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Outstanding Alumni & Teachers/Mentors

Outstanding Alumni & Teacher/Mentor Awards

2026 Outstanding Alumni

2026 Outstanding Alumni

2026 Outstanding Teachers/Mentors

Outstanding Teachers

OUTSTANDING AWARDS PROGRAM

Thursday, September 24, 2026 @ 7:00 pm

Adrian High School

Julianne & George Argyros Performing Arts Center

The program begins at 7:00 with a dessert reception following. The event is free, but we ask that you RSVP for planning purposes. Thank you!

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Over 28,000 alumni have graduated from Adrian High School since 1857. Many of these graduates have distinguished themselves in their professional careers and/or service to their community and country. These notable graduates are a source of encouragement to our present students and they bring honor to Adrian Public Schools and the staff who taught and nurtured them. Our annual awards ceremony is an inspirational evening beaming with Maple spirit. Please join us each year on the Thursday evening before Homecoming to honor our outstanding alumni and teacher/mentors.

Do you know a deserving Maple alum? Get ready to submit a nomination for the 2027 awards! We will open those nominations up in October.

The Outstanding Teacher & Mentor Award was initiated with a generous grant from Terrence Keeley of the AHS class of 1977, who wanted to provide a way to recognize APS employees who have been exemplary teachers and mentors. Each year three APS staff members are selected as Outstanding Teachers/Mentors and receive a stipend as part of their recognition. 

Now preparing for our 19th year, Outstanding Teachers & Mentors are awarded in conjunction with the Adrian High School Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumni Awards given annually the Thursday evening of Homecoming week. A reception and an inspiring awards ceremony is held in honor of these outstanding Maples. Please join us!

Do you know a deserving APS employee? Get ready to submit a nomination for the 2027 awards! Nominations will open in October.

Previous Outstanding Award Recipients

Click on the year to go to their page...

  • Renee (Dils) Snyder '74, Saul Bosquez '03, Alyssa Asani (AHS), Sheila Kowalski (Alexander), Michelle Moore (AHS)

  • Al Wilkerson '67, Lad Strayer '73, Carlos Casanova '01, Nick Conklin, Andrea Miller, Megan Walsh

  • Fred Smith '72, Cody Waters '04, Tammy Francis (AHS), Kyle Johnson (AHS), Elizabeth Olgren (AHS)

  • Bruce Brown '61, Stuart MacDonald '82, Heather Yerrick '92, Tracey DeMeritt (Alexander), Tom MacNaughton (AHS), Ashley Rudolph (AHS)

  • Earl Dunlap '65, Suzanne Hickman '71, Judy Rink Buckenmyer '78 (posthumous), Stephen Guerra (AHS), Jason Skeels (AHS), Lora Wallich (Michener)

  • Chuck Chase '64, Tommy Heckert '86 (posthumous), Jordan Hoffman '00, Jim Miller (AHS Track & Field), Nate Parker (Springbrook), Tracy Pickle (Springbrook)

  • Dave Loop '62, The Royal Coachmen (Rick Coscarelli '65, John Betz '66, Bob Cantu '66, Doug Hickman '66 & Jeff Worman '66), Laura Erpelding Cox '82, Maricela Alvarez (Lincoln), Jason Lucius (AHS), Tanya Smith (AHS)

  • Robert Freligh '39, Doug Nelson '64, Sharon Davis '66, Mark Summers '73, Jere Righter '87, Tom Allor (AHS), Marie Lucius (AHS), Doug Ruesink (Adrian Community High School)

  • Mary Alice Powell '46, Albert Ruesink '58, Dick Wynn '60, Dane Nelson '67, Maria Leary Richards '82, Matt Jones '96, Nicholas Clift '09, Monica Adams (AHS), Tracy Hribar (AHS), Jeff Petterson (Alexander)

  • Alden Smith '50, William Mayhew '63, Viola Vasquez '66, James C. Smith '92, Katie Henningfeld Fort '95, Sarah Holtz, Amy Bahlau, Sandi Humphries

  • Helene Palpant Bleecker '45, Joseph Pullen '55, Steve Hickman '60, Doug Kapnick '61, Terrence Keeley '77, Aimee Herr Schier '90, Jeff Condon, Jim Rubley, Elaine Kaiser

  • William Cowell '62, Le Roy Hollenbeck '68, Tom MacNaughton '70, Marie Talayco Masterson '73, Elizabeth Hutt Pollard '84, Jill Roberts, Cheryl Cook, Denee Hartung

  • Jim Lunn '56, Julia Argyros '58, John Inhulsen '93, Matt Lacey '97, Jason Harsh '00, Dawn Jackson, Dan Kesterke, Michaeleen Williams

  • Del Cochran '61, Sam Rye '62, Jack Dawson '62, Harley Westfall '68, Patrick Farver '73, Julie Koehn '81, Tobin Ost '92, Dawn Huggins, Cammy DiPietro, Ryan Bills

  • 2019-20 Classroom Grants Golden Maple
    2019-20 Classroom Grants Golden Maple
  • 2020 Maple Blues Blast Underwriter
    2020 Maple Blues Blast Underwriter
  • 2019-20 Classroom Grant Golden Maple
    2019-20 Classroom Grant Golden Maple
  • 2020 Maple Blues Blast Underwriter
    2020 Maple Blues Blast Underwriter
  • 2019-20 Classroom Grants Golden Maple
    2019-20 Classroom Grants Golden Maple
  • Musical Reception Underwriter Golden Maple
    Musical Reception Underwriter Golden Maple