HomeProfiles of Students, Staff, TeachersMeet the Future

Meet the Future

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Northview Morgan Jarema

It’s been nearly six years since Calder Burton inspired what quickly became one of our most popular series, Meet The Future. We recently checked back in with Calder, at a park, because — you’ll read why.

Fifth-grader publishes book, sequel to come

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Discover how student Isaiah Lowe became a published author and learn his plans for his next chapter.

Bespoke shoe biz signals successes to come

Kent City Beth Heinen Bell

This creative sixth-grader has started his own shoe customization business and YouTube channel to help him achieve the goal of higher education.

Already thinking page count & merch

Kent City Alexis Stark

Fourth-grader Xavier Beiter isn’t waiting until he grows up to pursue his passion of writing and illustrating comic books.

Credit to Minecraft? Student plans future in engineering

Cedar Springs Riley Kelley

Cedar Springs High School senior Joslyn Zavala is working toward a career as a civil engineer. Kent Career Tech Center, she said, helped her figure that out.

Snowboarding a ‘rush of adrenaline and happiness’ for seventh-grader

Cedar Springs Riley Kelley

Supported by his school community, this Cedar Springs seventh-grader plans to go pro with his passion for snowboarding.

‘Your brain is so powerful’

Comstock Park Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

She’s fascinated by how the human brain works, what it is capable of and what it can overcome. What has helped her reach her goals so far: communicating and taking advantage of available resources.

‘Seeing the world through the eyes of someone else’

East Grand Rapids Beth Heinen Bell

Whether it’s reading ancient Greek texts in their original language or discovering how one’s native language can affect perspective, everything about linguistics is intriguing to this recent graduate...

Change begins with love

Northview Morgan Jarema

This Northview High senior says her action is about more than a particular cause; it boils down to love...

Doing good well

Forest Hills Carol Lautenbach

Harpreet Kaur has a passion for connecting with others of different faiths...

A black belt in space

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Earth will be safe with this future black-belt astronaut...

Creator and innovator

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

For this Rockford senior, his decision to pursue engineering started with a bag of Legos...

Rider’s experience guided by love, respect for horses

Grand Rapids Erin Albanese

This one-person equestrian team is awarded for cleaning stalls, pitching in...

Avid outdoorsman aims to be one of his generation’s change-makers

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell

This Grandville High senior and police officer-to-be is committed to showing integrity and serving the Grand Rapids community...

Designing his own path, one stone and planting at a time

Cedar Springs Beth Heinen Bell

When this high school senior visits a park these days, he’s thinking about the types of trees planted there or wondering about the placement of a walkway. And he loves it...

00:07:06

‘Music is about saying things without words’

Meet the Future Morgan Jarema

Senior Elijah Cosby plays virtually every percussion instrument, including drum set, marimba, xylophone and timpani...

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ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Teacher’s latest book focuses on motivation in education

Former principal returns to read, substitute teach at his old school

Fifth-grader publishes book, sequel to come

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

Montessori students sound out the basics of bluegrass

Diving into social-emotional learning

‘The journey’s not over’: High-schoolers showcase Black history

Art contest celebrates kindness, compassion and community

Parade of Nations is celebration of diversity

Meet the Future

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