|
|
||||
|
1998
Calendar
Employment
FAQs
|
1998 Belleville High School |
|||
|
Edna Genevieve Clark distinguished herself through humanitarian and historical influence, particularly in the Belleville area, as an educator, a role model of female accomplishment, and as a major contributor to the community we enjoy today. Edna Genevieve Clark, the first child of George and Clara (Babcock) Clark, was born in Smithville, Michigan, on February 12, 1877. The descendant of Van Buren Township pioneers who settled at French Landing in 1838, Genevieve, as she was known, was closely associated with education most of her life. In an era when few girls went on to higher education, Genevieve graduated with a class of seven from Belleville High School in 1894, in exercises held at the Belleville Methodist Church. Genevieve continued her education, graduating from the Michigan State Normal College in Ypsilanti in 1900 and later studying at Cornell University in New York. She spent the summer of 1911 studying at Cambridge University, England. Genevieve's teaching career lasted 32 years in schools in Belleville, Flat Rock, Iron Mountain, and Monroe County. In 1908, she became the first woman principal at the Belleville Union School on Third Street and ultimately taught in the Geography Department of the Normal College (later Eastern Michigan University) where she was a colleague of Professor Mark Jefferson, for whom Mark Jefferson Hall is named. Genevieve took part in many community activities. She was an active supporter of the 4 H movement in its early days in the area, and she served on the Board of Directors of the People's State Bank. In 1905-06 she served as Secretary of the Belleville High School Alumni Association. Although she remained a single woman throughout her life, Genevieve raised an adopted daughter, Frances, born in 1925. About the time of Frances' birth, Genevieve left her teaching career, later returning when her daughter was grown. In time, Frances married Richard Maund and presented Genevieve with two grandchildren, Sheryl Lynn and James Edward. Genevieve was held in high regard by her friends and neighbors. She died on May 25, 1956, at age 79. Those who knew Genevieve chose a special honor to remember the woman they spoke of as "Trinity's Saint". The main altar of Trinity Episcopal Church was dedicated in her memory with a brass plaque which reads: "In loving memory of Genevieve Clark, 1877-1956, From Relatives and Friends."
The Honorable Samuel I. Durham, Jr., has distinguished himself in the field of law and in community service. Judge Samuel I. Durham presently presides over the 10th District Court of the State of Michigan. As a student at Belleville High School, Sam competed in Varsity Track and Cross-Country, graduating in 1970. In 1974, Sam graduated with a Bachelor Degree from Eastern Michigan University, majoring in pre-law, history, and political science. Four years later, he received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Wayne State University Law School. He served as an assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Calhoun County from 1978 to 1989. In 1989 he was appointed by the Governor of the State of Michigan, James Blanchard, to the position of 10th District Court Judge. The 10th District Court serves all of Calhoun County Michigan. He was elected in 1990 and re-elected in 1992 as 10th District Court Judge. He served as Chief Judge of the court in 1992 and 1993. Sam believes very strongly in service to his profession. His professional memberships include the State Bar of Michigan and the Calhoun County Bar Association, of which he was president in 1992. He is a member of the Michigan District Judges Association and the Women's Lawyers Association of Michigan. In July 1997, he was selected by the Michigan State Bar Foundation as a "Fellow" of that organization, an honor awarded to only 5 percent of the membership of the State Bar of Michigan, for outstanding legal ability and devotion to the welfare of community and state. Sam has also shown his dedication to his community through leadership in a variety of service organizations. He is currently the Immediate Past President on the Board of Directors of SAFE PLACE, a domestic violence shelter. He has served for over a decade as a member of the Battle Creek Area International Relations Committee and the Battle Creek Hot Air Balloon Championships. He is a member of the Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast Planning Committee, the Battle Creek, Marshall, and Albion Chambers of Commerce, the Battle Creek Rotary Club, and Harper Creek Optimist Club. He was awarded a JCI Senatorship by the Battle Creek Jaycees for his decade of leadership in that organization, the highest award that can be given by the Michigan Jaycees. The Honorable Samuel I. Durham, Jr., resides with his wife Teresa, and six year old son Michael, in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Ena Lynette Weathers has distinguished herself in professional accomplishment and community service since she graduated 9th in her class of 494 students from Belleville High School in 1980. While she was at BHS, she was involved as a Varsity Cheerleader, member of the Debate Team, Symphony Band, and Marching Band, in addition to membership in the National Honor Society, and served as President of the Student Advisory Council. Ena also coordinated Black History Month celebrations, and represented BHS at Michigan Girls State in 1979. After graduating from Belleville High School, Ena attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and received her Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in Business Management in 1984. She then went on to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an attorney. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1988 with a Juris Doctorate. After graduating from college, she remained very active in the southeast Michigan community. She coordinated and chaperoned a tour of Afro-American colleges in Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia, for students from Willow Run, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Belleville High Schools. She served as President of the Washtenaw County Chapter of National Black Child Development Institute and organized career workshops for students attending Belleville High School. She has assisted with all of the reunions for the Class of 1980. Ena was appointed by Governor John Engler to the State Board for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. She is the president of the Michigan Black Law Alumni Society and taught basic Labor Law at Wayne State University, Labor Studies Center. She is a member of many professional organizations, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and a member of Christian Life Center Church. She was the Director of Legal Affairs for the Service Employees International Union - Local 79 until her appointment in 1997 by Governor Engler to her present position as a Commissioner for the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Ena currently lives in Ypsilanti. |
Michigan State Senator Loren N. Bennett (R) attended Van Buren Public Schools from the kindergarten until graduation in 1969. One of his elementary teachers described him as "a very generous boy who enjoys doing things for others." As a BHS Tiger, he was a member of the Latin Club, German Club, U.N. Club, and Student Council. He sang in the choir for three years, representing BHS in "Musical Youth International" touring the southwest United States and Mexico in the summer of 1968. Following high school, Loren entered the Engineering Program at Schoolcraft College. He was a district manager for British Petroleum, owned and operated his own firm, the New Heritage Real Estate Company, and served as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Plymouth Hilton. His first elective office was Canton Township Trustee from 1980 - 1988. He also served as a member of the planning commission. In 1988, Loren was elected Canton Township Clerk, an office he held until 1994. At that time he was elected Michigan State Senator for the Eighth District, which includes Western Wayne County, including the cities of Westland, Wayne, Belleville, Romulus, Woodhaven, Flat Rock and Rockwood, and the townships of Canton (partial), Van Buren, Sumpter, Huron, and Brownstown. Senator Bennett is Chairman of the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, Vice Chairman of Financial Services Committee, and Member of the Local, Urban and States Affairs Committee. He has maintained a 100% attendance record and voted on 100% of all roll-call votes since taking office. He is credited with creating the Tuition Tax Credit program to assist college students and families. He has also instituted new standards for the clean-up of Michigan's many leaking underground storage tank sites. His efforts on behalf of the small business and protecting the environment have led to awards including Downriver Community Conference American Eagle Head Award in 1996, and Michigan Manufacturers Association Rookie Legislator of the Year for 1995. Senator Bennett resides in Canton Township with his wife Terry, and his daughter Wendy and daughter Cindy, who presently attends Belleville High School.
