MARQUETTE, — Forty-seven outstanding high school seniors from Marquette and Alger counties will be honored for their academic achievements during the 32nd annual Excellence in Education Awards program Monday, April 28, at the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

The event, by invitation-only, recognizes graduating seniors who rank in the top five percent of their class. Each student will receive a $1,500 scholarship in celebration of their academic excellence and dedication. Each student honoree has selected one educator who has made a significant impact on their academic journey. These influential educators will accompany their students to the event, highlighting the powerful role mentorship plays in student success.

In addition to recognizing student achievement, the program will award 25 professional development grants to educators across Marquette and Alger counties. The grants are designed to support continued learning and innovation in the classroom.

This year’s program will also include the presentation of the annual Judy Watson Olson Education Enrichment Award. The $500 award, created in honor of former Grow & Lead president Judy Watson Olson, supports youth-focused programs in the Upper Peninsula. Lindsey Flygare, community engagement coordinator at United Way of the Eastern U.P., is the 2025 recipient. She will use the funds to support a summer reading program aimed at preventing learning loss, with supplies, incentives and “reading buddies” to keep children engaged.

“Excellence in Education is a powerful reminder of the potential within each student and the many champions who support their success,” said Amy Quinn, CEO of Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development which coordinates the program.

The 2025 Student Academic Scholarship and Educator Professional Development Award winners from Marquette County by school district are as follows with influential educator selections in parentheses:

Father Marquette Catholic Academy: Educators Haley Molenaar and Melissa Pillifant.

Gwinn Area Community Schools: Students Andrew Hill (Mike Nicosia), Thomas Jenkins (Kyle Hantz), Mikayla Johnson (Mike Nicosia), Charles Lininger (Benjamin Platt); Educators Kyle Hantz and Brian Rice.

Ishpeming Public Schools: Students Mason Bancroft (Andrew Hensler), Angelica Barry (Alex Trotter), Ethan Corp (Kaitlin Rich), Joseph Giroux (Craig Goff), Ian Harvey (Jane Stewart), Jenna Herman (Caitlin Palomaki), Laynie Korpi (Katie Gray); Educators Kassandra Kytola and Caitlyn Palomaki.

MARESA: Educator Trae Forgette.

Marquette Area Public School: Students James Barch (Diana Reeves), Trista Beerman (Stephen Atwood), Kaleb Chipelewski (Ben Smith), Kendall Chipelewski (Julie Nemacheck), Samuel Dehlin (Derek Sandstrom), Ian Galbreath (Dr. Matt Ludwig), Roenak Ghiardi (Matt Hoffman), Siena Goodney (Blythe Raikko), Naomi Griffin (Mandy Dye), Elisa Malherbe (Natalie Messano), Cambry Marquardson (Natalie Messano), Jack Parent (Katelynn Jensen), Elijah Schneider (Kim Carr), Allison Simon (Mandy Dye), James Uchytil (Eric Marta); Educators Catherine Day, Cynthia DePetro, Mark Hefke and Kelly Simon.

Negaunee Public Schools: Students Aubrey Johnson (Kyle Saari), Samantha Nelson (Krista Squiers), Marlee Plaxco (Tiffany Nicolas), Maija Rourke (Cody Scanlon), Ella Standerford (Lacey O’Donnell), Caden Steede (Beth Holmgren), Karina Suardini (Harold South); Educators Sarah Hill and Shelly Stetson.

NICE Community School District: Students Kaya Etelamaki (Rachel Perala), Isabelle Grochowski (Sabina Villar), Gabriel Grondz (Cara Anderson), Abby Hinze (Jennifer Young), Ian Kauppila (Sabrina Villar), Clara Kruger (Terri Balzarini), Libby Ollanketo (Dr. Steve Annelin); Educators Kristi Head and Danielle Levandoski.

North Star Montessori Academy: Educator Julia Boynton.

Powell Township School District: Educator Errica Ingram.

Republic-Michigamme Schools: Kreegan Gransinger (Annette Gleason), Ayden Valeski (Steven Hendrickson); Educator Shannon Miller.

Wells Township School: Educator Mike Lepisto.

A complete list of award recipients from Alger County, including students, influential educators and professional development honorees, is available at glcyd.org/programs/excellence-in-education.

Grow & Lead promotes healthy communities for youth throughout the Upper Peninsula by equipping nonprofit organizations in the Upper Peninsula with training, expertise and resources so they can meet their vital missions effectively and sustainably. For more information, call Grow & Lead at 906-228-8919 or visit glcyd.org.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.