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1998
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2009 Belleville High School |
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Jeff Liedel graduated from Belleville High School in 1973. While attending school, he co-captained the Varsity Swim Team, earned the coaches award, and earned a scholarship to Bowling Green State University. During his senior year, he was voted runner-up Coming Home King and one of the youngest Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout Award. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University in 1977 and his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State in 2003. Jeff earned his teaching certificate in 1979 and worked at North Junior High for two years where he taught Math and Science. While working at VBPS, he coached swimming at BHS and helped form the Tiger Swim Club. Since his time as a Van Buren Public Schools staff member, Jeff has experience in the business community including owning Liedel Associates in the early ‘90s. Jeff has distinguished himself in the areas of education leadership and community service. He rose through the ranks of Vanderbilt Area Schools from teacher to principal and finally Superintendent of the District. Jeff stepped up to the increased responsibility while at Vanderbilt to manage the combined roles of Superintendent, Principal, Transportation, and Special Education. He is currently Superintendent of Alanson Public Schools. He has lead on many committees and boards including teacher union negotiations team, co-chairing the Coalition of Essential School Leadership team, selected by his peers to be a Collaborating for Student Success Coach, and the Outstanding Person in Education in 2003. He was a Superintendent of the Year nominee in 2006. In Gaylord he belonged to the Otsego County Community Foundation serving as an executive board member for two years and a regular board member for two more years. He served on the Gaylord/Otsego County Education Foundation as a board member, committee member, and chairperson. Jeff was instrumental in merging these two foundations. He also found time to coach swimming throughout the years receiving various Coaching of the year awards. He has had the privilege of coaching several “All Americans” and State Champions swim teams including the 1987 Class 4-A High School Girls in the Wyoming State Championship. “Although these types of recognition are appreciated,” says Jeff, “I do what I do for the students I serve. I enjoy seeing them succeed. Jeff now lives in Gaylord, has two children, Jared (24) and Lindsay (29).
Dr. Gerard Evanski graduated from Belleville High School in 1981 in the top 15 of his class. He was a member of the BHS National Honor Society, participated in band and choir, becoming band and choir manager for two years, and Drum Major his senior year. He received the R. L. Byrd Musicianship Award, Choir Service Award, and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Evanski attended Michigan State University where he participated in marching band, organized local talent night events, ran a student-based video service, and even directed several church bell choirs and the Michigan State Bell Choir while attending class. Dr. Evanski graduated from Michigan State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Music degree. He completed his Master’s Degree at Wayne State University in Administration/Music in 1990, his Educational Specialist Degree in 1992 and completed his Doctorate in General Administration and Supervision in 1996. Dr. Evanski entered the field of education after graduation from MSU rising through the ranks of the Chippewa Valley School District from teaching music to middle school/high school assistant principal to elementary school principal. He has been the Principal of Erie Elementary School since 1999. In addition to his work in public schools, Jerry has been an instructor at Saginaw Valley University (1985-1995), special lecturer at Oakland University (1995-Present), and presenter/lecturer at the Teacher Learning Center (1985-Present). Dr. Evanski has been on the cutting edge of “brain-based” learning theory for nearly two decades. This learning theory is based on the structure and function of the brain and the current research in the neurosciences which then is applied to the classroom environment. Because of his involvement in brain-based learning, he has become a sought after lecturer and keynote speaker both in the United States and abroad. He was honored by being a presenter at the inaugural Learning Brain Expo in 1998 and he was invited to create and teach Oakland University’s Brain-Based Certification Program in 2000. This is the only program of its kind in the United States. His most recent research is focused on eliminating potential auditory, kinesthetic, or visual blocks to learning. Dr. Evanski is well respected by his students and colleagues for his work in education and his commitment to excellence. He volunteers regularly for events in Waterford Schools where his children attend school and is active in his church. Dr. Evanski’s immediate family includes his wife, Mary, and his lovely daughters, Julia (9) and Emily (5).
