Saturday, October 13, 2018

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL: Upcoming events

Upcoming Events!
*10/16-Varsity Soccer District- Home v. Monroe @ 6:00 p.m.
*10/17-Staff Meeting @ 2:45- Little Theatre
* 10/18- Picture retakes
*10/19- Youth in Government Fall Conference @ EMU

*10/19-Final Varsity Football Game- Home v. Allen Park 7:00

FIRST TAYLOR JROTC Color Guard Competition a success


By Bryce Coughlin
12 October 2018

The Griffin JROTC Color Guard beat out the teams from Southgate, Western and John Glenn high schools in a competition October 6 at Lincoln Park High School, but could not overcome the perfect score earned by the home team.

Both our Varsity and Junior Varsity teams earned second-place team trophies and four of our six team members also earned medals for their individual drill performances, both with and without drill rifles.

Color guard commanders Ashley Clinton (Varsity) and Kristan Long (Junior Varsity) led D’Avian Sanchez, Michael King, Isaiah Garry, and Bryce Coughlin in the two team performances.


The Griffin Color Guard will be joined by the Junior Varsity unarmed drill team and the Varsity armed drill team as we compete at the Downriver Drill Competition 17 November at Lincoln Park; the All-Michigan Drill Competition 1 December at Cass Tech High School in Detroit; and in January at the Marine Corps Drill Meet at River Rouge High School.


JROTC EXCELS during Alpena summer camp


It was more than your average summer for JROTC.

While most students stayed home plugged into their phones until late at night, sleeping away the daylight hours, Taylor’s JROTC cadets spent a week in June doing things that gave them memories for life.

JROTC cadets each year attend a free, week-long summer camp in Alpena where they climb rock walls, paddle across rivers, rappel off of towers and buildings, ride in helicopters, camp out for a night, build an air-powered rocket, shoot pellet rifles, and learn to find their way through the woods using a map and compass.

Perhaps best of all, they disconnect from social media and deal with people face-to-face for five days.  This summer camp is known as JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC).


This year 13 Taylor students attended the optional camp, joining more than 600 other cadets from around Michigan.  The students were mixed together and organized into units, with cadets given leadership positions that rotated each day.  The experienced cadre of JROTC instructors and military personnel closely supervised the cadets, and helped the cadets learn how give instructions and motivate their teams to get things done. 

The five days start early and end late, the cadets walk everywhere they go, and most of the activities are physical. JCLC, like life, is easier if a student is physically strong and agile. Our cadets had an edge over those of most other schools because of the physical conditioning we do as part of the JROTC program. 

Cadet Logan Blevins said, “We had no physical problem completing any of the activities.  Our weekly workouts really helped.” 

Taylor junior Anthony Sims observed that, “I had a hard time, but it was fun. I learned a lot.” 

Another participant, junior Dalton Buck, said, “I learned that no matter how hard something may seem, if you keep at it, you will succeed.”

These comments are echoed by many JCLC participants. 

One thing that many participants found difficult at first was giving up their cell phone for one week.  Participants at JCLC must hand over their cell phones during their time at the camp.  While most students cannot imagine life unplugged from the Internet and social media, students at JCLC soon realized that actually doing things is much more enjoyable that reading posts about other people doing things.

Cadet Chris Elliott cannot wait to return next summer: “I was voted as the runner up for Best Cadet in my Company this past summer.  This coming summer I intend to take home the top spot.” 

Regardless of what awards and recognition individual cadets receive, all agree that they had fun, and learned a lot about themselves and others.  What summer activity beats that?


TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL: Advisory group to meet bi-weekly

The Taylor High School Student Advisory for Climate and Culture met on October 3 for a leadership training with Dawn Flood from Student Leadership Services (SLS) Inc.

The training focused on how to run an SLS chapter within the school. The students further learned how to work together as a team, identifying strengths of a good leader, and identifying "hot topics" concerns that they would like to work on this year.

The issues will include mental health, and bullying and drug use. A plan of action was developed for each topic along with a timeline.

