Class of 2010/2011
Thanksgiving 2022 shopping: per her mom, Kristin O'Kon (am session) has moved back to Bay City and has two children.
Update from the mom of Kristin O'Kon (am session) while checking out at Jack's Market on December 26, 2020. Kristin is living in Alpena and has a 15 month old child and another on the way. Congrats, Kristin!
Email update from Riley Pashak (am) in response to Mrs. Birchler's coronavirus post on March 31, 2020:
"... in July I defended my Masters thesis, and as of December, 2019 (finally) completed my degree and officially have my MS degree. Back in November while wrapping my document up I started a new job as a remote Health Coach for Noom!"
Congratulations, Riley!
"... in July I defended my Masters thesis, and as of December, 2019 (finally) completed my degree and officially have my MS degree. Back in November while wrapping my document up I started a new job as a remote Health Coach for Noom!"
Congratulations, Riley!
January 30, 2020 update on Sarah Lesperance (am session) from her big sister Emily (Mrs. Birchler's AHA training center coordinator): Sarah decided dental hygiene wasn't for her and is currently working full time as an aide at McLaren Bay Region hospital. In addition, Sarah is in the midst of wedding planning for this fall. Congrats, Sarah!
Mrs. Birchler met with her AHA training center coordinator on April 23, 2019 and learned that the coordinator is a former Career Center student who just happens to be the "big sister" of Sarah Lesperance (am session). Sarah is waiting to validate for a dental hygiene clinical this fall. It also happens to be Sarah's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Sarah!
Mrs. Birchler has been working on a scrapbook of her ten years of teaching. Here are some nice memories.
Email update from Lindsey Jackson (pm session): "I work in Ypsilanti at St.Joseph Mercy Hospital monitoring cardiac patients and I do travel EKGs throughout Michigan. I am certified as a Cardiac Technician . I switched my program to Ultrasound at Delta college and am currently waitlisted for clinicals."
Mrs. Birchler saw Jason Federspiel (pm session) in the parking lot of Krogers in Essexville on September 7, 2018. Jason lived in Auburn for about 6 years and just recently moved back to Pinconning. Jason is currently working at the Essexville Taco Bell.
Hendrix Leland Riis was born to Bridget (Holbrook) Riis (pm session) on June 1, 2018. He weighed 8 lbs, 1 oz and measured 21.5 inches. Mother and baby doing great. As you can tell by the photo, he is a happy baby!
June 1, 2018 update on Stepfanie Kill (am session) from her little sister Kim from the class of 2016/2017. Stepfanie's son is already 3 years old; she is planning on returning to school and work on a PT degree.
Email update from Sawyer Stanley (am session) on May 31, 2018. Sawyer has a daughter who was born 4/9/18. Sawyer is working as a CNA at the Bay County Medical Care Facility and hopes to go back to school soon.
Email update from Sarah for her older sister Elizabeth Nagel (am session) on April 30, 2018. Elizabeth is a nurse at Covenant and works nights on SICU. She just got married in October of 2017 and is expecting her first child this October.
Email update from Bridget Holbrook Riis (pm session) on April 18, 2018: "I have been living in the Lansing area for a little over 2 years now. I currently work as an Administrator at a childcare center in the area and I love it. My husband and I are expecting our first little one on May 24th." Congratulations, Bridget!
Email update received from Riley Pashak (am session ) on April 17, 2018. Riley in a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Kinesiology and Health Promotion - Biomechanics at the University of Kentucky.
Shelby Backus (pm session) graduates with her MSOT from SVSU on December 15, 2017. Congrats, Shelby!
Kasey Neetz (pm session) received her degree in exercise science from SVSU and is working as fitness director at Tom Barba's Auburn Physical Therapy clinic. Kasey is promoting a fitness boot camp this spring. Per Mr. Barba, Kasey is applying to the DPT program at the University of St. Augustine in Florida.
Shelby Backus (pm session) came to the Career Center on February 9, 2017 as an alumni representative at the Open House. Shelby is ready to begin her Level 2 clinicals in May through the MSOT program at SVSU; she will be finished in December 2017. She says that she loves working with geriatric patients.
