Ready for the Next Chapter: Meet Leelanau County's 2024 Graduates

Leelanau County's schools are special by virtue of their small, tight-knit graduating classes that produce lifelong friends - and some truly special students.

Each year, The Ticker asks each district to connect us with some of their graduates to see where they've been and where they're going. For the 2024 edition, we asked each student to describe their most memorable experience from high school, name their favorite teacher and tell us their plans for the summer and beyond. 

Grace Oskaboose, Northport

Experience: My memorable experience in high school was the whole county prom. The photo booth was the best part and I had fun taking pictures with my friends. 

Teacher: Mrs. Wadas, the music teacher whom I’ve had since 6th grade. She helped me learn my love music. I appreciate her kindness that she showed me on my rougher mornings.

Plans: This summer I will be working full time and starting the fall semester at NMC for social work, and then transferring after two years for my bachelor’s degree.

Dylan Cundiff, Glen Lake

Experience: I’d have to say that my most memorable or enjoyable high school experience was winning districts and regionals in basketball. This was a sport I had put a lot of time and effort into off season, so it was nice to see some results.

Teacher: Mr. Bradford had the greatest impact on me because he showed how giving back to others through kindness, support, and effort is rewarding to both oneself and others.

Plans: This summer I will be working at Boonedocks. After that, I plan on attending the University of Notre Dame to major in neuroscience and behavior and follow a pre-med track. 

Sara House, The Leelanau School

Experience: Jokingly, (Head of School) Rob Hansen thought it would be nice to tell me that I hadn’t been chosen for any Lawn and Tree or Graduation awards. For both ceremonies I was perfectly content knowing that I hadn’t been chosen. Others deserve their recognition even if I was extremely dedicated. Then the final and most important awards, Pinebrook Plaque and the C.W. Schinn award, were made out to me. Rob knew I would appreciate the surprise. 

Teacher: I know I sound like my mom, but I don’t have favorites. Every teacher at Leelanau has made a profound impact on me because we all connected. I considered us all friends from day one. I love them as they are my parents away from home.

Plans: I am working at Cottonseed this summer. I’ll also be getting on the boat and going for late night drives. I will be attending Warren Wilson College in the fall. It is the Leelanau School’s mission on steroids, so what’s not to love? It's a total hippie town out there and I can’t wait to meet a bunch of people that just love life and get creative. I plan to be a teacher; that just fits me.

Ella Flores, Glen Lake

Experience: My most memorable high school experience was starting the Interact Club (High School equivalent to a Rotary Club). We held a winter clothing drive and a game night at a local nursing home. It also made me eligible to attend this year’s Rotary International mission trip to El Salvador to build six houses in the small village of Talnique. Starting the club, my senior year opened up many opportunities, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support from Tom Trumbull, Jason Misner, Keltie Palmer, my family and many others. Rotary is an amazing organization that has made an immense impact on my life and my hope is the more people get in touch with the good that they do. 

Teacher: Cathy Kangas. She is one of the BEST math teachers around as well as student council advisor. She never fails to be there for her students and is always your biggest cheerleader for when you succeed. 

Plans: My plans after high school are to attend Northwestern Michigan College to get my general studies out of the way, before transferring to a larger university in hopes to get on the pre med track. I am not exactly sure what I want to do in the medical field, but working in pediatrics is my goal.

Minnie Bardenhagen, Suttons Bay

Experience: It is really hard to pick just one moment in high school, but if I had to, I would say that being a member of the theater program at the school was my favorite part of the experience. Not only was I able to participate in the music and acting that I love, but I also made lifelong friends and found a group of like-minded people. I could never forget my time there, and I will always continue to support the program.

Teacher: Every one of my teachers had a large impact on me, but a teacher whose class I don’t think I’ll ever forget would be Mr. King. Everything that I was taught in his classes I found valuable to my everyday life, and he also creates an environment that is fun and approachable. 

Plans: This summer, I am going to be working at Bahle Farms Golf Course as a member of their maintenance crew in order to save up more money for college and other goals. I will be attending NMC in the fall to learn some more about music before transferring into Western Michigan University’s music therapy program. Someday, I hope to work in nursing homes with the elderly.

