Week Ahead for 5/1-5/7
Today's Alumni Spotlight is Shane Coffey '18.
What was your best memory from school?
I really enjoyed Prom my Senior Year.
What was your favorite class/activity?
Any science class with Mr. Peterson.
What advice do you have for students?
Know what you want to do, have a plan, achievable goals and don’t sweat the small stuff. The sky’s the limit!
What did you do right out of high school, and what do you do now?
Joined the Navy, and currently still serving.
Pretty exciting news coming from our Agriculture class, the salad bar today will have lettuce grown at the school by the Agriculture class. The students grew the lettuce from seeds and took care of the machines themselves. Just the beginning for our growing Agriculture classes.
This week's alumni spotlight is Stephanie Rice '06:
What was your best memory from school?
The mornings before school started hanging out in the hallway with my friends, and the trips to Cedar Point with the band
What was your favorite class/activity?
Yearbook with Mr. Deyoung
What advice do you have for students?
Enjoy the time you have in high school, but remember that there is so much more waiting for you after you graduate. You never know where you will end up.
What did you do right out of high school, and what do you do now?
I went to LSSU, then joined the Navy as a nuclear technician on an aircraft carrier. Now I work at Fermi Nuclear Power Plant in Southeast Michigan
Last night we celebrated our 7th and 8th grade honor students! It was a great group of students and a powerful message from 2023 Salutatorian Summer Smith! Keep it up everyone!
Week Ahead 4/17-4/23
This week's alumni spotlight is Luke Rice '99.
What was your best memory from school?
We had a pretty good football team in 1998. We played St. Ignace for homecoming on a Saturday and they were having a great year as well. It was the most people I remember seeing around the Rudyard Track and Field. We had a slight lead in the last couple minutes of the game but the Saints were driving. Our defense stepped up and kept them from scoring in the red zone. It was a great team effort to hold on for the victory. We went 7-2 in that season but in those days, that wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs.
What was your favorite class/activity?
Mrs. Ewing was a really good science teacher and we all enjoyed her Anatomy and Physiology class. Especially when the frogs and cats came out.
What advice do you have for students?
You have to find something to be passionate about. It will give you goals and guide your direction. Your interests will change over the years but passion will keep your life alive. Nobody can find it for you but allow people around you to introduce new and healthy activities. You probably will not find your passion on social media…
What did you do right out of high school, and what do you do now?
I shipped out for Navy Bootcamp right after graduation as an Airframe mechanic working on the F-14 Tomcat. After 14 months enlisted I was given the opportunity to attend Ohio State University on a Naval ROTC scholarship. After college I was selected for Navy flight training and served 10 years as pilot flying the C-2A Greyhound and T-45 Goshawk as an instructor pilot. When the opportunity to leave active duty and move home to be closer to family came, I transitioned to the reserves and was blessed with an opportunity to fly for Delta Air Lines. My family and I live in the Soo and I commute to DTW and currently I am flying internationally as a First Officer on the Airbus 350. Also, I’m the self appointed aviation recruiter for the U.P. So, if you want to get passionate about a job where you can get paid to stare out the window, get ahold of me!
Testing Reminders for students in grades 7-11 for April 12, 2023:
11th Grade Testing Reminders
Tests start promptly at 8:25am
We have calculators and #2 pencils if needed.
Keep all electronics at home or in the lockers - phones, watches, etc.
7th graders should bring Aux cord style headphones if they have some. (We have some extras)
Students are excused at the end of the testing session with parental permission, or can stay for the remainder of the day.
Good Luck to everyone!
The Week Ahead for 4/10 - 4/16...
Today's Alumni Spotlight is Jenna (Aho) Stump '03.
What was your best memory from school?
My favorite memory from school is how close most of us were in our class, and I really miss seeing those friends every day!
What was your favorite class/activity?
I really loved my 4 years of yearbook. Not only was it fun, but it really helped prepare me for a lot of challenges I’d face in adulthood.
What advice do you have for students?
Get out of your comfort zone. Make it a habit to do things daily that challenge you, even if it’s as small as striking up a conversation with a stranger. Don’t be afraid to take risks.
What did you do right out of high school, and what do you do now?
Right out of high school I attended NMU where I majored in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Then I went to CMU where I obtained a masters in Physician Assistant studies. Now, I’m a family practice PA, working in a rural clinic where I’ve been growing my practice since 2010. I’m also a mom to two little boys!
Congratulations goes out to Senior Eve Cheney who has signed with North Central Michigan College to play volleyball this Fall. Good Luck Eve and Keep Building!
Rudyard Area Schools will have a 1/2 day of school on Friday (4/7), and No School on Monday (4/10).
Rudyard Area Schools will be CLOSED today, Wednesday April 5.
Kindergarten Round Up will be moved to Wednesday April 12 from 5:00-7:00
We will have to add Friday, June 9th to the calendar as well. So our new last day of school will be Friday, June 9, 2023 (a half day!)
