Jason Nordbeck - Class of 1993

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize Jason Nordbeck from the class of 1993. Please take a moment to read about Jason and his amazing accomplishments, paying close attention to a special mention he makes in regard to a Benzie Central teacher that helped guide and shape the man that he is today.
As a student at Benzie Central, Jason participated in basketball, track, cross country, and football. In basketball, during his senior year he was conference MVP, scoring over 1000 points over his career and in track was state champ in the 110 hurdles.

After graduation, he attended Alma College and earned a BA in Education in 1997. While at Alma, he played basketball and ran track and cross country. At Alma, he met his future wife, Tammy.

After graduating with his Bachelors Degree from Alma, he married his college sweetheart and settled in Grand Blanc, MI. There, he began working at Holly Elementary teaching and supporting the students with influence as a positive male role model in their upper elementary years, as well as coaching cross country and basketball at Holly High School. While working in Holly, he began work on his Masters degree at the University of Michigan-Flint, which he later finished at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2006 with a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Education. Studying and attending classes evenings and weekends while working and caring for his kids, Jason made sure the Master’s degree was never forgotten.

After becoming a father, he moved his family to Livonia, MI, where he has made a home for the past 16 years. He has taught at Smith Elementary in Plymouth for 14 years, mostly in 4th and 5th grade, serving the school as the “Leader in Me student lighthouse” team staff sponsor. The Leader in Me program provides seven habits for success in life, and Smith Elementary recently achieved a “Lighthouse” school designation, joining only 18 other schools in Michigan with this level of achievement. He’s also completed the district’s administrative internship program to prepare for becoming an administrator. His love for the classroom (and the playground) won out, and he is still behind the big desk in the corner, waiting for recess time to come around so that he can challenge the class to a game of basketball.

Jason is a leader in the community, as well. As his family has grown, he has coached many a youth sport, including flag football, tee ball, youth baseball, softball and his favorite, basketball. At church, he has served in the AWANA program as a weekly leader for the 3rd-5th grade boys, and is currently serving a parish as a Deacon. He also supports the local high school as the cross country team “dad” making breakfast for 20-some teen boys each Wednesday morning in season.

He’s approaching 20 years of marriage to his wife, Tammy, and they have four active kids, Jackson (17), Braden (15), Emerson (11) and McKinnon (9) who keep them busy cheering for them in sports and musical pursuits. Sending the first-born across the graduation stage this upcoming June has him thinking back to his graduation.
Jason said, “I never thought that college would be my next step, but I had a teacher and coach in Mr. Bill Lynch that believed in me and pushed me to take that next leap. I try to be the type of teacher who mentors my students as I was mentored during my years at Benzie. We sometimes think we know our limitations, but it is not until we push ourselves to the limit that we actually reach our potential. Push yourself you might be surprised where you end up!”

Jason Nordbeck....we are in fact #OneBENZIE proud!! Like, love and share!

Todd Addis - Class of 2005

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize 2005 graduate, Todd Addis. Take a moment to read through Todd's amazing accomplishments and soak up his excellent words of advice.

Todd graduated from Benzie Central High School in 2005. He grew up in Lake Ann, where he spent much of his time outdoors, enjoying fishing, hunting, boating, snowmobiling, and all of the great things Northern Michigan has to offer. As a student at Benzie Central, Todd was active with the Ski Team, BCTV, lighting and sound for the auditorium, Student Council, National Honors Society, and graduated as co-valedictorian.

After high school, Todd attended the University of Michigan, majoring in Mechanical Engineering and graduating with honors. During his time at Michigan, he was part of an engineering team that worked in collaboration with the UM Health System and Medical School to design a new biopsy device that would help prevent life-threatening blood loss for patients. Todd also interned at Johnson Controls, Inc., where he supported automotive seating design and manufacturing for their General Motors business unit.

Following graduation, Todd went on to work at Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation (part of Dow Chemical) near Midland, MI, where he managed construction projects involving reactors, process chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, and other chemical processing equipment. While working at Hemlock, Todd also went back to school to earn his Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and purchased and fully renovated his first fixer-upper home.

