If there’s one thing moms are never short on, it’s opinions (and snacks). In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked a group of local folks to share a memorable piece of motherly wisdom – words that stuck, shaped decisions, or simply made them feel loved.
Goodrich High School student Natalie Steward wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after graduation. “I didn’t have any plans as to what I wanted to do in life,” she says. “I had a few friends enrolled in the JROTC program at Genesee Career Institute and after I heard what it was about, I decided to join. The program has given me a path and a plan to put effort into getting into college and a career in the Army.”
We all know it’s true … Moms are the best cooks! Just ask multi-award-winning local news anchor and journalist, David Custer. He recently self-published a cookbook entitled Moms Make It Best. And in his eyes, his own mom, Judy Custer, makes the best food.
When Vedant Gupta holds up the golden mic and asks his first question, he is doing more than conducting an interview with an idol or celebrity. He is proving a point. “What I do doesn’t make me any different from anyone else,” he says. “I want everyone to know that any kid can do this. In this day and age, it is not possible to be without a platform to prove what you can do. Just get started and make it happen.”
Acoustic guitar in hands, Rabbi Zoe McCoon greeted her new congregation with a stirring rendition of a traditional Jewish hymn and seemingly endless smiles.
On the campus of Mott Community College exists a smaller school, a different school – set up to function differently with the sole purpose of helping students who learn differently. Known as “slipaway” students, they may need extra help with their studies, or encouragement, or help with emotional or economic needs, or perhaps a challenge better than those provided at a traditional high school.
Cody and Shannon DeLorenzo have no idea how it all started. “We both knew what we wanted to do and, honestly, I don’t think either one of us remembers when we took the first step,” says Cody. “We both knew we wanted to be foster parents.” After they married in 2018, they got ready to begin the process. “Shannon was working as a foster care licensing manager, so we kind of knew what to expect. We started getting our house set up immediately,” recalls DeLorenzo. They reached out to a friend in Clio who put them in touch with a local organization as the first step in achieving their foster care license. “We were interviewed, had to provide income statements, and undergo a home visit that included measuring our rooms and everything,” he adds. “The process can take three to six months.”
All of the Pet Search Nominees are stellar in their own right, but we chose to share the story of Bubbles and his special mission. Congratulations, Bubbles!
For young people who’ve dreamed of flying through the air and looking down at the beauty of the Earth, Genesee County has a place where that dream can come true. Since 2018, the Genesee Career Institute (GCI), a part of the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) has been training young pilots from the area through their Aviation Academy, setting them up for a lucrative career in aviation. “It all started when a group of gentlemen from the Greater Flint Pilot’s Association (GFPA) alerted us to the declining numbers of pilots and aviation enthusiasts in Genesee County and they presented us with a unique program,” says Diana Allard, GISD Executive Director of Career Technical Education. “We did a need assessment and found that there were enough high school students who wanted to be pilots to justify it.”
The Honorable Judge Mark C. McCabe, who presides over the 67th District Court Fourth Division in Fenton, was appointed to the bench in 1993 by Governor John Engler. Sworn in on February 11, 1993 he has continuously served as a judge in Fenton and at the Central Court in Downtown Flint for 29 years. “It’s amazing how quickly time has gone by,” he shares with a smile. McCabe will continue to serve as a judge until 2026 when his current term expires, but cannot run for re-election as he is age-limited.
They grow up so fast. One day they are taking their first wobbly, little steps and before you can even blink, they are heading out the door to start their own life. As your child grows, matures and begins to think about who they are, who they want to be and what they want to do with their life, it is a parent’s duty to help guide them through and that includes creating a plan for life beyond high school – whether that means attending college, beginning a trade career, or taking time off to backpack through Europe. As your child ages, it is up to you to plant the seeds to get them thinking about the next steps in their life. What will that be? If your student has expressed interest in a profession that requires a college degree, then helping them plan for it is one of the best ways to set them up for success.
