Annette Schlaud takes pride in accomplishments of class
LAPEER COUNTY — Despite the challenges presented by the past year’s pandemic, Lapeer County’s Adult Education program has graduated 11 students.
Adult Education Coordinator Annette Schlaud announced the names of the program’s 2021 graduating class this week.
Schlaud said the hybrid graduation ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 9, with 11 students receiving their diplomas.
She identified this year’s graduates as Logan Wayne Hicks, Cameron Cox, Samantha Emert, Kelly D. DeBruyn, Krista Lee Yeskey, Michelle Susan Tomko, Natalie M. Forgione, Tara Danielle Ott, Jeremy M. Thibeault, Mallory Worthen and Gayle Marie Ulmer.
Guest speakers included Steven Zott, Supt. of Lapeer County’s Intermediate School District (ISD) and Dr. Craig Watson, vice president of the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education.
Speaking on behalf of the Class of 2021 were graduates Logan Hicks and Samantha Emert.
Schlaud recalled the transcripts she received from Logan’s former high school counselor, which also included a note acknowledging his unique and special qualities as an individual and student.
“It’s not unusual for a high school counselor to share comments about a particular student,” Schlaud said. “But I had never had a local counselor tell me how much they liked one of their school dropouts.
“He went on to assure me that I was really going to enjoy having him in school.”
Schlaud said that note was received last January, when Logan still needed to complete 12 classes to graduate.
That number is twice as many as what is typically required of a full-time student, she said.
The counselor conveyed that if anyone could accomplish such a formidable task, Logan could meet the challenge.
“His counselor was correct,” said Schlaud “I have enjoyed my conversations with Logan, and all of us here are going to miss him.”
She also announced the Lapeer County program’s newest members of the National Adult Education Honor Society.
Those individuals include Cameron Cox, Natalie Forgione, Logan Hicks, Michelle Tomko, Krista Yeskey, Sam Bourque, Cortney Bryant, Alex Napper, Shawn Fornier and Seth Johnson.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
