FACES OF GRCC

Jim Blue
Age 60, Ada
“I play the piano and the trumpet, I’ve really always just had a great
passion for music. I’ve never really been disciplined enough to play for a
career but I heard GRCC had a good program, and I’m lucky enough to
be able to take all classes I enjoy.
“Since I was a kid I would play the trumpet, and it would shape the things
I did, such as friends and all of the different kinds of music I got into.
“Really, I just love music, and nothing takes me away from the real world
more than my instruments. It’s amazing what they can do to a person’s
life.”
Reporting and photo by Andy McDonald
LC Cooper, Jr.
Age 24, Benton Harbor
Photo by John Rothwell | Photo Editor
“My father passed away two years ago and I realized at that time I’d
have to take care of my family. My mother’s been working the same job
the last 30 years, so I know for my family to survive I’d have to step up
and take school seriously and I look at life (through) a bit of different lens
now. I am the one who has to take responsibility to better my business
to support not only my lifestyle, but my mother’s as well. My business
doubles as a record label and a personal development company. I’m a
musician. I like to record music and my long term goal with this business
is to create a platform for younger kids to get mentored, to take them
through the process that I went through and continue going through, so
blending music and education, I call it edutainment.”
Reporting by Cesar Ayala
Dakota Hagler
Age 19, Grandville
“I enjoy pushing myself to learn new things. I used to get made fun of
when I was younger because people thought I was weird. I’m also the
same person that would rather learn more and expand as a person, rather
than just sit there and do the same thing day in and day out.”
Reporting and photo by Gary Manier
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