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Jamie Hain (pm session) came to the classroom on January 24, 2017. Jamie talked to students about the OT program at Western Michigan University and the benefits she received from having attended the Career Center. Jamie also came into the lab and mentored students as they were practicing the Berg Balance scale. |
Email update from Shelby Backus (pm session) on January 23, 2017: " I am currently in my second and final year in the MSOT program (at SVSU)! I begin my level II fieldwork experience starting in May."
Email update on January 20, 2017 from Jamie Hain (pm session): Jamie graduated from Western Michigan University with her MSOT in December 2016. She is currently studying to take her board exam in February. She is now Mrs. McKimmy (as of three weeks ago) and lives in Novi.
Mrs. Birchler crossed paths with Andrew Wojciechowski (am session) at O'Reilly Auto Parts in Essexville on December 23, 2016. Andrew expects to finish his degree in history in Spring 2017. He works full time and takes classes at SVSU. Mrs. Birchler was looking for an emergency blanket for the HOSA CPR/first aid competitive event. Andrew didn't have one at the store but he knew exactly in which department it could be found at Meijer. Success!
Samantha Henika and Stephanie Maraskine (pm session) visited the classroom on December 7, 2016. Sam and Stephanie are both at SVSU. Stephanie is applying to the MSOT program for admission in Spring 2017 and Sam will follow her in Spring 2018. Stephanie also became Mrs. Gilkes in September 2016 and has a "fixer-upper" house.
Stepfanie Kill (am session) returned to the Career Center with her son, L.J., to watch the HOSA officer installation of her younger sister, Kim, as Parliamentarian.
Mrs. Birchler saw Kristin O'Kon and Ashley Burpee (am session) while touring SVSU with her current students on October 7, 2016. Ashley has finished her accounting degree and Kristin was just admitted to the MSOT program at SVSU.
Mrs. Birchler met up with Stepfanie Kill (am session) at Meijer in January 2016. Stepfanie is the proud mother of Joseph Michael, born November 2015. Stepfanie is preparing to take a CNA class and find a better-paying job.
December 9, 2015 email update from Bridget Holbrook (pm session):"We found out a few weeks ago that my fiancé received a position as an intern with the Sparrow hospital IT department for his last semester at Central. Therefore, we are moving to Lansing in the next couple of weeks (great timing with the holidays, I know.) I will be taking a position with a childcare center as the Lead Infant Caregiver. The center was just built and opened up November 30th, so everything is brand new! I have also applied and interviewed with a place called Residential Options, Inc that does behavior therapy for children with developmental disabilities. I am still waiting to hear about that but it seems promising! So most likely I will be working two jobs until something changes. Our wedding is still set to be June 4th in Midland, so we will be visiting back and forth a lot!"
December 2015 update from Riley Pashak (am session): " The biggest news going on with me is that I am completing an internship with the American Sports Medicine Institute, and upon returning to Michigan I will Graduate from Grand Valley December 12th. So as of now I am looking for some temporary jobs back home, while completing applications for Graduate School, which I hope to attend next Fall!"
July 2015 email update from Bridget Holbrook (pm session): "I graduated from Central with a Bachelor's of Science in Child Development in May. I was offered a position to be the Lead Infant Caregiver at one of the Kinder Kare locations in Midland before I graduated and I accepted. I started working there at the end of May after I moved to Auburn. Since I decided against applying to PT school due to various reasons, I am thinking about pursuing an education to become a lactation consultant in the future." Bridget will be married in June 2016.
June 24, 2015 email update from Emily Srebinski (pm session) in response to receiving her Gifted Hands essay written four years ago: "So an update on my current life. So far I have bought a house, new vehicle, I am getting married next year. I currently work as a CENA for Mclaren Bay Region and Mid-Michigan Health in Midland as well. So two big jobs. I also just finished my last semester at Delta to validate for clinicals for the Physical Therapist Assistant program. I recently found out i've been accepted into the program. So I will begin that journey as soon as fall rolls around the corner."
Kasey Neetz (pm session) visited the Career Center on May 22, 2015. Kasey will graduate from SVSU in December 2015 with a degree in Exercise Science. She expects to go into a PTA program when she finishes her bachelor's degree.
