Utica Community Schools is proud to recognize the 13 individuals who were honored with the inaugural Legacy of Excellence Award on September 19, 2024. This award celebrates the lasting, positive impact these honorees have contributed to the success synonymous within Michigan’s second largest school district:

2024 Legacy of Excellence Honorees:

Donald Bemis – Utica Community Schools and Michigan Superintendent
Donald Bemis served as the UCS Superintendent of Schools for 18 years and helped open over 20 schools before becoming the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Michigan. Formerly Sterling Junior High School, Bemis Junior High School was renamed to honor his work in the 1980s. The excellence that UCS builds upon today was founded upon the leadership and methodology of Donald Bemis. 

Sharon Coil – Elementary Principal
As Duncan Elementary School’s first principal, Sharon Coil collaborated with Richard J. Duncan, the school’s namesake, the Duncan family, Duncan Elementary staff and families to create a school community that respected children, believed in their abilities and helped them grow into successful citizens who knew they were loved. Through her guidance and inspiration, Duncan Elementary has continued to follow this vision 22 years after its opening. 

Lillian Demas – Secondary Principal
Lillian Demas embodies the saying ‘once a Falcon, always a Falcon’ beginning at Henry Ford II High School as an English teacher and concluding her UCS career as principal of Henry Ford II. In addition to Ford II, she was a trailblazer in her field as the first female principal at each school she served, including Jeannette Junior High, Armada High School, and the International Academy of Macomb. Lillian Demas’ devotion to education continued beyond UCS by working with the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) and serving as the Macomb County representative on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA).

Steven Domke – High School Advanced Placement (AP) Social Studies Teacher and Coach for Quiz Bowl and Citizen Bee
Steven Domke brought a student-centered approach to teaching Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Eisenhower High School, Utica High School, and introduced the first AP course at Stevenson High School. His commitment, compassion, and enthusiasm helped him gain recognition as the Macomb County Teacher of the Year, the Michigan Council for Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Teacher by WDIV/Newsweek, and UCS Outstanding AP Teacher. Outside of the classroom, Steven Domke coached high school softball, Citizen Bee, and Quiz Bowl, while also being active in the Utica Education Association (UEA) and the Michigan Education Association (MEA). Retired, he continues proctoring AP Exams, moderating Quiz Bowl, and serving his community at Romeo United Methodist Church. 

Cass Franks – Administrative Assistant for School-Community Relations
Cass Franks worked behind the scenes to help put Utica Community Schools on the map during a time of unparalleled growth. His commitment to transparency, innovative use of school communications, and tireless energy built trust with the community and established UCS as a leader in educational excellence. Under his direction, UCS was recognized by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) as one of the nation’s top three school districts for its public relations program.

Bill Harris – Junior High School Head Custodian
Growing up in UCS, Bill Harris recognized the importance behind the work of every staff member and the positive impact they can have on students. He brought a sense of pride and dedication to his job that was unforgettable by the staff, students and families who were fortunate enough to make a connection with him.

Carol Klenow, Ed.D. – Board of Education President
Dr. Carol Klenow led collaborative decision-making efforts by the elected Board of Education during a period of program and district expansion, including voter-approved bond issues that addressed enrollment changes leading to UCS becoming the second largest school district in the state. Beyond the UCS Board of Education, Dr. Klenow has also championed education through her work at Oakland Schools and with Community Telecommunications Network at Wayne State University.

Gene L. Klida – Board of Education President
Gene L. Klida saw her role as a mentor to others within the community as her most honored achievement. She worked tirelessly during her time on the Board of Education and through her involvement with the UCS Foundation for Educational Excellence to ensure students of all kinds and needs had every opportunity to succeed and that all UCS staff were supported in their work.

Ray Lope – Founding Member of the UCS Foundation for Educational Excellence 
Ray Lope possesses an intrinsic sense of responsibility to students and to the betterment of their opportunities and our world. Embodying what it means to be a selfless community leader, Ray Lope has inspired generations of service innovators.

Susan Meyer – Director of Secondary Education
Susan Meyer brought joy to her work with UCS as a secondary math teacher, associate principal at Henry Ford II and Stevenson, and principal at Stevenson High School, the first female high school principal in UCS. In her role as Director of Secondary Education, she helped to open the district’s first specialty program, the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST). Her enthusiasm for education continued after UCS by supporting the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) in opening the International Academy of Macomb and the Early College of Macomb. Presently, she is an educational consultant developing a joint early college program with the Ingham ISD and Lansing Community College.

Jacqueline K. Noonan – Secondary French and Social Studies Teacher and Mayor of the City of Utica
Jacqueline K. Noonan embodies the saying ‘you can achieve anything you set your mind to.’ Her leadership, professionalism and service to the community at large were supported by her undeniable love of Utica. The positive impact Jacqueline K. Noonan had on the city and UCS can be seen throughout the community today.

Nancy Searing – Assistant Director of Secondary Education
Beginning as a secondary mathematics teacher, her intelligence, dedication, and energy led her to be named districtwide co-chair of mathematics before taking on the role of Assistant Director of Secondary Education, helping to open the district’s first specialty program, the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST). Her devotion to education is what brought her to the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) after UCS, where she supported the opening of the International Academy of Macomb and the Early College of Macomb. 

Robert Van Camp – Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Robert Van Camp’s passion for education was evident in the classroom as a social studies and language arts teacher at Henry Ford II High School and during competitions as a debate and forensics coach. During his teaching career, Robert Van Camp was recognized as the Teacher of the Year by WDIV-Newsweek for Macomb County, the Michigan Council for Social Studies, and the State of Michigan, he also was founder and director of the Far East Institute, a Japanese language and East Asian culture program. He later became further involved with UCS as an associate principal at Henry Ford II High School and principal at Jeannette Junior High and Eisenhower High School before assuming his role as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. Robert Van Camp remains an advocate for UCS students and staff with the UCS Foundation for Educational Excellence.