2014

March 31, 2014
Wyandotte Distinguished Graduate Inductees

Czaplicki, Anthony - 1970
Figurski, Suzanne (Hughes) - 1966
Garrison, Janice (Grimshaw) - 1964
Gulyas, Ronald - 1957

Anthony D. Czaplicki - Class of 1970

Anthony Czaplicki distinguished himself as a nationally
renowned Pharmacist and as a community volunteer working
with children and local school districts.

Anthony graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1970,
where he participated on the football and track teams. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the Student
Council and was recognized by being on numerous Honor
Rolls for his scholastic efforts.

Czaplicki earned his B.S. Degree in Pharmacy at Wayne State
University in 1974. His M.B.A. in Pharmacy was earned at Regis University, Denver, Colorado in 2000. In 2009, he was awarded a "Fellowship" from the National Advisory Board in Washington, D.C. Anthony has ten different State licenses as a certified Pharmacist.

Anthony Czaplicki began his professional career at Wyandotte General Hospital as Director of Pharmacy where he served for over eight years. In 1980, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Indiana, Anthony served as Director of Pharmacy for over three years. In 1985 for the State of Alabama, he was the Director of Pharmacy, Management Materials and Dietary. Anthony then accepted the position of Director of Pharmacy in Albany, Georgia at Phoebe-Putney Memorial Hospital where he worked for twelve years. In 2001, Czaplicki moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he was Director of Pharmacy at the Baptist Mt. Clair Hospital.

In 2004, Anthony and his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as Director of Pharmacy at the Baptist Hospital System. He also was a faculty member of Florida University and Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Anthony Czapliciki is currently and adjunct Professor in Clinical Pharmacy at the Universities of Florida, Wayne State, Georgia and Samford. Anthony is also on the State Board of Pharmacy of Indiana, Georgia and Alabama. Anthony is also currently a Pharmacy Consultant for the National Comprehensive Pharmacy Services Corporation. He recently developed a Pharmacy Residency Program at the Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

Anthony Czaplicki's professional career earned him many honors and recognitions. Wayne State University Kappa Psi Chapter named him "Man of the Year" in 1980. He was named "U.S. Pharmacist of the Year" in 1994 for his work and service during the devastation of Hurricane Andrew. Czaplicki has been recognized for his dedicated service in enriching the health care industry of our country.

Anthony also found time from his Pharmacy career to serve his community in numerous ways. While in Georgia, Anthony served on the local School Board and the P.T.O. He also worked as a Boy Scout Leader. While in Alabama, he coached children in Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer. Anthony also served as T-Ball League President and School Athletic Director. In 1996, Czaplicki was honored by the Boy Scouts of American with the "Leadership Award of Merit."

Anthony Czaplicki and his wife, Laura, live in Jacksonville, Florida. They enjoy their six children and their families.

Suzanne (Hughes) Figurski - January Class of 1966

Suzanne Figurski distinguished herself as a renowned expert
in the field of Early Childhood Education and as a dedicated
educator and School Administrator.

Suzanne graduated from Roosevelt High School with the
January Class of 1966, where she enjoyed being a part of the A
Cappella Choir and was recognized for her academic
achievements.

Suzanne pursued her college studies when her children began elementary school. In 1983, she earned an Associate Degree f
from Wayne County Community College in Child Care and
Guidance. In 1986, she received a Child Development
Associate Degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn that certified her credentials for teaching in the Head Start Program. Suzanne earned her B.S. Degree in 1990 from Madonna University in Child Development that gave her the vocational credentials for teaching in grades 9-12. In 2000, Suzanne earned her M.S. Degree from Nova Southeastern University with a major in Early Childhood Education and Administration.

Suzanne Figurski began her educational career in 1983 at the Wayne County Regional Education Service Agency in the Head Start Program. In 1987, she served in the Taylor Public Schools as a Kindergarten Readiness Teacher and Child Care Assistant Director. From 1988-2002, Suzanne served as the Early Education Director. Suzanne implemented the Michigan Department of Education Vocational Curriculum Lab Preschool, and Parent Resource Center. She also made available numerous Wayne County RESA teacher grants and chaired the Phonemic Awareness Committee that realigned the Pre-Kindergarten and Elementary School Curricula.

Suzanne was recognized as an Early Childhood Specialist for the Michigan Department of Education School Readiness Program where she secured the funding through grants to expand the early education programs into the elementary schools. She provided service in staff training, curriculum planning, student follow up and parent education. Suzanne was a major presenter with the Michigan Department of Education at the Governor's Educational Summit focusing on the positive results of Early Childhood Education. During this period in Suzanne's career, she also served as an adjunct teacher at Monroe Community College in their Early Childhood Educational Programs.

In 2002, Suzanne was appointed an Assistant Principal at Roosevelt High School and Early Childhood Director. From 2003-2008 Suzanne served the Wyandotte Public School district as Principal of Jefferson Elementary School.

