Alumni Success Stories
As a Grand View grad, you play an important role in its continued success, and one way to spread the word about the good things happening at Grand View is by sharing your own success stories.
We hope to build a wonderful library of alumni profiles on this website, so if you are interested in being spotlighted or want to recommend someone, send us an email at alumni @ grandview.edu.
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 Brooke (Kruse ‘22) Groves
Teacher, Carlisle High School
Brooke (Kruse ‘22) Groves has been honored with the Golden Apple Award. Brooke is a Grand View and Carlisle graduate and is now a teacher at the high school she attended. The Golden Apple Award is a very special recognition given to one special teacher each month during the school year. Teachers are nominated for the award.
Mrs. Groves is the special education teacher at Carlisle High School and says students’ success in the classroom starts with getting to know them. “They come in every day, and they want me to be a part of their life,” Groves said. Mrs. Groves’ focus on relationships was rewarded when several of her students nominated her for the Golden Apple. The connections she’s making with her students are making a big difference.
Andrea Hoekstra is the principal at Carlisle High School. She knew Groves as a student and now a teacher. “She’s just been amazing,” Hoekstra said. “She has stepped right in since day one and really found her groove and has built such great relationships with her students and fit really well with our staff and just has that all in and buy-in and we’re just so happy she’s here with us.”
Congratulations, Mrs. Groves!
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Bethany Fast (Wilcox) ’15
The Little Book
Bethany always wanted to be a business owner and her time at Grand View helped her make it happen. “I learned a lot about myself, it was the first time where I had to find my own motivation, gain confidence within myself, and figure out what gives my life meaning outside of religion,” Bethany said of her GV experience. Now she is the proud owner of The Little Book, a children's bookstore in Highland Park, not far from GV’s campus.
Bethany felt strongly about opening a business in the northern part of Des Moines, and she has found the culture in Highland Park to be incredibly supportive. Bethany’s hope for the future of The Little Book is that people hear the name and associate it with purpose and value as well as a great resource for the community. “I want people to feel safe in our space, somewhere for kids to go after school, where they are allowed to make noise and families feel welcome.” The Little Book opened its doors on February 9th, 2024 and looks forward to growing and welcoming neighbors to their space.
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Devan Walker '14
Iowa STEM Teacher Award
Devan Walker '14, science teacher at Southeast Valley High School in Gowrie, Iowa, has been named as a recipient of the 2021 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries. The award is given to teachers who go above and beyond to inspire student interest in and awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. For seven years, Walker has taught a variety of STEM subjects to students at Southeast Valley High School—including chemistry, environmental science, biotechnology, anatomy and physiology, food science and physics. In every subject she teaches, Walker strives to make the subject matter accessible and engaging.
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