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Peggy Curtis graduated from Belleville High School in 1965. She lists her greatest influence at BHS as being part of the Marching and Symphony Band for four years under the direction of Music Director, Edward Downing. As is today, the BHS Marching and Symphony Band was rated one of the best in the state. “When I went to BHS,” says Peggy, “there were no sports for females. My knowledge of how to lead a group and impart life lessons while teaching a class or sport came from Edward Downing. Being in band, under his direction, taught me how to get kids to achieve at their highest level.” This is something she excelled at during her entire career: Mentoring kids to achieve at their highest level. After graduation, Peggy went on to Eastern Michigan University to earn her BA in Art Education in 1970 and her Masters in Guidance in 1977. Peggy returned to Van Buren Public Schools as a teacher at North Junior High to begin what would be a 32 year career with Van Buren Public Schools. Peggy soon moved to BHS where she taught Art, English, and held the position of Guidance Counselor. She was the chairperson for a North Central Committee that made sure that BHS met the stringent requirements to be a North Central Accreditation Association member, a highly prized recognition for any school. She has also been Art Director for numerous high school musicals throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. Above all things, Peggy has distinguished herself in community service by touching thousands of young lives through softball. Peggy loves softball. She has coached Little League Softball. She has been coaching Belleville High School Varsity Softball since 1978. Over the years she worked with talented young women and parents to great success, having 30 of her players go on to play softball at the college level. Her teams have won two State Championships, 12 District Championships, and three Regional Championships. She was named Michigan High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year once and the Softball Coaches Association Coach of the Year twice. In 1996 she was inducted into the Softball Coaches Hall of Fame. Peggy has lived in the Van Buren Public Schools District her entire life. She loves the community as can be witnessed by the many lives she has touched and inspired. She is the model of a community member who gives selflessly and celebrates the accomplishments of those she has taught and guided throughout her life.
Samuel Villa graduated in 1963. While at BHS, Sam participated in football and basketball. He was a member of the Varsity Club, and Senior Class President. Once he graduated he worked for Perfection Bakeries and retired after 35 years. In 1965, the Jaycees purchased a Little League Football franchise. Sam took on the project with two other Jaycees and solicited others from the community who had an interest in developing the new organization’s rules, regulations, and by-laws. When it came time to raise $10,000 to equip 100 young men from the Belleville area, ages 9 to 12 to play football, Sam personally assumed the $10,000 debt until the funds could be raised by the Jaycees. As part of his service with the Belleville Jaycees, Sam participated in many community service projects, most notably was the Fourth of July fireworks display for the community each year. Sam’s life long dream was to be the Head Coach of a high school football team. When he was asked by BHS Athletic Director, Mike Colletta to assume the BHS Varsity Head Coaching position, his reply was “I’ll think about it” when what he really meant was “I wouldn’t think of turning it down”. The years he spent as Head Coach, working with the young athletes to make a difference in their lives, were the most rewarding of his coaching career. It was during this time that he solicited funds and space at BHS to build a formal weight room that all sports could utilize. He also developed the formal weight program for the football team. He was presented with the Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award by the Belleville Kiwanis Club when we had more than one service club in Belleville. He was named Coach of the Year by Ann Arbor News while he was head football coach at BHS. He was inducted into the Michigan High School Athletic Association Coaching Hall of Fame. He received a Certificate of Recognition from the State of Michigan/Governor’s office for his years of service and founding the Cougar Football organization. Sam married his high school sweetheart, Diana. They have a child, also named Sam, who married Kelley. Sam and Kelley have a daughter named Brittany and a son named Sammy. Sam Villa was the model husband, father, grandfather, coach, and community member. He positively touched thousands of people’s lives, many who didn’t even know that he did. He knew what was important in his life and he made our community a better place because of it. Sam Villa is the very example of a Distinguished Graduate.
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