DECA CLUB turns in an amazing performance

By Carly Lundgren-Barnard

Truman High School Marketing Department Head

It is with great pride that I inform the best and most supportive staff I have ever worked with that at our DECA competition last week, the Truman DECA club was amazing. 

Not only did they represent themselves in a professional manner and dress professionally, they also were very successful. It is my honor to announce we brought home 18 medals and have 27 members that will move on to the state competition in March.

In addition to those 27, we also had six students who have scores high enough to be considered alternates. This means that if the person above them who qualified cannot attend states they will replace them.

The members of Truman High School’s DECA club have impressed me more so than ever this year.

Below is a list of the students who are working hard on some amazing projects and I hope that you can congratulate them when you see them and I thank all of you for any help you have given them already.

Project-based students that have qualified for National competition in Anaheim, Calif.: Amario Massey, Junaid Syed, and Sara Sherazi (Promotional campaign and Alumni campaign).

Project-based students that have qualified for state competition for (and a chance to move on to nationals): Hannah Dixson, Darius Denard and Shyann Beard (Learn and Earn project, business expo/Safe Halloween);  Elizabeth Blevins, Jax von Hoffman, and Kaily Nissen (Community Service project, Cougar Food Pantry); Cindy Nyarko (Public Relations, #Beautyisdiversity campaign); Alexander Brown and Danieya Young (Innovation Plan, Club Unusual): Jennifer Emeri, Marrissa Johnson, Meghan Hontz and Emily Conklin (Business Operations Event); and Starr Lewis, Junaid Syed, and Caroline Vaughn (Financial Literacy Project).

Role-Play students that have qualified for State competition for a chance at nationals:  Kirsten Collett, John Cotton, Amario Massey, Josh Myles, Adria Nyarko, Austin Gignac, Sara Sherazi, Alondra Castaneda, Dakyra Mcghee-Monk and Gabriella Sanchez.

Alternates for state competition: Sylvester Grant, Mehdi Cela, Ian Turpin, Sidra Siddiqui, Na’jai Gary, and Leasia Gibbs.

DECA Idea Challenge 2016: (Below is the link to see their submitted video for a chance to win money) Amario Massey, Sara Sherazi, Tyler Goodwell and Junaid Syed.

Click here to see video

TOMMIE SAYLOR: Are you all in, or all out?

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

I’m reminded of a parable:

A man is walking along and falls into a deep, dark hole. The man is scared, tormented and filled with anxiety and concern, for he believes he will never be able to get out of the hole on his own accord. 

Just then, he sees a stranger walking by and calls out for help. The stranger, dressed in a white lab coat, stethoscope slung around his neck and possessing a distinguished chiseled jaw, neatly cut and groomed salt and pepper hair, and the look of prominence upon his face, studies the situation as the man pleads for help. 

Without hesitation, the stranger pulls from his pocket a notepad and writes a prescription and treatment plan for the man, tosses this plan down the hole, and walks away. 

The man is instantly washed with despair, bringing on a cascade of sweat and nervous twitching. In efforts to calm down the man takes stock of his surroundings, allowing the musky, pungent aroma of decaying soil to fill his nostrils and the surrounding darkness to swallow him whole.

Then it happens again. By grace’s goodness another stranger approaches the hole. The man screams for help, releasing a torrent of pent up emotions purging his soul from the stifling effects of panic and dread. This new stranger, dressed in the finest of wear, sports coat, necktie and shoes that shine with a blackened luster almost to the point of becoming a mirror, studies the man’s predicament with an intense scowl upon his face. 

Suddenly this new stranger retrieves a fountain pen made of gold and a legal pad from his jacket, and begins scribing a bill to be made into law that will most certainly help the destitute man in the hole, and tosses this bill down the hole. He too walks away. 

Once again the man is overcome with horror. “Can’t anyone help me,” he pleads. 

Terror overtakes the man as he begins to claw at the walls of his prison, caking his nails with rich, black dirt as his very essence begins to slip away.

Then, one last time this man was blessed with a miracle. A third stranger stumbles across the hole. This third stranger was a little different than the first two. He’s of more meager means, dressed modestly, haggard by worry lines, long hours and hard work. 