The Week Ahead 4/3 - 4/9
Today's Alumni Spotlight is Dr. Brian Meehan '04 wants to have a little fun with it being April 1st and all!
What is your best memory from school?
My best memory from school was when a ragtag group of basketball savants came together to form “The Misfits” – a group of 8-10 guys that would play pick-up basketball at 6 am a couple of times a week during the school year. We captured the hearts of RHS. The guys wanted to be us, and the ladies wanted to be with us. We were better looking than the school’s “actual” basketball team, and our average GPA was much higher. As our legend grew, we were able to secure a very high-profile game hosted at the middle school gymnasium. In front of a crowd of at least 10 people (not even counting the players), came our crowning achievement: a victory over the vaunted Junior Varsity team of 2003 (or maybe 2004). This team was coached by (should be) MHSAA Hall of Fame coach Tracy Peterson. Peterson had a very clever defensive game plan for this matchup, installing what came be known as the “Meehan Rules,” a similar game plan to the “Jordan Rules” used by the early 90’s Detroit Pistons. Despite this ingenious defensive strategy, and even with our perpetually ineffective star center Steve Loonsfoot hobbled by injury, we were still able to prevail. I posted the first and only double-double in Misfits history (18 points, 10 turnovers). We shocked the world, and I know this loss still eats away at Coach Peterson, a burden he will have to carry forever. I’m still waiting for Superintendent Mckee to dedicate the Middle School gymnasium to the Misfits in honor of our great victory.
What was your favorite class/activity?
I enjoyed most of the social studies courses at Rudyard. My favorite activity had to be searching for my golf ball in the woods after every tee shot while playing on the golf team. Coach Ron VanSloten even came to help every once and a while.
What advice do you have for students?
Be open to different possibilities for your career and your life. Don’t get stuck thinking you have to travel one path. I didn’t anticipate finding a career as an economist while in high school, but my post-high school timeline included a lot of trial and error in order to get here. I’m not saying that my job is perfect for everyone, it is not, but the process of finding both a life and a career that works for you is full of ups and downs. Pay attention to the feedback you receive on that journey, and don’t be afraid to change course and try something else if that feedback is negative.
What did you do right out of high school, and what do you do now?
After high school I went to Northern Michigan University, where, after a couple major changes, I decided to study economics and become a long-term college student. After NMU, I took a pit stop at Central Michigan University and then to Florida State University, where I graduated with a Ph.D. in Economics in 2015. Now I am an Associate Professor of Economics at Berry College in northwest Georgia.
his week's alumni spotlight is Dennis Besteman '03.
What was your best memory from school?
Some of the best times were during shop classes, football and baseball practices/games, playing euchre and experiencing our progression from kindergarten to graduation. Our class was very inclusive of everyone. There were definitely friend groups but we all got along very well, that’s the best to look back on. Senior celebration and our cruise we did for our class trip we’re both top memories as well.
What was your favorite class/activity?
Favorite classes were Mrs. Spencer's French and Mrs. Ewing's Biology class. Both great teachers with a passion to make students better people. Favorite activity was weightlifting and football.
What advice do you have for students?
I have lots of advice for students. Work hard and have pride in your work.
You appreciate what you have earned more than what you have been given. Avoid debt. Get outside-hike, hunt, fish, watch birds, watch the sunrise/sunset in as many different beautiful places as possible. It’ll cleanse the soul. Take care of your body- stay active and eat healthy. Be cautious of most advice you’re given. Lastly, those in leadership aren’t always worthy to be followed.
What did you do right out of high school, and what do you do now?
The day after graduation I got a job at Lawlor’s Body Shop. I attended LSSU for one year and then studied to be an X-ray Technologist in Missouri with Greg Ehle. In 2006 I was hired at McLaren Northern MI hospital and have worked there full time up until a couple years ago. I’m now part time at the hospital in the CT dept. and full time at Petoskey Surgeons assisting with peripheral vascular procedures.
Bus 41 is running 20 minutes late this morning due to a mechanical issue. A new bus is in route to pick up the students.
The Week Ahead for 3/20-3/26
The weather outside is frightful, but the play is delightful! Two more chances to see it, including tonight at 7 PM in the Joe Rose Arena!
Today's alumni spotlight is Diane (Steikar) Harrington '85.
What was your best memory from school?
Best memories were being involved in sports/clubs, cheering on our 1982 state runner up football team and 1985 quarterfinal basketball team.
What was your favorite class/activity?
My favorite classes in high school were every business course I took from Mr. Cap Tromblay.
What advice do you have for students?
Get involved in sports, clubs, activities, take advantage of classes/opportunities that are available to help you learn skills and get ahead for your future. Remember that a college education is not the only measure of success for your future and always be proud of where you came from.
What did you do right out of high school, and what do you do now?
I attended Northern Michigan University eventually deciding to study business education. I retired after teaching 30 years —12 in Rudyard and 18 in the Sault. I still teach online for a virtual high school, work for a company training educators around the country, and work as the Player Services Coordinator for the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.
