Born in Traverse City, Michigan, Martha Teichner graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1965. She has an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Her distinguished journalism career began at WZZM-13 in Grand Rapids.
Teichner joined CBS News in 1977 and has had a wide-ranging career. As one of only a handful of female correspondents, she has covered several wars.  During the Persian Gulf War, she was a member of a small group of journalists to accompany US troops.  She covered Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, the exodus of Haitian and Cuban refugees to the US, and the war in El Salvador. Her work has been recognized with several Emmy awards, including her coverage of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, the Bush administration’s lead-up to the Iraq War, and Princess Diana’s death.  Teichner has been a correspondent for CBS News Sunday Morning since 1993. She resides in New York City.

In a career that spans thirty-four years, Butch Briggs has mentored over 1,500 East Grand Rapids High School boys and girls as the head swim coach. Butch’s teams have won an amazing twenty-three state championships!  But his greatest legacy is his dedication to character building and his caring commitment to each student athlete.  Butch is the heart and soul of the swimming program; no East swimmer ever forgets Butch and the lessons he teaches.  Butch uses swimming as a vehicle to build perseverance, teamwork, and dedication.
Briggs is active in his church, a member of several overseas mission trips, a chaperone for summer student trips to Europe and an avid motorcyclist.  He was selected in 2000 as the National Coach of the Year.
Briggs has been selected for the Community Service Award for his commitment to the student-athlete and the impact his dedication has had on the hundreds of individuals who have passed through the East pool.