The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency’s Career & Technical Education, and Education for the Arts and Early/ Middle College programs honored outstanding seniors who were nominated by their teachers for outstanding work in their areas of specialization.

 

Kevin Barbosa-Camacho 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Mario Barbosa Cuellar & Idalia Camacho Valdivia 

Western Michigan University 

CTE Marketing 

Instructor: Robert Roy “Kevin is a manager in our school store and is an extremely effective manager. He takes initiative, has excellent interpersonal skills and leads by example. Kevin is a third year marketing student and has been involved in DECA for two years. For a young man, Kevin has a tremendous amount of experience. He is awesome!” 

 

Cooper Betke 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Anthony & Carolyn Betke 

Adrian College 

CTE Teacher Academy 

Instructor: April Rocco  “Cooper has gone above and beyond during his classroom internship. He has shown enthusiasm and dedication to his students, school and mentor teacher. Cooper’s willingness to work hard and continue to grow will be an asset to the field of education.” 

 

Darianna Browning 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Darrell & Yolanda Browning 

Army/Michigan State University 

EFA Intermediate Dance 

Instructor: Francesca Pileci “Dari is a four-year EFA Dance student. I want to honor her outstanding commitment, artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in EFA Dance. This year Dari was inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and her peers voted her to serve as class Dance Captain.” 

 

Abraham Burcroff 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: John & Kelly Burcroff 

Michigan Technological University 

CTE Electronics & Robotics 

Instructor: Ken Briggs “It has been a pleasure to have Abraham in Electronics & Robotics for two years. He has a passion for engineering that shows in his work, in and out of the classroom. Always ready for the next challenge, he is well on his way to a career in engineering or technology.” 

 

Heaven Campbell 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Pasquinel Campbell & Shawncia Matthews 

Western Michigan University 

CTE Art & Design Career Skills 

Instructor: Kellen Deau “Heaven is insightful, mature, flexible, and motivated in her creativity. As an integral part of CTE Art & Design, it has been a joy working with Heaven during the last two years. We look forward to seeing her future artistic pursuits!” 

 

Le’Montae Daniels-Thompson 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Robert Daniels & Tamika Thompson 

Grand Valley State University 

CTE Marketing 

Instructor Robert Roy “Le’Montae is a great worker with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. He is currently a manager in our school store and does an excellent job getting his team to participate in any and all challenges. Le’Montae is a natural leader and a wonderful addition to our marketing program.” 

 

Asiya Diallo 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Mohamadou & Lashon Diallo 

Full Time Work 

CTE Cosmetology 

Instructors: Maria Salinas & Aliah Wafford “Asiya’s determination and hard work will take her as far as she wants to go in her Cosmetology Career. She will have great success with her pleasing personality and drive.” 

 

Thomas Dillard IV 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Thomas Dillard III & Ondrea Johnson 

Kalamazoo Valley Community College 

CTE Accounting & BMA 

Instructor: Michelle Claybaugh  “Thomas is a student that epitomizes what I will call the three C’s: courteous, cooperative and committed. He is a student that works hard and has integrity. Thomas is a problem solver, takes initiative, and demonstrates teamwork and leadership.” 

 

Reagan Gates 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: April & Chelsea Branyan 

Kalamazoo Valley Community College 

CTE Fundamentals of Health Science 

Instructor: Laura Kuzmick  “Reagan has demonstrated a profound interest in becoming a paramedic. She has an eagerness to learn the content in class and participate in our HOSA club. Reagan also participated with our volunteer opportunities for the Gift of Life and Be the Match. She is truly deserving of this award.” 

 

Cooper Gheen 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Chris & Grace Gheen 

University of Michigan or Michigan State University 

CTE Information Technology III and CTE Work-Based Learning 

Instructors: Rostam Ahmad Daud and Lori Pelton  “Cooper’s can-do attitude along with his high skill level make him an outstanding employee. He advocates for himself and is always trying to grow professionally.” And, “Cooper Gheen earned every industry certification he put his mind to. He leaves high school with nearly a dozen industry certifications and badges. He brings the phrase ‘a rising tide raises all ships’ to life by encouraging others to earn certifications and helps them prepare to pass the exams.” 