Lucas Gordon, Suttons Bay

Experience: My most memorable high school experience is probably all of the sports that I’ve played in all of the friendships I’ve made throughout playing sports. Pretty much going to a small school all of my friends that I’ve made have been other athletes, so it was really easy to connect.

Teacher: The teacher that has had the biggest impact on me is either Lori Wille or Nikki Hursey. Those two just because of their dedication to teaching and also how they can really connect with their students.

Plans: This summer I’m running my own lawn care and landscaping business and then in the fall Delta College to work towards a degree in sports medicine well, also playing baseball for Delta.

Delana Kirt, St. Mary

Experience: My most memorable experience of being able to attend St. Mary's was being able to go to school mass every week. I also have enjoyed being able to have close relationships with other students in the school because it is a small school. 

Teacher: There wasn't a certain one teacher that made a huge impact on me, but rather all of them. During my time at St. Mary's, all of the teachers have taught me many valuable lessons that will for sure take me far in life. 

Plans: My plans for the summer are to work for a local landscaping company until the middle of August. I will be leaving for college on August 16th to head out to Las Vegas, Nevada. I will be attending the University of Nevada Las Vegas to study kinesiology. 

Logan DeFour, Leland

Experience: I would say that my most memorable experience was winning third place in the National Robotics Challenge I participated in through my Career Tech Center program. It was incredibly satisfying to see hours and hours of time and effort pay off in one moment.

Teacher: I’d like to express my gratitude to Mrs. Smith, the art teacher at Leland. For my graduation I was required to take at least one art class during my time in high school. I never had the opportunity to take a class until my senior year where I was enrolled in pottery. Mrs. Smith made the unfamiliar classroom feel open, and answered any questions I may have had due to my lack of experience.

Plans: This summer I plan on working for the Manitou Island Transit as a deckhand and tour guide. Starting in the fall I will be attending the University of Michigan to pursue Engineering. I’ve learned that I really enjoy the engineering process and robotics, so I’m excited to follow that interest. I look forward to going somewhere where I can meet people with different experiences than my own.

Fiona Moord, Leland

Experience: My most memorable high school experience was my trip to Finland this spring. I was a part of the Finland exchange program at Leland that focused on forestry management practices. I had the opportunity to visit Finland for ten days with seven other students after Finnish students visited us in the fall. It was my first time traveling internationally and I learned so much about culture, sustainability, and the perspective of others.

Teacher: It would be unfair to say that only one teacher has impacted me at Leland. Mrs. Walter created an environment that cultivated discussion and creativity in her English class. Mr. DeFour challenged us and encouraged curiosity in his classroom. Mr. Kiessel allowed us to think big. These are just a few of the teachers that made an impact among many others at Leland. I am so grateful to have learned from all of them. 

Plans: My plans after high school are to attend Haverford College in the fall where I will be continuing my academic and athletic career playing volleyball. I hope to pursue a major in economics but am open to many different options depending on my interests once on campus. I hope to study abroad during the spring semester of my junior year and also participate in student research. 

Dashel Courson, Northport

Experience: The most memorable part of attending Northport High School was the Crystal Mountain ski trip. The school used to go every year like it was tradition but when I reached high school, they weren’t doing it anymore. But the kids showed that they wanted to go and so the following year the school set up a trip. We all had a blast, except for the unfortunate student who broke their ankle. 

Teacher: The teacher who has had the most impact on me would have to be Donna Wilson, my middle school English teacher. Her positive mindset and urge to make people smile made it hard to have a bad time in her class. She always challenges you to do your best and encourages you to try again when you fail. There was never a bad question or a wrong answer and she would always entertain our curiosity. 

Plans: My plans for the near future are furthering my studies at NMC in Traverse City. I will be exploring the automotive program they offer and progressing that knowledge to my own personal vehicle. I plan to remove the engine and replace all seals and gaskets etc. to essentially refurbish the engine.