Local Student Fulfills Civic Duty Serving on Local Parks Board
Andrew Mullins, a high school senior at the JC/LISD Middle College Academy, is combining knowledge from his Natural Resources program at the LISD TECH Center and an interest in serving his small town. Mullins was appointed to the Village of Blissfield Parks and Recreation Board last fall. The advisory board works to help provide safe, welcoming parks and recreation facilities and affordable recreation and cultural opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
“I’m learning a lot about public engagement and getting to work on issues that are interesting to me, like riverbank erosion and the water quality of the River Raisin,” said Mullins.
“Young people are important stakeholders in the community. It’s great to have a student on the board and getting his ideas for the priorities that we’re working on,” said Eric May, Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator for the Village of Blissfield.
“Andrew has been a very dedicated student in the Natural Resources class and often goes above and beyond to support our community service efforts,” shared Dr. Carley Kratz, LISD TECH Center Natural Resources Instructor at Center for a Sustainable Future campus. “He has helped to educate elementary and middle school students at Science Days, Project RED, and the River Raisin Water Festival.” Andrew also recently presented data on water quality monitoring with the River Raisin Watershed Council's Adopt-A-Stream program at their semi-annual delegate meeting.
“Andrew is one of the many exceptional students in our early/middle college program,” said Kim Dusseau, JC/LISD Academy Principal. “This program allows young leaders like Andrew to thrive in a postsecondary learning environment while encouraging them to find opportunities to volunteer and serve in their community.”
Through the JC/LISD Academy, Mullins has been able to earn 45 College Credits and his Michigan Transfer Agreement at no cost while completing his high school diploma requirements. Mullins also serves as the Vice President of the AM FFA chapter at the LISD TECH Center and will be studying Fisheries and Wildlife Management at Lake Superior State University in the fall.
