LETTERS TO SANTA accepted through December 18 at Taylor Recreation Center

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL marketing students hear Olympic skater Scott Hamilton speak

On November 27 Taylor High School marketing students had the privilege of attending a Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber business forum, which included guest speaker, Olympic Gold Medalist, best-selling author, cancer survivor and talk show personality Scott Hamilton.

He was a phenomenal speaker and one of the students won his books and got it signed. It was a wonderful engaging morning of learning. We would like to thank our sponsors Howe Peterson Funeral Home.

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL attempting to improve climate, culture with comment box

The Taylor High School Students Leading Students (SLS) Club wanted to have a place where students could suggest ideas for improving our climate and culture in our school.

As a result, comment boxes were made.

They will be located in the main office, counseling and two Assistant Principal’s offices. Mrs. Dukes, Positive Climate and Culture Liaison will review the comments daily. SLS looks forward to making THS a more positive and safe school for everyone!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL JROTC drill team outstanding in competition

Leadership, fundamentals and focus brought home another trophy for the Taylor High School JROTC.

Fifteen cadets represented Taylor High School against six other schools in the Lincoln Park drill competition on recently. Cadets competed in group unarmed marching, group marching with non-firing drill rifles, and individual drill.

The drill routines consist of 50 group movements that cover the area of an entire basketball court. Each unarmed cadet is evaluated on over 200 separate elements during the routine. For 13 cadets performing together, this works out to about 3,000 opportunities for errors during each performance. Judges also look for precision, correct body position, alignment, confidence and military bearing.

The team assembled early that Saturday. Based upon who could get to the competition, the two commanders selected individuals for key positions, and then rehearsed twice for the two events. Eleven cadets had to perform in two routines; for most this was their first drill. All Taylor cadets entered the arena projecting a winning attitude and completely focused on executing what they had practiced.

Unarmed drill commander Kristin Long presented herself with authority and confidence. Her posture, crisp movements and strong vocal commands set the tone for her team’s performance. Six minutes is a long time to be under the microscope of four judges looking for any error in movement, but the cadets kept their cool and executed nearly perfectly.

The armed drill platoon did not fare as well. Three errors in their routine kept them off the winner’s podium. Every experience is an opportunity for improving.

Team commander Logan Blevins said later that experiencing a loss “motivates him even more to get better.” Cadets Bryce Coughlin, Ashley Clinton and Logan Blevins ended the day by earning individual medals for drill precision during the ‘Knock-Off’ event, wherein all 150 cadets attending the competition compete in one large group against each other.

Ninth-grade cadet Cody Welch summed up his experience by saying “It is both stressful and fun to go out in front of judges and an audience and perform. Performing, getting judged and receiving feedback make you better at what you do.”

The team’s next event is the Michigan drill meet at Cass Tech High School in Detroit.

(The Drill Team from left is Bryce Coughlin, Chris Elliott, Isaiah Gary, Kayla Coop, Ashley Clinton, Nathan Hill, Cody Welch, Logan Blevins, Carlos Navaro, Isaac Krebs, Kristin Long, Ian Leffler. Not pictured: Dalton Buck)

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL welcomes Mobile Dentist

Mobile Dentist was at Taylor High School seeing over 100 students.

Every year the number grows. For some students, Mobile Dentist has become their dental home, as they have been seen every six months since elementary school.

Mobile Dentist is non-profit business who provides preventative and restorative dental work. They accept any student regardless of insurance.

For more information, please call Sandra Kluk, Social Worker at (734) 946-6551 Ext. 10205.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL students perform at Michigan Opera Theatre

(via The News-Herald Newspapers)

Downriver students Lillian Fellows, Elizabeth Garcia, Elizabeth Pryer and Mia Martin were scheduled to be perform in Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus Presents “A Winter Fantasy” December 2. Garcia and Pryer attend West Middle School.

Established in 2007 by Chorus Master Suzanne Mallare Acton, MOTCC has become a groundbreaking children’s chorus and the first of its kind for the Metro Detroit area. As a permanent ensemble of Michigan Opera Theatre, MOTCC provides exceptional choral and theatrical performance instruction in a professional environment. Choristers from the age of 8 to 16 perform with international opera stars in mainstage productions and independently produce fully staged children’s operas in the spring.

Proceeds from the event help support the operating expenses of the program and productions for the season.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL benefits from grant

Lynn Overby, a first-grade teacher at Taylor Parks Elementary School, received a grant from Taylor School District Foundation for Educational Excellence to purchase Legos and supplies to use for educational learning hands on activities. 

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL seventh-graders listen to motivational speaker

On November 26 all seventh graders were in attendance to hear a good friend of West Middle School give a speech.

Mr. Khodr Farhat, a motivational speaker, addressed our students on facing and overcoming the challenges of being blind.

    

Mr. Farhat stressed upon the students the importance of working hard toward receiving a good education. He said with a good education many doors of opportunity will open to you. Mr. Farhat told the students that these are the words that he lives by.

     

Coming to this country from Lebanon at 13 years old, Mr. Farhat had to learn English and become accustom to the American culture and ways. In May, 2018, Mr. Farhat graduated with honors from the University of Michigan. His passion is changing public policy in order to improve the lives of those less fortunate.

    

He has worked tirelessly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation planning events and fundraising. Through this wonderful charity he now calls many celebrities and captains of industry his personal friends.

    

Mr. Farhat continues to push the limits of what people perceive a blind person can accomplish. He has skydived, hosted a radio program, ran marathons, modeled and has been in informational videos. Currently he is a liaison for the Dearborn schools.

    

Our students were inspired by Mr. Farhat's journey. His passion and compassion for others hopefully instills in all of us to be better and do better. Because of Mr. Farhat's visit our seventh graders have an excellent role model.

When they feel like life is becoming too complicated, they know that they can survive and thrive, just as Mr. Khodr Farhat has done.

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL 'pop sockets' now available for $5

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL: Doesn't forget to order apparel

BLAIR MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL class prepares with Stone Soup

Mrs. Holstein’s kindergartners at Blair Moody Elementary School were busy before Thanksgiving break.

They made “stone” soup – also called friendship soup – by Mrs. Holstein because everyone took part in making the delicious soup. They previously read the story Stone Soup.

What a great way to be thankful and sharing at this time of year. The class also enjoyed making turkey art, thankful headbands and other fun activities!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL tutoring now available

WINTERFEST ENDS with tree lighting, fireworks and Santa's Magic Forest opening

Once the Winterfest Parade made its way to the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion in Heritage Park, thousands of people were entertained by live holiday music and stilt walkers throughout the pavilion.

Various food vendors were set up, as were face painters and other fun activities for children. Live reindeer were on-hand and there were also professional ice carvers doing their handy work throughout the day.

Eventually, Mayor Rick Sollars and his family joined Santa Claus to light the official Christmas tree, which will stand in the middle of the pavilion throughout the holiday season.

Heritage Park and the Sheridan Center are lighted, and if you haven't had a chance to stop by, it's worth driving past during the evening hours.

The Taylor Chevrolet Winterfest Fireworks finished the evening's activities. Santa's Magic Forest, Downriver's premiere indoor holiday display, opened on Saturday and will remain open during certain hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 23. All proceeds from the magic forest go to the Downriver Fish & Loaves Food Pantry, which supports needy families throughout the region.