net

Jake WrightVALEDICTORIAN

Corey Katterhindrich Tate RudlaffTOP 10 IN CLASS

Amnarissa Spencer

Tammy Lee Miranda BakerMichael Robbins Tate Brawley


Luis Aguirre William Alton Kallie Amberg Courtney Ankrapp Vincin Armstrong Alexis Arnold Miranda Bailey Miranda Baker

Rikki Baker Chelsea Barker Michael Baumgartner Dakota Bennett Nicholas Borkowski Miranda Borsodi Courtney Bowerman Rachel Boyer

Quinn Brawley Tate Brawley Nicole Brill Daulton Britton Hannah Brooks Donald Brown Balazs Bruckner Zachary Brunner

22

• Sean Craig• Darek Bullock-Mills• Warren Smith• Emily Gaines• Gavin Rasler• Kylee Myer

• Alexis Arnold• Anna Flahaven• Chris Mangus• Molly VanDeKeere• Maggie Hoff• Brad Miller

• Kierra Fillwock• Miranda Baker• Elyse Zimmerman• Tate Brawley• Connor Glick

Congratulations Class of 2014

Also, a big round of applause is due for all of the Niles Community

Schools 2013-2014 Athletes of the Week!

Inspired Locally to Excel Globally

NILES


23 Niles

Darek Bullock-Mills Eleanor Burck Austin Cain Treavor Canniff Runchana Chaimatikul Jhena Clark Zackray Clingenpeel Tyler Clutter

Allison Cole Shelby Coleman Christina Cooper Leyla Davis Aaron Deland De Shawn Depriest Morgan Disterheft Tasha Dittmar

Dalton Dlouhy Deserae Donley-Rolan Emma Doud Austin Edmondson Amelia Ernsberger Michael Farmer Rusty Feeback Guadalupe Fernandez

Kierra Fillwock Echo Fisher Anna Flahaven Devon Floor Raelyn Fortier Joseph Franc Cheyenne Fries Natalie Gaedtke

Shayna Gaedtke Abigail Gaines Juan Garcia Olivia Gaughan Olivia Gaul Michael Geiger Tala Gentry Tia Germann

Dylan Gleason Taylor Glenn Connor Glick Kendra Goins Adria Gonzalez Brian Gonzalez Tatyanna Goodson Keri Gorman

Mackenzie Green Shelby Green Lashonda Greene Chelsea Hamm Michael Hammond Bostin Hand Jacob Haney Hanna Head

23 Niles

NILES NILES

24 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors24 Niles

Michael Heath Eleanor Hein Alex Hively Margaret Hoff Alexus Holloway Katherine Holmes Madelyn Holtgren Eric Humphries

Justin Jones Olivia Jordan Chelsea Karkiewicz Brooklyn Kessler Justin Kindig Brittany Klingerman Joshua Klute Nicholas Knoll

Joseph Kubisiak Landon Kulwicki Kelvin Kwakye Lorenzo Lawshea Jasmine Lehman-Davey Amanda Lepel Jazmyne Lewis Amber Liles

24 Niles

Haleywe are so proud

of you. You worked hard to make your dreams come true, Class Valedictorian

and U of M.

Love,Grandma Dee, Grandpa Harry,

Dad & Melissa

From the first day of Pre-School all the way through your years of school you have grown, learned, and matured into the bright, beautiful, loving young lady that you are now and we couldn’t be more proud of who you have become.

We Love you Brittany!!

Congratulations!! Love, Mom and Dad

MirandaWe are very proud of all you have accomplished. And the whole time with such dignity and grace. Continue to set your goals high. You can do anything you want to do.

Love Dad & Mom

NILES

RECYCLE YOUR PAPER


29 Niles

Qiyue Lin Travis Lintz George Lutin Lauren Mackey Daniel Magana Gladys Magana Chelsea Mahar Devin Mahone

Monika Mainer Madison Martin Kathryn Mattiford Alisa Mazumder Jenna Mcallister Kelsey Medlin Abigail Middleton Alyssa Middleton

Bradley Miller Matthew Miller Vincent Miller Ethan Mokwa Hannah Montgomery Drake Moore Desiree Morris Alexis Morrison

Taylor Nelson Gaige Nichols Nathaniel Norris Erica Norton Oskar Olalde Cody Ortiz-Leonard Jeongeun Park Autum Pegan

Ashlee Pellico Mckenya Phelps Tyler Phillips Jessica Planck Waratchaya Ploypattarapinyo Kale Pollard Reshawn Preston Maritza Ramirez

Jordan Rank Aleasha Rask Shandrea Reed Ayden Richer Chance Riege Ryan Roberts Michael Ross Haley Rough

Tate Rudlaff Austin Ruff Breanne Ruggles Levi Rush Abigail Rzepka Ivan Sankara Victoria Shelton Kamai Simmons

29 Niles

NILES NILES

26 GRADUATION 2014 Salute To Seniors30 Niles

Alexander Sinner Deontay Smith Dontrall Smith Steven Smith Shaquille Smith Johnson Kassy Snow Amnarissa Spencer Kimberlyn Staggs

Dalton Starkweather Katherine Stelter Nicole Stevens Kyra Stewart Cole Stick Tyler Stilwell Dustin Taggart Ashley Taylor

Jason Taylor Cristian Tejeda Mersadies Thar Haileigh Trujillo Orion Tweedy Kassandra Underwood Kai Van Antwerp Carole Vandezande

Devin Vargo Jasmine Vaughn Taylor Velez Danielle Villa Serenity Wagner Austin Weber Lakeshia Webster Jorrdan Welch

