FERNDALE, Mich. — From music education and military service to NASA spacecraft recovery efforts and advanced manufacturing, Ferndale High School alum Ellizar Abalos has built a career centered on leadership, learning and service.
Abalos, a 2003 Ferndale High School graduate, lives in Warren and works as a field service engineer with YCM Alliance, installing, troubleshooting and maintaining advanced CNC machine tools that support American manufacturing.
His professional journey began in education. Abalos taught middle and high school band and choir for seven years and later served as a private instructor, flute instructor with the Ferndale High School Marching Band and graduate assistant conductor at Western Michigan University.
His work with students earned him Western Michigan University's All-University Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award and School of Music Graduate Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also co-authored a case study published in The Cambridge Handbook of Undergraduate Research focused on expanding undergraduate research in music education and promoting inclusive, global learning.
Abalos later served for more than 10 years in the United States Navy. Aboard the USS San Diego, he worked as a technician, lead technician and work center supervisor responsible for maintaining mission-critical combat systems and leading teams during multiple deployments.
His service also connected him to NASA's Orion spacecraft recovery program. Abalos and the USS San Diego participated in Underway Recovery Tests designed to prepare Navy and NASA teams to safely recover Orion crew capsules and astronauts following splashdown as part of preparations for Artemis missions.
Abalos later transitioned to Navy recruiting, where he led a team of 62 recruiters and helped generate 86 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship applications. His military honors include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and multiple Gold Wreath Awards.
Through each chapter, Abalos said lessons developed through his experiences with Ferndale Public Schools have remained central to his approach.
“The values I developed in Ferndale- service, resilience, lifelong learning, and investing in people continue to guide me in every role I take on today,” Abalos said.
His connection to Ferndale also continues today. Abalos has volunteered with the Ferndale High School Marching Band, helping teach young flute players, while dedicating hundreds of additional volunteer hours to the Warren Concert Band.
From educating students to serving his country and supporting the future of American manufacturing, Abalos' journey demonstrates the many directions a Ferndale education can lead and the impact alumni can have by continuing to invest in others.
About Ferndale Public Schools
Founded in 1887, Ferndale Public Schools serves approximately 3,100 students from the communities of Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township and portions of Hazel Park. The district provides a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school, offering rigorous academics, innovative learning opportunities, award-winning arts and athletics, career and technical education, and comprehensive social-emotional supports. Recognized for its commitment to equity, inclusion and student-centered learning, Ferndale Public Schools empowers every student to discover their potential, achieve academic success and become engaged members of their communities.
To learn more about Ferndale Public Schools, visit the website. To stay up to date on district news, events and announcements, visit the News page.