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http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, June 27, 2024 35

SUMMER HOURS:

M-F 11am-9 pm

SAT 11am-6 pm

Under new

management

This summer, Leelu Rutledge,

12, of Battle Creek, will attend

Interlochen Arts Camp, the nation’s

premier summer arts program for

aspiring artists in grades 3-12.

Rutledge, the daughter of Jennifer

and Jonathan, will study Arts Merge

and Visual Arts at Interlochen,

according to a press release.

Leelu previously attended St.

Joseph Middle School and is an avid

self-taught visual and digital artist.

“Besides loving art and all it

encompasses, [she] loves her dogs

and cats, and also loves playing golf

and creating and editing videos of

everything and anything,” the press

release stated.

Students ages 8-18 from around

the world come to Interlochen to

expand their capacity in music, the-

ater, dance, creative writing, visual

arts, interdisciplinary arts and film

through daily classes and perfor-

mance opportunities.

“We are excited to welcome

students to the 97th season of

Interlochen Arts Camp,” said Trey

Devey, president of Interlochen

Center for the Arts. “It is truly thrill-

ing to witness the remarkable growth

Local young artist to

attend Interlochen camp

Leelu Rutledge

that takes place at Interlochen as

students discover their potential,

take their talent to the next level, and

share what they’ve learned with their

family and friends.”

Employee group helps State Police focus on diversity

Michigan State Police members

seeking a sense of community have

found their place in the employee-

led African-American Employee

Resource Group (AAERG), one of

the department’s commitments to

diversity that is highlighted in a new

video series marking Black History

Month.

“Being part of and leading the

AAERG is a source of gratitude for

me,” said Sgt. DiJon Ware, AAERG

co-chair. “It not only instills a sense

of belonging but also nurtures inclu-

sivity. ... “Over the past year, we’ve

educated both our members and allies

about African-American culture, and

we’ve proactively forged connections

within our communities through vari-

ous outreach events across the state.”

Recruiting new and diverse appli-

cants remains a priority, a recent

Michigan State Police (MSP) press

release stated.

With continued support from Gov.

Gretchen Whitmer and the legisla-

ture, the MSP has received funding

to hire and train new troopers each

fiscal year.

“You have my commitment that

my staff and I will work to earn trust

and build relationships across the

state that will ensure a future talent

pipeline that includes all components

of diversity, which will make for a

better MSP committed to building

a Michigan where everyone feels

safe and secure,” said Col. James F.

Grady II, director of the MSP.

Information on careers with MSP

can be found at http://www.mi.gov/

MSPjobs.

The AAERG was established in

2022 and has grown to now include

60 members from across the depart-

ment.

Throughout February, which is

Black History Month, the MSP is

recognizing and honoring the con-

tributions of its Black members,

including those in the AAERG, in a

series of videos.

“With each of our ERGs [employee

resource group], we move one step

closer to building a culture where

together is always better,” said Insp.

Sarah Krebs, chief Diversity, Equity

and Inclusion officer.

Within the MSP, there are seven

ERGs: the AAERG, American

Indian, Asian Pacific Islander

American, Diverse Abilities, MSP

P.R.I.D.E. (Professionals Respecting

Marshall

Community

Credit Union

has named

Steve Scott

as its vice

president of

IT Business

Solutions.

“Scott

brings a

wealth of

experience to

MCCU, hav-

ing worked in IT since 2005 and in

finance IT since 2010,” said spokes-

person Alyssa Jones.

Before joining MCCU, he served

as the IT manager for TRUE

Community Credit Union for five

years.

“Scott’s ability to dissect issues in

a logical and analytical way is a sig-

nificant asset to the credit union and

navigating the complexities of finan-

cial IT systems,” Jones said.

“I am excited to join the team and

look forward to helping MCCU grow

and serve members to our greatest

potential,” said Scott. “I am particu-

larly interested in finding efficien-

cies, recommending enhancements

and implementing improvements to

advance the solutions available, both

internally and externally.”

Credit union names IT

Business Solutions VP

Steve Scott

the Identities of Everyone), MSP

Military Veteran, and Women

Leading Change.