Class of 2016/2017
Mrs. Birchler was at a UM freshman student picnic send-off on July 27, 2023. The brother of Malena Facundo (am session) was receiving a scholarship from the local alumni club and Mrs. Birchler sat with Malena's parents. Malena received her degree in exercise science and is currently working with autistic children at Mary FreeBed.
Mrs. Birchler loves the unexpected meetings with former students. She was shopping at Home Depot on January 16, 2023 when Kassandra Frieders (am session) greeted her. Kassandra is in her third semester of the OT program at SVSU along with fellow classmate Mackenzie Dore; Kassandra also happens to work at Home Depot. In addition, Kassandra reported that classmate Laurissa Fogelsonger earned her bachelor's degree at SVSU and will be applying to PT schools. That's a lot of good news!
Good news reported by the grandmother of Malena Facundo (am session). Malena graduated from Grand Valley State University on December16, 2022. (Mrs. Birchler and Malena's grandmother attend the same church and grandma was very proud!)
Mrs. Birchler saw Mackenzie Bickham Smith (pm session) and her mom in Krogers while shopping for Thanksgiving 2022. Mackenzie has switched back to Covenant.
Mrs. Birchler crossed paths with Kathryn Kohnert (pm session) on August 17, 2022 in downtown Bay City. Unfortunately, we only had time to exchange pleasantries as both of us had companions who needed to keep moving.
September 2021 email update from Courtney Krause (pm session):
"As crazy as this sounds, I think Covid and all this going on actually let me slow down and rethink my career path. I started my college career at Delta doing some pre-reqs with intentions to transfer to SVSU for the occupational therapy program, but in doing that they actually upped the degree level to a doctoral, and I knew I didn’t want to be in school for that long and the job growth was looking rough! So, I was off work for a bit when everything hit and I was only taking one class a semester for about a full school year and I started looking into other schools and career options, which I knew I wanted to stay in healthcare from beginning. I finally came across diagnostic ultrasound and after doing some research and finding the right school I made the decision to pursue Cardiac Sonography at Kirtland Community College up in Grayling, MI and I was accepted right away and I am currently in my first semester and loving it! I have this current semester and the two more right after, and after the third one is over, I then go on to my clinical portion in the Fall of 2022, so a little less than a year from now. And after these four semesters I will be board certified in hopefully a year from this December and graduating with my associates in May of 2023! Crazy how fast time is flying and all the changes that have come, but I am beyond happy that I came across this career path. I have never heard of Kirtland before I started looking into sonography, but it such a nice school and they are adding on a whole other half right now with a gym and everything too. But besides school, a lot has happened since Covid started too! My boyfriend and I got a house together just west of Linwood and we got another puppy back in January right before we had to quarantine ourselves, but we got extra time with the new puppy, so quarantine wasn’t too boring :) There’s a picture of her when we first got her, but she will be a year old in November already."
"As crazy as this sounds, I think Covid and all this going on actually let me slow down and rethink my career path. I started my college career at Delta doing some pre-reqs with intentions to transfer to SVSU for the occupational therapy program, but in doing that they actually upped the degree level to a doctoral, and I knew I didn’t want to be in school for that long and the job growth was looking rough! So, I was off work for a bit when everything hit and I was only taking one class a semester for about a full school year and I started looking into other schools and career options, which I knew I wanted to stay in healthcare from beginning. I finally came across diagnostic ultrasound and after doing some research and finding the right school I made the decision to pursue Cardiac Sonography at Kirtland Community College up in Grayling, MI and I was accepted right away and I am currently in my first semester and loving it! I have this current semester and the two more right after, and after the third one is over, I then go on to my clinical portion in the Fall of 2022, so a little less than a year from now. And after these four semesters I will be board certified in hopefully a year from this December and graduating with my associates in May of 2023! Crazy how fast time is flying and all the changes that have come, but I am beyond happy that I came across this career path. I have never heard of Kirtland before I started looking into sonography, but it such a nice school and they are adding on a whole other half right now with a gym and everything too. But besides school, a lot has happened since Covid started too! My boyfriend and I got a house together just west of Linwood and we got another puppy back in January right before we had to quarantine ourselves, but we got extra time with the new puppy, so quarantine wasn’t too boring :) There’s a picture of her when we first got her, but she will be a year old in November already."
