GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- Three NorthPointe Christian Middle School students have been named local winners in the 46th annual America & Me Essay Contest.

Awards were given to NorthPointe 8th graders Emily Clementz (third place), Alysabeth Richards (second place), and Abigail Lewkowski (first place), based on their essays addressing the topic “My Personal Michigan Hero.”

Emily and Alysabeth both look to their fathers as their inspirational Michigan heroes.  Emily wrote, “From before I could walk, my dad has been shaping my whole life.”  Alysabeth also recognized the impact her father has had on her: “My father has impacted me in unexplainable ways.  He has taught me to love, fight for what I believe, and be strong.” 

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich.— A ‘Battle of the Buildings’ is underway in West Michigan, and the winner gets to keep more of their money.

The U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan says more than 14 Grand Rapids area businesses have signed up for the competition to reduce energy usage.  Participants include Steelcase and Spectrum Health, JSJ Corporation in Grand Haven; Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Steelcase in Kentwood; The Grand Rapids Art Museum; Kent Intermediate School District; Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park; Aquinas College; Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo; the Muskegon County Hall of Justice and Metro Health Hospital in Wyoming.

This is the second year for the Battle of the Buildings.  For more information, including how to sign up your business, visit the campaign website here.

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Comstock Park Rotary is hosting the annual Interclub dinner, on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at the Pepsi Stadium Club at Fifth-Third Ball Park.  The event will feature a sneak preview of a new documentary which tells stories from the all-American girls’ professional baseball team. 

Dr. Jim Smither, Grand Valley State University, Veterans History Project, tells how the league was part of the home front during World War II and how this led to the documentary on baseball. The collaborators participated in two reunions of the whole girls’ professional baseball league and did 48 interviews with former players including the Grand Rapids Chicks. 

This documentary is a collaboration of Professor Jim Smither, GVSU, Professor Frank Boring, GVSU Film & Video program, producer working with the editors, Professor Janet Coryell, Western Michigan University History Dept. who wrote the script, and a student editor.