Gobles sixth-grade and high school National Honors Society (NHS) students, along with GPS staff celebrated the senior citizens of the local community with its annual Senior Citizen Soup Supper.

Served by GPS students and staff, the local seniors enjoyed a free meal, received a bag of medicine donated by Perrigo, and even played a few games of bingo.

“It’s nice to help other people,” said Madison Marsh, NHS student, about the worthiness of the event.

The annual soup supper originally began as a part of a bond issue. However, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the senior attendees made it clear that the popular event would become a cherished tradition within the Gobles community.

“The senior citizens that came were very appreciative to by honored by our school and had such a fun time that it became an annual event,” said Leah Herman, GPS sixth-grade teacher and co-organizer of the event. “It is a way for us to give back to our community and it honors our elder community members.”

Nancy Riggins attended her third soup supper this year. “I’ve lived in the area for four years and I like to participate. Plus, it helps the young folks when we show interest in what they’re doing,” explained Riggins.

​Many people and local organizations donated time and resources to the worthy event. The generous contributions of Perrigo, Village Market, Gobles Hometown Pharmacy, Gobles Mancino’s, Wahmhoff Farms, GPS sixth-grade and high school NHS students, as well as GPS Food Service and staff truly made this important event possible.

Gobles High School juniors and seniors enjoyed “A Night Under the Stars” at Prom on Saturday, April 16.
The Gobles students enjoyed the starlit theme of the evening at the Old Mill Banquet Center in Plainwell.

“The annual prom activity starts the clock counting down to the end of the school year for the students.  It is always well attended and Mrs. Ewald, as well as our students, does a fantastic job of organizing and hosting the Prom each year,” said Phillip McAndrew, Gobles Middle/High School principal.

The students celebrated their hard work throughout the school year with a memorable evening of dancing and glamour. They were also given the opportunity to vote for the Gobles Prom King and Queen.

​Once the votes were tallied, the students had elected King Brendan Baker and Queen Abigail Papke. The seniors shared a dance as the honorary royal couple.  

Tuesday, April 26th at 5pm, Gobles sixth-grade students, high school National Honors Society members and GPS staff will provide a free soup supper to senior citizens of the Gobles community in the Middle/High School foyer. 

Attendees will also be provided with a bag of medicine donated by the Perrigo pharmaceutical company.

​This is a great opportunity for these key community members to enjoy some interaction with each other, as well as our students, and even play a few games of bingo.

​Over spring break, the Gobles Biology Club took part in an educational adventure on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas to study marine ecology, conservation, and the Bahamian culture. 
 
This year the club took fifteen students and six chaperones to the Bahamas over spring break.  Students attending this year’s trip were Jason Boyer II, Emily Bolhuis, Jacob Bolhuis, Johnathon Doman, Emily Chilla, Alexis Zajda, Alexis TenBusschen, Collin Goldsberry, Cari Wiessner, Courtney Pasek, Jacob Millward, Mollee Nason, Cam Davis, Anne Huston, and Casey Steinman.  Chaperones accompanying these students were teacher Bob Lisowski, and parents Linda Huston, Becky Wiessner, Mark Pasek, Bob Bolhuis, and Jason Boyer.
           
In preparation of their educational trip, students practiced snorkeling, and attended classes about both the ecosystem and the culture that they would experience. “It is vital that the students have an understanding of the people’s culture and the ecosystem they will experience to assure a safe and meaningful trip,” said Bob Lisowski, Gobles teacher and sponsor of the biology club. 
 
During the trip, students visited the local high school, explored several reefs and mangroves through both day and nighttime snorkeling adventures, swam to and snorkeled the “Wall,” visited the Columbus Monument, and an island with threatened marine iguanas, explored a bat cave, visited the only town on the island, hiked through the dense forest, and ate at a local restaurant.  Students also attended class sessions during the evening to reflect on their learning experiences, took part in lectures about the San Salvador history and echinoderms, and attended a church service as well.
 
San Salvador Island is one of 700 islands sprinkled throughout the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and is surrounded by a wealth of spectacular reefs. The island is not known for its tourism, but is unique in its history, ecology, inland lakes, and potential for future development. 
 
The island was discovered in 1492 where Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World. Today, the 1000 inhabitants of this small island rely on subsistence farming, local fishing, and the Gerace Research Centre. 
 
Gobles was one of only two high schools in the nation that was able to experience this unique island. During their trip, students stayed at the Gerace Research Centre, an organization that has provided tools and facilities for teaching various field courses.
 
The intent of the Gerace Research Centre is to inquire into the meaning of environmental relationships; to develop an understanding of another culture; to instruct in research methods and techniques; and to conduct initial surveys and advanced field studies of the island. 
 
