Brandon Twp. – As their names were called out one by one, parents proudly watched their child receive a certificate, with praise and recognition for their involvement within the community.
The Brandon Middle School cafeteria was filled with such parents at the 17th annual Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance, sponsored Youth Recognition night on March 30.
The recognition ceremony is sponsored by the Brandon-Groveland Youth Assistance which operates with sponsorship of Oakland County Youth Assistance.
More than 80 youths were commended with certificates of appreciation by dignitaries including Senator Cherry, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, and Oakland County Commissioner Bill Patterson, for their service to others beyond their community.
‘When there is so much bad press about kids these days, it’s a refreshing pleasure to recognize these good citizens,? said Township Supervisor Ron Lapp the evenings master of ceremonies.
The actions, added Lapp, of the recognized youths are a testament to the value of work ethic and community involvement being taught by their teachers.
Commissioner Patterson tipped his hat to ceremony organizers for presenting a polished, efficient program. ? It went very well this year,? Patterson said. ‘With 83-84 kids this is the most streamlined and efficient program I’ve seen.?
The program and dinner were organized by Linda Kroll, board of Directors, Linda Owen, chairperson, Mary Clark, Gail Innis, Holly Kreger, and Judy Henley.
Local sponsorship and support was from Brandon School District, Brandon Township Board, Groveland Township Board, Village of Ortonville Council, Oakland County Probate Court/Circuit Court – Family Division, and the Oakland County Commissioner.

Youth recognition:

Amanda Allison
Jolene Back
Evan Ball
Sarah Ball
Lydia Bates
Teressa Blackburn
Heather Blenkle
Rachel Blenkle
Sadie Boadway Penny Boswell
Erin Bovan
Lynn Cannon
Anthony Chester
Ashley Clark
Ted Claya Tyler Courtemenche
Emma Daley
Jeremiah DeJose
Jennifer Delasko
Alissa Dersa
Requel Dersa
Emily DeWitt
Trevor DeWitt
Meridith Dura
Stevi Edmunds
Shannon Elliott
Heidi Fluck Eleni Gaves
Sophia Gaves
Jaclyn Graveldinger
Jacob Graveldinger
Rachel Graveldinger
Chloe Grounds
Shea Grounds
Jason Hefner
Julie Hefner
Ashley Herndon
Alex Hill
Anthony Hill
Karen Jacobs
Alayna Jonanning
Mikayla Jonanning
Kayln Justice
Aubree King
Jamie Kirts Nicholas Klanke
Kristina Kovarik Steve Kritzman
Taylor LaPlace
Abby Lis
Katie Luczak
Stephanie Manning
Robert McKay
Lisa McKnight
Sarah Mellado
Christina Mihalick
Sarah Nicosia
Pedro O’Brien
Deanna Olejnik
Joey Pavia
Claire Pincumbe
Lauren Polus
Andrew Rathburg Ashley Risch
Audra Sargent
Rebecca Seelbach
Anna Seymore
Christopher Shepard
Jessica Sherman Rachelle Snyder
Janet Soave
Lisa Stach
Margaret Stach
William Tahaney
Grace Trueman
Joe Turlsak
Mike Upton
Laura VanFleteren
Alexandra Violante
John Voyer
Thomas Voyer
Emily Williams
Melissa Winglett