This third stranger introduced himself as an educator, studying the man’s situation with deliberate intensity.  Suddenly, this educator jumps down into the darkened grave-like hole, this cavity of hopelessness, this hollow of despondency, landing with a thud. 

The man’s eyes widen with wonder, his face drawn of all life and distorted in shock, and screams at the educator in a horsey, raspy voice choked with disbelief.

“What are you doing? Now we are both trapped in this forsaken hole.” 

The educator turns to the man, a confident smile crossing his wise and majestic face, and proclaims, “Yes, but I have been down in a hole before, and I know the way out.”

What kind of educator are you?  One who stands at the top of your students’ holes and tosses down lessons and assignments, or one that jumps down into the hole with your students, showing them the way out.

Helping students to find their greatness. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL pupils volunteer to help others

Holland Elementary School has some “PE Buddies.” Second-grade students from Mrs Bordeau's class volunteered to help out other students. Dylan, Iyanna and Sophia are great examples of thoughtful and trustworthy teammates. They are taking Isaiah and his "caught being awesome" award to the office. Keep it up Huskies!

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL students learn to waltz

Recently, Kennedy High School's advanced German students learned how to waltz.

A ballroom dance instructor did the honors, and the students acted in an exemplary manner and received several compliments from the instructor on their behavior, ability to learn and positive attitudes.

“Das is ausgezeichnet!” stated Heather Roosevelt,
Kennedy High School
German and Spanish Teacher.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL food drive a success

Mr. Tomassion and his fifth-grade class at McDowell Elementary School want to thank everyone for all their contributions during last month’s food drive.

The goal was 1,000 food items. Every day, the group had a different challenge. Staff vs. students, boys vs. girls, grade vs. grade or a call out for each grade level.

In the end the group is pleased to say they raised over 850 food items to donate. Even though they fell short of their goal, everyone learned that they can help – sometimes one can at a time.

Great work by the McDowell fifth-graders and thank you to Mr. Tomassion for all of his efforts!

JOHNSON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER hosts literacy event

The Johnson Early Childhood Center hosted a literacy event last month.

All the families from the center were invited to attend and wonderful books and gift bags were away. Activities revolved around winter and were available for the children to participate in. They included snowball bowling, shaving cream painting and penguin footprint making.

There was an animal show that the children were very excited about, featuring a red kangaroo, a giant snow rabbit and a Siberian Lynx.

The main supporter of the program was the PNC Foundation, through the Guidance Center. Nursing students from the Career Center volunteered their time at the two-hour event.

Thank you to The Guidance Center, PNC Foundation and to all of the Johnson Early Childhood Center staff for making this learning experience possible for our youngest learners.

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL visited by a lot of elves!

Back in December, Holland Elementary School was visited by a whole host of elves. In fact, 300 “holiday elves” descended upon Holland Elementary School and held hands across the building in a display of friendship and holiday harmony.

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL senior donates books before the holidays

Megan Krieger, a senior at Kennedy High School who works at the Value World Thrift Store, bought and donated over five boxes of novels to the Kennedy English Department.

She hand picked the titles she thought the staff and students at Kennedy would enjoy, bought them with her hard-earned money, and dropped them off right before the holidays.

She didn't want any thanks or recognition, but on behalf of Kennedy High School and the Taylor School District, the entire staff wanted to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to Megan for her thoughtfulness and generosity.

Well done, Megan!

JOHNSON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER gets a gift from RESA

Classrooms at Johnson Early Childhood Center received new magnetic building blocks from Wayne RESA.

Students in Ms. Sute and Ms. Holmes classroom were building with them during their work time. This kind of work promotes math, communication, and group problem solving skills.

Wayne RESA is a regional educational service agency that provides a broad spectrum of services and support to Wayne County's 33 school districts aimed at improving student achievement and maximizing economies of scale in staff development, purchasing, and administrative services. 

With a total population of approximately 1.8 million, Wayne County is the most populous county in the State of Michigan and the 18th most populous county in the nation. 

