Jason Flynn - Class of 1997

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today we would like to recognize class of 1997 Alumni, Jason Flynn. Take a moment to read about Jason's incredible story as he chases his passion, giving some great insight on the secret to happiness.
Jason graduated from Benzie Central in 1997. After graduation, he deferred his traditional fall entrance to college, in lieu of a chance to move to Colorado and pursue snowboarding.
Circumstances beyond his control, brought him back home to Benzie County after a couple months, and he started school at Northwestern Michigan University in the winter of 1998.
Jason spent the next two and half years attending NMC part time, while teaching snowboarding at Crystal Mountain Resort, and working various summer jobs ranging from bike mechanic to boat/jet ski rental technician.
In the fall of 2001, he took a part time sales job, driving locally made gourmet food products to holiday markets and grocery expos around the country. This was his first foray into real world sales, and it was on one of those sales trips he found himself back in Colorado where he connected with a friend in Aspen who offered Jason an avenue to come back to snowboarding professionally in one of the world’s most notorious markets.
In February 2002, Jason officially moved to Aspen to teach snowboarding on Aspen mountain, while he was working in a snowboard shop as the general manager. It was during that first year, that he met his friends turned business partners, and together in 2003, they would found High Society Freeride company; a business dedicated to designing, sourcing and distributing a unique mix of sporting goods, outdoor and lifestyle products to markets all over the world. Jason Flynn, Co-Founder; High Society Freeride Co. Aspen, CO-(International creator and supplier of outdoor sporting goods and lifestyle brand, EST. 2003)
Jason has been working within High Society Freeride, wearing all the hats of an entrepreneur for the past 15 years. His day to day responsibilities include sales and marketing to customer service and product conceptualization, research and design, sourcing, testing and distribution, as well as investor relations, business strategy, account management and financial analysis. Awards and accolades that Jason has picked up and earned along the way are: Emerging business of the year through the Aspen Chamber 2007, Outside Magazine Gear of the Year (snowboards) for 2014 and 2015, Freeskier Magazine editor’s choice (skis) for 2013, 2014, and 2015, Locals Choice (snowboards) Westword Magazine 2016 (Denver), and Skiing Magazine gold medal (skis) for 2015.
In his personal time, Jason enjoys spending time with his little family in Woody Creek, playing ice hockey, golf, snowboarding, and bow hunting. He spends a few weeks a year in Benzie county, usually in the summers, where his family still resides in Benzonia.
Jason is proud to say that after a 16-year hiatus, he completed his Associates degree from NMC, in the fall of 2017, stating better late than never. He believes that the secret to happiness is to stay curious and to keep learning. Time is your most precious resource and optimizing your time for the most impact is paramount to being organized, productive and to be less stressed in a busy life. Jason’s current favorite quote to date is this, “No such thing as spare time, no such thing as free time, no such thing as down time. All you got is life time ..GO”-Henry Rollins.
Please take a moment and visit www.highsocietyfreeride.com
Jason we are without a doubt #OneBENZIE proud of your full circle journey and your pursuing your passion. Continued success to you and High Society Freeride.
You know how Mrs. Crossman feels...like, love, share, and perhaps even consider some High Society snowboarding!

Heather Bruce (Gray) - Class of 1995

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALMUNI.
Today we would like to recognize class of 1995 alumni, Heather Bruce (Gray). Heather attended K-6 at Platte River Elementary and 7-12 at Benzie Central High School, graduating in 1995 among the TOP TEN in her class. The high school teachers who had the most impact on Heather during that time were Mr. Lynch, Mr. Gehring, and Ms. Belden. To Heather, they all seemed to enjoy what they did, and they treated their students like young adults, rather than children, often forcing students to think outside of the box. Heather played softball while in high school, and was involved in student council, National Honor Society, Key Club, and the inaugural class of BCTV, as well as the Future Problem Solving Program.
After high school, Heather attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, graduating with High Distinction with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1999. The highlight of her college career outside of the classroom, was attending the Rose Bowl and watching the Michigan Wolverines win the national football championship in 1997-98. She was able to attend the University of Michigan, due in part, to the generosity of the Benzie Community, as she received the Benzie County Central Schools Educational Foundation Scholarship. While at the University of Michigan, she participated in intramural sports and worked every semester in the UM work-study program. She was also fortunate to work many summers waiting tables at The Cherry Hut in Beulah, where she learned to appreciate hard work as well as how to communicate with people.
After her graduate studies, she then attended law school at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Juris Doctorate degree in 2004. While in law school, Heather was on the Law Review and interned with the Michigan Supreme Court.
Heather started her law career in Traverse City in 2004, as an associate in one of the largest law firms in Michigan, where she practiced insurance defense/civil litigation. By that time, she was already married to Kirk Bruce (BCHS class of 1994) and had had her first son. Realizing that the large firm culture and motherhood were not exactly compatible, she decided to start her own law firm in late 2011. What started in early 2012 as a three-person law office is now Swogger, Bruce and Miller Law firm (www.swoggerandbruce.com), with six full-time attorneys and a staff of four. Her practice is now focused on estate planning, probate/trust administration, real estate, and business work. Although she still appreciates a good “lawyer joke”, with all joking aside, she cannot think of a better career for herself that combines analytical reasoning, reading and writing, and working closely with clients, often during very difficult times to resolve issues and disputes.
In the past, Heather has served on the Almira Township Planning Commission and has been involved with the local bar association program to provide pro bono legal services at the local Women’s Resource Center. Heather has been asked to speak to many local groups, including Benzie County Seniors on the importance of Estate planning. She has also served on the board of the Lake Ann Elementary PTA for the last six years and has coached both of her son’s basketball teams.
Her two sons, Fisher (6th grade, BCMS) and Quincy (3rd grade, Lake Ann Elementary) attend school in the Benzie Central district. Her advice to her sons as well as all other Benzie students is to set high goals for yourselves, work hard, ask for help if you need it, and don’t let the opinions or judgments of others dictate your happiness or your path in life.
Heather, we are in fact #OneBENZIE proud of your accomplishments, and consider ourselves lucky that you and your family are actively a part of our district. Thank you! You know how Mrs. Crossman feels…like, love and share!

