In Memoriam: Ryan Fischer (1996-2014)
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 7, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Grandville senior Ryan Fischer, a three-sport athlete, straight-A student and member of the MHSAA’s Student Advisory Council, died in his sleep overnight Thursday.
Fisher was co-captain of Grandville’s ice hockey team and set to join his teammates at Compuware Arena for tonight’s Division 1 Semifinal against Detroit Catholic Central. Fischer also was to receive an MHSAA Class A Scholar-Athlete Award later this month and recently had gained acceptance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he planned to study aerospace engineering.
“Our staff enjoyed knowing Ryan as an engaging member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council for two years, and we grieve his loss with the entire Grandville community,” MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts said.
Fischer was to turn 18 on April 10.
He also served as captain of his football team this fall and had lettered in baseball. A three-year member of the hockey team, he was named to its leadership council and earned all-league honors as a junior.
Fisher held roles in a number of additional leadership initiatives. He served four years on Grandville's student government executive board and also on the school's Leadership Team and his church’s youth leadership council. Fischer was selected to attend both the U.S. Military Academy Summer Leadership Experience and the U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar after his junior year.
A decision to play tonight’s hockey game as scheduled was made after conversations between Fischer’s family and Grandville’s administration.
Performance of the Week: Gibraltar Carlson's Kaitlynn Demers
February 17, 2023
Kaitlynn Demers ♦ Gibraltar Carlson
Senior ♦ Competitive Cheer
Demers is a returning all-stater helping lead one of Michigan’s legendary programs – and the recently-crowned 2022-23 Downriver League champion. Carlson edged rival Allen Park by less than a point at the Feb. 8 league meet, scoring 781.34 to finish first in what annually is one of the strongest competitive cheer conferences in the state. The Marauders trailed the Jaguars entering Round 3, but moved ahead with a score of 318.30 – 1.7 points higher than that of the Jaguars in that round.
Carlson or Allen Park has won the last 15 Division 2 Finals championships, and Carlson finished runner-up in Division 2 both last season and in 2020 as Allen Park has won the last three titles. An all-state first-team selection last season as a junior, Demers also is a past academic all-state honoree and has been cheering since age 5. She’ll attend Grand Valley State University next and intends to major in elementary education.
@mhsaasports 📣POW: Kaitlynn Demers #performanceoftheweek #competitivecheer #cheer #cheerleader #leaguechamps #gibraltarcarlson #marauders #MHSAA #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #TikTok #mistudentaid #fyp @kkdemers ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral - WZ Beat
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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
2022-23 Honorees
Feb. 9: Indya Davis, West Bloomfield basketball - Report
Feb. 2: Braydon Sorenson, Onekama skiing - Report
Jan. 26: Shayna Hruska, Iron Mountain wrestling - Report
Jan. 19: Kayla Tafanelli, Warren Woods-Tower bowling - Report
Dec. 20: Brenden Paden, Riverview Gabriel Richard hockey - Report
Dec. 16: Tuff Scott, Holton bowling - Report
Dec. 9: Macey Fegan, Standish-Sterling basketball - Report
Dec. 2: Treyton Siegert, Gladwin football - Report
Nov. 24: Lily Witte, Dexter diving - Report
Nov. 17: Navea Gauthier, Shelby volleyball - Report
Nov. 10: Derek Huisman, Holland Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Thomas Westphal, New Baltimore Anchor Bay cross country - Report
Oct. 27: Justin Wickey, Colon football - Report
Oct. 20: Owen DeMuth, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis - Report
Oct. 13: Mia Melendez, Ann Arbor Greenhills golf - Report
Oct. 6: Shawn Foster, Grand Ledge football - Report
Sept. 30: Hannah Smith, Temperance Bedford swimming - Report
Sept. 22: Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Sept. 15: Nina Horning, Lake Orion volleyball - Report
Sept 8: Arturo Romero, Muskegon Oakridge soccer - Report
Sept. 1: Austin King, Midland Dow tennis - Report
Aug. 25: Olivia Hemmila, Troy Athens golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of Kaitlynn Demers.)