The 2024 graduating class at Suttons Bay Public School are set to move forward with their upcoming overnight senior class trip to Mackinac Island from May 20-22 after the board of education approved a request on Monday night.
Ashley Shimek, Suttons Bay middle and virtual school principal, said this will be the first senior trip for students in the district in many years. The 36 seniors decided that they wanted to go to Mackinac Island this year, Shimek explained, and are hoping to keep costs at no more than $100 per student. Students will stay at the Harbour View Inn while on the island, and have opportunities to learn about the history and to experience some of the outdoor recreational activities offered around the area.
“They (students) will also have an opportunity to kind of roam around and do their own thing,” Shimek said at Monday’s school board meeting.
There will be six chaperones on the trip, including Shimek, Human Resources Director Cris Porter, LIFT Teen Center Founder Bekah TenBrink, LIFT Associate Director Audrey Sharp, Suttons Bay bus driver Doug Periard, and a parent.
While they don’t have a full itinerary just yet, Shimek said their goal is to present at the next board meeting in March more details of exactly what they’ll be doing. The class is hoping to, however, have dinner at the Grand Hotel on one of the two nights.
Seniors right now are currently working to raise funds for the trip, with plans to put on a senior art show at The Lift Center in Suttons Bay in March. 50/50 raffle tickets will also be available at the next two boys basketball home games.
In other business, the board approved:
• Hired Dave Kesby as a maintenance department employee as well as Luis Diaz as a custodian and maintenance department employee.
• Appointed spring coaches for the 2023 season. They are Doug Periard as varsity baseball coach; Mike Gordon, junior varsity baseball coach; Randy U’ren, varsity girls soccer coach; Patti Yearn-Andersen, varsity girls assistant soccer coach, and Shan Bowens as assistant softball coach.
