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Brenda Kniebes, a lifelong resident of the area who grew up in Coloma,Ìýhas taught elementary school at Decatur Public Schools for more than thirty years,Ìýfirst music classes and now second grade. She doesn’t leave her calling at theÌýschool door, though. She continues teaching and mentoring children in after-schoolÌýprograms, encouraging their interest in music and the arts, and providing anÌýopportunity to learn about horses and ponies on her farm.

Brenda helps organize the Decatur Van Buren/Cass County Girls on the RunÌýprogram. Each year, more than 500 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade girls participate in theÌýafter-school program that encourages healthy values and goals. In the spring, theÌýprogram culminates with a 5K fun run.

Brenda and her husband have seven horses – four drafts and three ponies – and, asÌýsponsors of the Four Flags 4-H club, Brenda mentors 4-H members in handling theÌýresponsibility of a horse. She also sponsors ponies for the Berrien County We CanÌýRide 4-H program. The Kniebes’ take their horses to St. Joseph in the summers toÌýdrive visitors downtown in the trolley.Ìý

In 2002, Brenda started Soup Suppers in Coloma as a way to raise money for theÌýNorth Berrien Food Pantry. Up to one hundred people attend each of nine suppersÌýthroughout the year at the Coloma Senior Center. The suppers have raised a total ofÌý$50,000 and have become an integral part of the pantry’s funding.

The Alumni Service Award was presented to Brenda Kniebes in 2014.