There are 33 school districts in 43 Wayne County communities serving approximately 226,000 students. Additionally, there are 108 Public School Academies (PSAs) serving 64,000 students for a combined total of approximately 290,000 students in public schools countywide. .

BLAIR MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL takes a trip down memory lane

It was “Back to the 80s!” time at Blair Moody Elementary School.

This is how the staff and students celebrated the 80th day of school. Talk about a trip down memory lane. It showed great school spirit.

Just wait until you see what they have in store for 100th day!

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL boys learn a lesson that is sure to stay with them

In preparation for the perfect attendance luncheon at Hoover Middle School, students were recently taught a valuable life skill.

The boys in Ms. Betke and Mrs. Lavaute's class had a guest presenter, Justice Betke, who taught a lesson on learning how to tie a tie.

It looks very easy, until you try it for the first time.

A big “thank you” goes out to Justin for his help. Hoover boys did a great job during this exercise. Remember: This is a skill you will use for the rest of your life.

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has a WINner of a program

It is W.I.N. time at Holland Elementary School. Mrs. Papas and Mrs. Twitty are ATAs that work with third graders during W.I.N., which stands for “What I Need” time. Students are assigned to a group that bests fits their needs to develop math skills. Keep up the great work!

MYERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL gets a visit from professional wrestler

WWE Professional Wrestler Rhyno visited Myers Elementary School to speak to fourth- and fifth-grade students about perseverance, hard work and achieving your dreams. Myers’ students did a great job of welcoming Rhyno, and learned more about these critical character traits and life skills.

Rhyno’s real name is Terrance Gerin. He is currently competing on the SmackDown brand. Rhyno previously appeared in WWE from 2001-05 and again in WWE’s developmental system NXT from 2015-16.

Rhyno is a two-time world champion, having held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship and NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He is also a one-time WCW United States Champion, two-time ECW World Television Champion, three-time WWF Hardcore Champion and a one-time inaugural WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champion with Heath Slater.

Gerin trained as a wrestler at the Can-Am Wrestling School located in Windsor, Ontario, under Scott D'Amore. He debuted in 1994 on the Detroit independent circuit under the ring name Terry Richards.

SKILLS USA offers a start in the skilled trades

Since Taylor and Kennedy high schools do not offer classes in skilled trades, vocational classes are offered through the Career Center.  

Programs and classes vary.  If you are in one of the construction classes, Skills USA is offered.  Skills USA teaches students to learn a little faster than they would in a typical classroom setting.  

Mr. Murray and Mr. Nowitzke are in charge of the program, but the students in the program also have a say in what is taught and when the class meets.  

President (Darron Patercsak), secretary (Katerina Ristovski) and treasurer (Tristin Wittenmyer) make up the board of Skills USA.  The trio meets with Mr. Murray and Mr. Nowitzke and discusses times and dates that the class will meet; what projects will be assigned; and whether or not the group will participate in local competitions with other schools or districts.  

These types of competitions involve a group from the program competing in building mini-houses or cardboard boats with duct tape.  The group doesn’t always participate in competitions. Sometimes the Skills USA class just builds various items for the robotics team or raises money by building a doghouse, for example.

The program can be a lot of fun because students see what it’s like to work with a crew or team on various projects. Students who seek a career as in the skilled trades get a great start. Or, some just gain great experience and come out of Skills USA with a handy skill.  

Taylor students should consider joining the after school program.

MCDOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL pupil has bright future

McDowell Elementary School is pleased to present Miss Emma Dryden from Mr. Young's fifth-grade class, as an award winner in the 24th Annual Celebration for a Drug Free Taylor Essay contest. 

Emma starts her essay with a question, “Why do people do drugs?" 

Please read her paper. She appears to have a bright future.

Great job, Emma Dryden!!

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL hosts concert

On Thursday January 19, Mr. Bergler conducted another grand band performance with the Hoover Middle School Cadet Band Concert.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL students hold grand luncheon

The Hoover Middle School Hawks got dressed up for a grand luncheon celebration. In Ms. Betke's class, students earned their invitation to this event by improving their attendance by attending school for two consecutive weeks with no absences. 

Congratulations to these fine ladies and gentlemen! 

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL Eagle News is published for January