Zeeland West High School has announced its award recipients for this year’s graduating class.

The awards were presented at a ceremony May 18 at the DeWitt Auditorium.

Jacob DeWitt and Winni Xu have been named co-valedictorians for this year’s class.

Distinguished Honor Students - Grade Point Average of 4.0 and Above: Andrada Anghel, Tori Bazan, Norah Boogaart, Norrah Campbell, Kylie Chauv, Evan Chung, Jacob DeWitt, Jasper Dhar, Jonah Driy, Jonathan Greenhoe, Benjamin Greshaw, Howard Herrygers, Riley Howe, Yadira Huerta Espinosa, Amelia Huesman, Jordyn Klaasen, Maria Le, Ava Levandoski, Naomi Lunsford, Brody Maas, Jiya Nachampassak, Carson Nash, Reagan Page, Alexandra Payne, Hannah Pleiman, Brooklyn Quillan, Snigdha Rallapalli, Andrew Rynsburger, Laura Rynsburger, Mackenzie Schuur, William Skaggs, Trey Sloothaak, Owen Stevens, Katherine Stevens, Hannah Stroebe, Bryce VanWort, Winni Xu

High Honor Students - Grade Point Average 3.75-3.99: Maggie Albrecht, Grace Aldrich, Haylee Allen, Avalyn Alofs, Tyler Anderson, Sydney Bergsma, Pace Bittrick, Alexis Bosch, Jaidyn Cassens, Jason Clyde, Joshua Creswell, Logan Day, Sarah DeBoer, Michael DeKock, Alejandro Dela-Garza, Kelsey Heiser, Mia Hernandez, Kaya Kallemeyn, Trevor Kamphuis, Ellery Koomen, Georgia Kuyers, Lily Manino, Jakob McLaren, Jeremiah Meengs, Joel Meengs, Saige Merfeld, Audrey Molag, Lauren Molag, Thomas Mutschler, Tuan Nguyen, Emily Pyle, Kendall Ruster, Elise Rynsburger, Colten Scheerhorn, Lucas Smith, Evan Swarts, Madison TenBroeke, Luke Turner, Noah VanderVelde, Allona Wass, Gabrielle White, Evan Wiersma, Charleen Zheng

Honor Students - Grade Point Average 3.5-3.74: Khi Anderson, Natalie Barkel, Tyler Baumann, Maya Bingle, Kaylie Boersma, Logan Bomers, Madelynn Coly, Reagan Cook, David Dong, Noah Drost, Chase Fredricks, Katie Girman, Kyle Harrington, Keaton Hendricks, Madison Hildebrand, Luke Kaynor, Ava Knott, Teagyn Kosters, Emily Kragt, Siobhan Michmerhuizen, Elizabeth Pyper, Zack Ramsdell, Brody Smeyers, MaryAnne Szczerowski, Carter Thoreson, Breanah Tyler, Clarice VanDort, Tara Walters, Sadie Wiersma, Quinn Willette, Madison Wyckoff, Logan Wyckoff, Andrew Zimmer

Department Awards

National Art Honor Society: Jasmyne Emmons, Mia Hernandez, Audrey Molag, Lauren Molag, Jiya Nachampassak, Elise Rynsburger, Ava Santellan, Mackenzie Van Noord, Alison Wyngarden

Art Department: Mia Hernandez, Lauren Molag

Business Department
• DUX Pond Scholarship: Noah Drost, Jeremiah Meengs
•    Eastside Café Scholarship: Norrah Campbell

Career-Based Learning: Saige Canfield
English Department: Ava Levandoski, Evan Swarts
Math Department: Jacob DeWitt, Reagan Page

Performing Arts Department, Orchestra Program Award: Reagan Page
Physical Education Department: Mia Romero, Carter Thoreson
Technical Trades: Brody Smeyers
Science Department: Maria Le, Winni Xu
Social Studies Department: Jacob DeWitt, Andrew Rynsburger
Citizenship Award: Jacob DeWitt
Student Senate Leadership Award: Saige Canfield
World Language Department: Yadira Huerta Espinosa, Emily Pyle
Spanish Immersion Award: Alexis Bosch

