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Student Leaders

A series dedicated to students that go above and beyond to serve their school, peers and community.

Third-grader collects winter clothes, blankets to help those in need

Byron Center Erin Albanese

(Photo by Dianne Caroll Burdick) Brown Elementary third-grader Jojo Gurd has worked to collect winter clothes and other items to help people experiencing homelessness in Grand Rapids...

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, third-grader

Northview Morgan Jarema

This student leader wants everyone to be included...

Senior Scouts return to grade school, sprinkling kindness

Caledonia Alexis Stark

Four former Dutton Elementary students are using their platform as Girl Scouts to inspire kindness in younger generations of Wildcats...

This student leader aspires to inspire

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

His advice: seize all opportunities, reach out to others...

Inspiration from others fuels his ambition

Student Leaders Phil de Haan

A political hopeful prepares further during a national conference for student leaders...

‘I didn’t give up’

Student Leaders Hannah Lentz

If a challenge becomes an excuse, said senior Clair Jansma, “it's much harder to overcome and you sacrifice opportunities”...

‘I want to change the world’

Northview Morgan Jarema

Ja'Kaurie Kirkland makes an impression on pretty much everyone he meets, including us. Learn what’s behind his positive outlook...

Young leaders leave a literary legacy

Student Leaders Janice Holst

Fifth graders did their research, worked with a budget and chose a new collection of books for their school as part of a new library legacy committee...

She’s a model for leadership, addressing big issues

Lowell Morgan Jarema

With a focus on local, national and global issues, Eleanor Cooper has dedicated herself to serving as a voice for minorities, an advocate for change...

This leader is always learning

Student Leaders Morgan Jarema

Elle Waldron is president of the Northview High National Honor Society, but she prefers listening to telling others what to do...

She starts small but thinks big: ‘I want girls to change the world’

Rockford Charles Honey

Rockford senior Jillian Snyman is passionate about her commitment to women’s rights, combating sexual abuse and violence, and electing strong Democratic leaders...

She’s a mentor, performer, editor with ‘a servant’s heart’

Northview Morgan Jarema

Mary Holohan is a natural leader, whether performing skits for elementary school kids or editing stories at the student newspaper...

Getting along, helping out are keys for this born leader

Kent City Janice Holst

This high school junior takes pride in keeping up her grades, but isn’t limited to classroom excellence...

School events ‘go live’ thanks to pair of juniors

Sparta Janice Holst

Thanks to the innovation and initiative of two high school computer students, others can now take a class in producing live-feed video...

A ‘drive to do good in the world’

Student Leaders Morgan Jarema

Born in Paris, Léa Schmitt and her family moved to Grand Rapids from France in time for the last few weeks of her sixth-grade year at Breton Downs. She barely spoke English...

Giving back as others gave to them

Student Leaders Erin Albanese

Three sisters, refugees from Rwanda, devote their Monday evenings to volunteering at the Learning Café, an education center in Grand Rapids that serves refugee children...

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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.

From struggling to role model, thanks to strong teacher support

Second-grade teacher: literacy is a civil right

Her motto of ‘always work hard’ leads to early graduation

‘This is when my life starts getting better’: EGR senior pushes through painful loss

Book battle promotes literacy, teamwork

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

Red Hawk Rivals episode 2: ‘Cornhole’

High-school journalists provide behind-the-scenes look at news production

Basketball team unites students, promotes inclusion

His heart is in the health care field

Student Leaders

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