August 2021 email update from Mackenzie Bickham (pm): Mackenzie got married in Las Vegas this past June and is now Mackenzie Smith. She also switched from Covenant to Mid-Michigan in Midland and works night shift with another PT/OT/Sports Med student - Taylor Ayres from the morning session of 2014/2015 . Her essential worker job exposed her to the coronavirus, of course, so she dealt with Covid-19 last November. Congrats on the new job and your marriage, Mackenzie!
Email update from Nicole Mudge (pm) in response to Mrs. Birchler's coronavirus post on March 31, 2020:
"I am still studying at Eastern Michigan University and I have now permanently moved to Ypsilanti as of the beginning of this school year. I have finally settled on a major, after switching it twice lol. I now study Social Work and am set to graduate in April of 2021 if everything blows over with the coronavirus sometime soon. I just finished my last paper for my junior year, so thanks to the coronavirus for making everything online, I have finished my junior year a month early.
This fall, I applied for a job in my field and received a job as a visitation specialist at an agency called Fostering Futures in Ann Arbor. My job is to transport foster children to their parenting time with their birth parents and take notes on how it went and communicate any issues with the caseworkers. My job has been very hard this past year, but it has also been super rewarding! The agency liked the work that I've been doing there so much that they accepted me as a BSW intern for the next school year and I'm super excited to be working more with the caseworkers and seeing more behind the scene things.
If I continue to excel in all of my classes, I will graduate with honors next April from Eastern. I have been on the dean's list every semester but my first semester while working 40 hour weeks, taking 15 credit hours and going to sorority events. I am very excited as I never thought this was something that I was going to accomplish, but it looks like all of my hard work is going to pay off. After graduation, I am looking at staying in Ypsilanti as my boyfriend will still have another year to finish up and if all goes well with my internship, it sounds like I'll have a job there after I graduate.
I've been trying to stay home as much as possible with all of the coronavirus stuff going on. I've been trying not to go to stir crazy as my busy life has come to a halt but I'm trying to look at the positives of this much-needed break."
Great job, Nicole!
"I am still studying at Eastern Michigan University and I have now permanently moved to Ypsilanti as of the beginning of this school year. I have finally settled on a major, after switching it twice lol. I now study Social Work and am set to graduate in April of 2021 if everything blows over with the coronavirus sometime soon. I just finished my last paper for my junior year, so thanks to the coronavirus for making everything online, I have finished my junior year a month early.
This fall, I applied for a job in my field and received a job as a visitation specialist at an agency called Fostering Futures in Ann Arbor. My job is to transport foster children to their parenting time with their birth parents and take notes on how it went and communicate any issues with the caseworkers. My job has been very hard this past year, but it has also been super rewarding! The agency liked the work that I've been doing there so much that they accepted me as a BSW intern for the next school year and I'm super excited to be working more with the caseworkers and seeing more behind the scene things.
If I continue to excel in all of my classes, I will graduate with honors next April from Eastern. I have been on the dean's list every semester but my first semester while working 40 hour weeks, taking 15 credit hours and going to sorority events. I am very excited as I never thought this was something that I was going to accomplish, but it looks like all of my hard work is going to pay off. After graduation, I am looking at staying in Ypsilanti as my boyfriend will still have another year to finish up and if all goes well with my internship, it sounds like I'll have a job there after I graduate.
I've been trying to stay home as much as possible with all of the coronavirus stuff going on. I've been trying not to go to stir crazy as my busy life has come to a halt but I'm trying to look at the positives of this much-needed break."
Great job, Nicole!
Email update from Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) received in response to Mrs. Birchler's coronavirus post on March 31, 2020. Mackenzie is one of those at risk health care workers who was exposed to a patient who tested positive for Coronavirus. Keep us posted, Mackenzie! We are thinking of you!
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Email update from Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) received on December 14, 2019. Mackenzie sent a photo of her certification as an Emergency Medical Technician which she was awarded on December 12, 2019. Congratulations, Mackenzie!
