Lori (MacGirr) Wells - Class of 1983

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize Lori “MacGirr” Wells – Class of 1983.

Lori attended Benzie Central schools from Kindergarten at Betsie Valley to Middle School at Platte River then graduating from Benzie Central High School in 1983.  Lori went on to study Health Administration at Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1987.  While at Eastern, Lori pursued her love of leadership becoming a Residential Hall President and Resident Advisor.  Her role as Student Council President and Cheerleader while at Benzie Central prepared her for these post high school experiences.  Upon graduation from Eastern, Lori’s first job was an Admissions Coordinator at Bortz Nursing Home in Traverse City.  Soon after taking the position, she sat for the Nursing Home Administrator’s licensing exam and was then given the role of Administrator at the same home.   Lori married local boy, Tom Wells, from Copemish, also a graduate from Benzie in 1988.  They have 3 children.  Kevin is 25 and has a Bachelor’s degree from Ferris in Business Administration.  Their daughter, Kendra, is 24 and has a Master’s degree in Social Work.  Their youngest daughter, Claire, is a sophomore at Traverse City West Senior High School, is an avid softball player and has aspirations of being a pediatric nurse. 

In 1990, Lori was hired to be the Director at the Traverse City Senior Center, where she is still employed today.  Her role at the Senior Center is a perfect fit for all things she has a passion for.  As Director, she has enjoyed managing a building along with four off-site locations, a staff of 7 including over 100 volunteers, writing grants, making community presentations, showing compassion and empathy to seniors in need, connecting families with valuable resources and serving on many community groups that focus on services for seniors.  From 1997-1998, Lori left the Senior Center to pursue a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved with the new construction of what is now the Grand Traverse Pavilions.  Lori was hired to create the Intergenerational Community Center which would become an add on service for the Pavilions.  This experience allowed her to be a part of a project from the ground up, with program development, infrastructure and staff development.  It was a great experience.  Once the program was in place, she went back to the Senior Center, where she is now in her 25^th year of employment.  She has been involved with the National Cherry Festival, Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging, and the Bay Area Senior Advocates most recently.   The future is an exciting time for Lori as she and her staff work to build a new Senior Center in Traverse City to accommodate to ever growing senior population – of which she is quickly approaching.  To the Class of 1983 – this is our 35^th Reunion year – let’s celebrate!

Wow Lori, we what a path you’ve chosen and embraced.  We could not be more #OneBENZIE proud.  Continued success and happiness to you and your family.

It seems to be thee common theme..Mrs. Crossman invites you all to like, love and share.

Anne Herron - Class of 1983

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today we would like to recognize class of 1983 alumni, Anne Herron.

 Anne was born and raised in Benzie County and graduated from Benzie Central High School in 1983 as the valedictorian.  She was in National Honor Society, the yearbook staff, Pep Club, FHA and was the first Benzie Central High School Key Club president.

Anne remembers one day helping her fellow students with an assignment and Mr. Gray telling her she should be a teacher.  She wants to give a shout out to her English teachers Mrs. Goodreau, Mr. LoCicero, Mr. Becker, Mrs. McLaren and Mr. Kik.

Since Benzie was so small, she wanted a small college, which is why Anne chose Grand Valley State College (now University).  Her first major was medical technology, but as soon as she learned she had to work on cadavers, she quickly changed her mind and went with her first passion.  Her major was English with a minor in German.  She also earned her teaching certificate.   She graduated in 1987.  While loving the Grand Rapids area, all her classmates were from there and Anne knew they would get the jobs and there were no openings at Benzie, so she moved to California where her older sister already lived.

Anne missed school so much that it wasn’t long until she enrolled at California State University, Fullerton.  She earned her Master’s degree in Early American Literature in 1995.

She credits her parents for her work ethic.  She worked at the Stoplight Restaurant in Honor during high school and at Beulah Drug during her college summers.  Anne is going on 30 years as a teacher for the Orange County Department of Education.

Upon entering California, she immediately got a summer job at a Hallmark Store.  She searched for a teaching job and all she could find that first fall was a part-time tutoring position at a group home for pregnant girls.  That job led to Anne substituting in alternative education schools.  Before she moved to California, she didn’t even know that such schools existed.  For 19 years, she taught all subjects to students that lived in a group home.  The majority of those students did not want to be there, since, even though their parents were unfit, they would rather be homeless and with family.  She then spent 5 years teaching at a lock down facility.  Students that had been arrested and wanted to work on their schooling and anger or drug issues lived at this probation site.  What was most sad there, was that students did so well to turn their lives around and then when they were released, they went home to the same family and neighborhood that got them into trouble the first time around.  Anne is currently teaching junior high at a school for students that live at home but were expelled from their public schools.  Anne says that she knows that all you parents and teachers out there know that schools and students are not the way they used to be.  She tries her best to steer them in the right direction and hopefully instill in them a desire for learning and to be a good citizen.

