🎓 TOP OF THE CLASS 🎓 Congratulations to Owen Ferris on finishing in the top 21 and as Salutatorian of the Class of 2025!
- Owen’s Graduation Highlights –
🎓 UNIVERSITY/MAJOR: Western Michigan University/Mechanical Engineering
🎓 ACTIVITIES/EXTRA CURRICULAR: Robotics and Bowling
🎓 AWARDS: Top Honors
🎓 PARENTS: Jason and Gretchen Ferris
Please join us in sharing your congratulations to Owen and the Top of the 2025 Class for their hard work and dedication to their education while at Plainwell Community Schools – TROJAN PRIDE!
The phones and internet at PCS are currently down district wide. We apologize for the inconvenience, building communications will be delayed until the internet has been restored!
🎓 TOP OF THE CLASS 🎓 Congratulations to EllaGrace Wesseldyk on finishing in the top 21 and as Valedictorian of the Class of 2025!
- EllaGrace’s Graduation Highlights –
🎓 UNIVERSITY/MAJOR: Furman University /Business Administration and Communication Studies (Pre - Law)
🎓 ACTIVITIES/EXTRA CURRICULAR: National Honor Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, PALS, LINKS, Class of 2025 Committee
🎓 AWARDS: Furman James B. Duke Scholarship, DAR Good Citizen Award, NHS President, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Rural and Small Town Recognition, Youth Rotary Leadership Award Recipient, Honors Diploma, Honor Roll, Student of the Month,Top Honor
🎓 PARENTS: Shane & Brooke Wesseldyk
Please join us in sharing your congratulations to EllaGrace and the Top of the 2025 Class for their hard work and dedication to their education while at Plainwell Community Schools – TROJAN PRIDE!
🎓 TOP OF THE CLASS! 🎓Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Top of the Class! We are incredibly proud of these students for their hard work and dedication to their education while at Plainwell High School! Over the next week leading up to graduation, we will be sharing individual posts highlighting our Top of the Class - please join us in sharing your congratulations to these students for their outstanding academic achievements while at PHS - Trojan Pride!
Today was officially the last day of school for the senior class! We are incredibly proud of our Class of 2025 - thank you for your hard work and dedication to your education. To all of our senior students and families with a student in the Class of 2025 - THANK YOU for allowing Plainwell Community Schools to be a part of your educational journey! If you see a senior, please take a moment to wish them well as they prepare for graduation next week!
To send off our Class of 2025, earlier today they had a parade through the Middle School and their Elementary buildings. It was fun for our staff and younger Trojans to cheer on our seniors and wish them well as they approach graduation - Trojan Pride!
Each year, one senior artist leaves a lasting mark at PHS and this year, Sarah Lagenour did just that. Her piece, "Remember When," beautifully captures the Class of 2025’s journey from childhood to graduation.
Thank you, Sarah, for telling the Trojan’s story with such heart and talent. This mural is a legacy we’ll never forget. 💙
PCS is excited to introduce Elexis Buchanan as the new Head Coach for the PHS Varsity Girls Basketball team. Coach Elexis Buchanan, affectionately known as Coach Lexx, was born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. A proud alumna of Loy Norrix High School, she was a four-year varsity letter winner in basketball and track and field, and a four-year member of the volleyball team. After high school, she continued her basketball journey at Wayne State University before transferring to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where she earned her Associate Degree in General Studies.
Coach Lexx brings 16 years of coaching experience to Plainwell, including eight years as a sub-varsity coach at Kalamazoo Central High School and two years as an assistant coach for the Kalamazoo Blaze, a women’s semi-pro team. She is also the founder and owner of Back to Basics Training, a program dedicated to developing young athletes. Through this initiative, she partners with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo to offer free summer training for youth in the community.
In addition, Coach Lexx serves at both the Men’s and Women’s KVCC Basketball Camps each summer. Known for her positive, upbeat energy and deep passion for player development, she is committed to helping athletes grow both on and off the court. Coach Lexx is excited for this new chapter and is ready to hit the ground running!
GO TR🏀JANS!
Recently, seven PHS projects were submitted into the Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society (MITES) held at Rockford High School. From the competition, all seven made it to the State Finals!
🏆 Shelby Jenkins: 2nd place for the 11th-12th grade division
🏆 Chase Roberts: 3rd place for the 11th-12th grade division
🏆 Cam Larson: 2nd place for the 9th-10th grade division
🏆 Chloe Kulhanek, Hayden Steele, Amari DeSean Jones: 3rd place for Architectural model division
🏆 William Bartels, Porter Rewa and Jamie Gonzalez:4th place for Architectural model division
🏆 Reece Trahan: 5th place for Architectural drafting division
🏆 Josh Chapman, Owen Thorp, Sanford Stevens, Walker Clippinger: 2nd place for 9-10th grade outdoor furniture division
Last week, these seven projects were presented at the State Finals in Gaylord, Michigan and the following received awards:
2️⃣ Josh Chapman, Walker Clippinger, Stanford Stevens and Owen Thorpe: 2nd in the state for their Adirondack chairs
3️⃣ Reece Trahan: 3rd place for his architectural model house
6️⃣ William Bartels, Porter Rees and Jaimie Gonzalez: 6th place in the Architectural model house division
7️⃣ Chloe Kulhanek, Hayden Steele and Ameri-DeSean Jones: 7th place for their architectural model house
Congratulations to all seven projects for your achievements in the MITES - PLAINWELL PRIDE!
