By: Maria Allard | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published October 16, 2024
ROSEVILLE/EASTPOINTE — There is a group of local residents and students who are always going the extra mile to help others, stay positive and strive to do the right thing.
They were honored Oct. 3 for their contributions to the community during the Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Salute to Excellence awards dinner.
The event, held at Vintage House Banquets & Catering in Fraser, included a dinner and ceremony in which each individual was recognized through words and a commemorative plaque.
Eastpointe and Roseville residents and businesses were honored. Chamber of Commerce President Chris Dyki was the master of ceremonies. Linda Weishaupt is the executive director of the chamber, and Sandra Maki is the event coordinator director.
The ceremony officially began when Eastpointe High School Principal Todd Yarch recognized Student of the Year Samantha Gilbert.
“Samantha Gilbert was the first student that reached out to me last year when I became principal, wanting to set a meeting with me and the rest of the leaders at Eastpointe High School,” Yarch said.
“When you have students like Samantha, you know it immediately because they make the type of impact you know you need,” Yarch said. “She’s smart, articulate and a natural leader. People follow her lead because of her caring nature and how much she gives of herself.”
Roseville High School Principal Jason Bettin recognized Alexis Wolgast as student of the year for Roseville. Wolgast maintains a 4.308 GPA and is active in many extracurricular activities.
“She has been with Roseville Community Schools since kindergarten and the theme that emerged that I heard from teachers is that she has been and still is a dedicated student who teachers have found a joy to have in class,” Bettin said. “Really someone who exemplifies quiet strength and quiet leadership.”
For his professionalism and commitment to law enforcement, Detective Ryan May was named police officer of the year in Eastpointe.
“He has so much energy and so much enthusiasm. He’s been instrumental in closing hundreds of cases. Most recently, he’s been assigned to our Special Investigations Unit,” Eastpointe Police Chief Corey Haines said. “During the past year, Detective May has been instrumental in the apprehension of numerous dangerous felons. He’s a shining example of a dedicated police officer who gives 100% every day.”
Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin honored Detective Lt. Andrew Beemer as the city’s police officer of the year.
“Our honoree tonight is what you want every police officer to be. He thinks before he talks. He’s a leader and before he puts a plan in action he makes sure it’s going to execute at the best level possible,” Berlin said. “He’s a 32-year vet with the Roseville Department and has served in almost every role in the department. He’s a second-generation police officer. He’s the best investigator I’ve ever worked with.”
State Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, recognized Chineva Early, of Eastpointe, and Matthew Belz, of Roseville, as the citizens of the year.
Early, a member of the Eastpointe Community Schools Board of Education, was acknowledged for starting the Bettye Harris Foundation to bring awareness to laryngeal cancer. Klinefelt said it evolved with a broader focus to support Macomb Diaper Bank, Mental Health First Aid public intervention and peer recovery coaching for addictions. She also has written two management books.
Belz is a member of the Roseville Neighborhood Watch Group, helped organize the National Night Out and is on the Memorial Day Parade committee. He also created the annual Holiday Lights on Wheels parade, which drives by five adult care facilities in Roseville at Christmastime.
“During the COVID shutdown, Matt found a way to keep the holiday spirit alive. He created two interactive maps for all of Macomb County, one for Halloween and one for Christmas,” Klinefelt said. “Homeowners who decorated for the holidays added themselves to the interactive maps, so he essentially created a self-guided holiday lights tour for all to enjoy.”
Roseville chose Julian Deschner as its youth of the year for making two gear dryers for the Roseville Fire Department. Julian’s dad, Mark Deschner, who is a lieutenant with the department, presented his award.
Julian made the gear dryers for his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Project. The dryers have made it much more convenient for firefighters to dry their gear at no cost to the city. Because of the attention of his project, he and his dad appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce 2024 Salute to Excellence Award winners:
• Police Officer of the Year — Detective Ryan May (Eastpointe) and Detective Lt. Andrew Beemer (Roseville).
• Firefighter of the Year — Sgt. Kevin Denmark (Eastpointe) and Lt. David DeMar (Roseville).
• Citizen of the Year — Chineva Early (Eastpointe) and Matthew Belz (Roseville).
• Business of the Year — Urban Seed (Eastpointe) and Jeffrey Nissan (Roseville).
• Roseville Capital Improvement Award — Clean Express Auto Wash, Karmanos Cancer Institute and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.
• Pioneer Award — Eastwood Odd Fellows No. 496, Marc Steingold, D.D.S. (Eastpointe) and Macomb Mall (Roseville).
• You’ve Made a Difference — Tim Kniaz and Louis Caloia (Eastpointe) and Dr. Michael Hines and Deangelo Butler (Roseville).
• Roseville Youth of the Year — Julian Deschner (Roseville).
• Eastpointe Community Schools Educator of the Year — Karen Ladoucer (preschool), Kelly Burg (social worker) and Candace Shoemake (Eastpointe High School).
• Roseville Community Schools Educator of the Year — Lynn Sharpe (elementary), Danielle Forsythe (middle school) and Sarah Drouin (high school).
• Student of the Year — Samantha Gilbert (Eastpointe) and Alexis Wolgast (Roseville).
• The Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber Ambassador of the Year for both cities was Michelle Williams-Ward.