Joy Hemmes
Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Joy has lived in multiple countries, giving her a unique perspective on the need to preserve Hudsonville’s history of emphasizing core academics, safeguarding childhood innocence, and respecting parents’ rights. She has lived in West Michigan for 17 years with her husband Nate. They are proud parents to two kids who are both enrolled at HPS. Joy holds a BA in Modern Languages and a Master of Arts in Teaching, along with several teaching-related certifications. Her career includes experience as a public and Christian school teacher and as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher in HPS. She currently works as a communications assistant at her church and is actively involved in her children's school activities and sports. Joy was chosen to serve on the HPS Diversity and Advocacy Committee (DAC) as a representative of the portion of parents and the community that do not support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She believes that harassment and bullying issues should be addressed individually. Since 2022, she has regularly attended board meetings and engages with board members and the superintendent on various issues. Joy is committed to representing students, parents, and community members who seek academic excellence in Hudsonville Public Schools. She is driven by a dedication to understanding and researching data to make informed decisions.
Dana O’Dell
Dana has been a Hudsonville resident for nearly 20 years. He and his wife, Keri, who were high school sweethearts, have five children, all of whom have either attended or are currently enrolled in Hudsonville Public Schools. Dana holds a BFA in Visual Communications and has built a rewarding career as a design leader in the website and application design industry. He leads teams and collaborates with executives across various sectors. In addition to running his own business, he co-founded and runs a successful startup. Dana attends ResLife church in Grandville and has volunteered with The Grand Rapids Dream Center, a ministry that works with people in the inner city of Grand Rapids. He is actively involved in the community by serving on the Jamestown Township Planning Commission. He has attended nearly all Hudsonville Public Schools board meetings since 2020 and provides online access to past meeting recordings as a public service. He believes that the district should pursue a strong focus on core academics. The HPS board should hold themselves, the administration, and staff to the same level of excellence they expect from students
