2023 KBIC High School Seniors

On behalf of the entire community, congratulations to each and every one of you. Your graduation from high school is a testament to your hard work, perseverance, and determination May you embrace the opportunities that lie ahead with confidence, courage, and a passion for making a difference.

Mariana Teikari L'Anse High School

Mariana is the daughter of Todd and Kristy Teikari

After high school graduation, Mariana plans to attend Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community during her Freshman year and then transfer to a different college during her second year

Kylie is the daughter of Betti Szaroletta and Don Michaelson

Kylie’s sports included from her Freshman to Senior year are as follows: Basketball, Volleyball, softball, and Track.

In her Junior and Senior years of basketball, she and her team won Districts and Regionals and fell short their Junior year to a great Fowler team. Coming into her Senior year, their team again won Districts and then Regionals and headed down to the Breslin Center in Lansing, MI, for the D4 State Championships, for which they beat Fowler in the first round and fell short to Glen Lake in the finals. They ended up Runner Up in the State D4. A school record. Quite an accomplishment for a small school in the Upper Peninsula.

During track, Kylie has always excelled in the Shot Put. She placed 3rd in her Junior year at UP Finals and qualified for UP Finals her senior year, held on June 2, 2023, in Kingsford, MI. During her senior seasons, Kylie also received 2nd Team All-Conference in volleyball and 1st Team All-Conference in basketball.

Kylie’s plans after high school graduation are to attend Bay College in Escanaba, MI, and study Business Administration She also committed to play D3 basketball at Bay College in the fall.

Javon Shelifoe Baraga High School

Javon is the son of Angela Dickson and James Shelifoe, Jr He participated in Basketball, Track, and Football, receiving WestPac Football Conference - First Team DL and All-UP Football First Team - Tackle his senior year He was also selected to participate in the June 2023 UP All-Star Football game at the NMU Superior Dome in Marquette, MI.

Javon was also a member of the Student Council and received the Outstanding Senior Award for the Class of 2023

Javon will attend Northern Michigan University this fall to pursue a degree in Business

Education Department Welcomes New Promise Neighborhoods Program Staff

The KBIC Education Department recently received a 5-year Promise Neighborhoods grant from the Department of Education, with an expected funding amount of $21,969.149.

Promise Neighborhoods grants provide coordinated support services and programs to students from lowincome backgrounds at every stage of their education, from early childhood through their careers.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community/Baraga County Promise Neighborhood will provide services focusing on health, education, families, career and technical education, culture, healthy relationships, financial aid, and postsecondary enrollment. "Braiding connections between Promise Neighborhoods, KBIC departments, and local schools, we plan to create a continuum of cradle-to-career services that will not only benefit the community's education system but create a culture of mentoring designed to empower our leaders of tomorrow," said KBIC Education Director Liz Julio.

For more information about the Promise Neighborhoods Grant: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grantssupport-services/school-choice-improvementprograms/promise-neighborhoods-pn/

Hi, my name is Lisa Zasadnyj. I have been married to my husband for over 18 years. I have two beautiful daughters, Cassandra is a senior who has been accepted to Michigan Tech University and will attend this fall, and Paige is a sophomore.

I have worked for the L'Anse Area Schools for the past 12 years as an At-Risk Aide and have enjoyed helping kids learn and watching them grow. I have accepted the Elementary (K-5) Specialist position through the KBIC Promise Neighborhoods. I love working with children and helping them learn new things

Hi, my name is Kyle Lake, and I am excited to join the KBIC Education department as the Middle School Specialist. I have over five years of experience working in Education from preschool ages all the way up to 12th grade.

You can find me on the golf course or pontoon free time to make a difference in of our KBIC community.

Aaniin! My name is Jaycie Forcia. I am the new Promise Neighborhoods High School Specialist within the Education Department. I just graduated from KBOCC with an associate's degree in Liberal Studies and a focus on Social Sciences I have a beautiful, almost 2year-old son I am super excited to start working with high school students, their families, and teachers in both L'Anse and Baraga to support their educational journeys.

Hi, Im Betti Szaroletta, the College/Career Specialist for the Promise Neighborhoods Program. I have lived in Baraga since 2005 and before in Ontonagon. I have three daughters. I have two Associate's degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education.

I want to become an excellent resource for students going into college and those transitioning into careers.

Boozhoo! I am Christine Awonohopay and reside in Baraga I have been hired as the Anishnaabe Gikinoo'amaadiwin and will work in Baraga Area Schools. I am excited to return to working with our youth and families at Baraga.

I am a proud mom of five sons and two grandsons. I enjoy going to powwows, doing beadwork, and making regalia. I also love to fish and spend time on the pontoon.

My educational background comes with a Master's degree in Educational Technology, Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, and an Associate's degree in Liberal Studies. I have over 20 years of experience working with children and families.

Boozhoo! My name is Kristen Dean, and I will fill the role of our education department's Scholarship Coordinator.

I am an enrolled member and the niece of the late Fred Dakota I have two absolutely amazing kiddos, Trysten and Bentleigh. Outside of work, they keep me busy, and in my downtime, you can find me in my "rock shop!"

It is an honor to finally utilize my Associate's degree to serve our tribal community. I look forward to helping present and future students in any way I can.

Miigwech