Trisha Lewis and her husband, Phillip, brought their daughter Alaina to participate in the Let’s Move races and the Santa Parade in 2019 and hung out with Grizz "Santa."
Alaina seemed most excited to see the Grizz. Trisha reported that she kept saying, ‘Bear,’ all day.
High Fives all around prior to the Macomb County Santa Parade.
Phillip, Trisha and Alaina met up with the Grizz Bear "Santa" before their walk in the Santa Parade.
Macomb County, Santa Parade, alumni, alumna
January 8, 2020
For Trisha Lewis, staying connected to her alma mater – in the community where she both lives and works – is important.
“As a Macomb County resident, I love that OU has such a strong presence at annual events like the Macomb County Santa Parade and Let’s Move Macomb Festival of Races. I have a personal responsibility to participate in these events, representing OU as an alum and promoting OU as a community leader in both education and outreach.”
Lewis perfected a degree-earning hat trick, completing her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2006, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership in 2009 and an Education Specialist in Leadership degree in 2013.
In her final year as an undergraduate student, she attended a teacher job fair and was offered a position teaching middle school science and language arts at Detroit Public Schools. Lewis has been an administrator at L’Anse Creuse High School in Harrison Township for nine years, most recently as associate principal.
“The experience I gained at DPS helped me greatly as I began my administrator career at LCHS. My role as an associate principal at LCHS has been a completely fulfilling part of my career. Educational leadership is a direction within my studies I hadn’t planned for from the start. However, as I moved through my undergraduate and then graduate studies at OU, it was clear what I truly had a passion for within the education field. OU prepared me for my career path, and current role, by offering an impressive course of study through the School of Education.”
In 2019, Lewis walked in the Let’s Move Macomb Festival of Races in April – which OU has sponsored since 2013 – and with the OU contingent of faculty, staff, students and fellow alums at the Macomb County Santa Parade in November – which OU has sponsored for eight years.
“It’s important I support my alma mater and be involved. Participating with OU at Macomb County events ensures that. And, it’s about maintaining relationships and connections. OU’s alumni association encourages me to stay active with events supporting OU while continuing to build professional relationships.”
Lewis and her husband, Phillip, brought their 17-month-old daughter, Alaina, to both Let’s Move and the Santa Parade.
“Alaina really enjoyed interacting with everyone at both events. And, she loved meeting the Grizz and Santa. I must confess, I saw Alaina blowing kisses at the Grizz. With all due respect to Santa, you could tell she was more excited to see the Grizz. She kept saying, ‘Bear,’ all day.”
Being an OU alum makes Lewis proud.
“To be part of something that not only holds high status, but continues to positively build that status, is exactly why I’m proud to be an OU alum. OU continues to build its status as a prestige college and community leader. Being an active alum and participating is my way to ensure I give back to OU which molded me into whom I’ve become and will be in the future.”
And, she has high hopes that Alaina continues the tradition.
“It would be amazing to see our Alaina follow in my footsteps and have the same positive experience as an OU Grizzly I’ve had.”
# # #