Jarrod Schaffer-Steele:
CLASS OF 2008
Maple Valley High SchoolClass of 2008
Vermontville, MI
Maplewood Elementary SchoolClass of 2002
Vermontville, MI
Fuller Street Elementary SchoolClass of 1999
Nashville, MI
Star Elementary SchoolClass of 1994
Hastings, MI
Jarrod's Story
Born October 13th, 1989.
From Nashville, Michigan.
Residing in Grand Rapids, MI.
Maple Valley Jr/Sr. High Graduate, Class of '08.
Obtained College Associate Degree in Applied Arts & Sciences.
Majored in Digital Graphics Communications/Marketing.
Undergrad, with plans to finish.
"In A Relationship" w/ Benjamin Steele, February 13th, 2015.
Married Benjamin Steele, July 9th, 2021.
Currently Employed at Grand Rapids Community College & Woodland Mall (Hot Topic)
Volunteers time in Youth Advocacy.
Schools include Maple Valley Jr./Sr. High School, later furthering his studies within Lansing Community College under Criminal Law.
Changed course direction, and went on to achieve a 3 in 1 year program at Grand Rapids Community College, obtaining his Associates in Applied Arts & Sciences, Majoring in Digital Graphics Communications (Marketing/Advertising, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Photography), and looking to further his education in possibly Social Work or Business.
Likes & interests include Traveling, Attending Live Concerts, Animals, Architecture, Music, "The Arts", anything & everything "Horror" related, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, Emo/Indie Punk Rock, Video Games, Movies, Philosophical Talks, Politics, Human Rights Advocacy, Technology, Swimming, Caribbean Vacations, Drag Queens, Tattoos, EDM, Pop, Collecting Pop Culture/Funko Pops, anything & everything Halloween related, "Dead Sled", Nightmare Before Christmas, COFFEE, Night Life Scene, Local Bars, City Living, warm weather, trying new things, making memories, photography, friends/family, beard care, and more.
STORY TIME!
In high school, I had a tendency to be what most would call a "Wallflower" or a "loner".
Many knew who I was, but not everyone could call themselves my friend. I got along with most people, and I hung out with multiple groups of kids. Otherwise, I'd keep to myself, most of the time, unless we got along or you talked about something I was into at the time. While I had my preference when it came to the people I hung out with, I saw most of my classmates, from each subgroup, almost as if they were my siblings. (It should come as no surprise, considering how small our school was.
If you or anyone placed bets that I was Gay, well, someone owes ya'll $5.00.
(Not me, but someone.) I genuinely wish I would have came out sooner in high school, but even though things were "slightly" more progressive back then than anytime before, (and even more so now than back then), I don't believe our school was ready for that. I wasn't ready for that. My family had far too many ties in with the school and town, that I didn't wanna destroy anyone else's lives, let alone my own... Not to mention the countless homophobic bullying that would occur from certain classmates/upperclassmen... Therefore, I remained reclusive, and kept often to myself and close body of friends, out of fear of others knowing who or what I was and bringing shame on my family, not to mention the bullying you would hear happening elsewhere... This made me ...Expand for more
an angry and depressed teenager, but over time, I was able to overcome this by coming out.
I came out as "Bisexual" when I was 16, and gay when 18, but by the time I came out, I wasn't all that involved with many of my classmates, for I was given unfortunate news by "Dawn Yager", that I wasn't going to "Graduate with the rest of my classmates." (Long story short, she wasn't a fan of me, she didn't really know me let alone cared for my "alternative" lifestyle, and therefore she didn't have any resources for me. While she didn't help me, I was more than aware that she had pointed many other students in the direction of joining online courses, getting them back on track to graduation. THAT being said, she never gave to me as an option until AFTER graduation.
Just as soon as Summer had hit, my Senior Year, I took the ONE 1/2 credit, that I needed in order to graduate, took the class and got an "A" in it, and got my High School Diploma, and was allowed to be a part of "Class of '08" with the rest of my classmates on record as well as in the yearbook. (Thank You Admin & Mama G. <3 )
After High School, I left Nashville/Vermontville, moved to Orlando, Florida for a year, where I worked at SeaWorld Parks/Entertainment and worked with Marine Life/Customer Service. I initially moved down there to live with my dad and take care of him, potentially to say goodbye (He had cancer) in case he didn't make it back then. (Happy to say, he achieved remission status, but passed away in 2022 from Covid Complications.)
After a year or so in Orlando, FL, I moved back to Michigan, and up to Big Rapids to go to Ferris State University. After obtaining housing, I went to sign up for classes, to of which was much dismay, since they wanted to place me on Academic Probation as SOON as I mentioned I wanted to attend. I stayed in Big Rapids, made the trip down to Grand Rapids for GRCC for about a year, eventually moved down there, continued my studies, met my husband, now partner, finished my degree, built an() Entertainment Solutions business in Light, Sound, and Music, got married, bought a home, and that's all he wrote!
I am currently a Professional Tutor/Lab Assistant at Grand Rapids Community College, Assistant Manager at Hot Topic, and I assist my Husband in our entertainment business, and I do a series of side hustles that of which I enjoy in my spare time for added income. We own our own home on the South East Side of Downtown Grand Rapids.
My sister Stephanie is Married, to Mark Wehr, together they have 3 children. She went to school for nursing and he became a journeymen. They are very happy and still reside in Vermontville, MI.
My mom still lives in Nashville, she recently had a run in with cancer, but happy to announce that she too is in remission and doing well. She currently travels a lot and is still working, but no longer at Maple Valley Schools.
I have much more life to live, and will continue to update you as I go.
I hope life has treated you all as kindly as it has myself, if not, more!
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Photos
Register for Free to view all photos!