Guest editor Kelsey Sivertson shares stories about the promise of education

In addition to our weekly newsletter, we have launched a monthly Lakeshore newsletter curated by guest editors. For September, we invited Kelsey Sivertson, Grand Rapid Community College student and event manager with Lakeshore Advantage, to bring her unique perspective to the work our team does at The Lakeshore. 

Sivertson gave a moving speech at the recent opening of the GRCC Lakeshore Campus about how GRCC helped her get back on track to pursuing her professional dreams. She's one of nearly 2,900 GRCC students benefiting from the state's Future for Frontliners scholarship program. 

Lakeshore Advantage has been a major supporter of the new $12 million Holland Township campus that will provide the opportunity for many to build the skills they need to pursue their professional dreams as well. 

We salute the dedication of Sivertson and all those who are part of the efforts of opening the GRCC Lakeshore Campus. In this special edition of The Lakeshore, Sivertson highlights others who are making a difference in our community through the promise of education. 



A few weeks ago, I took my nephew to the beach. He joyfully jumped into waves cresting on the shorelines while I searched for little stones — or, as he called them, treasures. As soon as I would collect a couple, I would call him over and he would take them, observe them for a moment, and say, “Aunt Kelsey, can I throw them back in the water now?” At my nod, he whipped them back into the waves.

I think about this story when I think about opportunities presented to me throughout my life. From a fantastic job offer to going to school to family responsibility, the list of opportunities is long. While some of these I gladly accepted, some responsibilities were unwanted but put into my hands nonetheless. Such was the case when my mom passed away when I was a child.

For a long time, I inadvertently cherished all the bad that came with losing a parent — the grief, the anger, the resentment, all of which created a deep-seated victim mentality within me, which became all my hands could hold.

Then a dear mentor posed an idea, what if I have a choice? If I let go of the victimhood, what room would I have for the things I really wanted out of life? At her kind coaching, I learned how to whip that victim mentality back into the waves.

When I threw back victim mentality, I was able to pick up a treasure that endlessly makes room: resilience. And oh, what that resilience has allowed my hands to hold.

Continued education is an act of resilience. Despite the time, money, and energy invested, continuing education signals I am committed to increasing my skill set and enlarging my opportunities. In making this choice, you make a conscious decision to sharpen the giftings you have and endeavor to use them in fullness.

Let me be clear here: By continued education, I do not mean only higher education via college degrees; I mean any opportunity seized to further educate oneself in their chosen skill set. I consider myself a lifelong learner and, perhaps, we all should endeavor to be. In seeking out the opportunity to learn, growth and wisdom naturally follow close behind.

The stories I have chosen below highlight the beautiful work being done in education in our community. From elementary education on up, I see people choosing acts of resilience to better their lives and the lives of those around them. 

Thankfully, I work at an organization that believes and supports these acts of resilience. Lakeshore Advantage endeavors to remove barriers to education in order to continue to make ours a community of choice. Through the work being done at Lakeshore Advantage, I have personally and professionally been exposed to one learning opportunity after another. May we all find that privilege.

I hope these stories remind you that it is never too late to do what you have been created to do. Onward we go.

My favorite stories of removing barriers

From department store to college, GRCC's new Lakeshore Campus opens

Promise Scholar headed to UM shares her lifelong love of learning

Holland Youth of the Year Nayeli Mora wins state title

Education secretary salutes GRCC for outreach, student support during pandemic

Spotlight story:
Alumnus comes full circle with construction of GRCC Lakeshore Campus

York Tardy is a project superintendent with The Christman Company.

Lakeshore Advantage board adds college presidents as part of focus on education

Opportunities abound for women interested in construction industry jobs, careers

Nearly 2,900 frontliners receive state scholarships to attend GRCC

A simple act of kindness: Allendale fifth graders spreading kindness, encouragement


Call to Action 



Inspired by the work being done in our community? Check out our economic development organization, Lakeshore Advantage, to learn more at www.lakeshoreadvantage.com.

Inspired to enlarge your opportunities? Enroll in a class at GRCC.

Want to learn more about my story? Watch my speech at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus grand opening.

Do you have a similar story of resilience? Tell me more. Email me at kelsey.sivertson@lakeshoreadvantage.com.