Alumni Spotlight! Anna Hunter! Class of 2000! My best memories of Lakeland were Mr. Hyland’s choir program. His classroom was a sanctuary of sorts where students were encouraged to be unapologetically themselves. Mr. H. built such a supportive and unique culture of fun, high expectations, and how to handle both wins and losses. Many of the things he taught me about tenacity, compassion, and empathy helped create the professional leadership style I use today. I am currently the Director of Operations for a culinary company. #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! John Burkart! Class of 1994! Some favorite memories from LHS where his graphic arts classes. He is a retired City of Detroit Firefighter and now is an NHL Scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning! #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Lt. General Rebecca Sonkiss! Class of 1990! Some memories of LHS were that Liz McConnell and Nic Palise were the two strongest influencers to me. Ms. McConnell demanded you put in the work…and think, not just do the assignment. Nic Palise was our band director--a force of nature, a force for good. He built teams and taught the lesson of hard work can be both rewarding and fun. These two were not the only ones. The truth about LHS: no matter where you invested your time, the teachers and staff did their best to help you thrive in the endeavor. The most valuable lesson of all for leading teams: create an environment where people who work hard can thrive and they can achieve nearly anything.
Lt. Gen. Rebecca J. Sonkiss, a three star General in the United States Air Force (Lt. Gen.), is the Deputy Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. The command serves as U.S. Transportation Command’s air component, executing the air mobility mission in support of the joint force, allies and partners. The command encompasses Eighteenth Air Force, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, the 618th Air Operations Center, 17 wings and two groups, which provide rapid global mobility from more than 100 locations worldwide. Air Mobility Command includes over 40,000 active duty personnel, nearly 8,000 civilians, and 551 aircraft. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve add another 56,000 Airmen and civilians and 512 aircraft that operate in support of national defense. The command’s missions include providing command and control of inter-theater and intra-theater airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, global air mobility support and presidential and senior leader air transport in support of national interests.
Lt. Gen. Sonkiss graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994. She commanded the 15th Airlift Squadron through two deployments, was the Vice Commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan and commanded the 62nd Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Lt. Gen. Sonkiss also commanded the 89th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. She is a command pilot with more then 4,400 hours, including 1,377 combat hours in nine different Air Force manned and remotely piloted aircraft. #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Darien Battagin and Drew Wenger! Class of 2018! Drew and I have a lot of great memories from our time at Lakeland High School. He was a successful student, and a top Cross Country and Track athlete, and I was involved in numerous extra curriculars like DECA, NHS and equestrian. We met our sophomore year but it was AP Lit senior year with Mrs. Miska where we began dating and went to prom together! Fast forward, we’ve been dating for 7 years, did long distance all 4 years of college, moved to Chicago together for 2 years, and now have a dog and own a house in Grand Rapids together! We’re so thankful that Lakeland brought us together, and we love to walk down memory lane whenever we’re back in White Lake. Who knew you could meet your soulmate in high school! Drew is a high school English teacher and cross country coach in Grand Rapids area. I’m a political consultant with the Action Factory. Still at Lakeland ism My brother Cooper (class of 2025) and soon to be Gianna (class of 2029)! #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Zach Melvin! Class of 2019! During my tenure at Lakeland Highschool, the moments I remember most are playing freshman football and when those Friday night lights would kick on. In that moment I knew it was game time and I had to leave everything out on that football field. My favorite game was playing against Milford, our rival school, the most competitive match up every season with Lakeland Students taking over the entire Home and Away sections. He is currently serving and protecting the City of Detroit and working for the Detroit Police Department. I'm also enlisted in the Army, serving the country as a Motor Transportation Sergeant. Outside of work, my favorite hobby is portrait photography. Thank you for your service Zach! #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Emily Rustad! Class of 2007! Some great memories for her were being a part of the play my senior year. Also, our trip to New York with Mrs. Smith’s AP US History class was fun! I live in Salinas, CA as a Professor of Agriculture at Hartnell College. I received my PhD in Plant Pathology from UC Davis in 2018. I recently got married and just had a baby girl. #Lakeland50
Don't forget TONIGHT we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of LHS and the Lakeland Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony! Come on our for building tours, refreshments, the school store and some great Lakeland vs. Milford basketball action and our Hall of Fame Ceremony. #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Samantha Paige (Taranek)! Class of 2012! Her best LHS memory was the 2012 lip dub. She is now living on a mountain in East TN. Working as a mortician.. #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Jill Bronz! Class of 1996! Some good memories are moving lunch from the Kiva to the new lunchroom, class president, and pep assemblies. She currently owns a veterinary practice in Gilbert, AZ. #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Sherri Ringuette! Class of 1997! Her memories of LHS are with the choir and all the friends and memories that gave me. We had to learn the alma mater and the fight song and we had parties after every concert. She currently works in a group home helping the local area special needs population. Her daughter McKinley Pietila is a current LHS Student! #Lakeland50
Come on out to Biggby and study on Sunday's!