Seal of Biliteracy Award: Alexis Bosch, Jehu Cavada, Jacob DeWitt, Yadira Huerta Espinosa, Lin-coln Jipping, Ava Knott, Sydney Ojedis Leiva, Mayalhya Meza Tello, David Pedroza Alvarez, Snigdha Rallapalli, Laura Rynsburger, Andrew Rynsburger
zLinks Award: Lily Manino, Tara Walters

OK Conference Scholar Athletes (Unweighted GPA of 3.5, four seasons of participation, earned a letter in their senior year): Maggie Albrecht, Khi Anderson, Tyler Baumann, Sydney Bergsma, Maya Bingle, Pace Bittrick, Logan Bomers, Jacob DeWitt, Jonathan Greenhoe, Benjamin Gresh-aw, Kyle Harrington, Keaton Hendricks, Howard Herrygers, Riley Howe, Yadira Huerta Espi-nosa, Luke Kaynor. Jordyn Klaasen. Ava Knott, Ellery Koomen, Emily Kragt, Georgia Kuyers, Ava Levandoski, Naomi Lunsford, Brody Maas, Lily Manino, Jakob McLaren, Joel Meengs, Saige Merfeld, Thomas Mutschler, Reagan Page, Hannah Pleiman, Emily Pyle, Brooklyn Quillan, Kendall Ruster, William Skaggs, Trey Sloothaak, Brody Smeyers, Lucas Smith, Owen Stevens, Hannah Stroebe, Carter Thoreson, Noah VanderVelde, Clarice VanDort, Bryce Van Wort, Evan Wiersma, Sadie Wiersma, Madison Wyckoff

Athletic Awards
OK Conference Athlete of the Year: Jordyn Klaasen, Keaton Hendricks and Trey Sloothaak
Zeeland West Athletic Department Scholar Athlete Award: Riley Howe and Owen Stevens
Zeeland West Way (Athlete who has demonstrated the desire to do things the right way in all areas): Madison Wyckoff and Will Skaggs
Twelve Season Athlete Award (Athletes who participated in every season of every year):
Saige Canfield, Keaton Hendricks, Jordyn Klaasen, Keagan Louwerse, Brody Maas, Trey Sloothaak, Madelyn VanDort
Booster Club Scholarship Recipients: Georgia Kuyers and Trey Sloothaak

Zeeland East High School has announced its award recipients for this year’s graduating class.

The awards were presented at a ceremony May 18 at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland.

Charles Reese and Alaina Tracy have been named co-valedictorians for this year’s class, while Emily Latt was salutatorian.

Distinguished Honor - Grade Point Average of 4.0 and Above, Gold Cords: Caroline Baker, Charles Berghoef, Lilyan Blanton, Ashlee Boersen, Madelyn Bottorff, Alaiyah Busscher, Jeffrey DeWitt, Samuel Downing, Emma Drnek, Audrey Durham, Reese Feltman, Addison Hathaway, Kennedy Inman, Reesyn-Rose Kladder-Garlock, Ellaryn Kraak, Emily Latt, Kya Leeson, Jordyn Martin, Karsten Meyer, Emmerson Meyering, Clayton Milanowski, Kyle Monie, Dessandra Phonxana, Maxwell Plaggemars, Tyler Ragan, Charles Reese, Addison Roosien, Lauren Root, Brady Schanski, Aidan Spagnuolo, Isaiah Theonugraha, Alaina Tracy, Aiden Vandenbrink, Levi Vanderwerff, Grady VanDyke, Jordyn Velderman, Nolan Veldheer, McClain Voss, Lindsey Wichers, Olivia Wilson.

High Honor - Grade Point Average 3.75-3.99, Brown Cords: Gabriel Aldrich, Brooklynn Amante-Welfer, Jonah Bartels, Lucy Berghorst, Easton Beukema, Keeley Boerman, Carlie Brazelle, Kyra Buczkowski, Case Cnossen, Jonah Cook, Ashley Cramer, Adeline deVries, Callista Dozeman, Gavin Drenten, Elliot Elders, Mirra Fenlon, Anika Fuller, Liliana Garcia, Kolton Gentry, Reese Gruppen, Caden Guffey, Jonah Heyboer, Skylar Hundley, Makenzie Keifer, Janese Le, Isaiah Lett, Lesley Martinez, Seth Miller, Chloe Mills, Kylian Monie, Olivia Munster, Elijah Nienhuis, Irene Ondersma, Hannah Reier, Olivia Siebart, Anna Steenwyk, Boden Steenwyk, Kaitlin TerHorst, Jessica Tran, Lucy Tubergen, Isabelle Valenzuela, Ricardo Valle Cruz, Madisen VanderZwaag, Taylor Venema, Will VerSteeg, Emily Wierenga, Katriona Wilson.

