From an early age, Marie Schmidt, author and illustrator of Eddy’s Day Out: An Exploratory Tale at the Detroit Institute of Arts, has had a passion for the arts. “I loved drawing as a child,” she said. “My parents enrolled me in art classes when I was young. That helped foster my love of art. I loved reading as well. My mom used to read the Laura Ingalls (Wilder) series to me. Charlotte’s Web was one of my favorite books.” Schmidt, who is also a preschool teacher, first visi

International glass artist Andrew Madvin was inspired to pursue a creative career as a junior at Groves High School when he took an elective metals and jewelry class. “I loved the work, the creating and the hands-on designing,” he said, adding, “I didn’t grow up in a family of artists, so this was a new path for me.” For the remainder of high school, Madvin took as many related classes as possible and won several Scholastic Awards. With a teacher’s urging, he took an Art 101

Every morning at 6:30 a.m., Faith Nguyen practices with her teammates, lifting weights. The Cranbrook Crane freshman is technically the backup kicker for varsity football, but she’s been an integral part of the team. Head Coach Marcus Green sees exactly what he values in a teammate. “What I'm most excited about is her work ethic and how much energy and effort she puts into getting better as a kicker,” Green said. “She seeks out workouts, camps, and is always trying to perfect

Women launched 49 percent of all new businesses this past year, and entrepreneur Susan Berryman is proud to be one of them. Benny’s Eyewear, a Michigan-based startup founded by Berryman, is known for its stylish, affordable reading glasses handcrafted in Italy. With a background as V.P. of Marketing for the designer eyeglass stores SEE Inc., started by Richard Golden, former owner of D.O.C. Optical, Berryman learned “to always look for a better way of doing things.” “He alwa

Ashlie Smith, a science teacher at Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School for girls, recently won the AFA’s (Air and Space Forces Association) Thompson-Mallett National Teacher of the Year award. Her love of science first began in her teenage years. “I just remember my high school experience,” she said. “The teachers in the science department were very hands-on and that’s what drew me in. The teachers had a very enthusiastic way of teaching the subject. That's what made me want to

The Detroit Lions recently honored Seaholm High School physical education teacher and football coach Jim DeWald as the second week recipient of the 2025 Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week Program, presented by Carhartt. According to the Detroit Lions’ website, each week through the 2025 regular football season, one coach is recognized for their commitment to team, school and community as well as success on the field and development of players’ character, dis

Christine Blackwell, author of Remarkable Women of Oakland County , is a female trailblazer who sought to write a book that would provide role models for today’s young women. Her pathway to authorship began at Lawrence Technological University.   “I received a full scholarship to Lawrence Tech,” Blackwell said. “I was the only woman in my classes. I studied architecture for three years. Then, I realized I wanted to be a book editor. I graduated with a bachelor’s of science i

Jenna Lepley, entrepreneur and baking extraordinaire, first opened Jenna’s Cakes at 14-years-old, but her affinity for baking began when she was just a little girl.  “I always baked with my grandmother,” Lepley said. “I’d cook with my mom all the time, but I’d bake with my grandmother. We would make cookies and cupcakes. My grandmother loved baking. It was a very special memory I had with her.”  During the Covid pandemic, Lepley, now 17-years-old, took the opportunity to hone