Dowagiac Board of Education honored February Citizens of the Month Monday night at the middle school, including DMS sixth grader Elizabeth Stockwell, Sister Lakes fourth grader Kevin Milliken, Union High senior Cody Cox, Kincheloe’s Karsen Kinyon, Patrick Hamilton kindergartner Elizabeth Ballge and Justus Gage third grader Ryan Fester.

Elizabeth Stockwell
Elizabeth, 11, is a sixth grader and the daughter of Denise and Gene Stockwell. She has a brother, Jonathan, 9, at Kincheloe, and a sister, Olivia, 20 months old.

She enjoys ballet, tap, lyrical, jazz and clogging dance, cooking for the family and reading fiction – especially books by Scott O’Dell.

Her favorite class is social studies.

Her favorite teacher is Ms. Horrell.

Elizabeth was nominated by seventh grade English teacher Mrs. Cromer, who has known her since she was a baby.

Elizabeth has no idea what she wants to be when she grows up.

She is also undecided on where she wants to go to college.

Elizabeth thinks her best assets are she is nice and always tells the truth.

Mrs. Cromer added, “I nominated Elizabeth because she represents her class with grace and is an outgoing young lady. She is a representative on the DMS Student Council, which I sponsor. She is always willing to help and brings great ideas to the council. She has a joyful attitude and is a delight to work with. Elizabeth also has great respect toward her classmates and adults. Elizabeth was also a member of the DMS Spelling Bee team this year. She is an outstanding individual.”

Kevin Milliken
Kevin lives with Grandpa and Grandma Lear and has one brother, Joseph, 6. His Aunt Shannon is a very important person in his life, too.

Kevin says his best subjects at school are science and math. He really likes math because he is good at adding and multiplication.

Playing football and soccer with his friends are sports he likes to do at recess.

Searching for the prettiest or most unusual little stones is an activity Kevin also enjoys doing on the playground. His teacher is getting quite the collection!

At home, Kevin has to clean his room and the basement.

Sometimes he feeds Princess and Lady, the family dogs.

For fun he likes to play on the Wii and PlayStation. His highest score is in bowling.

When he is outside riding the four-wheeler keeps Kevin happy.

“Making ramps and jumping them is a lot of fun,” he says.

Cody Cox
Cody is the son of Chris and Kara Cox. He was nominated by Band Director C.J. Brooks.
Brooks said, “It would not be possible to choose just one thing to nominate Cody for.

Cody’s leadership skills are matched by not many other seniors. His willingness to go above and beyond the status quo is something he is always willing to do. Often, there are times when Cody comes in to practice during lunch, and even before and after school to help out in almost any way possible. His role in band consists of a very important position, percussion section leader. Unlike any other section in the band, Cody must teach five or six different instruments simultaneously. This has not only allowed him to become a great leader, but a great teacher.

“Cody’s percussion skills allowed him to become section leader in the Southwest Michigan Music Ambassadors program and tour Europe for two weeks. His maturity and professionalism have also allowed him to lead in our Chieftain Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band and percussion ensembles.

“And, if all of this is not enough, Cody has also served as captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. Currently, he is preparing five audition nieces for acceptance into the music program at Michigan State,” Brooks said, adding, “Although I have only had the pleasure of working with Cody for two years, I have come to depend on him not only as a musician and leader, but as a kind, caring person. His passion for music is always inspiring to other students as well as me. It is with great honor and pride that I nominate Cody Cox for Citizen of the Month.”

Cody was Dowagiac Union High School’s “Good Citizen” recognized by Capt. Samuel Felt Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). His essay was selected as the best in Cass County.

Karsen Kinyon
Karsen is the son of Valerie Kinyon and George Keller. He has two older brothers, Kristopher, in Mr. Cox’s fifth grade, and Kylar in Mrs. Winters’ third grade. His twin brother Korey is in Mrs. Green’s kindergarten classroom.

Karsen’s favorite thing to do at home is play board games with his mom, dad and brothers. He also likes to go sledding.

Sloppy joes are his favorite thing to eat.

Karsen has two dogs, Squeak and Yoda. When he gets older he wants to be a veterinarian. In school, Karsen likes to do math. He excels at reading.

Karsen is known as a great role model to have in class. He always makes good choices and listens very closely to directions.

Karsen is a great helper to his friends or to adults.

Karsen not only makes responsible choices at school, he is a very fun young man to have in class.

He has quite the sense of humor and is able to make his teachers and classmates laugh daily.

Elizabeth Ballge
Elizabeth is a student in Mrs. Southworth’s kindergarten. She is the daughter of Monalisa Ballge and Brian Ballge. Elizabeth has a younger brother, Lestat, and a sister, Nichole.
Elizabeth has a quiet, friendly nature. She works hard and is a good student.

Elizabeth is reading all kinds of books in the classroom.

She loves to write and to draw. She even takes crayons and paper outside with her.
Elizabeth is a delight to have in class. She is kind and a friend to everyone in class.

Ryan Fester
Ryan, son of David Fester, is in Mrs. Nancy Crowl’s class.

He has a positive attitude when it comes to school.

He strives to do his best on all assignments.

When faced with a difficult task, he attempts to do it on his own before asking an adult.
Ryan is also willing to ask other students.

Ryan likes to learn about animals – especially dinosaurs and sharks. His favorite movie to watch is “Jaws 3.”

One of his favorite books to read is “The Diary of a Wimpy Kids.”

Ryan also enjoys physical education and playing dodge ball.

At home, Ryan likes to play video games, ride his bike and play outside with his friends and his dog, Buster.

Someday Ryan would like to visit Universal Studios in Florida.

When he grows up, Ryan wants to be a policeman.