In 2013, Todd accepted a new position at Stryker in Kalamazoo, MI, where he managed projects to design and build custom production line equipment for medical device manufacturing plants in Ireland, Germany, Japan, and Michigan. During his time there, he passed the PE exam to become a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan, while also becoming a backyard chicken farmer in his free time.

Most recently, Todd accepted an opportunity at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI, a health system consisting of 12 hospitals, a health insurance provider, and numerous medical offices across West Michigan. There, he supports 8 million+ square feet of facility space by managing construction projects involving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, building automation, elevators, data centers, and many other critical building systems.

Todd is married to his wife Claire, who was born and raised in Southeast Michigan and earned her Chemical Engineering degree from Purdue University. They live in Rockford, MI, and enjoy visiting Northern Michigan often. They recently welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Sadie, to the family – their most rewarding adventure yet.

The best piece of advice Todd can give to current students is to “work hard to reach your goals, and never settle for anything less than what makes you happy – sometimes life takes you different directions and the path isn’t always clear, but just keep moving and you will get where you want to be.”

Todd, we are over the top, #OneBENZIE proud. This is an absolute like, love and share.

Shannon (Knudson) Leahy, DDS - Class of 1992

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize class of 1992 graduate, Dr. Shannon (Knudson) Leahy, DDS.

While in high school at Benzie Central, Shannon was involved in band, volleyball, Key Club, and National Honors Society.

After high school, Shannon was awarded academic scholarship to Hope College and from there, transferred to Western Michigan University in 1994. After 3 years of undergraduate studies, Shannon was granted early admission to dental school, simultaneously applying for and receiving the U.S. Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program scholarship, a full-ride to dental school (the program still exists today for those interested in medicine/ dentistry and willing to serve- a fantastic opportunity for those looking to leave school debt-free) and began studies at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in 1995. Upon graduation from dental school in 1999 and licensed to practice dentistry, she was assigned to Naval Station Mayport, FL, providing dentistry to military stationed on base or assigned to ships. A year later, Shannon received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was assigned to a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with the Marine Service Support Group (MSSG). Forward deployed for six months in 2002, and assigned to the USS Trenton, Shannon then participated in providing dentistry to U.S. Marines aboard ship and to citizens of Djibouti, Africa where access to dental care was practically non-existent. While in Africa, Shannon worked without electricity or running water, and restrooms were… well, interesting. Other missions of the MSSG included building and supplying schools, helping the Djiboutians find fresh, clean sources of drinking water, and providing basic medical care to the civilians. She was fortunate enough to see France, Greece, Spain, and Bahrain while deployed. Truly, God has blessed America- and while she felt fortunate to see life and sights in other places, Shannon was most appreciative to come back home!

Engaged at the time, to her now- husband Kenneth whom was also on the MEU, assigned to another ship. He, too, served as a Navy Dental Officer. After resigning her commission, she and Kenneth eventually moved to the Raleigh, NC area and opened Leahy Family Dentistry in 2007. They have two children, Dominic (12) and Keira (11) and a new pup, Gracie. Shannon has been involved with various community activities, including Junior Woman’s Club (leaving to start a women’s group at her church with service focus), leading a Children’s Dental Health seminar at the local community center, visiting local Kindergarten classrooms to discuss dental health, and most recently joining a mission to Nicaragua through Rotary International which provides dentistry to those without access to care. There, she coordinates with their County Hygienist to help ensure children in their local schools who have dental treatment needs are cared for- targeting those whose parents cannot afford dental treatment but who do not qualify for Medicaid services.

Along the way, she has learned a litany of words of wisdom- but these are absolutes: Shannon has learned to be grateful for blessings in disguise. Top grades are great, but some of the most successful people she has come across are charismatic and possess top interpersonal skills and a willingness to try a new path even though it may lead to failure. Most importantly, you are who you hang out with so be selective about who you call “friend”, keeping close to those who inspire you to be your very best and who hold you to a high standard of behavior.

It has been awhile since the Navy has brought Shannon away from Michigan and since she’s become a southern transplant. To this day, when she speaks of “home,” in her heart as she refers to Benzie County- memories of the cozy towns of Honor, Beulah, and Frankfort all which warm her heart. Shannon is forever thankful for the fantastic education and support she received at Benzie Central, where truly some of the best teachers out there walk your halls and grace your classrooms!

