On the evening of May 28, 2025, at Whitehall High School, Duck Creek’s Class of 2025 gathered to celebrate a moment that, for many, once felt out of reach—graduation. Originally planned at Duck Creek itself, the ceremony was wisely moved indoors due to weather.
This event was more than just a graduation—it was a celebration of second chances, of lives redirected and dreams reignited. Duck Creek Learning Center, a program of White Lake Area Community Education (WLACE), serves as a vital resource for students who need an alternative to traditional high school. It provides a flexible, supportive learning environment designed to help students overcome barriers, regain their academic footing, and chart a new course forward.
According to WLACE, Duck Creek is committed to helping students earn their high school diploma or GED while building job skills and preparing for post-secondary education, careers, or the military. With a focus on individualized learning and strong staff-student relationships, Duck Creek empowers students to reclaim their future with dignity and support.
A Night of Gratitude and Recognition
The evening began with gratitude. Moore and Principal Joel Hoppa welcomed superintendents and board members from across Muskegon County, recognizing their role in making this alternative education program thrive.
Special appreciation was given to Duck Creek’s dedicated staff—educators, office workers, support personnel, and transportation teams—whose commitment ensures each student gets the chance to succeed. Moore called them “the best alternative and adult education staff in the state of Michigan.”
Stories of Transformation
Hoppa highlighted achievements from the 2024-2025 school year, including renewed community service involvement, increased credit completions, and Duck Creek’s largest graduating class in five years. One standout recognition went to social worker Andrea Dreyer, who was named Michigan’s State Support Staff of the Year by the Michigan Alternative Education Organization.
Student speakers Jax Legard and Juliana Weathers then took the stage to share their powerful stories.
- Jax, who transferred from Reeths-Puffer, credited Duck Creek for changing his life. What started as uncertainty turned into success—he graduated a year early and is headed to Lincoln College of Technology in Indianapolis. He reflected on the welcoming culture of Duck Creek and the teachers who believed in him when others didn’t.
- Juliana, from Montague, shared how she had once believed she would fall behind, always being compared to others. At Duck Creek, she found staff who saw her potential and encouraged her to rise above self-doubt. Her message was one of resilience: “Let’s keep believing in our potential, even when others don’t see it yet.”
Honoring Achievement
The night also featured scholarship presentations—another sign of how Duck Creek students are breaking barriers.
- Jax Legard received the Mallory Memorial Scholarship, supporting his pursuit of automotive technology.
- Juliana Weathers became the first Duck Creek student to receive a Community Foundation for Muskegon County scholarship, a milestone celebrated with heartfelt pride by both school staff and foundation representatives.
A Moment to Say “Thank You”
In a unique Duck Creek tradition, each graduate presented a carnation to someone in the audience who had supported them. It was a simple but emotional act—students walking into the crowd to recognize parents, grandparents, friends, or mentors who helped make their success possible.
The Graduates
This year’s graduates included students from Whitehall, Montague, Reeths-Puffer, North Muskegon, and Shelby schools, alongside a group of determined GED completers. These names, each with their own story, stood as a testament to the power of perseverance and the opportunities Duck Creek provides.
Moving Forward with Purpose
As tassels were turned and diplomas handed out, Principal Hoppa reminded the class that this isn’t the end—just the beginning. “Education is a lifelong journey,” he said, encouraging students to continue learning, growing, and proving to the world—and to themselves—that they’re capable of incredible things.
Duck Creek’s 2025 graduation was more than a ceremony. It was a testament to the value of compassion in education, the strength of second chances, and the incredible potential that lives within every student when someone simply believes in them.
To learn more about the Duck Creek Alternative Education Program, visit https://wlace.org/programs/alternative-education.
Montague High School Class of 2025 Graduation Recap
Whitehall Class of 2025: A Celebration of Achievement and New Beginnings
