Hannah Rodriguez - Class of 2009

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI.  Today, we would like to recognize Benzie Central Alumni class of 2009, Hannah Rodriguez. Hannah is a fourth generation Benzie County resident and the third generation of her family to graduate from Benzie Central High School. While in high school Hannah participated in band, dance team, the musicals, Youth Advisory Council, and was President of Key Club. Hannah graduated from Benzie in 2009 and started at the University of Michigan the following fall. She graduated from U of M in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Theory and Practice and received "Highest Honors" for her original thesis that highlighted the importance of youth engagement in rural communities. As a part of this thesis, Hannah interviewed several students at Benzie Central and used their feedback to help with her research.

In 2013, Hannah began attending Michigan State University to pursue her Master's in Social Work. She graduated in 2015 with a Master's in Social Work with an emphasis in Organizational and Community Leadership. While living in Lansing, Hannah interned with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan and began to fall in love with that area of work. In 2014 she was able to move back to her home community and take on the role of Prevention Coordinator with the Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center (TBCAC). While at the TBCAC Hannah led an effort to educate over 7,500 adults throughout the region about what it takes to protect children from sexual abuse. 

In August of 2017, Hannah joined the Manistee County Community Foundation and Launch Manistee as the Manistee Commitment Scholarship Coordinator and YAC Advisor where she is privileged to work with many Manistee County youth and encourage them to become leaders in school and community. She also serves as Volunteer Services Coordinator with the Manistee County Juvenile Court. Hannah began serving as a member of the Benzie Central Education Foundation in 2016 and loves being able to serve the school district in that capacity. She lives in Honor and is so happy to be close to family and friends and to be serving the community she loves most!

 

 Hannah, We are so #OneBENZIE proud! 

Please visit..

https://seelio.com/hannahrodriguez

 

 

Joshua Stoltz - Class of 1994

Josh spent his first ten years growing up in downtown Lake Ann and later in the backwoods of Almira Township where he learned to hunt, work in the garden, and stack firewood. By the time he graduated Benzie Central in 1994, his senior resume included three sports, theater, school newspaper, Student Council, Key Club, Science Olympiad and National Honors Society- all while bussing tables on the weekends, graduating with honors, and preparing for college at Central Michigan University. Once there, Josh immediately joined intramural sports, started acting, directing and producing shows with CMU television, and hosting the campus’ morning radio show. He graduated with his degree in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts and minored in both Marketing and Advertising.

From there he moved out West where he shined in the sales and marketing field, eventually opening several of his own companies with over 70 employees throughout Arizona and Florida- all before turning age 30. After taking a short “retirement” of traveling and living in a school bus named "The Future," Josh eventually planted himself back in Benzie County where he was hired by SEEDS After School program. He worked two years as Outreach Coordinator at sites throughout the region, and was Site Coordinator for both Benzie Central Middle and High schools for three years. SEEDS provided an opportunity for Josh to work with youth, rekindle and spark professional relationships in the community, and meld his prior experience in the private sector with the goals of a non-profit organization. 

When grant funding expired, Josh was hired as Grow Benzie's first, full-time Executive Director to manage and develop their 4-acre community farmstead and programs. Grow Benzie now includes a state-certified incubator kitchen, 16,000 sq ft of hoop houses, sewing and maker-space studios, public garden spaces, a weekly farmers market, a food truck, a 3,000 sq ft event center, and after school programs. Grow Benzie has become a community hub of activity for local events, entrepreneur and life skills training, and a food education center offering classes in culinary arts, nutrition, agriculture and food preservation.

 

 http://www.growbenzie.org/joshstoltz/

 

 

Kara Milliron - Class of 1991 MS, Certified Genetic Counselor

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize, Benzie Central Class of 1991 Alumni, Kara J. Milliron, MS, CGC, Certified Genetic Counselor at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. This is Kara's journey as shared with us and the impact Benzie Central teachers had in her success ..We are more than #OneBenzie proud.
My name is Kara Milliron and I am a proud 1991 graduate of Benzie Central High School. My high school years were a bit different than some, as my beloved mother was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer while I was an 8th grader. She was a warrior through my high school years fighting this disease and my Benzie Central family was very supportive and made high school as normal as they could for me.
For such a small school district, I am always amazed at the teaching excellence that Benzie Central High School offers its students. I am so thankful for my science and math teachers: Mr. Plont, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Block, Mrs. Gardner, and the beloved Mr. Gehring who left us too soon. They fostered my interest in genetics and I am proud to say that I use Algebra every day as the quadratic formula is the basic principle of population genetics. However, I am still amazed that Mr. Block allowed Julie Nugent Bretzke and I to weld in his class for our science project, given my clumsiness.
However, many other teachers imparted their knowledge and made me the person I am today. My love of reading comes from Mr. Kik, my appreciation for history comes from Mr. Sheets, my understanding of government and civics comes from Mr. Siderman, and my ability to finish my typed dictations in rapid time comes from Mr. Blazejeski.
I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. I then attended the University of Pittsburgh and was awarded a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling in 1998. Since 1998 I have been the lead genetic counselor in the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. I was board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling in 2002. I work with families that may have an inherited susceptibility to developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. I have participated in over 10,000 adult genetic counseling sessions.
I see patients who may have a cancer diagnosis or a family history of cancer. Most cancer is considered random, or happening by chance. However, about 5-10% of cancers are caused by a gene mutation (change) that has been passed down in the family. I meet with patients undergoing genetic testing to help them understand the test and what the results may mean for themselves and their family. Once the results are received, I help the patient to understand the results, provide emotional support, and discuss recommendations for preventative care, screening recommendations or referrals to support groups or other resources. For my patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer, genetic testing result may influence how the cancer is treated, increase screening for future cancer risk, or patients may consider risk reducing surgery.
If I hadn’t had the teachers I had at Benzie Central High School, I truly believe I would never be a genetic counselor. They supported my educational endeavors and for that I am forever grateful.

Dr. Denis L. Gonyon Jr., MD Plastic Surgeon - Class of 1990

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize Benzie Central Alumni class of 1990, Denis L. Gonyon Jr., MD Plastic Surgeon.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Deb Reed, Denis's mom, and she shared that growing up, Denis always spoke about becoming a lawyer or doctor. Proud mom stated, with an infectious smile, that Denis, whom grew up in Honor, Michigan, has always been humble and kind and has never forgotten where he came from.

Dr. Gonyon shares this on his website, please take a moment to peruse. Denis, we are no doubt, #OneBENZIE proud!
"Growing up in Michigan I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. Then it became a matter of what kind of doctor I wanted to be. During medical school at the University of Michigan, after just one rotation in plastic surgery, I knew that was what I wanted to do. This decision led me to residency at Duke University. Six years later I had just completed one of the best reconstructive training programs, so I sought out the best cosmetic training, which landed me for an additional year in Dallas, Texas for a cosmetic fellowship. I am grateful today for the strength and determination I had to continue my education before starting my own practice. The additional skills and training I received continue to help me produce the results my patients are seeking."

http://www.drgonyon.com/