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
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