Honor - Grade Point Average of 3.5-3.74, White Cords: Jetten Bauer, Seth Baughman, Arabella Beckman, Cameron Beckman, Emmett Brander, Ellie Branderhorst, Paityn Burke, Cooper Crane, Keegan Dirkse, Jordan Ekster, Brayden Fitchett, Mercy Geurink, Joseph Hirdes, Andrew Johnson, Joely Juros, ThyAn Kleikamp, Jacqueline Kok, Milaya Kolean, Ethan Maurits, Joseph Meiste, Maxwell Mulder, Kaiden Peirce, Kaylee Pin, Adeline Ramadhani, Mackenzie Ruimveld, Taten Salas, Kendyll Samora, Evan Schuberg, Araya Serocke, William Stehouwer, David Tran, Morgan VanderZwaag, Bash Vazquez, Owen VerSteeg.

National Honor Society: Brooklynn Amante-Welfer, Caroline Baker, Lucy Berghorst, Easton Beukema, Lilyan Blanton, Ashlee Boersen, Ellie Branderhorst, Carlie Brazelle, Kyra Buczkowski, Alaiyah Busscher, Ashley Cramer, Jeffrey DeWitt, Samuel Downing, Callista Dozeman, Anika Fuller, Reese Gruppen, Addison Hathaway, Jonah Heyboer, Kennedy Inman, Reesyn-Rose Kladder-Garlock, Ellaryn Kraak, Emily Latt, Kya Leeson, Jordyn Martin, Lesley Martinez, Emmerson Meyering, Kyle Monie, Kylian Monie, Olivia Munster, Dessandra Phonxana, Maxwell Plaggemars, Charles Reese, Hannah Reier, Lauren Root, Brady Schanski, Aidan Spanuolo, Isaiah Theonugraha, Alaina Tracy, Isabelle Valenzuela, Morgan VanderZwaag, Grady VanDyke, Taylor Venema, Will VerSteeg, Lindsey Wichers

OK Conference Scholar Athletes (Unweighted GPA of 3.5, four seasons of participation, earned a letter in their senior year): Caroline Baker, Easton Beukema, Lilyan Blanton, Keeley Boerman, Paityn Burke, Case Cnossen, Jonah Cook, Adeline DeVries, Jeffrey DeWitt, Samuel Downing, Gavin Drenten, Emma Drnek, Audrey Durham, Elliot Elders, Reese Feltman, Mirra Fenlon, Reese Gruppen, Caden Guffey, Addison Hathaway, Jonah Heyboer, Joseph Hirdes, Skylar Hundley, ThyAn Kleikamp, Andrew Johnson, Lesley Martinez, Karsten Meyer, Emmerson Meyering, Kyle Monie, Kylian Monie, Maxwell Mulder, Elijah Nienhuis, Maxwell Plaggemars, Tyler Ragan, Charles Reese, Mackenzie Ruimveld, Taten Salas, Kendyll Samora, Brady Schanski, Evan Schuberg, Anna Steenwyk, William Stehouwer, Alaina Tracy, Lucy Tubergen, Isabelle Valenzuela, Levi Vanderwerff, Madison VanderZwaag, Morgan VanderZwaag, Grady VanDyke, Owen VerSteeg, Will VerSteeg, McClain Voss, Emily Wierenga, Katriona Wilson
MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award Nominees: Emmerson Meyering

