Longtime Counseling Admin Retires

Kim attended Warren Woods Tower High School, and her best friend was a cousin of Jerry Zaccardelli’s, also from the Class of 1975. They introduced her to Richard; Kim and Richard married in 1980.

Kim lives in Macomb Township, and her three children also live nearby.

Her daughter, Diana, a 2000 Sterling Heights High School graduate, is a competitive dance teacher for two studios and the head dance team coach for L’Anse Creuse High School and Chippewa Valley High School.

Her daughter, Lauren, a 2003 Sterling Heights graduate, and MSU grad, 2007, is a chiropractor, with her own practice in Sterling Heights; Lauren and her husband, Mauricio, also a MSU grad are parents of three children.

Paul, Class of 2010, attended Grand Valley State University (GVSU), and his wife, Alexa, is also a GVSU alumnus; they are the parents of a six-month old daughter.

Kim already has several European trips planned in 2023, and more in 2024.

Mrs. Kim Balgenorth, the De La Salle Collegiate Counseling Department Administrator since 2008, retired this June.

After her husband and DLS alumnus Richard Balgenorth, Class of 1975, passed away suddenly in 2007, Kim left her job as a District Manager for a new baby photo company. Her son, Paul, was in his sophomore year, and she needed to curtail her travel to 40 hospitals, with locations ranging from Kalamazoo, MI, to Toledo, OH.

Kim and her family established the Balgenorth Scholarship, beginning with the Class of 2009.

The Richard Balgenorth Memorial Scholarship is a tribute to the memory of Mr. Balgenorth, and his belief that De La Salle Collegiate plays a crucial role as a foundation for life-long learning. The Richard Balgenorth Lasallian Award for Higher Education aims to financially assist a graduating De La Salle senior, to continue his education at a college or university.

The Scholarship, set up as an Endowment, will continue indefinitely.

Principal Brother Ken Kalinowski, ‘84, has high praise for Kim.

“Kim is the consummate professional, willing to help everyone and ensuring all is done perfectly,” said Brother Ken. “She loves to travel, and her knowledge of that field has helped many of the faculty.”

Counselor Andrew Campbell said, “Kim will be sorely missed. Her experience is irreplaceable - she is irreplaceable.”