More than 150 TK alumni from classes from the 1940’s through the 2000’s, filled the middle school cafeteria for the annual banquet Saturday, May 4. They reunited with old friends and classmates, browsed through yearbooks and reminisced about high school days. They even joined in singing the school fight song - some waving their orange cloth napkins while others clapped.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Jayne Courts, Class of 1981. Pat Crum Allen, Class of 1976, introduced Courts and recognized her many accomplishments throughout the years.
“Mr. Rogers reminded us all that when in need, we should look for helpers in our community. Dr. Jayne Courts is one of those helpers and one of the greatest public servants I have ever known,” said Allen.
Allen said Dr. Courts has an extensive list of accomplishments including being the regional director for at-risk populations and the primary care medical director for one of the local health systems in West Michigan. She also moonlights as a member of the medical teaching staff at Michigan State University. She has previously worked as a general internist, a specialist in geriatric medicine and a hospitalist. She is active in the local state medical societies as an advocate for patients’ rights and in staunch support of the fight against opioid abuse in the state of Michigan. She was recently elected secretary of the Michigan State Medical Society and is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association and the Kent Medical Foundation.
“She is also a member and past president of the Kent County Medical Society and in her spare time, teaches seminars and serves as proctor for group sessions for medical residents and students through Michigan State University Medical School,” said Allen.
“I have heard it said that good things come in small packages, in Jayne's case they come in small, dynamic, and powerful packages. It has been an honor and privilege to know Jayne as a colleague and friend and on behalf of the committee of TK alumni, and the TK family around the globe, congratulations Dr. Courts and thank you for being that helper that Mr. Rogers knew our community could always depend upon. Our TK family is TK proud!”
Dr. Courts said she was appreciative and humbled by the honor. “No one accomplishes anything on his or her own and this award is no exception. Having supportive friends and family, colleagues and teachers is so important. I just want to thank the Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association for honoring me with this award. I would like to thank the teachers of TK High who provided me with an excellent education foundation.”
She was joined at the banquet by her parents Robert and Janet Courts, one of her sons, David Hodgson and her husband Dr. Richard Hodgson. Her father served on the board of education while she was in school and during the years when plans were being made for Page Elementary School.
“I’m happy to be following in his footsteps and give back in any way and follow that example that he set for all of us in our family,” said Dr. Courts.
She also acknowledged the education she received at TK. “I was reminded that while I chose to pursue higher education, I was able to be successful because of the excellent foundation and skills for continuous learning that I received here.”
After considering several different career options in college, she discovered she was a curious person. That curiosity, she said, has led to a passion for being a lifelong learner. “Learning isn’t just a focus on a single subject, and it is not a childhood rite of passage that’s packed up by your high school graduation. It is a lifelong pursuit and there is always something new to learn.”
Dr. Courts volunteers each year at the annual Page Elementary career fair where she excites students about the field of medicine and encourages them to try new things.
“So, my thought tonight is - be curious. Be curious about the world around you and especially the people around you…I have learned that we usually have more in common than we have differences if we’re just open to listening and learning from others,” she said. “I encourage you to engage and to learn something new each day as a lifelong learner… Find your inner child and get curious. You may even inspire someone else as you learn.”
“As a TK High graduate, I am grateful for the educational foundation, especially the love of learning, that was instilled in me by the teachers at TK High and all the teachers in my life,” said Dr. Courts.
TKAA vice president Jody (Helrigel) Pratt, Class of 1966, offered her own words of encouragement and challenge to all the alumni. She asked Judge Michael Schipper (a student she taught in her first fourth-grade class) to hold up one of the t-shirts from the recent TKHS service day. Printed on the shirt were the words, “Choose Your Legacy.” She talked about her experience with students working at Spirit Park near McFall Elementary that day and their lineage of TK leaders and graduates.
“It got me thinking about legacies and what their legacies might be in the future. So, as you leave this place tonight, think about what is your legacy. What are you going to leave behind for future generations?”
TKAA President Karen (Page) Kennedy reminded everyone how far the association has come since officially being formed in 2106.
TKAA gave their first $500 scholarship to a graduating senior in the Class of 2019 and for the past three years they’ve been able to give two $750 scholarships each year. For the past two years they have also given $100 to each new elementary teacher to help them build their classroom. They also contribute to a yearbook fund for high school students who want a yearbook but can’t afford one. This year they gave $500 to the PTO walk-a-thon, which in turn donates funds to the schools, and a trivia team at the TAEF trivia night donated their winnings back to TAEF which in turn makes grants to the schools. They have also used money they received from their float in the Middleville Christmas parade to create a Little Free Library that will be placed near one of the elementary schools in the future.
“All this we do to give back,” said Kennedy.
Any alumni interested in getting involved with the TKAA can attend the regular meetings the third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Room 103 at TKHS.
The next TK Alumni Dinner is set for May 3, 2025. Stay up to date on all TKAA events and news by following their Facebook page at Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association and their website is [email protected].