Each year at commencement, I give a gift to every graduate.
My gift is both a promise and a wish. The gift (a humble red thread) represents the promise of the lifetime connection our students have to our schools, the Clarkston community, and to each other.
Likewise, it is my wish that our alumni will return from time to time and share the stories of their lives with us.
In fact, I would love for them to come back and live their lives here. Regardless, I hope that they know that Clarkston is forever here to help them achieve their dreams.
Ultimately, I want every Clarkston kid, citizen, and graduate to have a long, happy, healthy life of achievement.
On Wednesday, December 20, we will welcome alumni from the Classes of 2013-2017 back to Clarkston for our first annual “Welcome Back Wednesday” event.
Our young alumni are already leading interesting and diverse lives as college students, military servicemen and women, and positive contributors in the workforce.
Here are some of the updates they have provided:
“I am currently a freshman at Purdue. Since coming to Purdue, I joined the Triathlon Club. In addition, after going to a construction management career fair, I had the chance to interview for a paid internship position at Clayco Construction. After inviting me to their headquarters in St. Louis MO for the interview, they offered me the position of Construction Engineer Intern for the Summer of 2018, which I happily accepted.” – Marisa Daigle ’17
“I am a sophomore at U of M, and have tried to get involved in as many ways as possible around campus to make the most of this unique experience. I am on the club baseball team, I’m a member of an investment club, I’m in a business fraternity and a social fraternity, and freshman year I wrote for a sports comedy show. I have definitely carried a lot of lessons I learned from CHS with me and I am really confident in where I’m at now. Go Wolves!” – Ryan Zittel ’15
“I am studying out in Rochester, New York and have been involved in my school’s drama club.” – Jack Kuczmanski ’16
“I am working full-time at a commercial construction company, and taking night classes.” – Max Wyckoff ’17
Without question, our alumni are demonstrating success in a variety of ways.
On Welcome Back Wednesday, they will share these stories and more with the Class of 2018, offering yet another red thread connection back to their community.
Another great community gathering we are looking forward to is the Team RUSH Holiday Lights parade in downtown Clarkston this Saturday, December 16 at 6pm, where we will also celebrate our 2017 State Champion Wolves Football team and coaching staff. Please come out and honor these hometown heroes.
Above all, we celebrate every day the lives that our learners live, both as they are formally in our schools and long after. Wolves Up!
Dr. Rod Rock is superintendent of Clarkston Community Schools