Students in Gobles Biomedical STEM classes visited Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s (KVCC) new Culinary/Allied Health building on Wednesday, May 25.

The field trip was intended to expose students to KVCC’s new state-of-the-art medical training facility, as well as introduce and excite them about KVCC.

The students participated in a discussion with KVCC’s Strengths Ambassador, Phi Theta Kappa students, and KVCC student recruitment, as well as toured through the nursing labs, simulation center, Respiratory, and EMT areas.

Throughout the tour, the biomedical STEM students were able to see robotic manikins in-action. The manikins provide training opportunities for students in the medical field.

​“It was very exciting that a community college would have this much to offer in the culinary and allied health fields. The simulation manikins were awesome. The students here are truly exposed to realistic training in the nursing field,” said Collin Goldsberry, a Gobles High School student. 

​Mrs. Leah Herman’s Gobles sixth-graders won second-place in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) “A Year in the Life of a Bear” video contest.

The winning group consisted of Corbin Baranoski, Preston Zantello, McKenzie Lisowski, Sierra McKenzie, Trinity Stone, Madyson Groth, Morgan Witt, Joshua Pearson, Kendalyn Haskins and Eric Phillips.

The sixth-graders spent the school year learning about many aspects of the Michigan black bear, including its life cycle, general biology and behavior, as well as how the DNR manages and maintains a healthy black bear population.

Participating classes also get to “follow” a black bear by using data points from a radio-collared Michigan black bear to track the bear through its natural movements.

As part of the project, students take the information that they have learned about bears to interpret the life of a Michigan black bear.

"My favorite part of participating with the DNR was tracking a real bear through Michigan. Making the video and showing what we learned was very cool too. I can't believe that we won second-place! That was amazing," exclaimed Morgan Witt.

The Gobles sixth-grade class will be awarded a $500 gift certificate to purchase classroom supplies.

The education program is open to sixth through eighth grade students throughout Michigan.

The first-place prize was awarded to Mrs. Demott’s seventh-grade class at Northern Michigan Christian School in McBain, Mich.

On Friday, May 20, Gobles Middle School students were honored for academic successes during an award ceremony.

The Gobles students were recognized for their achievements in math, English, social studies/history, science and other classes.

Some students were additionally honored with the prestigious President’s Award for Educational Excellence, which were signed by the President of the United States.

Shaina Tubergan, a Gobles Middle School sixth-grade teacher, was excited about the opportunity to celebrate student academic achievements.

“It’s wonderful to see students and families honored for their hard work in the classroom; it’s very well deserved,” explained Tubergan. 

Gobles Public Schools held its first annual K-12 STEM Showcase on Tuesday, May 17.

“STEM education is about teaching students to be problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and innovators. It is about teaching students the skills today that will make them ready for the real-world global marketplace of tomorrow,” said Jeff Rehlander, Superintendent of Gobles Public Schools.

The STEM curriculum focuses on educating students in the four most prominent and competitive career fields of the future: science, technology, engineering and math.

“Kindergarteners are talking about being engineers today, and that’s really thrilling,” exclaimed Terry Breen, Principal of Gobles Elementary School.

The student displays were both interactive and visual-based, with a different concentration for each school.

The elementary students displayed work that focused on robotics and compound machines, middle school students presented work on VEX robotics and medical investigation, and the high school students showcased work that focused on engineering and the biomedical sciences.

The students are very enthusiastic about the STEM curriculum and were eager to share and explain their projects.

​“We’re going to put an egg in here and we’re going to send it down a ramp, but we don’t want it to break. We want to keep it safe,” explained the animated Gobles fourth-grader, Hunter Merchant.

Gobles Middle/High School participated in its third annual Community Service Day on Friday, May 17.

The sixth through 12th-graders and their teachers, took to projects throughout the community and across the Gobles Public Schools campus in an effort to clean up and beautify the local area.

Students were in high spirits as they participated in activities such as planting flowers, raking leaves, and painting.

“It’s nice to give back to Gobles and our school. I also enjoy getting to be outside for a while,” explained Alexis Zajda, Gobles High School junior.

Jim Wiseley, Gobles High School history teacher and coach, has participated in every Community Service Day since it began in 2012.