May 6, 2015 email update from Riley Pashak (am session): Riley is in spring semester at Grand Valley. He is finishing up his fieldwork at a physical therapy clinic in Grand Rapids. In addition he has a professional capstone class. He will finish up his degree with an internship - possibly in Colorado - and graduate in December 2015. Riley will be unable to attend the alumni networking event because the semester is not finished until June.
March 24, 2015 email update from Tyler Piotrowski (am session):
"I graduated with honors early in December with my degree in athletic training from Florida Southern College! I have yet to take the BOC from all of the other exciting stuff in my life going on, but I am committed to taking it by end of summer!
I am currently one of the managers for a flagship men's lululemon athletica store in Miami Beach as my days with the Detroit Tigers made me realize a full career of athletic training (90hrs/wk) was not the life for me. They had offered me a position when I graduated but I am happily in my role down here hoping to be in corporate in Vancouver, BC within the next year!"
"I graduated with honors early in December with my degree in athletic training from Florida Southern College! I have yet to take the BOC from all of the other exciting stuff in my life going on, but I am committed to taking it by end of summer!
I am currently one of the managers for a flagship men's lululemon athletica store in Miami Beach as my days with the Detroit Tigers made me realize a full career of athletic training (90hrs/wk) was not the life for me. They had offered me a position when I graduated but I am happily in my role down here hoping to be in corporate in Vancouver, BC within the next year!"
January 12, 2015 email update from Jenae' Snyder (am session):
"I am currently going to delta to get my associate degree in child development. I will be done next fall and onto getting my bachelors in child development from Ferris through the delta 2 in 1 program. When finished I plan on opening up my own Montessori based daycare/ preschool with my sister. Big plans and big dreams. I cannot wait to complete them!"
"I am currently going to delta to get my associate degree in child development. I will be done next fall and onto getting my bachelors in child development from Ferris through the delta 2 in 1 program. When finished I plan on opening up my own Montessori based daycare/ preschool with my sister. Big plans and big dreams. I cannot wait to complete them!"
Mrs. Birchler had to send out a broadcast email to former students for help with HOSA when regional competition had to be rescheduled for January 9, 2015. She received this email update from Austin Johnson (am session) who is now living in Illinois:
"I landed a job in corporate GNC! I love my job and I'm training currently to take my own region.... After that I plan on opening several franchises. It is great that I can get paid to do what I love. I am very fortunate that I didn't waste any more time in college after my football injury as well. I should've listened more during the nutrition part of our class because I would have saved me some time now haha."
Another student who replied was Sawyer Stanley (am session) who reported that she works as a CNA at the Bay County Medical Care Facility and waitresses at Cracker Barrel; Sawyer plans to start college in fall 2015.
An email update was also received from Riley Pashak (am session):
"I have begun my final full time semester at Grand Valley, although I will not be graduating until next Winter. I am currently applying for observation hours with organizations for the spring, and an internship next fall, and I am in a human biomechanics class that I think may help me figure out where/ what I want to do when considering graduate school and career options."
Mrs. Birchler saw Bridget Holbrook (pm session) and Emily Srebinski (pm session) in January 2015. Both told of seeing each other at an expo in Saginaw and asking if the other had seen Mrs. Birchler lately and the next thing they knew, they found Mrs. Birchler at the same bridal expo with her daughter. Bridget and Emily are both engaged to be married in summer 2016.
Tyler Miller (am session) visited in May 2014. He just finished two years at Delta and expects to transfer over to SVSU. He is pictured in this photo with his girlfriend, Hannah, who is a current student in the afternoon session.
May 15, 2014 update from Tyler Piotrowski (am session):
I am doing my final internship with the Orlando Orthopaedic Center over the summer in order to graduate a semester early in the fall! I would love for you to still pass on my knowledge of how important networking and who you know is, as my boss is the President of ATAF. I would not have this internship as well as my internship with the Detroit Tigers without learning how to get your hands "dirty" when no one else wanted to and going to important symposiums like Student SEATA (GLATA for up there). I will be running a good portion of the ATAF symposium (MATS up there) and ACTUALLY MEETING PEOPLE when you're there (at the Networking Event).
