Sunday, December 2, 2018
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.
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!
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.
