Kristi (Sneary) Bush - Class of 1990

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI.  Today, we would like to recognize class of 1990 graduate, Kristi (Sneary) Bush.
Kristi moved to Benzie County in the fall of 1987. She had attended a small Baptist Academy before then, so Benzie felt HUGE! Right away, Kristi was eager to get involved and meet other people, so she joined cheerleading. This would become Kristi's favorite activity at Benzie, and she cheered for football and basketball all four years. During her high school years, Kristi also played Powder Puff football, took baseball stats, was class Vice President for two years and class President for one year, was a member of National Honor Society for two years and NHS Vice President for one year, was a member of Business Professionals of America, and was active with Float, Prom and Senior Trip Committees. Kristi also participated in the Business Office Technology program and earned the Outstanding Regional Technical Education Student in 1990.  If there was something going on at school, Kristi wanted to be there! 

Kristi also worked a number of jobs during her high school and college years at the following local businesses: Birch Tree Inn, Dairy Dream, The Game Room, The Hungry Tummy (Beulah and Frankfort), the City of Frankfort City Clerk's office, Crystal Mountain and Crystal Downs. 

When asked about some of her favorite high school memories, Kristi mentioned biology with Mr. Gehring ("J.G."), working the candy counter at lunch, pep assemblies, dances, and attending sporting events (especially football games). She was also honored to serve as the 1989 Homecoming Queen and the 1989 National Salmon Festival Queen. Her favorite memory, however, was the Senior Trip to Florida and The Bahamas. Kristi graduated 6th in her class in 1990 and attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI. There, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with an English major (thank you, Mr. Kik!) and a biology minor in 1994. 

In the fall of 1994, Kristi took a job teaching high school English in Shepherd, MI. She also coached cheerleading for two years and worked with the Pep Club and Student Improvement Team for several years. In 1995, Kristi met fellow teacher Doug Bush, and they were married in 1996. Their first child, Alex, was born in 1998, and their second child, Adrianna, was born in 2000. In 2001, Kristi earned a Masters Degree in Library Science and Media Technology. She also began an exciting career in online education with Michigan Virtual School at this time. With them, Kristi developed and taught online classes, trained incoming teachers and mentored local students at Shepherd High School who were enrolled in online classes. In 2006, Kristi went from teaching high school English to serving as the Shepherd Public Schools District Media Specialist. In 2014, Kristi returned to her true passion--teaching in the classroom. She currently teaches middles school computers and English Language Arts at Shepherd Middle School. 

Outside of work, Kristi is happiest when she is traveling with her family. She has visited 48 states and 28 countries and islands. Benzie County is second only to the Caribbean in her favorite places to be! She and her husband currently own a small cabin not far from Crystal Mountain. She says there is no place like Benzie County and Crystal Lake in the summertime and has a tradition of spending every 4th of July with her parents who now live in Frankfort. 

Kristi is currently looking forward to her daughter's high school graduation this year, a family cruise this summer, and her son Alex's wedding in 2019. 

Kristi says that Benzie Central High School provided a variety of opportunities that opened the doors for many exciting life adventures and a meaningful, fulfilling career. She is grateful to all of her teachers, coaches, administrators and friends for four unforgettable years at BCHS! She encourages current and future students to take advantage of all that their high school years have to offer and to appreciate living in one of the most beautiful places in the world! According to Kristi, "Every direction that you turn, there is beauty... beautiful water, sandy beaches, rolling hills, and unspoiled forests. Plus, in a smaller school, you can be involved in a variety of activities that will prepare you to embrace the many options that life has to offer. Never take any of that for granted!"

Kristi...we are in fact #OneBENZIE proud of all of your accomplishments.  We wish continued success to you and your family.  You know how Mrs. Crossman feels...like, love and share!