Bekah TenBrink, founder and director of LIFT Teen Center—a free, out-of-schooltime program to support 6th through 12th graders in Leelanau County schools—gave the commencement address at Suttons Bay High School’s graduation ceremony on May 29. Here is the text of her address.
The Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Artisan & Wine Walk, A Toast to Suttons Bay on Friday, June 16. Patrons will enjoy extended hours from 5-8 pm at participating shops that will also feature a local artisan along with their work. Art will be available for purchase, and some artists will be demonstrating their craft in person.
Bekah TenBrink’s dream of building an after-school program for Leelanau teens continues to grow. LIFT Teen Center has expanded from the Suttons Bay area into Suttons Bay and Northport schools, with Leland on the brink. TenBrink said discussions continue about adding other county schools. “We hope to be at every single school in Leelanau County,” she said. LIFT has helped chaperone field trips, work with the school’s Career Day and college visits, and other special events, such as rock climbing at the Elevate climbing gym in Traverse City. “We fill in the gaps,” TenBrink said.
This winter The Homestead resort is donating free lift tickets and rentals to area teenagers through LIFT, an out-of-schooltime teen center based in Suttons Bay, which is dedicated to empowering local youth to discover their strengths by investing in their evolution, autonomy, and character. “LIFT is grateful to The Homestead for their kindness in donating free skiing and rentals to our teens!” said LIFT Teen Center founder and director Rebekah TenBrink. “Our time on the slopes has been such a blast, and the conversations on the way home are full of adventurous stories and laughs. Participating in this kind of activity is a great bond- ing experience for the LIFT teens, and provides them with an opportunity they may not have had the resources otherwise to do.”
The Homestead resort, located just east of Glen Arbor, recently completed a three-vear plan to upgrade its on and off-mountain ski offerings. The Homestead ski hill opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26. All chairlifts are open and ready to go. As part of their efforts to support the community, the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau in partnership with The Homestead have provided 10 season passes and rentals for members of the LIFT Teen Center based in Suttons Bay.