I just got done with my Athletic Training Administration class where I used a ton of the things that we learned in the Code Blue book.... Who would have ever guessed that nightmare was useful!! I will be sure to stop by the next time I am in Michigan as I miss everyone! Please tell everyone "Hi" for me!
I am doing my final internship with the Orlando Orthopaedic Center over the summer in order to graduate a semester early in the fall! I would love for you to still pass on my knowledge of how important networking and who you know is, as my boss is the President of ATAF. I would not have this internship as well as my internship with the Detroit Tigers without learning how to get your hands "dirty" when no one else wanted to and going to important symposiums like Student SEATA (GLATA for up there). I will be running a good portion of the ATAF symposium (MATS up there) and ACTUALLY MEETING PEOPLE when you're there (at the Networking Event).
I just got done with my Athletic Training Administration class where I used a ton of the things that we learned in the Code Blue book.... Who would have ever guessed that nightmare was useful!! I will be sure to stop by the next time I am in Michigan as I miss everyone! Please tell everyone "Hi" for me!
Alfred Garza (am session) enlisted in the Air Force according to his girlfriend, Haley Kowalski (pm session, Class of 2011/2012). Alfred is currently at boot camp in Texas.
Tyler Jones (pm) visited at the end of October 2013. Tyler is working full-time for Saginaw Controls as a welder. He is also a shift coordinator.
Bridget Holbrook (pm) has visited twice during Fall 2013. We saw her on CMU's video when the visiting admissions counselor showed a short clip from the Leadership Safari; Bridget was one of the leadership guides.
July 2013 update from Kristin O'Kon and Ashley Burpee (am) while shopping at Menard's: Ashley is still in accounting at CMU and is looking forward to taking an anatomy class next semester; Kristin is transferring to SVSU and is still planning on entering the OT program.
Riley Pashak (am) sent an email on May 29, 2013. He missed the Alumni Networking picnic because he is taking an anatomy class this semester. Riley writes, "Yep, I am still at Grand Valley, and still have a major in Clinical Exercise Science, but I am not entirely positive what I want to do with it. For sure something in the sports medicine genre."
May 2013 Networking picnic update: Jenae' Snyder (am) is at Delta College and working full-time; Jenae' plans to get an associate's degree in Early Childhood education and open her own day care. Andy Leppek (am) is at CMU and planning to go into PT. Lindsey Jackson (pm) is at Delta College and expecting to transfer to SVSU for OT. Austin Bauer (pm) is at SVSU and knows he will do something in the health field. Samantha Henika (pm) had to take time off from school when she tore some muscles in her right leg and ended up with compartment syndrome requiring skin grafting and resulting in some nerve damage; she expects to transfer from Delta to SVSU soon.
Tyler Piotrowski (am) sent an email on May 22, 2013. Tyler will not make it back from Florida for the Networking picnic and says hello to everyone. He is an intern at the Detroit Tigers' training and rehab facility in Lakeland, Florida. He has been at Andrews Institute in Pensacola which is where all the professional athletes go for rehab; he worked with Adrian Peterson, MVP of the last football season!
Katelyn Williams (PM) visited in May 2013, arriving right after the Rehab celebration for the end of the year. Katelyn is taking classes at Delta and plans to transfer to CMU after next year so that she is ready for the DPT program. Katelyn still works at McDonalds but is looking for another job. She hopes to see lots of classmates at the Networking Event on May 28th.
Bridget Holbrook (PM) visited right after the 8th grade visitors departed on April 25, 2013; it was a welcome respite from the chaos :-) Bridget is desk manager at her CMU dorm and just finished True Colors for a leadership program she will be guiding next fall. (She says she is still an orange!) She just declared her major - early childhood development with a minor in psychology. She is a member of the Pre-PT Club at CMU and has been collecting hours of volunteer experience in preparation for applying to the DPT program.
Andy Leppek (AM session) stopped by in March 2013; he says he is going to have shoulder surgery because of an AC tear.