Senior Athletic Awards: Keeley Boerman, Case Cnossen, Jonah Cook, Adeline DeVries, Gavin Drenten, Elliot Elders, Adrean Goldsworthy, Riley Guzicki, Zachary Hopke, Skylar Hundley, ThyAn Kleikamp, Karsten Meyer, Kyle Monie, Kylian Monie, Macie Moore, Jailen Nesbitt, Hayden Pompey-Oshinski, Tyler Ragan, Charles Reese, Mackenzie Ruimveld, Brady Schanski, Evan Schuberg, Anna Steenwyk, Lucy Tubergen, Isabelle Valenzuela, Jacob Vera, Caden Villarreal, Bryant Walker, Emily Wierenga, Avarey Wilson

Zeeland Athletic Booster Club Award: Caden Arendsen, Easton Beukema, Lilyan Blanton, Lucas Dattels, Samuel Downing, Emma Drnek, Audrey Durham, Mirra Fenlon, Reese Gruppen, Caden Guffey, Jonah Heyboer, Emmerson Meyering, Maxwell Plaggemars, William Posthumus, Kendyll Samora, Quincy Thome, Alaina Tracy, Morgan VanderZwaag, Will VerSteeg, Elijah Walcott, Katriona Wilson

Departmental Awards
Art Department: Madelyn Bottorff, Caden Guffey
Art Honor Society: Brooklynn Amante-Welfer, Madelyn Bottorff, Joely Juros, Janese Le, Sophia Rodriguez
Business Department: Reese Gruppen
Career-Based Learning: Charles Berghoef, Ashley Cramer
English Department: Emiliano Gibson, Emily Latt
Math Department: Kolton Gentry, Charles Reese
Performing Arts Department: Carlie Brazelle, Kya Leeson, Seth Miller
Physical Education Department: Addison Hathaway, McClain Voss
Science Department: Clayton Milanowski, Maxwell Plaggemars
Social Studies Department: Alaina Tracy
Citizenship Award:Olivia Wilson
World Language Department: Adeline deVries, Lesley Martinez
Seal of Biliteracy: Jonah Bartels, Arabella Beckman, Easton Beukema, Lucas Dattels, Adeline deVries, Audrey Durham, Liliana Garcia, ThyAn Kleikamp, Emmerson Meyering, Charles Pierce, Brady Schanski, Evan Schuberg, Isaiah Theonugraha, Caden Villarreal, Micah Voight, Marcelle Voskuil, Olivia Wilson
Spanish Immersion Department: Brady Schanski
Technical Trades: Brent Strabbing
zLinks: Morgan VanderZwaag, Grady VanDyke
Military Honors: Karsten Meyer (Army), Taten Salas (Air Force)

Foreign Exchange Students 2024-2025: Eva Christophe (France), Julia Gougeul (France), Kaisla Mecklin (Finland), Romy Pietzonka (Germany), Marika Pilloni (Italy), Leni Stadelhofer (Germany)
Booster Club Scholarships: Emmerson Meyering and Charles Reese
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Maxwell Plaggemars
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Emma Drnek
Johnny D. Spirit Award: McClain Voss and Isabelle Valenzuela
Female Athlete of the Year: Mirra Fenlon
Male Athlete of the Year: Quincy Thome
Strength Through Adversity: Kendyll Samora

Contractors for the Ottawa County Road Commission have begun work on a repaving project on a three-mile stretch of Port Sheldon Street, between 96th Avenue and 120th Avenue in Olive Township.

The project consists of milling the existing pavement, paving two new layers of hot mix asphalt and rebuilding aggregate shoulders, according to a Road Commission news release.

The project is scheduled for completion on June 12. All work is weather-dependent, and dates are subject to change.

Port Sheldon Street will remain open to through traffic throughout the project, with traffic being maintained using temporary lane closures under flag control during work hours. Be prepared for possible delays when traveling through this area.

The 2025 Tulip Time Festival in Holland set all-time attendance records.

The annual festival, which was held May 2-11, drew more than 976,000 attendees, the most ever in its 96-year history, according to the location analytics platform Placer.ai. That’s up more than 30 percent from a year ago.

Tulip Time Executive Director Gwen Auwerda called the record attendance figure “a historic milestone for our community.”

“The combination of vibrant tulip displays, engaging cultural events, and favorable weather contributed to this record-breaking turnout,” Auwerda said in a news release.

The festival showcased more than 4.5 million tulips adorning the city’s parks, streets, and gardens, including the renowned Windmill Island Gardens, home to the Dutch windmill, De Zwaan. Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities such as traditional Dutch dancing, artisan markets, parades, and live performances, celebrating Holland’s rich Dutch heritage.