 

Nick Gleaton 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Chris & Cindy Gleaton 

Western Michigan University 

CTE Electronics & Robotics II 

Instructor: Ken Briggs “It has been a pleasure to have Nick in Electronics & Robotics the past two years. His dedication and enthusiasm for learning have been a positive addition in the classroom. He has excellent problem solving skills, a strong engineering aptitude and is well on his way to a bright future.” 

 

Ivory Gray 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parent: Antoninette Stubbs 

Central Michigan University 

CTE Computerized Manufacturing 

Instructor: Greg Mills “Ivory is a great example of what it means to be outstanding. She is a first-year Computerized Manufacturing student. She works hard with both the program academics and lab projects. Ivory traveled every day just to be in-person. Ivory will be attending Central Michigan University.” 

 

Cassandra Nash 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Floyd Nash & Patricia Stratton 

Michigan Technological University 

CTE Electronics & Robotics 

Instructor: Ken Briggs “It has been a pleasure to have Cassandra in Electronics & Robotics for two years. Her passion for engineering is contagious. She is a natural leader, strives for perfection, and consistently produces high quality work. Her problem-solving skills and aptitude for engineering will serve her well in her future endeavors.” 

 

Xavier Plair 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents: Eddie Anderson & Alexis Plair 

Full Time Work 

CTE Cosmetology 

Instructor: Jackie Rush “Xavier is an amazing barber with exceptional skills. His pleasing personality and hard work have contributed to his success as a barber. He is professional and the quality of his work is outstanding. I’m very proud of the achievements he established at the beginning of the program and he has never compromised his dreams.” 

 

Tyler Roberts 

Loy Norrix High School 

Parents: Carl Roberts & Debra Lenz 

Hope College 

CTE Management Administration 

Instructor: Atiba Ward “Tyler has been a hard-working student. He has shown that his education is his first priority. He has shown integrity and responsibility during his time at Loy Norrix. He will be a great addition to the workforce.” 

 

Erica Sanchez-Elias 

Loy Norrix High School 

Parents: Joel Sanchez-Vanegas & Cristina Elias-Ramirez 

Michigan State University 

CTE Health Science 

Instructor: Laura Kuzmick “Erica has mastered the content of the program and used it to help the community. She gathered five other students and decided to raise over 300 feminine supplies for the homeless women of Kalamazoo. Erica is a natural leader and will make a very empathetic nurse practitioner in the future.” 

 

Ryan Schnurr 

Loy Norrix High School 

Parents: Scott & Nichole Schnurr 

Western Michigan University 

CTE Law Enforcement II 

Instructor: Brian Brusach “Ryan is a student who knew he wanted to go into law enforcement at a young age. He has cultivated his interest by taking the CTE law enforcement classes as well as being a member of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Explorer Post. Ryan will be attending WMU studying Criminal Justice.” 

 

Andrew Taylor 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents Matthew & Rebecca Taylor 

Kalamazoo Valley Community College 

CTE Marketing 

Instructor: Robert Roy  “Andrew is a second-year DECA member and qualified for the state DECA Career Development Conference in Automotive Services Marketing. He is an invaluable worker in our school store and has a wonderful, caring personality. Andrew has excelled in the classroom, in our school store and during our DECA competitions.” 

 

Delaney Thomas 

Kalamazoo Central High School 

Parents Mario & Zendalanette Thomas 

Full Time Work 

CTE Barbering 

Instructor: Jackie Rush “Delaney is an outstanding student, totally committed to become a master barber. His attitude, skills and professionalism are excellent. He always gives 100 percent perfection to every haircut service. He is an asset to the barbering profession. His goals were established at the beginning of the program, and he mastered them.” 

 

Zoie Vorva 

Loy Norrix High School 

Parent: Amy Davis 

Kendall College of Art & Design 

CTE Art & Design Career Skills 

Instructor: Kellen Deau  “Zoie is incredibly talented, reflective, persistent, and resilient. Zoie’s work is consistently unique and high quality. Her work ethic and encouragement of others is continuous. Zoie has been a strong addition to our CTE Art & Design program. I know Zoie will continue to do great things in the art world!” 

 

Chanel Wilson 

Loy Norrix High School 

Parents: Bobby Wilson & Molli Kornak 

University of Michigan 

CTE Business Management Administration 

Instructor: Atiba Ward “Chanel has been a phenomenal leader in DECA. She has truly inspired others to be better. She has modeled and promoted team leadership and student achievement.”