Anne has no children of her own, but recognizes the importance of giving children good role models.  She was a Brownie Troop leader for 2 years, a Sunday School teacher for 3 years, and she had a “Little Sister” through Big Brothers, Big Sisters for 10 years.

Another area that needs help is animals.  Currently, she works with feral cats (OCCommunityCats.org) (She has 2 rescued cats of her own). Anne feeds existing colonies and they trap as many cats as they can.  The older, wilder cats are spayed or neutered and released back to their spot and the kittens are fostered and homes are found.  They are always looking for a donation.

Anne has been single all her life, although she found someone right after she turned 50.  She says that she is just a late bloomer.  Anne and Jeff have been together now for 3 years.

Anne’s hobbies include traveling (favorite place is London and she has been to 48 states), theatre, and hockey (Go Anaheim Ducks!)  She also loves art.  She remembers feeling rejected by band and choir in 5^th grade, but now sees it as a blessing that she had to take art in 6^th grade.  She belongs to a few monthly art groups that share ideas and trade artwork, and her passion to this day is still reading.  After receiving her Master’s from California State University, Fullerton in 1995, she realized she missed reading and having discussion, so she started a reading group.  There are still 3 original members 23 years later.

Anne says, “Life is good!!”

Anne we would have to agree..life seems to be very good for you.  We are #OneBENZIE proud of all of your accomplishments, and wish you continued happiness and success.  There is no denying, Mrs. Crossman invites you all to like, love and share.

Billie (Grudzien) Hooker - Class of 1998

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI.  Today we would like to recognize Billie (Grudzien) Hooker, Benzie Central alumni class of 1998.

Billie shared that the late Mr. John Gehring was the reason she discovered and became enamored with the Biological Sciences; citing that his strange enthusiasm for life was contagious.  She made mention of her first Biology course at Grand Valley State University being a junior level Genetics course and that she was fully prepared due to the amazing foundation that Mr. Gehring provided.

She too, gave mention of the late Ms. Priscilla Belden as being instrumental in driving her to present herself in a professional manner, and to express herself in the most precise fashion.  She commented that Ms. Belden was a stickler for grammar, and that to this day, she still appreciated her influence in her daily life.

Billie graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s degree and has taken graduate courses in Cell/Molecular Biotechnology there as well.

Billie married her high school sweetheart, Jo Hooker, also a fellow 1998 Benzie Central graduate.  Together, they have two children; Ember (8) and Elliot (5) and a dog; an American Eskimo named Weezie.

Billie enjoys swimming, traveling, visiting the Benzie County area (they hope to purchase property in the area again soon), and painting rocks for the Kindness Rocks Project.  She organizes her work’s donation of more than 100 toys/games for needy children each Christmas.

If Billie could give one word of general advice, to students and adults alike, it is this, “I have never been ‘cool’, but I’ve always been happy.  Life will align with your outlook, so stay positive.”

Billie is currently a forensic scientist with the Michigan State Police in the Biology/DNA unit.  She is an expert in biological fluid identification and DNA analysis.  She processes evidence that is associated with a crime and assists law enforcement agencies across the state with their investigations.  Billie has qualified as an expert in her field, and has testified in court as such on 50 plus different occasions in many Michigan counties.  Billie was instrumental in developing Michigan’s sexual assault kit screening procedure.  She has also taught several courses in evidence collection and preservation, provided training for law enforcement agencies, attorneys, sexual assault nurse examiners, evidence technicians and students both in college and in high school.  Billie added to her accolades, as she is also a member of the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists. 

Billie was also kind enough to lend some career advice.  “When you are thinking of breaking into a field, whether it be a trade or specific degree program, make sure you take a look at current job listings.  They will lay out what qualifications you are expected to have before you are able to apply for that position.  It may not always be what you expect.”

Billie, contrary, we think you ARE #OneBENZIE cool.  What an amazing path you’ve chose and we are proud and thankful for your expertise.  Continued success to you and your family always. 

Yes, you guessed it…Mrs. Crossman says like, love and share!

Billie Hooker

Forensic Scientist

Forensic Science Division

Michigan State Police