Email update from Alexis Allen Russell (pm session) received December 12, 2019. Alexis is currently living in Jacksonville, North Carolina with her husband and daughter, Alaya Kay, who was born on May 21, 2019. Alexis is applying for a job at Camp LeJeune in the child and youth center. See photos below.
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This is the rose that Tyler Horwath (pm session) gave to Mrs. Birchler when he came home on leave from the Marines. As you can see, it is very happy in the garden and reminds me daily of Tyler and my pm session students!
Sierra Rangel (am session) was working at the Shoe Department in the Bay City Mall when Mrs. Birchler shopped for new shoes for Zumba on September 11, 2019. Sierra is enjoying her first semester of college.
Email update from Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) received on June 27, 2019: " I am officially registered for EMT classes in August - December! So hopefully soon I’ll be helping save lives!"
Mrs. Birchler saw Malena Facundo (am session) at the Saginaw Bath and Body Works where Malena is working for the summer. Malena just finished her first year at Grand Valley and is working on a degree in exercise science. She is planning on a career in physical therapy.
Mrs. Birchler saw Carleigh Plarske (am session) at the Bay Area Family Y on June 13, 2019; Carleigh is home for the summer from CMU.
Mrs. Birchler saw Carleigh Plarske (am session) at the Bay Area Family Y on June 13, 2019; Carleigh is home for the summer from CMU.
Mrs. Birchler met with afternoon students, Emma Adcock, Lexi Allen, Nicole Bero, Mackenzie Bickham, Greg Haven, Courtney Krause, and Courtney Merino on March 16, 2019 when we came to the Rivertown Chapel to express our condolences to Tyler Horwath on the death of his father. Tyler will be home on leave with the Marines until March 27 and hopes to see classmates at a happier time. Here is a quick update on everyone else ...
Emma is at CMU and commutes to Midland four times a week to coach gymnastics.
Lexi married Keli on January 31, 2019 and is expecting a baby at the end of May.
Nicole is still at Delta, and she stopped dancing this year (but said her hips aren't any better).
Mackenzie has an apartment and is working full time at Caretel.
Greg is in the Army National Guard and works at Stonecrest assisted living.
Courtney K. is enjoying her first year at SVSU and plans to apply to the MSOT program next year.
Courtney M. has enlisted in the navy and begins basic training in Chicago in May. She will serve on an aircraft carrier when she completes her training.
Emma is at CMU and commutes to Midland four times a week to coach gymnastics.
Lexi married Keli on January 31, 2019 and is expecting a baby at the end of May.
Nicole is still at Delta, and she stopped dancing this year (but said her hips aren't any better).
Mackenzie has an apartment and is working full time at Caretel.
Greg is in the Army National Guard and works at Stonecrest assisted living.
Courtney K. is enjoying her first year at SVSU and plans to apply to the MSOT program next year.
Courtney M. has enlisted in the navy and begins basic training in Chicago in May. She will serve on an aircraft carrier when she completes her training.
Email update received September 30, 2018 from Nicole Bero (pm session) who reports that she is switching her career path to surgical tech. She anticipates finishing her pre-requisites for the program after winter semester 2019 but may be wait-listed for a year before she can enter the program.
Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) saved a life with her CPR skills on the golf course this summer. Mackenzie was playing with the Garber marching band on September 28, 2018 as a member of the alumni band; Mrs. Birchler coincidentally brought her 17 month old grandson to the same game to hear the band and got to talk to Mackenzie. Mrs. Birchler has been thinking about the entire pm class because Tyler brought her a rose plant which she kept on her desk in the hand-decorated pot from the class. When she retired, she planted the rose in her garden and it has been blooming all summer (just like her wonderful students!)
Sam Wood (pm session) works at the Essexville Kroger and Mrs. Birchler has seen him twice this summer. most recently on September 4, 2018 while shopping with her grandson. Sam is attending Delta College.
Update from Sierra Rangel (am session) received August 1, 2018. Sierra graduated from Central High School and will attend Delta College in the fall. Sierra plans to get an OT degree and work in pediatrics.
