Something always ties Christine Keener to Clarkston.
Until recently, Keener worked as an administrative assistant in the Clarkston School district, which may not come as a surprise to some. Keener herself is a product of Clarkston schools. She attended Andersonville Elementary and Clarkston Middle School, ultimately graduating from Clarkston High School in 1989.
But Keener’s time in the community started even earlier. When she was three, Keener’s parents built a home in Clarkston, where she lived with her parents, brother and grandmother.
‘My father passed away when I was 12; however, my mother still lives in the home I was raised in. I wanted to remain in the area close to them both. I have made some life’long friends while working and living in Clarkston. It seems I always run into someone I know at the grocery store – from people I worked with to fellow Clarkston students,? Keener said.
When the time came to start her own family, Keener decided to remain in the area.
‘I got married in 1992 to my husband, Don, and we lived in Clarkston for four years,? said Keener. ‘When I was expecting our first child, we moved to our home in Waterford.?
While remaining local and raising a family, Keener turned her attention to her own education. After graduating from CHS, she attended Marygrove College in Detroit for a year, after which she attended Oakland Community College. In 1999, she received a bachelors degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Walsh College in Troy.
‘I always say it took me 10 years to finish college and no I am not a doctor, but on my journey I got married and had two wonderful children and I would not have it any other way,? Keener said.
After graduation, Keener began working in Clarkston as an office manager position for Furnaces, Ovens and Baths, Inc., a family owned company. However, in March of 2002, Keener said she decided to change gears, returning her focus to the world of education. She returned to Clarkston schools, this time as an assistant in the communications and marketing department.
‘I was excited about being on the other side. That is seeing the district as an employee not as a student,? she said.
For fours year, Keener maintained her position in the district and just recently accepted a new position as an executive assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for Rochester Community Schools.
‘I look forward to the challenge of a new position as well as meeting new people and making new friends here in Rochester,? Keener said.
In August of 2005, Keener said her family moved back to Clarkston, but her connection to the community has stayed constant. Her children are following in her own footsteps now as students in the district
‘It was a great first year and the children keep asking when summer will be over so they can get back to school to see their teachers and friends,? Keener said.
When she’s not busy working or being a full-time mom, Keener looks for charity events in which she can participate. Most recently, she took part in the Michigan 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.
‘This was my second year participating in the Michigan 3-day Breast Cancer walk,? Keener said. ‘Last year, I just wanted to do something to make a difference. I signed up not knowing a soul. As I was just about to send out my donation letters, I received an e-mail from a friend at my children’s school asking to donate to her walk. I sent her an e-mail back saying I would donate to hers if she donated to mine. My
friend was on a team called ‘Thanks for the Mammories? and asked me to join.
‘Last year I was unable to finish all 60 miles due to the heat and the rainy weather. I did walk around 45 miles but I felt I let my donors down as well as myself. My goal for this year was to do all 60,? Keener said, rejoicing in the fact that she obtained that goal her second time around. ‘Was it hard? Yes. Do my feet hurt? Yes. Do I have blisters? Too many to count.?
Keener said she’s not sure if she will be able to participate next year, but would like to help in events such as the Relay for Life or another good cause.
‘I feel it is important to help others in anyway and I believe in setting a good example for my children. I hope they will want to make a difference in the lives of others as well,? Keener said