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

Some people have the innate ability to predict what business trends will burgeon into something big, and Ignacio Gerson is someone with...

Successful comedian, writer and filmmaker Mike Binder knew by age nine that he wanted a career in comedy. “I always loved comedy. I was a...

Lynn Alexander, author of “Caregiver Tsunami,” grew up in an intergenerational household, where she developed a passion as an advocate...

As a dentist based in Birmingham, Dr. Robert DiPilla knows all too well about the fear factor patients often associate with his...

Leon Ransmeier, the new head of the Architecture and Design department and faculty of the Industrial Design program at Cranbrook Academy...

From an early age, Kim Koontz, author of the three-part series “The Catalyst," has had a vivid imagination and a knack for fictional...