Kassandra Frieders (am session) stopped by the classroom on June 1, 2018. Kassandra graduates from Western High School and will be attending SVSU to pursue an OT degree.
Kim Kill (pm session) also stopped by the classroom on June 1, 2018. Kim graduated from Garber HS and will be attending Schoolcraft CC. She plans to pursue a degree in business with a focus on music events.
Kim Kill (pm session) also stopped by the classroom on June 1, 2018. Kim graduated from Garber HS and will be attending Schoolcraft CC. She plans to pursue a degree in business with a focus on music events.
Courtney Mielens and Nicole Bishop (am session) attended the 2018 Alumni Networking Event. Courtney is working for JC Penney and a housecleaning service but plans to attend Delta in the fall. Nicole Bishop graduates from Central HS and will be attending Delta.
PM session was represented by (left to right) Cole Martin, Mackenzie Bickham, Rachel Bebee, Nicole Bero and Courtney Krause. Cole graduates from Freeland HS and will be attending Delta with a career goal of nurse anesthetist. Mackenzie graduates from Garber and is currently working as a CNA at the Bay County Medical Care Facility; she will be attending Delta in the fall with plans to pursue a DPT degree. Rachel Bebee started at GVSU but came back home to Delta to save money; she expects to return to GVSU until Winter 2019 and plans to be a PT. Nicole Bero finished her first year at Delta College. Courtney Krause graduates from Western HS and will be attending Delta in the fall with a career plan for OT.
PM session was represented by (left to right) Cole Martin, Mackenzie Bickham, Rachel Bebee, Nicole Bero and Courtney Krause. Cole graduates from Freeland HS and will be attending Delta with a career goal of nurse anesthetist. Mackenzie graduates from Garber and is currently working as a CNA at the Bay County Medical Care Facility; she will be attending Delta in the fall with plans to pursue a DPT degree. Rachel Bebee started at GVSU but came back home to Delta to save money; she expects to return to GVSU until Winter 2019 and plans to be a PT. Nicole Bero finished her first year at Delta College. Courtney Krause graduates from Western HS and will be attending Delta in the fall with a career plan for OT.
Congratulations to the 2018 Bay Commitment Scholarship winners honored on May 15, 2018: Jonae Evans, Kassandra Frieders, Hailey Lopez, and Sierra Rangel from the morning session; Mackenzie Bickham and Courtney Merino from the afternoon session. In addition, Greg Haven (pm session) was at the reception and reported that he has an "A" in the nursing program. Congratulations to all!
Update from Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) on May 10, 2018. Mackenzie passed her CNA written and skills tests today! Mackenzie also provided updates on two classmates - Charlotte MacFarland and Greg Haven will both be entering the National Guard when they graduate.
Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) received the Edmund Morelli scholarship at the Career Center Awards ceremony on May 3, 2018. Congratulations, Mackenzie!
Morgan Pingot (am session) visited the classroom on April 30, 2018. Morgan just finished her first year in exercise science at Western Michigan University. She made the Dean's List both semesters - Congrats, Morgan! Morgan is also in the marching band and campus band playing her trombone. She reports that she will be in the Big House next fall when WMU plays UM.
Nicole Mudge (pm session) visited the classroom on April 27, 2018. Nicole finished her first year at Eastern Michigan University. She has switched her major to health care administration with a minor in non-profit administration. She is home for two weeks and then will be working at Bay Shore camp in Sebewaing for the summer. Nicole saw classmate Courtney Merino as Courtney was headed back to the classroom after break.
Alexis Pearce (am session) visited the classroom on April 19, 2018. Alexis sat for the Centralis scholarship and earned herself a "free ride" to CMU after she graduates from Western HS in June. Congratulations, Alexis!
Congratulations to Jericho Long (pm session) who was named the female scholar athlete for John Glenn in the Saginaw Valley League. Jericho will be honored at an awards banquet at the Horizon Conference Center on April 25, 2018.
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Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) and Courtney Merino (pm session) attended the HOSA state conference at the Amway Grand Plaza on March 22-23, 2018 with 3300 high school students from around the state. Mackenzie competed in physical therapy and made it past the testing round to be in the top twenty for skills competition. Courtney was on a Forensic Science team. No medals but everyone had fun.
