SPY's Newsletter 6/4/2025

SPY’s Community Newsletter

#365

(6/4/25)

2025 SPY’s Scholarship and Senior Awards Announced Part Two

On Tuesday, May 20th. Lakewood High School held their annual Senior Awards night.  At that event the SPY”s and the Sunfield Community Foundation gave out a total of eleven scholarships and awards.  Thirty Nine years ago, the Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth (SPY’s) began awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors. To date, well over $350,000 has been given in scholarships and recognition awards to 221 different students.

In addition to traditional scholarships, the Sunfield SPY's also have instituted a separate Trade's Scholarship program. This is an additional scholarship that will be awarded to eligible graduating seniors that wish to enter a trade.  We also award the “Lade Military Service Medal” and cash Honorarium for students entering the military, as well as the Richard Lenon Award that is based solely on Community Service.

Due to “SPY’s Community Newsletter’ space constraints, in this issue we will only cover a couple of the awards, with the rest of the recipients to follow in the next Newsletters.

Special Recognition Awards

There were two Special Recognition Awards passed out at Honors Night this year.  They were for $250 each and went to Violet Davis, daughter of Brandon & Yvette Davis, and to Scarlette Shettler, daughter of Casey & Bethany Shettler.

Violet Davis

Scarlette Shettler

Military Service Recognition

The Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth (the SPY’s) and the Sunfield Community Foundation, are pleased to honor Lakewood High School students that join the military upon graduation.  Pictured is Grace Reigler of Freeport, who is the daughter of Randy & Melissa Reigler.  Grace has joined the Air Force. 

Pictured is Lucas Beard of Lake Odessa, who is the son of Tim Kennedy and Missy Beard.  Lucas is going to be a Marine.

We had two other Lakewood graduates who have enlisted, but we don’t have pictures of them.  One is Kerrigan Schroeder of Clarksville, who is going in the Army National Guard.  The other is Alexis Vansiclen of Lake Odessa, who enlisted in the Army.

All four of these graduates each received the engraved “Lade Military Service Medal” as well as a $750 cash honorarium.

As President John F. Kennedy said, "Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard”---and we couldn’t agree more. 

Feature #1

Last Saturday the Sunfield Cycle Shop’s held their second anniversary Open House celebration.  It was be held “down on the corner” in Sunfield.

Once again, Cycle Shop owner Andy Claflin held a special prize drawing to benefit the SPY’s activities and programs.  He is sold tickets for a very special $300 value Microtech Knife.  The winner was Ethan Karns.

Notice #1

It is happening THIS Sunday, June 8th,----- The 34th. annual Centennial Acres / SPY Shoot-Out golf tournament returns.  Our event chairmen Derek Desgranges and Steve Grosshans are still looking for some intrepid hackers and whackers to fill out the outing roster.  Give either Derek (269-838-7686) or Steve (269-838-6459) a call for further information---or to volunteer to help out---or to sign-up your team.  This is a fun event and a major fund-raiser that helps the SPY’s with our various youth and community programs!

Feature #2

Do you have plans for Saturday, August 16, 2025?  The members of the Sunfield Farmers Picnic Board would like to have your organization’s float, your tractor or antique car, decorated bicycle or wagon in the Grand Parade on Saturday.  The Board invites anyone who wishes to participate in the parade to please do so.  Everyone is welcome to participate in the parade and all activities at the 2025 Sunfield Farmers Picnic, Friday, August 15 through Sunday, August 17.   

How about entering a float in the Eleventh Annual People’s Choice Award Float Building Contest?  Represent your business or organization with a decorated float.  The float must have your business or organization’s name and this year’s Picnic theme of “A Blessed Village”.  Line up begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Sunfield Water Tower and begins at 12 noon. If you would like to register a float for this year’s parade, send an email to sunfieldfarmerspicnic@gmail.com and submit a color photograph of your float by 9 p.m. Friday, August 15.

Patrons will be able to purchase tickets from Picnic board members under the Sunfield Farmers Picnic Merchant’s tent in Van Buren Park after the parade to place their vote for the People’s Choice Award.  The winner will receive a keepsake plaque and be announced at 7 p.m. at the beginning of the evening’s entertainment under the Big Tent.  The winner will also have their name placed on a bigger plaque that will be on display at the Welch Historical Museum throughout the year. 

Contributions

·      Wayne Simmons signed up to be a 9-Hole sponsor at this year’s Centennial Acres / SPY Shootout Golf Tournament.

·      John & Sandra Fisher made contributions to the Scholarship Fund in memory of Bruce Peabody and Terry Blundy.

Parting Comments

·      Deep Thought of the Week: Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit.

·      Notable Quote: “I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t had certain setbacks.  They made me open different doors and made me stronger.---Carol Burnett

·      That’s Puny Department: NEWS FLASH: Finland has just closed their borders.  No one will be crossing the Finish line.

·      Did You Know Section: People’s teeth used to randomly explode in the 1800s due to bad fillings. Before the advent of mercury amalgam, a wide variety of metals were used to fill cavities. Using two different metals could create an electrochemical cell, effectively turning the whole mouth into a low-volt battery 

Final Notices

1.            If there is any organization or business out there that has something they would like to advertise or promote, please feel free to submit it to this Newsletter and we will help publicize it.  There is no charge. 

2.             We are glad to provide this means as a public service to help keep the community informed.

3.            If you are looking for further information about the SPY’s events---Corporate or Platinum Sponsorship information---scholarship forms---youth sports reimbursement forms---past SPY newsletters---etc.---just go to the SPY website at www.sunfieldareaspys.com.