Cathy Horste has distinguished herself as a law enforcement officer, historian, and community volunteer. She has pioneered significant programs to benefit her community and was the first and only female ever elected to serve as Van Buren Township Constable. Serving as the first female road patrol police officer hired by Van Buren Township, she later worked as the first "detective" and first officer assigned solely to crime prevention. She also served on the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education (1984-85). Cathy showed signs of her pioneering spirit while at Belleville High School when she traveled to Helsinki, Finland, as a foreign exchange student. After graduation, she attended the Police Academy at Schoolcraft College (Honors Graduate), Oakland University (Honors Graduate), and Madonna College (Honors Graduate), where she also studied drug enforcement. She continued to graduate with honors from the U.S. Government Training Center in Minnesota, the U.S. Government Basic Training Program, and Senior Inspector Training Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Cathy has worked in Federal Law Enforcement since 1982. She is currently employed by the US Treasury Department as a Senior Customs Inspector, assigned to a select team of six officers working cargo enforcement who are a part of Detroit's first line of defense in the War on Drugs. She made over 100 seizures of merchandise and contraband in 1996. She held the unpaid positions of Historian for the Port of Detroit and currently serves as Van Buren Township Historian. Along with Diane Wilson, she co-authored Water Under the Bridge - A History of Van Buren Township and was a founding member and first president of the original Belleville Area Historical Society. Cathy's distinguished career earned her numerous awards including Veterans Administration " Employee of the Year" and Sustained Superior Performance Awards, Federal Executive Employee of the Year, Veterans Administration Award, Michigan Crime Prevention Association "Practitioner of the Year" and "Outstanding Program Administrator" Awards, Boy Scouts of America "Outstanding Advisor " Award, a Letter of Recognition from Vice President Al Gore, and many work related certificates of appreciation from local, city, state and community service groups. She has also won several volunteer awards, including Wayne County Board of Commissioners "Distinguished Service" Award, Van Buren Township "Volunteer of the Year" Award, and J. C. Penney "Woman of the 80's" National Award. She is a lifelong member of St. Anthony Church in Belleville. Cathy has one daughter, Angelle Martha-Louise.
Harlan Whichello has turned entrepreneurial drive into business success, contributing much to his community along the way. During his Belleville High School days, Harlan participated in football, track, and weight-lifting. He was also a finalist in the Michigan State Mathematics Competition and a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist. After graduation, Harlan attended Michigan State University, where he obtained an Associate's Degree in Mathematics in 1965. He was awarded a Henry Ford Community College Tool and Die Maker Apprenticeship in 1968 and went on to obtain Industrial Management (1973) and Accounting (1983) degrees from Cleary College. He is presently attending Walsh College in Novi, pursuing a Master of Science degree in Finance. Harlan is President and CEO of HDW Enterprises, Inc., with home offices in Plymouth, Michigan. He owns and directs three separate businesses: Belleville Die Shop Division in Romulus, Michigan; Tait Tool and Die Division in Westland, Michigan; and RoHa Leasing, Inc., in Plymouth. In addition to his financial career, Harlan has contributed many hours to community service. He has been a member of the Romulus Rotary Club for 25 years, with perfect attendance for the past 24 years. He has also held every office: Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, President. He served many years as chair of a variety of Rotary committees. He is presently District Governor of Rotary International District 6400, in Southeast Michigan and Southwest Ontario. Harlan's financial expertise has been recognized through his decade of service to Romulus Tax Increment Finance Authority and the Romulus Economic Development Corporation, both of which he presently chairs. He is also the past Finance Chairman of the Girl Scouts USA Huron Valley Council, on which he served as a board member. He has served as the President of the Brookland Farms Homeowners Association for the past 20 years, and is a life member of the National Rifle Association. The Romulus Chamber of Commerce declared Harlan "Citizen of the Year" in 1995. Harlan and his wife of 32 years, Sharon, live in Northville, Michigan. They have two children: Laura is presently a senior at the University of Michigan Dearborn, and Erica is a junior at Alma College. |
|||
