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In-Person Graduation for Class of 2021For the first time in two years, Memorial Field was filled with graduates as the class of 2021 was able to hold an in-person graduation in front of their parents and loved ones.
Now that the students are finished with high school, they're the newest members of the East Grand Rapids Alumni Association. We're working hard to connect all East alumni through class news, the East Grand Rapids Alumni Group on Facebook, reunions, homecoming, and lots more. Please help us welcome the Class of 2021 to our thriving, supportive group of alumni Pioneers.
Foundation Connection: Over the course of the Class of 2021's time in East schools from kindergarten to graduation, the Foundation, thanks to our incredible donors, contributed $4,797,773 to their education.
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Spring Sports Roundup: State Champions!The spring high school athletics season was the first since the winter of 2019-20 to be completed more or less interrupted and with fans in attendance.
In crew, both the boys team and the girls team won state championships, the 139th and 140th in school history, adding to East's state record total. The girls lightweight quad also won the national championship, the first ever for East crew!
Girls tennis, boys golf, and boys and girls track all competed in the state championships, and girls water polo advanced to the state final game.
The girls and the boys lacrosse team also reached the state championship games this weekend and won the 141st and 142nd state championships for East Grand Rapids.
Even with all those triumphs, the greatest of all was that our athletes were able to compete in the sports they love in front of their fans.
Foundation Connection: On June 9, the Gerken Open golf outing raised funds to help restore the strength and conditioning program to help all our student athletes.
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Outdoor Orchestra Concert Highlights Busy Spring of Performances with Live AudiencesFor its final concert of the year, the high school orchestra took the show to John Collins Park on the shore of Reeds Lake. In a spectacular setting, the students filled the air with music as beautiful as their surroundings. The same week, the high school band and choirs performed, as well as the middle school band and orchestra.
EGR Drama's big spring event was its staging of Mary Poppins, which had been planned for the spring of 2020 before the pandemic shut everything down. The show was fabulous, and it was wonderful to see students back on stage in the spring musical.
Foundation Connection: Through its Performing Arts Fund, and by sponsoring productions, the Foundation supports the arts in all our schools.
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| Class Reunions Planned for Summer
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Connect with Other Pioneers on Facebook
The East Grand Rapids Alumni Group on Facebook is a great place to stay in touch with your fellow alumni. Recent posts in the group have included job networking, updates on East alumni in college sports, and even a Bruce Towne sighting. The group already includes 982 members. Join and help us get to 1,000. Visit the group today to see what people are posting!
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A Virtual Cup of Coffee with Commander Bill Krissoff '64, United States Navy (Ret.)
Bill Krissoff, MD, Medical Corps, United States Navy (Ret.), will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the Foundation's Community Service and Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner Thursday, September 30, 2021. Commander Krissoff, who graduated from EGRHS in 1964, is an orthopedic surgeon who honored his fallen Marine son Nate in an extraordinary way. After Nate was killed in action in Iraq, Dr. Krissoff, at age 60, decided to walk away from his thriving practice to join the United States Navy Medical Corps. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, caring for injured soldiers. Major General Larry Nicholson, who had been Nate's regimental commander in Iraq, served as the top Marine general in southern Afghanistan during Krissoff's time there. "Bill made a difference for good every day," said Nicholson. "There can be no greater act of love by a father for his fallen son than to take his place in the ranks in the midst of war." You can only have one: Rose’s caramel corn, an ice cream cone from Jersey Junction, or a Yesterdog. Which do you choose? Rose's caramel corn after ice skating on Reeds Lake. What was your path from East Grand Rapids to where you are now in life? Circuitous--college in Ohio, medical school in Colorado, residency in surgery in California and Colorado. Private practice of orthopedics for almost 30 years at Lake Tahoe (Truckee) and then a stint as Navy surgeon based in San Diego. What specific thing did you learn in East that has enabled you to be successful? Hard work. What were you like in school? Better ask my classmates on that one! Did you have a favorite teacher or class? Favorite teacher: Mr. Froysland. If you had to choose one moment in one location to serve as the signature moment of your East school experience, what would it be? Pool/school record in Individual Medley in swimming. What do you know now that you wish you’d known then? Value of career in service. Do you stay in touch with many people from East Grand Rapids? A few. Reconnected at Reunion in 2019. What advice do you have for young East alums who are just starting out? Don't be afraid to move out of your comfort zone. Spend one to two years in public service--Peace Corps, military, teacher corps, etc. Who else would you like us to have a virtual cup of coffee with? Jon Reusser, Ivan Miller. Commander Krissoff will be honored at the Community Service and Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, along with this year's Community Service Award winner, Bruce Towne. You can attend the event in-person or virtually. Details are below.
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