Kearsley Community Schools is proud to announce the three individuals and one team that comprise the Kearsley Community Schools Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Individual honorees were selected by a committee in three categories, which are aligned with the district’s motto of Pride, Tradition, and Excellence. In addition, a team was selected and will be honored at the 2026 Homecoming football game vs. Swartz Creek on Friday, September 25th, 2026.
The “Pride” inductee will be honored at the Class of 2026 Senior Athletic Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 27th, at 7 pm in the KHS Auditorium. The “Tradition” inductee will be honored at the Senior Honors Convocation ceremony on Thursday, May 28th, at 7 pm in the KHS Auditorium. The “Excellence” inductee will be honored at the Class of 2026 Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 30th, at 7 pm at The Whiting in downtown Flint.
Individual and team plaques of all inductees will be prominently displayed on the “Hall of Fame wall” in the halls of Kearsley High School.
Team: 2014 Boys Bowling
The 2014 Kearsley Boys Bowling team, led by head coach Bart Rutledge and assistant coach Bobby Countrymen, recorded a historic season, capturing the program’s Flint Metro League Championship, MHSAA Regional Championship, and MHSAA State Championship.
During the regular season, the Hornets demonstrated consistent excellence, dominating their competition in the Flint Metro League to earn the league title and momentum heading into postseason play. At the MHSAA Regional Tournament, the team continued its outstanding performance, claiming the Regional Championship and securing a trip to the State Finals.
In the State Finals, the Hornets competed with precision and determination, ultimately defeating Marysville 1422-1339 in the Finals to capture the MHSAA State Championship and solidify their place in Kearsley athletics history.
Team members included Brandon Richard, Peter Sorsen, Chad Stephen, KC O’Brien, Ben Roof, Phil Hawes, Lucas Schofield, and Anthony Kelley. Their teamwork, skill, and leadership exemplify Hornet Pride and make the 2014 Boys Bowling team a deserving inductee into the Kearsley Hall of Fame.
Pride (Student-Athlete): Ivan Lowe
Ivan Lowe, a 1984 Kearsley High School graduate, was an outstanding multi-sport athlete who excelled in both track and basketball. In track and field, he set a Kearsley long jump record in 1984 with a leap of 22 feet, 7 inches at the Huron Relays, was named Prep Player of the Week, won the Big Nine Conference long jump title, and finished 2nd at the Michigan Indoor State Track Championship. He also competed in the 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and the 4x100-meter relay.
On the basketball court, Ivan earned First Team All-Big Nine honors while averaging 16.1 points per game his senior season and was named the 1984 Kearsley Athletic Department Most Valuable Player for his accomplishments as a multi-sport athlete.
Following graduation, Ivan continued his athletic career on scholarship at Northwood University, where he became one of the most decorated athletes in school history. He earned five All-American honors in the long jump, placed third at the NAIA Indoor Championships in 1986 and 1987, and still holds the school outdoor long jump record of 25 feet, 5 inches. Ivan was inducted into the Northwood University Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2022.
Tradition (Staff Member) - Ron Johnson
Ron Johnson was an outstanding teacher and coach at Kearsley from 1969 to 2004. A graduate of Central Michigan University, he spent 32 years teaching Algebra I and II at Kearsley High School and was known for his patience, dedication, and commitment to helping students succeed.
Ron coached track for 30 years, including four years as head coach, while also serving 13 years as a football coach and seven years as a cross country coach. As head track coach, he led the Hornets to three Big Nine Conference Championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998 and a Regional Championship in 1997. He was also part of the coaching staff for the 1992 Class A State Runner-Up team and the 2004 Class B State Championship team. During his career, he coached elite athletes such as Ivan Lowe and David Duchene while mentoring every student willing to put in the effort.
Ron earned Genesee County Track Coach of the Year honors in 1996 and 1998 and was named Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 1994. In the classroom, he was recognized as Burton Optimist Club Teacher of the Year in 1989 and received both the Walmart Teacher of the Year Award and the Kearsley High School Journalism Department Teacher of the Year Award in 2001.
Excellence (Notable Alumni) - Janet Campeau
Janet Campeau, a 1960 Kearsley High School graduate, was an exceptional student-athlete and leader, excelling in basketball, softball, field hockey, track, and cheerleading, while serving in multiple student organizations and authoring her class history.
After graduation, Janet returned to Kearsley to serve as a school counselor from 1965–1997. She became a trusted mentor and advocate for students, coordinating programs like Honors Convocation, Student of the Month, and DAR Good Citizen. Her impact extended beyond the school as co-author of the Michigan Comprehensive Guidance Program, department chair, and presenter at state and national conferences. Janet was recognized as the 1997 Michigan Secondary School Counselor of the Year and earned numerous local honors.
Janet also provided leadership in professional counseling organizations, volunteered extensively in the community, and continued supporting Kearsley after retirement as a Board of Education trustee and long-term guest counselor.