Marshaun Flakes just wrapped up a fantastic freshman season with the GRCC men’s basketball team. The highlight of his season — setting a new school record for the most points scored in a game.  On January 15, the team won 113-105 against Lake Michigan College. Flakes scored a record-breaking 53 points, helping the team to victory.  “At halftime a couple of my teammates asked me about the record,” Flakes said. “I didn’t remember how many points I had by halftime, but when I saw I already had 40 points with 10 minutes left in the game, I realized I could beat it.” Flakes commends his teammates for encouraging him and assisting him with the win.  “I didn’t set out to beat the record. It just kind of happened,” Flakes said. “My teammates really encouraged me and helped me stay open so I could get more time with the ball.” Men’s basketball coach, Joe Fox also praised Flakes’s performance: “What an incredible performance by Marshaun. We were a little short-manned and Marshaun really stepped up to answer the bell. He managed all facets of the game, played a great point guard role, and didn't force anything. What was most impressive to me was how efficient the effort was, 53 points on 28 shots. A well-earned school record and a well-earned win.”   Flakes started playing basketball in fourth grade at a Boys & Girls Club in Grand Rapids. He quickly discovered a natural talent and passion for the game.  Flakes scored his first 50-point game when he was in middle school. He says that getting a 50-point game as a college athlete meant more to him. The competition is tougher and all of the players are dedicated athletes. Flakes is proud that he has put the work in to stand out.  The basketball season is officially over and Flakes built quite a reputation as a freshman at GRCC. He was GRCC’s top scorer for the season and received multiple honors after the season including All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference and All-Defensive Team selections.  His college basketball career is just starting and he’s dedicated to continuous improvement and growth. Flakes is motivated by his family, teammates and coaches to keep practicing and show up to next season even better. 

March 24, 2025 Janelly Vazquez was 9 when she came home from school to find her father had been deported to Mexico. Now 21, she’s making it her mission to defend the rights of other immigrant families and their loved ones. “I’m passionate about immigration because this is my life’s story,” said Vazquez, who is pursuing an Associate degree in Pre-Political Science at Grand Rapids Community College. Her father, Eliud Vazquez, moved to Holland with his family as a boy, but was never a legal resident. He worked hard, married and raised Janelly and her two brothers. Despite years of trying to gain U.S. citizenship, he was deported after a traffic stop in 2012. “He would always tell us if something happens to me, if one day I have to leave, just know that I love you guys and we'll be together again soon,” she said. “But that was a long, long time ago.” The Vazquez family is still working to help him gain legal entry and return home to Holland. It hasn’t been easy. Janelly and her brothers live with their mother, Alma, all working together to make ends meet. Along with attending GRCC in the mornings, Janelly works full time in the afternoons at Magna Mirrors in Holland. “When you’re in a single-parent household, you have to help and you have to study,” she says. Through the years, school has been the constant in her life — and a place to thrive. She’s happy to be attending GRCC and enjoys the convenience of taking so many courses at the Lakeshore campus, just nine minutes from her mom’s home. It’s a much better fit than the large university she attended after graduating in 2021 from West Ottawa High School. “I came to GRCC last fall and it’s been great; I feel like I found all the support I needed right here close to home,” she said. Vazquez initially imagined she’d go into the medical field. But after becoming a certified nursing assistant and working in a local assisted living facility, she realized it wasn’t the career for her. It was during this time, as she and her mom were meeting with immigration lawyers to help her father, that she realized her true passion lay in immigration law. “I realized how passionate I am about finding a solution for my dad and that this is something I could happily spend my career doing for other families like ours,” she said. “My GRCC advisor really listened to me and helped me narrow down the career path I wanted to pursue.” When she graduates from GRCC in December, Vazquez plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies at Grand Valley State University. “I’m still unsure where I’d like to work after that, but I know I want to apply that knowledge and interest into helping others facing immigration struggles,” she said. “And I only hope my dad is here soon to see it.” This story reported by Beth McKenna.