“I think it’s great that the students get to give back to the community. This event gives them the opportunity to build civil service, and allows the them to take ownership of what they’re doing,” said Wiseley.

“Gobles students take great pride in their school and city. The annual Gobles Community Service Day began when a group of students wanted to help clean up the devastating Gobles fire several years ago. When students were told that they could not help due to codes and safety regulations, they decided to take matters into their own hands and help beautify the community in other ways,” said Veronica Peterson, Gobles High School English teacher and event organizer.

The students were excited and eager to participate in the school’s community service learning experience.

​“I love my Gobles!” exclaimed Gobles eighth-graders Hunter Tenbusschen, Hunter Underwood and Carsen Tackett.

Gobles Elementary students enjoyed Track and Field Day on May 11-12.

​The students participated in events such as the long jump, sprints and even an inflatable obstacle course.

Austin Ampey, Gobles High School senior and varsity basketball player, will soon swap his Tiger’s Paw for a Cougar’s Paw.

On May 11, the Gobles point guard and forward signed with Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

​His parents, Shawn and Heather Ampey, along with Gobles basketball coach Marc Kline, and KVCC basketball coach Jim Horn, attended the signing in support of Ampey.

“Like any journey, we’re just excited to see where this leads,” admitted Ampey’s father, Shawn.

Austin first picked up a basketball in third-grade, explained his mother. “Basketball is his love,” Heather said.
“He’s always shooting, anytime he can get on a court.”

Austin was the second-leading scorer for the Gobles Tigers during the 2015-16 season, and was also named 1st Team All-Conference in the same year.

“He’s improved so much,” said Coach Kline. “I really think he’s just going to get better and better over the next couple of years. He has the potential, the work ethic and the drive,” he praised.

Ampey, who will be studying nursing in the fall, has always loved the sport. “Everyone plays differently,” he said. “It’s kind of like a dance – you all have your own style.”

Ampey explained that he’s most excited for the next level of competition offered in collegiate basketball.

Austin also plays soccer and runs track for the Tigers. Outside of school, he also participates in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. 

Gobles High School seniors Nick Fenton, Devon Gildea, Courtney Pasek, Sydney Wilcox, Mollee Nason, Ellen Doyle, Kieran Shawhan, and Colton Burke were honored as the Southwestern Athletic Conference Scholar Athletes of 2016.

In order to qualify for this distinction, the senior athletes must maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher, and have earned a minimum of four Varsity Letters in at least two different sports.

​The banquet was held at the Lawton Community Center and was attended by Tim Hiller, former Western Michigan University quarterback. 

Gobles High School has been honored with the U.S. News & World Report Best High School Bronze recognition for the second time in three years.

Students at Gobles High School have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement Coursework and exams, with a participation rate of 25 percent.

Additionally, Gobles boasts several cutting-edge programs such as Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM), 1:1 Technology, band and two internationally traveling clubs.

​Gobles High School is honored by this recognition and will continue to make advancements that will prepare its students for a competitive global marketplace. 

McKenzie Winne was presented with the Van Buren County Education Association (VBCEA) student scholarship on May 4, by Shaina Tubergan, Gobles Middle School sixth-grade teacher and member of the VBCEA PR Committee.

“Each year the VBCEA PR Committee works hard at choosing a recipient that demonstrates the characteristics to become an outstanding educator. This year McKenzie couldn’t have been a better choice. She has worked hard with her experiences in Gobles Public Schools and deserves all the best in her future. The children that will have her as a teacher someday will be blessed by her compassion and many talents,” said Tubergan.

The recipient is selected based on several factors including volunteerism, academic achievements and positive characteristics. Additionally, the award winner must also be pursuing a career in the education field.

​Winne attended the banquet along with her parents, Jay and Jodi Winne, who expressed sincere gratitude for their daughter’s recognition. “We would greatly like to thank the Michigan Education Association and VBCEA for selecting McKenzie as the 2016 recipient.”

“McKenzie has had some great teachers along the way helping to mold the person she has become,” said Jodi. “McKenzie will make a great teacher as she has a heart of gold and loves working with kids.”