Cory Taylor- Class of 2012

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize 2012 Benzie Central graduate, Cory Taylor. Take a moment to read about Cory’s accomplishments, and the journey he continues to navigate to reach his dream. Cory graduated from Benzie Central in 2012. He attended the Benzie Central school district for all of his schooling, starting at Platte River and then moving to Lake Ann Elementary during the grand opening when he was in first grade. While at Benzie Central, Cory participated in football, basketball and the National Honors Society. After graduation, he began his undergrad studies at Michigan State University the following fall with an early intention to eventually enter in to the field of medicine. While there, Cory participated in evolution and development research and volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club. During his summers home back in beautiful Benzie County, his work included landscaping with Mr. Kennedy (current JV boys’ basketball coach) among other things and he continued his pursuit of medicine by volunteering at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort. Within four years, Cory earned his Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from the Honors College at Michigan State University. At that point, he decided to take a year off prior to starting medical school and received great work exposure to the medical field in a clinic in East Lansing. Currently, Cory is a first-year medical student attending Michigan State University College of Human Medicine where he will earn a Medical Doctorate (M.D.) degree in 2021.
He resides in Grand Rapids with fellow Benzie Central graduate and longtime partner, Courtney Worden. The College of Human Medicine has multiple campuses with Cory’s being located on the “medical mile” in downtown Grand Rapids, in close proximity to Spectrum Health. Currently medical school includes lots of basic science (physiology/microbiology/pharmacology/pathology), time in clinics seeing patients, practicing with simulated patients, and anatomy lab. After graduation and with the completion of his Medical Doctorate, Cory plans to pursue a residency in a surgical field.
Cory shared this, “Many people talk about how long furthering your education can be and all of the difficulties that can be associated with that. The more I have matured, I have learned to enjoy the journey every day/week while working toward my goals. Advice that I wish I would have taken to heart at a younger age but has served me well now is this: Shoot for your dreams no matter how crazy and don’t be afraid to fail, surround yourself with people who help you become a better person, and find something you’re so passionate about that you never want to stop learning more.”
Go Huskies! Go Green!
Thank you for sharing, Cory. The sky is the limit for you. We are so very #OneBENZIE proud of your "passion to learn more!"
You absolutely know how Mrs. Crossman feels...like, love and share!

 

 

Joe Smetlzer - Class of 2008

WELCOME TO BENZIE COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOLS FEATURED FRIDAY ALUMNI. Today, we would like to recognize class of 2008 graduate, Joe Smeltzer. Take a moment to read up on Joe's accomplishments and the amazing work he is currently engaging in. Joe graduated from Benzie Central High School in 2008. He grew up near Frankfort on the family farm and spent much of his formative years outside. He enjoyed many different local activities including skiing, pond hockey, bon fires, and days on the local beaches. While at Benzie Joe was involved in a multitude of extracurricular activities including National Honors Society, Key Club, Soccer, Cross Country, Student Council, Track and Field, and multiple musicals and drama productions.

After high school Joe went on the attend Kettering University (formally General Motors Institute) in Flint Michigan to study Mechanical Engineering. While at Kettering, Joe participated in many intramural sports, was a peer tutor, became a member of Tau Beta Pi national engineering honors society, worked as a Resident Assistant in the dorms, assisted in freshman orientation and integration programs, and studied abroad for 3 months in Konstanz Germany. Kettering offered some unique opportunities to Joe through their co-op program which allows all of their students to gain large amounts of internship like experience while attending. The school uses a quarter style schedule and students attend school for three months then go to a full-time internship for three months and continue to switch back and forth through out their career. Taking this route, Joe was able to gain two and half years of valuable work experience at companies like Trelleborg Automotive and General Motors.

After graduating Suma Cum Laude in 2012, Joe went on to work full time for General Motors in Detroit as a Studio Design Engineer. This role is a liaison position between creative design personnel and engineers within GM. They serve as the moderator between the two groups and endeavor to integrate all of engineering’s requirements inside designs aesthetically pleasing surfaces. He has worked in the Advanced Design studio for almost 5 years now working on future projects that are planned to be released in the future; within 4 to 7 years. One project Joe worked on that was recently released to the public, was the GM Fuel Cell platform called Surus, ( for more information click here http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/oct/1006-fuel-cell-platform.html, be sure the look at the photo gallery).

Outside of work, Joe plays on multiple soccer teams year-round, volunteers with A World In Motion STEM programs, mentors a FIRST Robotics team, and helps run a program within GM to help engage, develop, and connect GMs interns, co-ops, and new hires. Joe lives in the metro Detroit area and visits Northern Michigan often through out the year with his recently adopted dog Morgan.

Joe has two pieces of advice to give to current students, first “Excel at what you’re doing right now. Keep your goals in mind but, don’t sacrifice the present in pursuit of the future. People will notice the hard work you are putting in and it will only help you.” And the second is, “If you get the chance to study or travel abroad, take it. It was one of my most cherished experiences.”

Joe, we admire your journey thus far, and could not be more #OneBENZIE proud.

You know how Mrs. Crossman feels, "you just have to, like, love and share this."

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!