Nathan Welch Taylor Weldy Lane Wells Dwane West Kenzet Westgate Taylor Whitacre Dustin Wickizer Tiffani Williams

Cody Wilson Kalynn Wise Allison Woods Jeremy Wortham Kathryne Wozniak Amelia Wreggelsworth Jessica Zadlo Nicole Zadlo

Sasha Zidar

30 Niles

NILES

Brooke Kessler

This is a very hard to grasp, our baby girl Brooke Kessler on her first day of school getting on the bus to her very last day of High school, driving her own car (still yellow). We have been thru so much together in these years. I would like to think we did ok. We hope Saint Mary’s is ready for you, but I think Daddy will probably be sleeping in the parking lot the next 4 years. Love you so much Brooke! Congrats and can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Lots of Love, Dad and Becky

Five college entrance exam tips to achieve success


31 Niles31 Niles

Great Burgers,Hand-Carved Steaks

Seafood & Tex-Mex Cuisine

A local favorite since 1972!

Mon-Thurs: Open at 3:30pm • Fri & Sat: Open at 11:30am • Closed Sunday

Congratulations Class of 2014

4179 M-139 • St. Joseph, MI

269-429-2941markiiirestaurant.com We TakeReservations

Get to Know Your AAA Agent.Ask How You Can Save Up to 35% on Auto Insurance

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Every AAA Sales Agent is highly trained to provide expert guidance – and help customers make informed decisions about their auto and home insurance coverage.

Get to know the value of AAASee for yourself how much you can save by switching to insurance through AAA. There’s no need to wait for your current policy to expire. Call today for your free quote.

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Insurance underwritten by Auto Club Insurance Association family of companies.


Cindy McCall






Cindy McCall






Cindy McCall






Cindy McCall






Cindy McCall





Congratulations Class of 2014!


THE FRIENDLY CAR CENTERWE SERVICE GM, CHRYSLER, FORD AND MOST FOREIGN CARS

DAVE’S GARAGE

(269) 683-7220 713 North 13th St.Niles, MI 49120

Engine Repair & Tune-Up • Brake & Auto Transmission Service • Wheel Balancing

Congratulations Class of 2014!

BRIGHT FUTURESSTART HERE

CongratulationsClass of 2014!

Niles-Buchanan YMCA905 N. Front St. • Niles • 269-683-1552

www.nb-ymca.org

YOU DID IT!

A special congrats to our Pizza Transit Graduate

Mike Baungartner!

It’s your day to let loose and celebrate, we know it took a lot of hard work to get where you are today and we are proud of your accomplishments. We hope you enjoy every minute of your graduation day, and please remember to be smart and celebrate responsibly. Congratulations!

Family owned for over 25 years!684-6600215 E. Main St.• Niles, MI • www.PizzaTransit.com

NILES

(BPT) - If you’re a high school junior or senior, or you’re the parent of one, you know the college rush crush can be bewildering and stressful. To get into the college of your choice means a whirl-wind of applications, university visits, admission interviews and exams. How-ever, there are steps that students can take to have the best chance at success.

Steve Kappler, assistant vice president of career and college readiness and head of postsecondary strategy at ACT offers these tips to help navigate the world of college entrance exams:

• Test what you’ve learned: Some exams are designed to test aptitude and reasoning, but the ACT exam shows what you’ve learned in the classroom over the last 3 or 4 years. Use what you know to make your college dreams to come true.

• Free test prep: ACT has free online tools and test-taking tips that help you prepare for and know what to expect on the exam. ACT even offers a question of the day to keep you practicing as the test date approaches.

• Don’t stress, it’s okay to guess: On the ACT, you do not lose points for incorrect answers, which is what happens on some other college entrance exams. So if you don’t know the answer, take your best guess on the ACT: it can’t hurt your score.

• Send your scores: Let schools know you are interested in them. The myth that certain schools only accept certain tests is just not true. All four-year colleges and universities across the country accept ACT scores. Your scores help colleges see if you are ready to succeed in first year courses on their campus.

• Writing - yes or no: Not all colleges require students to submit writing scores. The ACT Writing Test is optional. Save yourself time and money by checking to see if the schools you hope to attend require writing.

• Apply for financial aid and scholar-ships: Many scholarships are extremely competitive, so start researching early. Use your ACT scores to apply for finan-cial aid and scholarship opportunities. There are numerous online resources dedicated to helping students find the financial support they need for college.

Most importantly of all though, stu-dents and parents need to register for the ACT, the nation’s most-taken college entrance exam, in order to help achieve the best chance for success. Registration for the June 14 test date runs until May 9, with late registration available until May 23. Fall test dates are also available in September and October. For more information or to register, visit ACTStu-dent.org.

Five college entrance exam tips to achieve success


Ò

find your peopleat SouthweStern Michigan college

• Associate and bachelor’s degrees in the top fields of study*

• Engaging professors who want you to succeed

• Modern classrooms and facilities

• Small class sizes for personalized learning

• Helpful advisors who cater to each student’s individual needs

• Suite-style dorm rooms that feel like home

• Vibrant student life that will help express your passions

Health Care

Business

Information Technology

Communications

Criminal Justice

SMC offerS the full College experienCe

at a fraCtion of the CoSt.

Just a few of sMC’s top aCadeMiC prograMs

[email protected] • 800.456.8675, ext. 2135

* Bachelor’s degrees are offered on the Dowagiac campus through partnerships with Bethel College and Ferris State University

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