Buchanan High School November Spotlight

Write-Up Submitted by BHS Principal Brian Pruett

The fall of 2022 has brought a few staffing changes to BHS. There are some new faces and some old faces in new positions.  Jacqueline Tidey joined the Special Education department, Blake Ryan and Kim Oleson joined the Student Services department, longtime Buck Reid McBeth is now the Athletic Director/BVA Director, Mark Frey has taken on the role of Assistant Principal to add to his CTE Director position, and Brian Pruett is now the Principal.  

Overall the 2022 school year has gotten off to a great start. Our student numbers at BHS are up, a sign that people see the great things that are happening in our community. We have students involved in a variety of classes including Honors, AP, Core and Elective classes but also college classes at LMC and SMC, Math and Science Center classes and CTE courses both at Buchanan and other locations throughout the county.  

Outside of the classroom we have also had many highlights:

• A successful Homecoming Week, that also involved a fundraiser for a student in need.
• The Football team were the Lakeland Conference Champs and made the playoffs.
• The Volleyball team were the Lakeland Conference Champs, District Champs and made it to the Regional Finals.
• The Girls Cross Country Team were the Lakeland Conference Champs and qualified for State.
• The Boys Cross Country were Regional Champs, first time in 22 years, and qualified for State.
• The Equestrian Team qualified for state and won several post season awards.
• Our swimmers who participate on the Bridgman Co-Op team have had a great year culminating in many wins and records.
• A BHS record number of students qualified for the Hail Scholarship for U of M.
• We have had a record high number of College Rep and Skilled Trade Visits to BHS so far this year.
• We are Fully Staffed in student services for the first time in several years.
• Our many time championship ESPORTS team is back in action with great numbers this fall.
• Board Game Club, Art Club, Spanish Club and Disc Golf Club have had great starts to the year, sometimes we have to finally tell these students we need to go home for dinner 🙂
• The Band had a great fall marching season as they improved their performances and rankings each show culminating in a First Place Finish and Best in Marching at the Jenison Invitational.  

We still have 6 weeks left in the semester and winter sports are just beginning. It seems like the year has just begun though. All of us at BHS appreciate all of the support and pride that our students and families have for our school system. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

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