A new month means a new Character Trait as we shift our focus from Kindness to Integrity. I’m so proud of the many examples of good character I see our kids displaying during the day, after school at events, and out in the community. Last Friday, while at dinner at Bowens before the Winterfest games, I watched one of our students, Andre’ Hopkins, leave his table while eating to go hold the door on multiple occasions as he saw some of our local senior citizens arriving in the freezing rain. He didn’t do it for attention or because someone asked him to help, he did it because that is his character. Kind, helpful, service-oriented, thoughtful, and compassionate. All things we focus on here at DK beyond our core curriculum and Andre’ gets an A+. Thanks, Andre’ for being a young man of character. That makes you this week’s Hogie’s Hero for DOING A JOB.
We said goodbye to Mrs. High this week as her last day at Delton was on Monday. For nearly 3 decades Connie served our kids and our community with excellence and was a leader in instruction helping to make our science department one we can all be proud of. We wish Connie all the best in her new endeavors as she steps in to help districts around the state as a new MESSA representative. A tough goodbye is softened by the good news that we were able to find a quality replacement as we welcome DKHS Alum Evelyn Zettelmaier to our team. Evelyn is a 2021 graduate of DKHS and recently finished her undergrad work at MSU. This is like going into the transfer portal and picking up a 5-star QB to help your team. Welcome Evelyn.
Our seniors are in their college application and scholarship search season. Many 1000’s of dollars are available locally from our own Delton Kellogg Education Foundation and the Barry Community Foundation. If you have a senior, encourage them to apply for these awards that are guaranteed to go to the Delton class of 2025.
After the ice melted on Thursday we hosted 15 schools for a competitive cheer event that saw our Panthers finish in 5th place. Our basketball teams both had nice wins this week and travel tonight to Saugatuck to take on the Trailblazers. The DK wrestlers competed on Wednesday at Martin in the team districts losing to Martin in the finals. Winners for the Panthers were Mitchell Swift, Alec Sinkler, Lane Steele, and Evan Stampfler. Individual Districts take place on February 8th at Lawton. Come out and support our athletes.
The Follies cast is wrapping up their final preparation and will offer 4 performances on February 19, 21, and 22 all at 7 PM, and also a matinee at 1 PM on February 22. Tickets will be available soon so plan ahead.
This week we received the sad news that our Varsity Baseball coach Brian Risner had passed away over the weekend from complications connected to heart surgery he had on January 15th. Brian was a DK graduate from the class of 1991 and LOVED Delton. He was excited about this upcoming baseball season and devoted many hours to the baseball program, his players, and the facilities. I have included some information from the family about how you can help support the Risners during this difficult time. Tyler, Brian's son, reached out regarding his father's memorial. He requested that as many athletes in Maroon/White come to Brian's Memorial as possible. The memorial is on Sunday, February 23, at the Orangeville Township Hall from 2-5 pm. If you are interested in donating to help the family please contact our Athletic Director Dr. Munger at DKHS, or see one of the many donation jars around town. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Risner Family.
