30 Thursday, September 19, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
The Lakeview Board of Education
will honor three Lakeview High
School graduates who have excelled
in their professional and personal
careers while showing a strong com-
mitment to their communities.
The board annually honors dis-
tinguished alumni through the
Distinguished Alumni Award and the
Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
In 2019, the board also introduced
the Community Spirit Award to rec-
ognize outstanding commitment to
the district by an individual or orga-
nization.
This year’s honorees are Kelly
Desino, Teri Noaeill and Charles R.
Fulbright III, who will be recognized
at Spartan Memorial Stadium before
the homecoming game on Friday,
Sept. 27.
Kelly (Rizor) Desino –
Distinguished Alumni Award
-- Desino, a 1994 graduate of LHS,
has distinguished herself in the field
of pharmaceutical chemistry, said
Lakeview School District spokesper-
Lakeview School Board lauds distinguished alumni
Kelly Desino Teri Noaeill Charles R.
Fulbright IIIson Wendy Meyer.
Her journey began with a passion
for science nurtured at Lakeview
and led her to the University of
Michigan, where she earned a
Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Desino’s professional career
began at prestigious institutions like
Covance Labs and Genentech, Inc.,
paving the way to her doctoral stud-
ies at the University of Kansas.
There, her thesis on drug delivery
to the brain earned her a Ph.D. in
2008.
Kelly’s career at Abbott Labs
(now AbbVie, Inc.), where she has
worked for more than 16 years, has
been marked by significant achieve-
ments, including her current role
as Scientific Director of AbbVie’s
Community of Science.
Her efforts in drug discovery and
development across oncology, immu-
nology and neuroscience have not
only advanced the company’s mis-
sion but have also earned her two
prestigious President’s Awards for
innovation in drug development pro-
cesses and the integration of artificial
intelligence in drug design.
Beyond her professional endeavors,
she is committed to her community
in Lake County, Ill, where she con-
tributes to local educational commit-
tees and supports classroom initia-
tives through Donors Choose.
Together with her husband, she
established a student support fund
at the University of Kansas, aiding
under-represented female students.
An advocate for gun safety and
mental health education, she also
works to promote these causes
through her involvement with MomsDemand Action and other commu-
nity service organizations.
Teri (Christ) Noaeill –
Outstanding Young Alumni Award- Noaeill’s artistic journey from LHS
to her leadership roles in community
arts exemplifies her dedication and
passion for the arts, said Meyer.
A graduate involved in various
school activities, Noaeill’s commit-
ment continued at the college level
and beyond.
Her return to Lakeview as an
educator marked the beginning of a
significant impact on local arts pro-
grams through her roles as executive
director of What A Do Theatre and
artistic director of the Community
Music School.
Under her leadership, What A Do
Theatre has influenced more than
5,000 students, integrating the arts
into the Battle Creek community
through strategic partnerships.
Her initiatives at the Community
Music School, particularly the
“Music First” program, have broad-
ened arts accessibility, fostering
early cognitive development through
music.
“Personal experiences have shaped
Teri’s advocacy for inclusivity,
particularly through her daughter’s
health challenges,” said Meyer. “Her
contributions to the arts and commu-
nity well-being have been recognized
by several awards, highlighting her
as a dynamic leader in Michigan’s
arts and education sectors.”
Her dedication extends into her
family life, where music remains
a central theme, demonstrating her
holistic commitment to her profes-
sion and community, Meyer added.
Charles R. Fulbright III- Community Spirit Award –
Fulbright has been a pillar of com-
munity engagement and advocacy,
starting in high school, where his
leadership was evident early on
through his involvement in the
Spartanaires Show Choir and his
founding of the student group
Equality And Safety Of Students
Everywhere, focusing on diversity
and safety.
“Following high school, Charlie
has demonstrated a steadfast commit-
ment to social justice and education,
both in his personal and professional
life,” said Meyer. “Most notably,
Charlie serves as a member of the
Battle Creek Public Schools Board of
Education and Michigan Association
of School Boards, and is past
president and active leader in Battle
Creek Pride.”
His professional journey at the
Hart-Doyle-Inouye Federal Center
showcases his dedication to service,
highlighted by an accolade for his
deployment work in German, Meyer
added.
Fulbright is active in his local
church and is a foster parent along-
side his husband.
“His advocacy work is well-recog-
nized by community leaders and has
positioned him as a significant force
for positive change in Battle Creek,”
said Meyer.
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269-965-3955
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