Local businesses experienced a significant boost, with hotels, restaurants, and shops reporting increased patronage. The festival’s economic impact is estimated to exceed $50 million, benefiting the Holland community and surrounding areas.

“The overwhelming response to this year’s festival underscores the enduring appeal of Tulip Time and its significance to both residents and visitors,” Auwerda said. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to making this event a resounding success.”

Planning for the 2026 Tulip Time Festival is already underway, promising new attractions and continued celebration of Dutch culture and the beauty of spring. For more information and updates, please visit tuliptime.com.

By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record

The owner of Dekker’s Jewelry in downtown Zeeland has been appointed as the newest member of the city’s Shopping Area Redevelopment Board (SARB).

The City Council on May 19 appointed Lee VanKampen to a four-year term on the board that advises the city on downtown-related matters, including economic growth and management of the parking lots within the principal shopping district. VanKampen’s term will run until February 2029.

“I’m so happy to be here. I love everything about the city. I love to see that it’s changing and there’s positive things happening left and right. I’m just excited to be a part of it,” said VanKampen, who is the third generation of his family to own the jeweler at 124 E. Main Ave.

VanKampen recently purchased Dekker’s from his father, Gary, and relocated from Colorado to Zeeland to be involved in the business’s day-to-day operations, City Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.

“He is excited to bring new creativity and ideas to the Dekker’s business, while honoring the legacy and heritage of the 140-year-old business,” deRoo wrote in a memo to the council.

VanKampen’s appointment fills a SARB position that had been vacant for a couple of years. “(We) were waiting for the right board member. We believe we have found him,” deRoo said.
VanKampen had visited two SARB meetings prior to his appointment, deRoo said.

“The board welcomed him warmly, and is looking forward to having his input on the matters that we discuss downtown,” deRoo said.

Lee VanKampen grew up in Zeeland and attended Grand Valley State University, where he was a double major in marketing and economics and also was a member of the men’s track team.

Dekker’s Jewelry was founded by Cornelius Dekker in 1882 in Goes, the Netherlands. VanKampen’s grandfather, Gerrit VanKampen, was a watchmaker who operated Dekker’s for then-owner Henry Dekker from 1950 to 1973. Gerrit VanKampen purchased the jeweler in 1973 from Randall Dekker, and owned it until 1988, when he sold it to his son, Gary.

By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record

Recent Zeeland West High School graduate Jason Clyde is headed to New York City next month to compete in a national contest honoring the best in high school musical theatre.

Clyde, who graduated from West last week, was named one of two outstanding performers in a leading role at the 13th annual Sutton Foster Awards Showcase at Michigan State University’s Wharton Center on May 18.

As a result of the statewide honor, Clyde will compete in the National High School Musical Theater Awards – otherwise known as the Jimmy Awards – on June 23 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre in New York City.

“I’ve only been to New York City a couple of times, so I’m excited to see some shows, be in a show, learn from some really great people, and be around some of the other great actors. I am so excited,” Clyde said.

The Sutton Foster Awards Showcase are named for the Tony Award-winning Broadway actress, singer and dancer who grew up in the Detroit area. It honors outstanding achievement in individual artistry, vocal, dance and acting performance for two leads in a high school music theatre production.

“This is the first time in about 10 years that our school’s musical has been adjudicated, and it was really special to be able to represent (my high school) in this way,” Clyde said.

Clyde and the other outstanding performer honoree, Sabina Camblor of Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Lower Michigan, were selected from among 150 high school drama students from across the state to compete for the award.

Clyde is the son of Tom and Nancy Clyde. His mother founded the dance program at Zeeland Public Schools and retired this month after 29 years leading that program.

To anyone who aspires to join the world of musical theatre, Clyde has some words of advice:

“You can be any artist you want to be. You don’t have to put yourself in a box of just an actor, a singer, or a dancer. You can be just one if you want, but you can be all three, and a storyteller. That’s what I think is so great about this art form,” he said.

Clyde received a $1,000 cash award for his honor. He will attend The University of Michigan in the fall as a musical theatre major and plans to pursue a career in musical theatre.

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