Alumni Spotlight

After graduating from Vicksburg High School in June of '57, Gwen studied voice at the nationally acclaimed Interlochen National School for the Arts and Michigan State University. She graduated in 1961 and began teaching in Lansing. The year also found Gwen marrying her best friend, Gary Sherman.

Gwen moved around a bit during those early years of family life. She gave birth to their first son, Geoff, in Minneapolis. From there Gary's work took them to Elkhart, Indiana where their second son, Garth, was born. Presently, Geoff and his wife, Megan and their four children live in Kalamazoo and Garth and his wife, Alison and their two children live in Woodbury, MN.

Planning to go back to teaching when their boys were in school full time, Gwen took a part time job with Mary Kay in 1970. Teaching did return to her life, but not as she had expected. Gwen ended up teaching Mary Kay classes and leadership for the next 34 years. The company took her and her family all over the globe.

In 1989, Gwen and Gary moved "back home" to Vicksburg. Their home on "W" Avenue was built in 1840 and was declared the house half way between Fulton and Vicksburg.

Gwen was delighted when Mary Kay came to Kalamazoo to honor the Sherman Sales Unit for having achieved the highest sales in the Company. She retired from Mary Kay as Senior National Sales Director Emeritus in January 2005.

Gwen and Gary spend time these days supporting the work of Compassion International an organization that coordinates sponsorship for the support of children and their families worldwide. Gwen and Gary became sponsors of a child in Mexico. They met him, Hose, when he was 5 years old. After he grew and moved they sponsored Brayan in Columbia and he became their joy in 2001. Gwen and Gary hope to visit him when they make a trip to Central America.

Retirement is treating Gwen and Gary well and they find themselves busier than ever and loving every minute of it. Traveling the USA is the number one priority.

Read about other VHS Alumni:

• Larry & Tina (Schneider) Forsyth (Class of 68 & 69)
• Betsy Bailey (Class of 1998)
• Gwen Sherman (Class of 1957)
• Stephen G. Kukolich (Class of 1958)

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