Nathan Hejl - Class of 2012

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI.  Today, we would like to recognize Class of 2012 graduate, Nathan Hejl.  Let’s just say, that Nathan has been very busy and accomplished great things in the last 6 years.

Nathan is a 2012 graduate of Benzie Central High School. Nathan grew up in Lake Ann after his family relocated to the area to be closer to family following his father’s retirement from the Coast Guard. He attended Lake Ann Elementary and Platte River Elementary before continuing on to Benzie Central Middle/High School. In high school, Nathan participated in Student Council, Key Club, National Honor Society, Theater, and BCTV. Among his proudest accomplishments in high school, Nathan helped to revive the defunct School Store and BCTV programs. This entrepreneurial mindset set the stage for Nathan to pursue a degree in business following graduation.

Nathan attended Michigan State University (MSU), earning his undergraduate degree in Marketing from the Eli Broad College of Business. Nathan gave presentations about life as a college student each year during the Benzie Central Middle School’s annual field trip to MSU. While in school, he worked for Lansing-based Jackson National Life Insurance Co., a multinational insurer and subsidiary of U.K.-based Prudential plc. Nathan worked part-time for Jackson during the school year and interned with them during summers. After his sophomore year, he interned in Hong Kong with the corporate marketing team at Prudential Corporation Asia, sister-company to Jackson and one of the largest insurers in Asia, where he was exposed to marketing research as a career path. Later that summer at the MSU Alumni Club of Hong Kong summer reception, he ran into Dr. Richard Spreng, Director of MSU’s Master of Science in Marketing Research (MSMR) Program, who encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree in the field. Now, nearly four years later, he is a graduate of the MSMR program beginning his career in marketing research.

Nathan lives in Cleveland, Ohio and works for Sherwin-Williams as a Marketing Analyst with the Marketing Research team at their downtown Cleveland Headquarters. Nathan manages the consumer, professional, and employee panels to collect feedback, primarily through online surveys and focus groups. The information is then analyzed and reported to Sherwin-Williams senior management and used for the purpose of improving decision making related to the identification and solution of problems and opportunities in marketing. In his free time, he enjoys trying the local food scene in Cleveland (Yes, hometown of Iron Chef Michael Symon and his restaurant empire!) and preparing as a soon-to-be puppy Dad to a Shiba Inu dog named Mochi.

Lastly, as a piece of advice, Nathan shares “Follow your dreams and realize that growing up in rural Northern Michigan will give you a unique perspective on life that is highly valuable. You are fully capable of competing and working with others on a national and even international level. Never settle for less than you’re worth and always give thanks to those who helped you achieve your dreams. Thanks Benzie Central faculty and staff for all of the lives you’ve impacted!”

Nathan, we are so very #OneBENZIE proud.  “Oh the places you will go” comes to mind when reading about your journey.  Thank you for sharing your story with us.  We wish you continued success and happiness, always!

You know how Mrs. Crossman is feeling....like, love and share!

Alyssa Smith - Class of 2011

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI.  Today, we would like to recognize 2011 alumni, Alyssa Smith.

     Alyssa grew up in Thompsonville. She attended Betsie Valley Elementary and Platte River Elementary for grade school. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley were her favorite grade school teachers.

      Alyssa then attended Benzie Central High School. While attending Benzie Central, she also spent a year at the Traverse Bay Area Career Tech Center. She was in the Allied Health program during her time there. Softball and FFA were a huge part of Alyssa’s high school experiences. Alyssa was on the Varsity softball team for three years, two of which she was the captain. Along with that, she was also All Conference and All District in 2009 and 2010.

     Alyssa was in the FFA for all four years of High School. She held the positions of President and Vice President of her chapter. She was also the Treasurer of region six. Alyssa received her regional and state degrees, as well as competed in a variety of competitions. Mr. Block taught Alyssa the leadership skills that she has today. She is not quite sure where she would be today without his patience and dedication.

     After graduating from Benzie Central, Alyssa continued her journey to Kalamazoo. Alyssa attended Western Michigan University for two years in pursue of a nursing degree. While at Western, she held positions at Crystal Mountain Resort, Geno’s Sports bar, and the Roadhouse. After two years of being at Western Michigan University, Alyssa decided to transfer to Ferris State University.