Attention Current 8th-11th Grade Students! There are still openings for PHS's trip to France and Spain in Summer 2026. Join us for an informational meeting to discover more!
This is an amazing opportunity for students to explore new destinations, experience different cultures and gain lifelong skills such as independence and confidence.
Join us for an informational meeting where Mrs. Trahan will share all the essential details, including:
- What you'll see and do
- Hands-on learning activities
- Academic opportunities
- Trip costs
- How to secure your spot with a $200 discount
Informational Meeting Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, May 15
🕒 Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Plainwell High School Media Center
Plainwell Robotics Club High School Team 11591S – Siege – participated in the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas from May 5-8. The tournament featured 830 teams from around the world split into 10 divisions. During the competition…
🏆 Seige won six of their 10 qualifying alliance matches, advancing them to the elimination rounds.
🏆 They captained the 13th ranked team in their division and lost their match in the round of 16.
Although their journey ended sooner than they hoped, the team showcased resilience and skill, while creating an unforgettable robotics season - PLAINWELL PRIDE. Team Seige is coached by Matt Clippinger and Jason Ferris.
Attention Middle and High School athletes and marching band students! Plainwell and Otsego High Schools are joining forces to offer FREE physicals for the 2025/26 school year to PMS/PHS/OMS/OHS athletes and marching band students on Wednesday, June 4 at the Plainwell Field House. Doors open at 5:00 PM - physicals begin at 5:30 PM. You must be in line by 7:00 PM in order to receive a physical.
Forms are available at plainwellschools.org/page/high-school-athletics and in the athletic office (please bring your completed and signed form with you).
The LINKS/Peer-to-Peer program at the MS and HS had their end of year celebration earlier this week. They met in the Stamos Room in the afternoon where they enjoyed a popcorn bar and desserts, followed by a Selfie Competition!
📸 Check out these fun pictures from the selfie competition.
The PHS Multicultural Club wrapped up the year with an amazing field trip to Chicago! Students enjoyed a scenic river boat architecture tour, had lunch at Nando’s, visited the iconic "Bean," toured Chinatown and ended the day with fun and sightseeing at Navy Pier.
This trip was extra special as it marked the final outing for our graduating seniors, the same students who helped start the club and build it into the welcoming, inclusive space it is today. We’re so proud of their leadership and the legacy they leave behind.
For Cinco de Mayo, students in Mr. Hansen's Spanish classes made piñatas. This annual tradition provides a fun learning experience for the PHS students.
Staff Appreciation Week is underway! Throughout this week, please join us to celebrate the AMAZING PCS staff by saying thank you to your favorite staff member. We are so grateful for their daily dedication to our students and district! To each and every staff member at PCS - THANK YOU for your endless commitment to Today's Learners, Tomorrow's Leaders! Plainwell Pride!
Last week, Ms. Trahan's Holocaust Literature II class visited the third largest Holocaust museum in the world, located in Skokie, Illinois. Students deepened their understanding of the Holocaust and the experiences of those impacted while exploring the museum's main exhibit. They also interviewed a hologram of a survivor and participated in a virtual reality tour alongside a survivor of Auschwitz. It was a profound and meaningful experience for the PHS students! Special thanks to Mr. Wisnaski for stepping in to provide support during the trip!
⚾️ Trojan Baseball News! ⚾️ Last week Plainwell swept Sturgis in two incredible performances!
🏆 In Game 1, Luke Filkins threw a complete game one-hit shutout. Over the course of this game, Luke broke the school record for pitching strikeouts in a single game with 17.
🏆 In Game 2, Andrew Hampton tied for second place for the state record of stolen bases - 7 in a game. He also struck out 8 through 4.1 innings and went 4-4 with 2 RBIs to help secure the win.
🥇 In addition, this past Saturday, the team competed in the Gobles Invitational Tournament and took FIRST PLACE.
Outstanding job Trojan Baseball - PLAINWELL PRIDE!
Reminder! You’re invited to a free, real-life communication workshop at Plainwell High School TOMORROW (5/7)! Plainwell Community Schools, in partnership with Clayful, is hosting a fun, real-world workshop about improving communication between parents and teens. Bring your teen if you can - or just bring yourself. Everyone’s welcome (including schools of choice families + anyone living within the Plainwell district boundaries)! ✔️ Free dinner ✔️ Childcare available ✔️ Raffle prize for RSVP 🗓️ Wednesday, May 7 🕔 5:00-6:30 PM 📍 Plainwell High School Cafeteria 🎟️ RSVP by visiting plainwellschools.org/article/2181528.
After their original MLK Community-Wide Day of Service was canceled in January due to cold weather, the Multicultural Club was determined not to miss an opportunity to give back. These dedicated students rescheduled their service day and volunteered at two impactful organizations in Kalamazoo (Ministry with Community and the Kalamazoo Deacons Conference), both of which provide critical support to the unhoused and offer assistance to those in need.
The students were eager to lend a helping hand and took great pride in supporting these organizations. We are so proud of our students' efforts and continued dedication to serving others!
Thank you to the City of Kalamazoo for providing t-shirts and lunch gift cards for our students!
Attention Trojan Football players and families! We are excited to share registration information for our upcoming Summer Football Camps for K-12 graders, as well as information on our Rocket, Flag and Pee Wee Football programs. For program details or for registration information, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. We look forward to a great football season with the Trojans!
