ELHS Alumni Congratulate the Class of 2018: Jonas Hallstein

Above: Jonas Hallstein Picture from High School

ELHS Alumni congratulate the Class of 2018 . . . now through June

On June 10, about 300 high school seniors will march onward to join the ranks of Trojan Alumni who have graduated from East Lansing Public Schools over the last century.

East Lansing Info asked Trojan Alumni who live, work and retain ties in East Lansing to congratulate the Class of 2018. From now through early June, we'll feature their reflections and informal advice to the graduating class.

Thank you ELHS Alumni and congratulations to the Class of 2018.

Featured Alumnus

Jonas Hallstein 


Class of 2015

What is your occupation?

I serve/bartend at Sansu Sushi, but I’m also an intern at the State Senate.

Why did you make East Lansing home?

I moved here when I was 5 because my parents got jobs at MSU. I’m currently studying at MSU, so I haven’t left just yet.

Where did you grow up in East Lansing?

Chesterfield Hills

Where do you live now?

Burcham area

What are some funny or fond memories you have about high school?

Pretty much all extracurricular activities such as floor hockey, sports, band, and theater. The science classes were more interesting and fun than they are in college, too.

What was your favorite place in East Lansing when you attended high school? Why? Anywhere I was hanging out with friends, because that usually meant I was on my free time. Whether that was Bubble Island, Biggby, our high school’s band room, or even practice for sports, I wanted to be there.

What path did you initially take when you graduated?

I worked right away for the summer before going to school. I’ve kept working since then throughout my undergraduate program.

Above: Hallstein today

What do you think is different about high school today?

In the news, we see a lot of student activity on political events, which I think is very cool. I think that’s due in part to the changing climate and it likely would’ve happened when I was there, too.

What do you think is the same?

I’m only three years removed, so just about everything should be similar. It looks like they still let students go off-campus for lunch from my observations, so I guess I’ll say that.

What advice do you have for graduating seniors?

Take some time to enjoy yourself. I kind of got caught up in trying to adapt to the “real world,” by working and jumping right into school, but it ended up having the opposite effect. Take time to travel if you can, and resting is also very important.

Want to join Trojan Alumni in congratulating the Class of 2018? Our only asks are that you're an ELHS graduate, live or work in East Lansing, and are willing to share a current picture and one from your high school years. Interested? Contact Ann Kammerer at halmkammerer76@gmail.com.