Meet the Cass Kickstart Board
Our purpose is to promote, solicit, and provide funding for child savings accounts for students of Cassopolis Public Schools.
To work in conjunction with Cassopolis Public Schools to provide an environment that sends a message to all students that they have the potential and the support needed for academic success and economic mobility. (Cass Kickstart By-laws)
Margie Yarger
Board President
Margie is a retired lecturer of Mathematics at Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She and her husband currently live in Cassopolis. She is the blessed mother of 3 and grandmother of 9.
Becky Moore
Vice President/Treasurer
Becky obtained her CPA license in 1987 and established Accounting Consultants PC in 1992 in Dowagiac. Now semi-retired, Becky provides outsourced accounting and finance services to the County of Cass and is a consultant with the Edward Lowe Foundation System for Integrated Growth.
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Becky believes education is a key component to the health of a community and is currently the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Michigan College and a member of the Southwestern Michigan College Foundation along with other volunteer positions within the community.
Becky was awarded the Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce Shining Star Award, the Meijer Volunteer of the Year Award in association with the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, and is past Secretary of the Cass County Fair Board.
Carmen Lee Peake
Board Member
Carmen Lee Peake is a long time Cassopolis native. She is a class of 1977 graduate that is still active in many aspects of her community and church. She will always cheer for the Rangers!
Ruth Andrews
Board Member
Ruth Andrews is an artist who’s creativity sometimes leads her in unexpected directions, such as founding Cass Kickstart to Careers. She has an MA in Conflict Resolution, has had a wide variety of occupations, from mediator to infant swim instructor, and is grateful for the wonderful community that Cass County provides.
Donna Warren
Board Member
Donna Warren has lived in the Cass community since 1982. She began teaching for Cassopolis Public Schools in 1984 and has recently retired. Donna is very happy to be associated with Cass Kickstart to Careers.💙
Jim Ward
Board Member
James Ward worked for CNA Insurance Companies for 25 years as a Regional Vice President and VP of Distribution. After moving back to Cassopolis in 2007 he joined Cass County CASA, a non-profit of sworn-in advocates providing a voice for children in foster care.
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As Executive Director for nine years, he substantially increased the number of active advocates and the funding for the program. Jim remains on the board of CASA and is involved in several other programs in Cass County that support youth. He is a graduate of Aquinas College of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He and his wife Laurel have two married daughters and a granddaughter.
Felomina Ford Patton
Board Member
Felomina taught elementary and high school in St. Louis, Missouri from 1970-1974. She also taught Special Education and became a Special Education Coordinator for the Chicago Public School system. From 1984-1990 Felomina taught elementary education in the Cassopolis School District.
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She then served as an Assistant Principal, and a Special Education Coordinator before going back to teaching until I retired in 2015.
Morgan First
Board Member
Morgan First proudly attended Cassopolis Public Schools and went on to attend Adrian College. Returning back to her home town she began teaching for the district in 2017. She currently teaches Kindergarten at Sam Adams Elementary School.
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Morgan is invested in her student’s academic, social, and financial education. Her goal as a teacher and member of the community is to help educate the littles to invest in themselves. Being one of eight children she understands the importance of financial assistance for higher education and wished Cass Kick Start was around when she was younger. She looks forward to seeing the long-term impact Cass Kick Start has on the community.