LEGACY Honored as 'School of the Year'

LEGACY, the alternative high school in Hartland, has been providing an alternative option for area high school students for 30 years and has recently been recognized as the School of the Year by the Michigan Alternative Education Organization.

It’s an honor that LEGACY principal Kirk Evenson credits his staff with praising them for their active involvement with students and programs at the school.

“We have a wonderful group of staff members who feel like they belong, they have ownership,” he said. “It’s their school and they’re proud of it and that’s evident and that’s why it’s successful.” 

A presentation highlighting the school and student achievements was submitted for the selection process, spearheaded by the Health and Physical Education teacher Scott LeMay.

“He took the initiative to nominate our school,” Evenson said.

LEGACY will be honored and presented their award next week at the annual conference, which will take place at the Crystal Mountain Resort. Evenson and Hartland Superintendent Janet Sifferman will be attending to represent the school. 

“I’m so excited,” he said. “Jan’s (Sifferman) is excited and she’s going to take time out of her schedule to travel up north for the presentation.”

Students at LEGACY are proud of the recognition as well, calling it a well-deserved honor for the program and the staff. 

“All the great staff members here, all the people who are always willing to help you no matter what you’re going through,” senior Samuel Walton said. “I’m going to miss the place."

It’s that caring and supportive environment that sets LEGACY apart from other schools, according to senior Randi Harper, who says the program has helped her prepare for the future. 

For junior Jacob Parks, however, just knowing he was going to be able to attend the school for another year with such a great reputation was “pretty awesome.”

“It gives you a little bit of bragging rights,” he said. “I feel really special here.”