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June 12, 2020 Scholarship Presentation
Scholarship Recipients
Swimmers- Connor Schlägel & Foster Anderson
Artist - Shelby Smego, Grace DeGeest & Grace Weston
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Biography for Doris A. Thompson
Doris Thompson has been an art teacher with Grand Ledge Public Schools for thirty-four years. She spent sixteen years as the Hayes Middle School art teacher, teaching 6 - 7- 8th art classes, and ran an art club during each of those years. She spent four years teaching art for the Hayes Elementary K - 5th grades. During the past eighteen years, Doris has been as an art teacher for Grand Ledge High School, having had the experience to teach every art class that is offered at the high school. She ran a high school Art Club after school for five years. Doris has served as an Adjunct Faculty for Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids for eight years, teaching four of the basic Dual Enrollment art classes after school. Doris has served as the Fine Arts Department Head for the past fourteen years. She taught summer school art classes for 28 years to K-12 grades offered by the City of Grand Ledge and Grand Ledge schools.
Doris has been married to her husband David for forty-eight years. They have three adult children. Desiree’ works for the State of Michigan, in Lansing, David is finishing up his post-doctoral degree with the Wyss Institute, a division of Harvard Medical School, in Boston, and Danika is Director of Development for Associa Cares, in Dallas, TX. They have one grandson Daniel, and a new grandchild expected in early September.
Doris grew up in large German Catholic family of ten, on a big dairy farm in Saginaw County, Michigan. She learned the meaning of hard work, having to do chores at a very young age. Doris learned how to get along with others, and how to share growing up in her family. Doris always liked to draw and make things with whatever she could find. Her mom always made sure they had paper, pencils, and crayons, and would comment on how Doris’ drawings were very realistic, colorful, and neat.
The 16th annual Jason Plite Memorial Fund Dinner spotlighted the 2019 scholarship winners Devin Wieferich, Abigail Ford and Sam Konen. The memorial dinner held Friday April 12, was an evening of remembrance and celebration.
Jason Plite, a Pararescueman in the U.S. Air Force, had an abundance of talent and special qualities. The “PJ” promise to the world is “That Others May Live”. Jason lost his life while on a mission to rescue two Afghani children, just after completing a mission that saved three severely injured Afghanistan Nationals, March 23rd, 2003.
Devin Wieferich was awarded a $2,500 Artistic Scholarship. Devin’s wish is to create art so that the people who see it will feel the joy he has shared in creating the art piece. Devin is also an accomplished musician in the Grand Ledge High School Marching Band, a member of Boy Scout Troop 121 and the Civil Air Patrol. Devin will be attending Northern Michigan University in their Art and Design program
Abigail Ford was awarded a $2,500 Swimming Scholarship. Abigail has stated that the dedication and discipline she has learned from swimming has taught her much and the key to her success in the sport she loves. It has also carried over into her academics and other areas in life. Abigail loves helping others achieve their personal goals. Abigail will be attending University of Sioux Falls to become a Personal Strength and Conditioning Trainer/Coach.
Sam Konen was awarded a $5,000 Swimming Scholarship. Sam states he grew up fascinated by all things Military and has an intense desire to serve our country. Sam will be attending the United States Military at West Point. Sam is a member of the Grand Ledge National Honor Society and has served as a youth liaison for his church and has went on 6 mission trips. Sam plans on using his experience, drive and determination he has gain from swimming to complete the Survival Swimming Course at USMA.
We were honored to have Senior Master Sergeant Luke M. Naughton, Jason’s fellow Pararescuman, as our guest speaker. Luke gave a heartfelt, emotional, speech including some stories of he and Jason going through the Pararescue pipeline as comrades and best friends. The stories included the importance of camaraderie, teamwork, and the value of embracing fun and silly antics. Our dinner guests were deeply and profoundly touched by Luke’s speech.
The MSU Air Force ROTC “Silver Eagles” was present representing the U.S. Air Force, along with posting and retiring the Colors they performed an impressive Rifle Drill.
We are grateful for the continued support of our attendees, the Opera House, A Catered Affaire’, A Complete Rental, Gladstone Printing, Cakes a Bloomin and the many local and surrounding businesses and artists that donate items for the silent auction. It is through these combined efforts that Jason’s legacy continues on. Over the past 16 years we have awarded over $123,500 in scholarships to 46 Grand Ledge High School senior artists and swimmers.
With heartfelt thanks - The Jason Plite Memorial Fund Board of Directors.
Devin Wieferich, Abigail Ford, Samuel Konen
EVENT PHOTOS
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Keynote Speaker - Senior Master Sergeant Luke M. Naughton
REMEMBERING JASON
JASON PLITE MEMORIAL FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Josh Johnston, Luke Naughton, Ryan Beckmann & Sean Cunningham