     Alyssa Spent her first semester at Ferris State finishing her last couple pre- requisitions to apply to the nursing program. While waiting to get into the program, Alyssa completed her Bachelors in Health Care Systems Administration. This included completing a 15-week internship in the Emergency Department at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. 

      In the summer of 2016, Alyssa was accepted into The Ferris State Nursing Program. If nursing school wasn’t enough, she still continued to work at the Roadhouse and also started a new job at Iron Fish Distillery. The nursing program came with a lot of ups and downs, however……Alyssa just walked across the stage accepting her diploma just a few weeks ago. (The beginning of May).

     What’s next? Alyssa will be enjoying a much-needed trip to Europe for a month. While she is there, she will be visiting Greece, Italy, and Ireland. When Alyssa returns home, she will be starting her nursing career on a cardiac unit at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Along with the nursing job, Alyssa still plans to continue to work at Iron Fish Distillery.  Alyssa says, “She has been busy her whole life and she couldn’t imagine working just one job”.

Alyssa, we are so very #OneBENZIE proud of you.  Your drive and determination as well as your work ethic will continue to pave your way.  You are a great role model to many and we wish you well in your new career at Munson Medical Center.  Enjoy your trip to Europe, you deserve it!

      Yes, Mrs. Crossman insists….please like, love and share and let’s celebrate Alyssa!

Chase Gray - Class of 2012

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI.  Today, we would like to recognize 2012 alumni, Chase Gray.

 Chase graduated from Benzie Central High School in 2012. During his time at Benzie, he was involved in a number of extracurricular activities. He was Vice President of the Student Council, a member of the Key Club, and editor of the Yearbook, a member of the
National Honors Society, and he was heavily involved with the after school Drama program.
Chase performed in both the fall plays as well as the spring musicals.  Chase had also helped to revive BCTV which was long gone by the time he had reached high school.  With the help of four other students, Chase was able to open a student-run school store.  The store provided school supplies, as well as pieces of screen-printed BCHS themed clothing that was purchased by students and teachers alike.
Chase’s fondest memories while at Benzie Central, were located inside the walls of Mrs. Christy
Case’s choir room. He was an active member of the choir program, and it was there where he
fostered his love of singing. Thanks to Case’s encouragement, Chase began taking private
voice lessons every Tuesday after school. He also auditioned for, and was accepted into the
MSVMA All-State honors choir. This choir consists of the top 100 high school aged vocalist’s in
the state of Michigan, which is decided through a 2-month long audition and performance
process. He was a member for both his junior, and senior year.

After graduating from BCHS, Chase attended Western Michigan University. There, he received
his BFA in Music Theatre Performance. He graduated with honors in 2016. During his time in
Kalamazoo, Chase performed parts in plays both on campus, and off. His favorite being the role
of Shrek, in Shrek: The Musical at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre.

After his time at Western came to an end, Chase booked his first professional theatre contract
right here in Michigan! He worked for 5 months as an actor at The Barn Theatre, a historic
landmark located in the town of Augusta. The Barn is the largest Professional Equity Theatre in
the state of Michigan, and has started the careers of many stage and film actors. This alumni list
includes Jennifer Garner, Tom Wopat, and Stephen Lynch just to name a few. This past fall, Chase
made the move to New York City to continue his pursuits as a professional actor.

Chase would like to leave current students with this piece of advice: “Embrace what makes you
different! It can be SO easy, especially in high school, to want to conform in the hopes of
making life less... complicated. But what I’ve come to realize is that once I learned to love the
things that set me apart, I found myself open to amazing opportunities. Authenticity is rewarded
in the real world! When you start to live your life for yourself, and no one else, you’ll begin to
wonder why you even bothered with that whole ‘normal’ nonsense at all.”
Chase we are in fact #OneBENZIE proud of all of your accomplishments.  Thank you for sharing your journey with us, and continued success as you embrace the many opportunities and dreams you’ve
worked so hard for. You know the requirement here, Mrs. Crossman says, like, love and share!