Each quarter we will feature a story about our Parchment alumni here.

By Dave Person

This is a year of big changes for 2013 Parchment High School graduate Lenna Sims.

In May, she added the title of doctor of veterinary medicine upon her graduation from the veterinary college at Michigan State University.

For three months she was Dr. Lenna Sims.

Then in early August, she underwent another name change when she and Carson Witt were married.

Now she is Dr. Lenna Witt.

As an associate veterinarian at VCA Oshtemo Animal Hospital, 6303 Parkview Avenue, where she started working as a veterinary assistant 10 years ago, Witt is able to demonstrate her love and care for pets, and their owners.

“I love taking the time to get to know and work with clients by helping them to make informed decisions for their pets based on what works within their lifestyle,” she says.

“I am very realistic when it comes to pet care as I have a lot of pets myself and know with a busy life we just have to do the best we can.”

In addition to a dog, three cats, a cockatiel and a gerbil, Witt, 30, who lives in Kalamazoo, has three rabbits, the care of which has become one of her specialties.

“I love cats and dogs, but I really enjoy rabbits,” she says. “In my opinion, proper husbandry and nutrition is not talked about enough for rabbits, and I really enjoy the education I can provide from my own experience, and also a medical perspective as a small-animal veterinarian.”

While in veterinary school, Witt took up a new hobby that doesn’t involve animals but definitely takes advantage of her desire to care for all kinds of life: She grows plants.

“I have a growing collection of houseplants and enjoy learning about them, learning about propagation, rare plants, etc.,” she says.

During the summer when she’s not caring for plants or animals, Witt says she enjoys “hanging out near water,” either at a pool, on the beach or on a boat.

A 2018 graduate of Western Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, Witt, an only child, has fond memories of Parchment schools, where she honed her skills, both in the classroom and as a high school cheerleader, in preparation for her chosen career.

Those memories include special contributions from teachers Nancy Looper and Russ Iuni, her cheerleading coach Michelle Burghdoff and Principal Scott Karaptian.

“I always enjoyed Ms. Looper and her enthusiasm to help students, and the care she provided,” Witt says. “We keep in touch to this day.

“I also enjoyed math with Mr. Iuni; he seemed to always make sure we understood everything and made it simple.

“Math is one of my favorite subjects and I think this may be because of his teaching style.

“Coach Burghdoff was amazing as my cheerleading coach. She was not only a coach to me, but a great person outside of school into my adult life.

“Mr. Karaptian was always such a great influence and someone you could rely on in and outside of school.”