The Advisory consists of 18 students of all grade levels. Last spring this group worked on developing our school wide expectations. 


The Advisory will meet bi-weekly. Mrs. Kluk, THS Social Worker will serve as their Adviser and Christin Dukes, Positive School Climate/Culture Liaison will assist with the group. 

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL soccer team readies for state playoffs


The Taylor High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team played to a 4-4 tie against Lincoln Park recently.  Austin Dukes scored two goals and Juan Serrano and Edmond Dounamou each had a goal.  The Griffins record is now 11-5-2 and they will be preparing for the state playoffs next week as they will host Monroe on Tuesday.

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL Marching Band gets new uniforms



At Homecoming the Taylor High School Marching Band displayed its new banner and uniforms.

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL marching band partners with Taylor Ford


Last weekend the Taylor High School Marching Band partnered with Taylor Ford to host a “Test Drive for Your Schools” fundraiser.  Despite some rainy weather, people had a great time checking out new vehicles and raising some cash for the band program. The Taylor HS Drumline showed Griffin pride by performing for test drivers. 


TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL marching band


The Taylor High School Marching Band performed at MSBOA Marching Festival on October 8 and received a straight 1st division rating! 


TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL students receive visit from clerk


The Taylor City Clerk's office came to Taylor High School on October 4 and provided information on voter registration to students and also provided students information about how to prospectively serve as an election inspector for the upcoming November election. 

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL: P is for performance!

P.L.A.C.E. Academy
"P" is for performance at Taylor High School. The students in Theatre Arts are overcoming stage fright.  It's the season for “Character Creations!”  Students were asked to use costumes to create a unique character.  Their next task was to collaborate with classmates to perform an original skit.  Performances were amazing!


TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL marching band is a big hit with judges



The Taylor High School Marching Band recently scored a “1” during the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association competition at Flat Rock High School. The score of 1 is the highest mark a band can earn. Bands were judged on music, marching and general effects.

FEMALE ATHLETES: Belle Tire hockey program continues to seek interested ladies


TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL honors senior soccer players


Seniors on the Taylor High School soccer team were recently honored during a Senior Night presentation. The photograph was provided by Christen Dukes.

RESIDENT STUDENTS sought for Hallow-Palooka Costume Contest


WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL marching band celebrates City's 50th anniversary


The West Middle School Marching Band helped the Taylor Historical Society celebrate the City of Taylor’s 50th year (1968-2018) last weekend.

On October 6 the band performed at Heritage Park during an open house by the historical group. The band played Motown hits such as “My Girl,” “ABC,” “I'll Be There” and “Get Ready.” Even the rain couldn’t hold them back.

The society and the band were happy to help celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the City of Taylor.

The band performed earlier during the annual Rotary Club of Taylor Family Fun Day (previously known as the Turn of the Violence Day) at Heritage Park. During that presentation, the band was joined by members of the school’s choir program.

On September 28 the band joined forces with the Taylor High School and Hoover Middle School marching bands 

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL classes receive honors for attendance


October 3 was “Official Student Count Day” in Michigan, and the Randall Elementary School's Parent Club purchased pizza for the classes who had perfect attendance. Those students were allowed to wear their pajamas to school on October 8, which included the classes of Barnard, Brewster, Bower, Cahalan, Chadwick, Dorn, Heidenreich, Lee, Mayle, Milley, Mitroka, Sumner, Szwed and Vellmure. Great job by the PTO!

TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL honors senior volleyball players


It was Senior Night for the Taylor High School Varsity Volleyball team recently, and Brooklyn, Jordan, Malitta, Amber, and Kaily were honored.


It was also a great night for a victory, which came against Melvindale. The Griffins played four sets (22-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-23) to capture the match.

RANDALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL students put on the miles


Third, fourth and fifth graders from Randall Elementary School are participating in a 100-Mile Club. Students log their laps before school and during recess with the ultimate goal of reaching 100 miles by the end of the school year.

Every 25 miles, club members are able to earn a prize:
25 they get a T-shirt
50 a golden pencil
75 a bracelet

And at 100, a gold medal.