Kayla Mindykowski (AM session) e-mailed that she was looking for some pediatric volunteer experience. Mrs. Birchler hopes that Kayla can get some time at Children's Therapy Corner.
Emily Srebinski (PM session) helped at HOSA regional competition. She was the event manager for Physical Therapy, getting the competitors signed in and assigning appointment times for skill competition.
Kayla Mindykowski (AM session) e-mailed that she was looking for some pediatric volunteer experience. Mrs. Birchler hopes that Kayla can get some time at Children's Therapy Corner.
Emily Srebinski (PM session) helped at HOSA regional competition. She was the event manager for Physical Therapy, getting the competitors signed in and assigning appointment times for skill competition.
Emily is a heroine!
Emily Srebinski (pm) sent a November 2012 email reporting that she recertified her CPR skills this past summer and recently put those skills to good use by saving the life of a restaurant patron where she works. Emily writes, "It has been two years since I have been in that classroom but I can honestly say taking that course in high school changed my entire life, and made me the person I am today." CONGRATULATIONS, Emily! We're so proud of you!
Lindsey Jackson and Katelyn Williams (PM) visited while we were outdoors practicing Tai Chi in May 2012. They both plan to attend Delta in the fall.
Tyler "Timothy" Jones (PM) stopped by in May 2012. He graduates from John Glenn this June. He currently works at Applebee's but expects to return to his job setting up bounce houses for parties and events for the summer.
Tyler Piotrowski (AM) just finished his first year of athletic training at Florida Southern University. He had another knee surgery and is not sure if he will be able to continue swimming due to the intensity of his major. While visiting in May 2012, Mrs. Birchler asked him to show off the newest piece of equipment in the training lab ... a vertical jump.
Danielle Strauss and Sarah Lesperance (AM) visited this winter. Raymond Klei (AM) also visited twice - at the beginning of the year when he spoke very eloquently to the afternoon class and again in February 2012 just before he left for boot camp.
Bridget Holbrook (PM) judged the regional HOSA Physical Therapy competitive event in January 2012. Mrs. Birchler was pleased when Bridget said, "You can tell which ones are your students."
Emily Srebinski and Samantha Henika (both PM) assisted three HOSA teams preparing for the Health Education event in January 2012. Emily even judged the classroom competition with Mrs. Kloha. One of the teams took second place at regional competition and 4th place at state competition April 20, 2012.
Mrs. Birchler had a surprise visit just before Christmas break 2011. Andy Leppek, Kayla Mindykowski, Elizabeth Nagel, Riley Pashak, Jenae' Snyder, Haley (Llama) Lomba, and Tyler Piotrowski (all from AM) earned the distinction of being the largest ever group to return to visit an instructor. Andy took over his role as MC for the PT/OT/Sports Med version of family feud that was taking place as they arrived. And Riley, aka "Mr. Granola Bar", presented Mrs. Birchler with a gift. You guessed it ... a granola bar! Stepfanie Kill also came by to visit that same afternoon.
AM SESSION
Front row: Haley, Brooke
2nd row: Tyler, Elizabeth, Sarah, Danielle, Jenae', Austin
3rd row: Andrew, Kayla, Alfred, Tyler, Amy, Sawyer, Ashley, Andy
Back row: Raymond, Kristin, Riley, Jorden
Missing: Stepfanie
Front row: Haley, Brooke
2nd row: Tyler, Elizabeth, Sarah, Danielle, Jenae', Austin
3rd row: Andrew, Kayla, Alfred, Tyler, Amy, Sawyer, Ashley, Andy
Back row: Raymond, Kristin, Riley, Jorden
Missing: Stepfanie
PM SESSION
Front row: Gabryelle, Lindsey, Samantha, Emily, Robin, Jamie
2nd row: Bridget, Kasey, Ryan, Alex, Rebecca, Maranda, Shelby
Back row: Stephanie, Tyler, Austin, Katelyn, Jason
Front row: Gabryelle, Lindsey, Samantha, Emily, Robin, Jamie
2nd row: Bridget, Kasey, Ryan, Alex, Rebecca, Maranda, Shelby
Back row: Stephanie, Tyler, Austin, Katelyn, Jason