Tyler Horwath (pm session) stopped by to visit the classroom on March 21, 2018. Tyler was home for family medical emergency leave and we extend our get well wishes for his family. Tyler will finish at Camp LeJeune (North Carolina) in June. He expects to go to California for reconnaissance training and then to be posted to Africa.
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Courtney Krause, Nicole Bero and Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) sent this selfie in March 2018.
It was a great day for the 2nd year students at HOSA regional competition on January 10, 2018. Kaitie Leonard (am) competed in Medical Law and Ethics. Mackenzie Dore (am session) was a finalist in Medical Terminology. Mackenzie Bickham (pm session) took first place in Physical Therapy. Greg Haven (pm session) was part of the Biomedical Debate team. Congratulations to all!
Rachael Bebee and Nicole Bero (pm session) visited the classroom on December 21, 2017. They were scorekeepers for the morning Family Feud game after "Cooking with Disabilities". Rachael reports that she is moving back home to attend Delta and save up money. They both successfully completed their first semester of college.
Rachael Bebee (pm session) is a first aid hero! Here is her October 2017 email: "Thought I would share my first hand experience with you. I was shopping when a women fainted, I came very close to having to perform CPR. I was able to sit with her and check her pulse, while trying to maintain her consciousness, until paramedics got there. Just thought it was very cool that I was able to be the first to help because of everything you taught me. Although It was very scary it gave me an understanding that things like this actually happen, and it’s not always going to practice." Great job, Rachael!
Many of last year's seniors stopped by to visit the classroom in September 2017. Zach Garcia (pm session) stopped by and will be coming back to interview Mrs. Birchler for an English writing project. Nicole Bero (pm session) came by and says she still uses Pair Share to help her study. Tyler Horwath (pm session) also visited the classroom. He finished Marine boot camp and now goes for infantryman surveillance and reconnaissance training at Camp LeJeune. Tyler was surprised by a gathering of former classmates at breakfast on September 23, 2017. See photos below.
There are lots of students who have returned to the Career Center for a second year. Parker Rivard (am session) is in the Marketing program. Kassandra Freiders, Kaitie Leonard, and Mackenzie Dore (all from the am session) are in Health Technology. Holly Lavely (am session) is in Forensic Science Mackenzie Bickham and Greg Haven (both from the pm session) are in Mrs. Hoffman's nursing program (and Mackenzie reports that she scored 100% on the FSU health care safety cumulative exam which the nursing students cover in the first week). Cole Martin (pm session) is in Mrs. Gorski's nursing program. Courtney Merino (pm session) is in the Forensic Science program. All but one have stopped by to visit the classroom.
Congratulations to Laurissa Fogelsonger (am session) who was awarded the Bay City Central Plant Medical scholarship through the Bay Area Community Foundation for fall semester 2017. Congratulations to Nicole Mudge (pm session) who was awarded the Arenac County scholarship through the Community Foundation.
AM session:
Back row: Miles, Malena, Kassandra, Courtney, Arreon, Hailey, Jonae
Middle row: Holly, Carleigh, Kaitie, Laurissa, Mackenzie D, Taylor, Shan'Tiara
Front row: Haley, Sierra, Morgan, Nicole, Mackenzie, H, Alexis, Parker
Back row: Miles, Malena, Kassandra, Courtney, Arreon, Hailey, Jonae
Middle row: Holly, Carleigh, Kaitie, Laurissa, Mackenzie D, Taylor, Shan'Tiara
Front row: Haley, Sierra, Morgan, Nicole, Mackenzie, H, Alexis, Parker
PM session
Back row: Cole, Kate, Jericho, Sam, Tyler, Zach
Middle row: Lexi, Courtney K, Nicole M, Greg, Emma, Nicole B
Fromt row: Mackenzie, Charlotte, Courtney M, Callie, Miranda, Rachael, Kim
Back row: Cole, Kate, Jericho, Sam, Tyler, Zach
Middle row: Lexi, Courtney K, Nicole M, Greg, Emma, Nicole B
Fromt row: Mackenzie, Charlotte, Courtney M, Callie, Miranda, Rachael, Kim