LeahyFamilyDentistry.com

Shannon, Shannon, Shannon…we could just not be more #OneBENZIE proud. What a truly inspiring journey yours has been. Continued success to you. As always, it's a must...like, love and share!

 

 

Danielle Plumstead (Moss) - Class of 2004

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI.
Today we would like to recognize Danielle Plumstead (Moss). Danielle graduated from Benzie Central High School in 2004. Take a moment to read about Danielle's accomplishments and appreciate her positive advice at the bottom.
Danielle attended Alma College where she graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training. Danielle always knew she wanted to work in the medical field and it was during her time at Alma that she realized she wanted to pursue her passion of helping others by obtaining her nursing degree. Upon graduation from Alma College in April 2008, Danielle attended Duquesne University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated with honors in August 2009. Danielle has enjoyed working as an RN on medical surgical and labor and delivery units, and most recently, as a home health nurse in Oklahoma. Currently, Danielle is enjoying her time staying at home with her young sons. On December 19, 2009 Danielle married her high school sweetheart John Plumstead in Traverse City, MI. John and Danielle have four sons, Carson (5), Griffin (4), Wyatt (2), and Chase (8 months). The Plumstead Family has moved six times in the past 8 years due to John's military career, having lived in Oklahoma three times, Wisconsin, Colorado, and now Washington. Their family will be moving in the spring of 2018 to West Point, NY. Advice Danielle would give to her younger self is, "Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people that challenge you and make you better."
Danielle, we are #OneBENZIE proud! As always, like, love and share away.

 

 

Victoria Mekas (Mitchell) - Class of 1997

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today we would like to recognize class of 1997 Alumni, Victoria Mekas (Mitchell). Victoria graduated from Benzie Central in 1997. While she was in high school, she was a member of FFA, NHS, Academic Letter club, and Key club. FFA played a big role in her future, learning very important life skills, parliamentary procedure, and many things she uses in business today.
Victoria knew from an early age that she wanted to own a flower shop in her hometown that she loves so much. After graduation, she attended MSU for a few years and in 2001 decided to just go for it and opened a flower shop in Beulah. The support from the community was overwhelming! Victoria outgrew her small space in Beulah and moved to the building she had built by her dad (Mitchell Builders) in Benzonia in 2004. When she and her now husband (Chris Mekas) were figuring out moving the shop, they decided it would be a good idea to have something other than just flowers to draw people up the hill. They decided on gourmet ice cream and sorbet. So, they sought out an ice cream and gelato school in North Carolina (just for a few weeks!) and opened Hill Top Soda Shoppe. rBST free, gluten free, and GMO-free dairy, sweetened with Michigan sugar and using as many local ingredients as they can since they opened their doors in 2005! Since then, Benzie Cross Country started a little tradition with coach Moss and the teams (middle and high schools) runs up to the shop at the end of the year to get free ice cream. Victoria and Chris like to believe that they play a part in the cross-country team’s success. 😉
In 2013 Victoria and Chris were bored so they decided to open a coffee shop/gift store in Frankfort. Petals and Perks has grown into such a staple for the Frankfort community, open 365 days a year they offer a free community Thanksgiving dinner and a free community Christmas brunch. Offering higher Grounds coffee, flavored syrups made for them in Traverse City (and a couple made in house), soups and baked goods made right on site. Waffles, breakfast sandwiches, real fruit smoothies and Hill Top ice cream, along with Michigan and USA made gifts. Again, they thought they needed a little something else so…..in 2015 they opened Lynn and Perin Mercantile, Co. Lynn and Perin is a gourmet food store on Main Street. Quality food has always been a passion for the Mekas’, so you can get specialty vinegars and oils, spices, jams, beer, wine, cheese and countless other gourmet foods and gifts at Lynn and Perin. Victoria loves supporting the community that she grew up in, by offering jobs (26 in the middle of summer), donating, taking part in events, etc. In 2015 Victoria and Chris also introduced Beatrice to the mix of things and hopefully she will take on the love of entrepreneurship like her parents, and might even be a little Benzie Central Husky herself!
Victoria, we are #OneBENZIE proud!
www.hilltopsodashoppe.com
victoriasfloraldesign.com
www.lynnandperin.com
petalsandperks.com
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