“This trip will open the eyes of all students with regards to environmental concerns. Furthermore, it will give the students a much greater appreciation for what they have at home. My hope is that this opportunity will guide the students and give them some direction as they prepare for their future, experiences that are far more than just learning about the people, flora and fauna. I know students will discover new things about themselves, and these discoveries will help them as they go beyond graduation,” said Lisowski. 

Mason Gordon, Gobles 2016 graduating senior, was awarded the prestigious Western Michigan University Medallion Scholarship Award.

All eligible candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.7 or higher at the end of their junior year and an ACT score of 26 or higher, or an SAT score of 1,170 or higher.

The selection process for the award winners is quite rigorous, including an essay, group problem-solving sessions, a medallion scholar student panel and an academic college showcase.

 The merit-based scholarship is the highest offered at WMU totaling at $60,000 over four years, as well as one of the largest merit-based scholarship programs in American higher education.

In addition to the financial benefits of the award, recipients are also accepted into the prominent Lee Honors College. Access to the Honors College comes with many benefits, including priority access to honors courses and societies, as well as optional honors housing.  

Gobles senior, Mollee Nason, will be playing softball for the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines during Spring 2017.

Nason is looking forward to new experiences and opportunities at the U of M school. Already familiar with a few of her teammates, she confided that “Coming on to the team with a family already, is pretty awesome.”

Due to an injury during her senior year, Nason will be unable to play for the Tigers during her final year at Gobles. She is, however, excited to get back to a sport that she’s loved for 12 years during her freshman year at UM-Dearborn.

Studying a major in Biomedical Science, Nason cites Michigan’s prestigious medical program as a determining factor for her choice of college. With big plans for medical school, quality of education was a critical factor in her decision.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s newest Cougar, and Gobles’ own 1st Team All-Conference player, Haley Rock, is thrilled about her decision to sign with the college’s volleyball team.

As the school’s first signee of the season on Tuesday, March 22, Rock is eager to learn new volleyball skills as well as the new rules and concepts of college-level volleyball, a sport she has loved since 7th grade. 
Rock cites her last season’s favorite memory as the team’s very first game against Saugatuck. “The girls came out with so much aggression and intensity. We really came together as a team and won our first game,” beamed the volleyball player.

On Wednesday, April 13, Ellen Doyle signed with Malone University in Canton, Ohio on basketball and academic scholarships.

During her final basketball season at Gobles, Doyle achieved a new school record with 1,261 points scored and 539 assists during her high school basketball career. Additionally she was honored as the Kalamazoo Gazette’s 2015-16 Player of the Year, and was recognized as a member of their Dream Team last year.
The Gobles Girls Basketball team went on to achieve its third consecutive District Championship with a triple-overtime victory against Hartford.

After an impressive final season, Doyle gleamed with excitement about her upcoming commitment with Malone. She cites the university’s Christian faith as a major factor in her decision. Doyle affirmed that she is eager to play for a “school with a faith that I believe in.”

GPS looks forward to the great things that these ladies are destined to accomplish in their academic and athletic careers.

Graduating Gobles senior, Ellen Doyle, broke the High School Girls Basketball record for points this year by scoring a total of 1,261 points for the Tigers and aiding with 539 assists over her four-year high school career.

Additionally, Doyle was also honored as the Kalamazoo Gazette’s 2015-16 Girls Basketball Player of the Year, as well as being recognized as a member of the Gazette’s Dream Team last year.

Head Coach John Curtis has no doubt that Doyle will continue to make Gobles proud. He went on to say that “seeing the work that she’s put in and being able to see her reap the benefits is a good feeling as a coach.”

Madeleine Jackson, Gobles Girls Basketball coach and Ellen’s older sister, praised Doyle as "the best rebounder on the team." Doyle’s passion for basketball initially stemmed from growing-up and watching Jackson play the sport. As the years drew on, her own passion for the game was fueled by a love for the competition and the fast-paced strategy.

The girls basketball team wrapped up its action-packed season with its third consecutive District Championship defeating Hartford with a 37-34 victory in triple overtime. Doyle cites this exciting accomplishment and the scoring of her 1,000th career point as her most memorable Tigers basketball moments.

Gobles Public Schools welcomes communications specialist Carolann Hall. She is part of a team from Kalamazoo RESA and will be supporting GPS in their communications efforts. Originally from the Ann Arbor area, Hall recently returned to Michigan from Fayettville, North Carolina, where her husband, Matthew, was stationed with the Army. She graduated from Methodist University with a degree in mass communications.

"I am thrilled for the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of Team Gobles. I look forward to the many opportunities to share the Gobles story and its many accomplishments, " said Carolann.

With a new focus on increasing and improving communications, Hall will be working on the district website, sharing news stories, and strengthening the district’s social media presence.

“Great things are happening here,” said district Superintendent Jeff Rehlander. “We’re excited to tell the Gobles story.”

Hall started on April 11, and is currently looking for items to publicize.  If you have a news tip or an event to share, please use the Publicity Request Form on the district website.