Shelby Public Schools Staff
Name: Halley Church-McHugh
Role at Aspire: Thomas Read Site Coordinator
Hometown: Pentwater , MI
College Attending/Attended: Michican State University, 2008
Area of Study/Occupation: Apparel and Textile Design
The reason I like to work with kids is because: they keep me energized and continually surprise me with the knowledge and emotional depth they posses.
This year at Aspire I am looking forward to: working with all the 1st-3rd grade students who attend Shelby schools.
Something unique or special about me is: I recently moved to North Muskegon.
First and Last Name: Laura Gauthier
Role at Aspire: Shelby Middle School Site Coordinator
Hometown: Scottville, MI
College Attending/Attended: Grand Valley State University
Area of Study/Occupation: Secondary Social Studies
The reason I like to work with kids is: because I enjoy them and they are our future. Someone has to look out for me when I am old.
This year in the Aspire Program, I am looking forward to: taking on a new role in education and making a difference in some kids lives.
Something unique or special about me is: I moved to Kentucky to teach and moved back after 2 years. Believe it or not, we missed the snow as there is very little in SW Kentucky.
Name: Emma J Kirwin
Role at Aspire: Shelby High School Site Coordinator
Hometown: Walkerville, MI
College Attending/Attended: Grand Valley State University, 2005
Area of Study/Occupation: Secondary Education, Social Studies and Psychology
The reason I like to work with kids is because: they are exciting, fun, and they never fail to surprise me with their depth and opinions. Their enthusiasm for the future is contagious!
This year at Aspire I am looking forward to: getting to know the staff and students at Shelby High, finding out the students’ needs and interests while helping them getting out into the world
Something unique or special about me is: My birthday is on Earth Day!
Name: Julie Veeneman
Role at Aspire: New Era Elementary Site Coordinator
Hometown: Walker, MI but borrowed a few additional “home towns” Barahona, Dominican Republic and Choluteca, Honduras both of which make me “pura campesina” or country girl.
College Attending/Attended: Calvin, Grand Valley , and UNAM, Mexico City
Area of Study/Occupation: Secondary Ed. Spanish for SSL and ESL
The reason I like to work with kids is because: What’s not to like? I am energized by time spent with people and kids are the realest people around, like adults before we put “our faces” and roles on.
This year in the Aspire Program, I am looking forward to: Working in a K12 school building again, with “face time” with kids. I just left a job with Pre-College Programs at Calvin College
Something unique or special about me is: I love to scuba dive, even though I have a hole the size of an orange in my thorax. Not many people can actually touch their lung. Or drive a 2 inch pin in their leg without feeling it. Yeah, I know gross!
Name: Kimberly Morden
Role at Aspire: Project Director
Hometown: New Era, MI, USA
College Attending/Attended: I received my Bachelor’s in Education from Cornerstone University and my Master’s in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University
Area of Study/Occupation: I am the Project Director of the fabulous ASPIRE program at Shelby Public Schools
The reason I like to work with kids is because: I love the possibilities each child has. I love to see hope of the future in each child’s eyes! Each child is a unique creation! My hope is to help each child become his/her best self.
This year in the Aspire Program, I am looking forward to: Seeing more children and young adults experience all that ASPIRE has to offer. SPREAD THE WORD!
Something unique or special about me is: I have six fantastic kids and four of them are under the age of 3. Peter-9, Matthew-7, Joseph-3, Emma-2, Gabriel and Katherine-1.
American Youth Foundation Miniwanca Staff
Name: Chloé Risto
Role at Miniwanca: Program Coordinator
Hometown: St. Joseph , MI
College Attending/Attended: University of Notre Dame (B.A.) and Indiana University Bloomington
Area of Study/Occupation: I am a Program Coordinator at Camp Miniwanca
The reason I like to work with kids is because: They are real; they are fun; they are willing and open to play; they tell it like it is and they revel in the small things. They’re smart and hilarious and love to share everything with you. I know I am made better when I spend time with kids and young adults.
This year in the Aspire Program, I am looking forward to: Knowing more children of the Shelby
Something unique or special about me is: I have dual citizenship with the United States and France
Name: Matt Shaw
Role at Miniwanca: Program Facilitator
Hometown: Lisle, IL
College Attending/Attended: Iowa State University
Area of Study/Occupation: BFA in Graphic Design
The reason I like to work with kids is because: I enjoy working with kids as it allows me to have an opportunity to share many of my passions with the youth we work with while also helping to establish positive and healthy ideals. I am driven by the smiles and moments of joy, whether they occur when a child learns a new skill or simply when playing a game of tag, that we help make possible through programs like Aspire. Nothing motivates you more about the impact of your profession than seeing your work recognized through the smile of a child.
This year in the Aspire Program, I am looking forward to: As I am the newest member of the Aspire team at Miniwanca, I am looking forward to getting to meet and know each of the kids that participate in the Aspire program as well as working to make each day that the kids spend at Miniwanca exhilarating and filled with new and exciting learning experiences for everyone involved.
Something unique or special about me is: I am in the process of writing a novel that I hope to finish within the next year.
Name: Adam Russell
Role at Miniwanca: Program Director
Hometown: Chattanooga , Tennessee , USA
College Attending/Attended: Middle Tennessee State University
Area of Study/Occupation: Outdoor Education
The reason I like to work with kids is because: I am constantly inspired by the belief that kids have in the beauty of this world. I was given direction and a chance early in my life by an adult mentor and feel it is my charge to give back to the children of this world now that I am an adult.
This year in the Aspire Program, I am looking forward to: greeting all of the students as they get off the bus at camp for all of the exciting activities!!!
Something unique or special about me is: I can solve a Rubix Cube! In fact, it is almost impossible for me to see a Rubix Cube lying around somewhere that is unsolved and not be completely tempted to run over to it and solve it.