The Class of 2026 is hosting a post-Super Bowl Bottle Drive on Feb 11th from 5-7pm. If you need your cans or bottles picked up, scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve a time. Thank you! #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Sue Edmonds! Class of 1976! Being the first graduating class of the new school. Student Concerns committee and Toys for Tots were special groups. She is currently retired and living in California with my grandbabies. #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
It's Winterfest Spirit Week here at LHS! Today was PJ Day, Tuesday is Winter Gear, Wednesday is Gold Out, Thursday is Countdown to Spring Break, and Friday is Blue and White Day! This Friday we have our Hall of Fame and LHS 50 celebration and a home hockey game! GO EAGLES!
Congratulations to Lakeland Senior Tyler Buback on winning the $2000 Mannino Scholarship at the MIHL Hockey Tournament over this past weekend! The hockey also had a great showing going 2-0 at the tournament, defeating Rockford and Cap Cities! Great job to the hockey team and congratulations again to Tyler! #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! David Danek! Class of 1978! Favorite Memory: Photographing life at Lakeland for the school newspaper and yearbook. I am retired from the US Department of State and enjoying time with family, traveling and working on my collection of cars.#WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Stephanie (Wilson) Richardson! Class of 2000! Favorite memory: Our senior lock in was so fun with the sumo match! I am a married mother of three amazing children. I have a MA and teaching certificate in autism spectrum disorder. I’m also on my 17th year in Swartz Creek, as a self contained special education teacher for children with ASD and Teacher Consultant through the State for ASD.
Alumni Spotlight!! Cara Petoskey (Matlis)! Class of 2013! Favorite memories: Mr Howe’s AP government class always sticks with me but ultimately being a part of the marching band at LHS and all the fun that came with it. The 2012 lip sync was also a great memory! I am working as a Human Resources Manager and providing HR consulting work as well as working with an International Distribution company. I live in Saginaw MI with my husband and dogs currently! ☺️ #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Charles Ray Taylor! Class of 1979! Favorite LHS memories are running track and cross-country under coach Randy Wilkins and enjoying time with teammates. I am the John A. Murphy Professor of Marketing at Villanova University, and live with my wife and children in the Philadelphia area. I have been named to a list of the World's Top 2% of Scientists complied by researchers at Stanford University and also write a column for Forbes. In addition, I have won lifetime contribution awards from the American Academy of Advertising and European Advertising Academy for outstanding contribution to advertising research. I am also frequently quoted in the media and am writing a book about Super Bowl advertising. #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
Alumni Spotlight! Ireland Crippen! Class of 2017! Ireland say her favorite memories of LHS are prom! My favorite class was Mrs. Whiteheads Great Works, and I gotta say I miss Nacho Day. She says she is engaged to her fiancé of 6 years, they own two Sphynx babies, and she now work at a Lincoln dealership! #WeAreLakeland #Lakeland50