Suzanne has devoted her entire professional career to making Early Childhood Education an integral part of every elementary school in Michigan and beyond. Suzanne has been a role model to her colleagues. She is active in her church and gives her time to serve the many organizations downriver. Though retired since 2008, Suzanne remains active with the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) and continues to volunteer her expertise at workshops, seminars and presentations for both the MiAEYC and the Michigan Department of Education conferences. Currently, Suzanne is co-presenting with the MDE the alignment of the Early Childhood State Standards of Quality, and the Common Core State Standards.

Suzanne Figurski lives in Wyandotte with her husband James. They enjoy their children and their families.

Janice (Grimshaw) Garrison - Class of 1964

Janice Garrison distinguished herself as a dedicated Science
Educator, effective School Administrator and by providing
leadership in curriculum development and school
improvements.

Janice graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1964. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Future Teachers of
America Club, the Wyandotte Chiefs Band, the Roosevelt
Student Union, the Bear-A-Cuda Swim Club and the Girls Athletic
Association. Janice was also honored by being named "Band
Sweetheart", and chosen to be on the Homecoming Court in
1963.

Garrison earned her B.S. Degree in 1968 from Eastern Michigan University in General Science. In 1972, her M.S. Degree, also from EMU, was in Chemistry and Physics. Her Educational Specialist Degree in 1989 was from Wayne State University with a major in Educational Administration.

Janice Garrison began her professional career in the Wyandotte Public Schools in 1968. She taught Science and Chemistry classes at Roosevelt High School until 1987. Janice was appointed Assistant Principal at RHS and served during the 1988-1989 school year. During her teaching years at Roosevelt High School, Janice contributed her skills in writing the Physical Science Curriculum and the Advanced Chemistry Curriculum. She taught in the Adult Education Program and served as a volunteer counselor at Interlochen during the Wyandotte Chiefs Band Camp. Janice Garrison also started the unique reward program RAH (Roosevelt Academic Honors) that encouraged local businesses to give discounts to students with outstanding grades.

In 1990, Janice Garrison was appointed Principal of Washington Elementary School. Janice provided the leadership of having her staff and school recognized for "Academic Excellence." During a major renovation of Washington Elementary School in 1993, Janice proposed a new Media Center and worked diligently to retain the colorful and historical features of the 1930 Superintendent Fred Frostic designed Elementary School.

In her long career in the Wyandotte Public Schools, Janice faithfully served on numerous Millage Campaign Committees and the Science Olympiad Committee with Henry Ford Community College which Janice initiated and ran. Garrison also served as a visiting Chair of the NCA Committee for Ypsilanti and as a member on the Wyandotte Catholic Consolidated School Advisory Council. Janice also served her hometown by being on the City of Wyandotte Recycling Committee. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and an active member of the Wyandotte Historical Society and the Wyandotte Boat Club.

Janice Garrison has devoted over forty years of service in making our Wyandotte Public Schools and city a better place for all. Janice lives in Wyandotte and enjoys her two sons and their families.

Ronald Gulyas - Class of 1957

Ronald Gulyas distinguished himself as a dedicated educator,
a gifted athlete, an outstanding athletic coach, and a public
servant in numerous local and state wide organizations.

Ronald graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957 where
he earned letters in Varsity Football, Basketball and Baseball.
He earned his B.S. Degree at Eastern Michigan University in
1961. In 1963, Ronald earned his M.S. Degree at the University
of Illinois with both degrees in physical education. Ronald
earned his Specialist Degree at Eastern Michigan University in
1973, majoring in School Administration. While at E.M.U.,
Gulyas earned nine varsity letters in three different sports.

Ron Gulyas accepted teaching positions in the Wyandotte Schools, Airport Community Schools and the Woodhaven School District. Ron served as Director of Athletics and Assistant Principal in the Woodhaven Schools from 1976 to 2002. Ronald also was employed at the newly opened Aquinas High School and served as a physical education teacher and Varsity Basketball Coach. He was elected President of the Michigan Athletic Directors Association for the 1986-87 school year. Later in his career, Gulyas returned to Wyandotte Roosevelt High School as Assistant Coach of the boys and girls Varsity Basketball teams.

Ron's dedicated years of service in athletics earned him numerous recognitions and honors. Gulyas earned the Mellus Newspaper "Coach of the Year" three times during his years of coaching athletics. In 1985, Ronald was selected as the Athletic Director of the Year for the entire State of Michigan, and was also inducted in the Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1989, he was again recognized and inducted into the Eastern Michigan University Sports Hall of Fame. In 2008, the Basketball Coaches Association for Men added Ron to their Hall of Honor for his long and successful coaching career.

Ronald Gulyas has also served his community in numerous exemplary roles. While living in Southgate, he was elected in 1969 to the Board of Education and to the Southgate Recreation Commission. Ron has served as President of the Wyandotte Public Schools Scholarship Foundation for over 12 Years. During his many years of service on the Foundation, over $250,000 has been generated to the fund and over 200 scholarships have been awarded.

Ron Gulyas has dedicated his life to serve others where ever he has worked or lived. He is a man of outstanding character and has been a positive influence on the multitude of young people he has served. Ron has also been a model educator that has inspired his colleagues in the many school districts and organizations of which he has been a part.