DRUG FREE TAYLOR: Plenty of awards handed out before 140 families

The annual Celebration for a Drug Free Taylor Awards ceremony was held Thursday, April 30, at the Heritage Park Activities Building with more than 140 families in attendance.

Sponsored by the Taylor Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, the event recognized Taylor students for participating in the Celebration for a Drug Free Taylor youth competition which included class banners from elementary schools and artwork, poetry, essays and multi-media from higher grade levels.

“It was a very successful event,” said Sandra Kluk, Task Force chairperson. “I received so many compliments from the students and their families. They are the reason we love to hold this event every year.”

Winning elementary classes will receive a pizza party from the Task Force before the end of the school year and individual student winners received gift certificates and student achievement certificates at the ceremony.

Sandra Kluk was the Master of Ceremonies. Guest speakers included Taylor City Councilman Alex Garza and Taylor School District Assistant Superintendent Teresa Winnie. 

The special Guest of Honor was Da’Stanza Murphy, the current Ms. Michigan United States 2015. Murphy is a Taylor resident and 2006 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. Murphy spoke with the students about vision, goals and achievement. She also performed “"O mio babbino caro" from the opera Gianni Schicchi (1918) by Giacomo Puccini.

This year’s theme for the Drug Free Taylor Celebration event was “Drugs and Violence Defeat Dreams.” Students and classes recognized for their achievements included the following:

Elementary School Banners

Kindergarten—Holland (Madden)

1st Grade— Kinyon (Oswald)

2nd Grade— Kinyon (O’Neil)

3rd Grade—Eureka Heights (Bell)

4th Grade— Eureka Heights (Valleau)

5th Grade—Kinyon Student Council

Sixth Grade Academy Dream Bubble Competition 

Awesome Achievers: Steven Young, Landen Duff, Kayla Morris, Raven Hoskins

Transformers: Jenna McIntee, Amiah Thomas, Annie Gullette, Morgan Bolsley, Jaxson Kubitz

Wizards: Josalynn Norris, Afaq Chohan, Malina Rowe, Laiba Chohan, Aijalon Muhammad

Extraordinaire: Rayven Freeman, Adam Ritthaler, Morgan Traywick, Amelia Smigielski, Bobbie Druyor

    

West Middle School 

Artwork—Adria Nyarko, 7th grade 

Essay— Haylee Pardue, 7th grade

Titan High School

Essays—Ricky Shinavier, 12th grade, Jenna Turner, 10th grade

Kennedy High School

Artwork— Mecca Lumpkin, 10th grade 

Essay—Haley Pongracz, 11th grade

Poetry—Tania Eaton, 9th grade

Truman High School

Artwork— Shanel Evans

Video— Rachel Trombetta & Linda Szabo, 11th grade

Music— Braxton Bailey  “Six B”

Essays— Destini Murphy, 12th grade, Ellyn Bremer, 12th grade

Poetry-- Rose Dobek, 12th grade

Other notable moments included:

Several basket raffles were held with many winners enjoying valuable prizes donated by community sponsors.

Task Force  and community members who volunteered for set up earlier in the week or participated during event included: Lisa Nagy, Michigan Works; Lavern Robinson, Michigan Department of Human Services; Deb Eskridge, Downriver Children’s Program; Margie Wright, McKinley Properties; Bob Krzeczkowski of BK Productions;  Michelle Calvillo, Taylor School District Virtual Academy; Jamie Balavitch, Taylor Teen Health Center; Mallory Teglesh, Taylor Teen Health Center; Rob Cox, Taylor Teen Health Center; Melissa Stellini, Taylor Teen Health Center; Dom Cooper, Taylor Teen Health Center; Courtney Martin, Taylor Teen Health Center, SAVE Peer Educators, Taylor Teen Health Center;  Shirl Solomon, Taylor resident; and Simone Calvas and Kathleen Trent community organizers for the Task Force.

Elected officials participating in the event included Alex Garza, City Council; Ed Bourassa, Treasurer; Angela Croft, City Council; Blaine Honeycutt, Board of Education; and Doug Geiss representing State Representative Erika Geiss.

Margie Wright of McKinley Properties presented a check from McKinley properties to support the cost of the pizza parties for the elementary schools.

Bob Krzeczkowski, treasurer of the Task Force and owner of BK Productions in Grosse Ile, provided audio and video production for the event.

Additional event sponsors included: Luanne Beaudry; Delray Bakery; Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority; Carefree Catering; Carey Music Company; City of Taylor; Deborah Eskridge; Game On; Great Clips; Jim’s Tuxedo; Journey of Hope Community Church; Kennedy School Store; Sandra Kluk; Lisa Maze; Joyce McCabe; Lisa Nagy; Oakwood Taylor Teen; Health Center; Pump It Up; Dena Sadd; S.A.V.E. Peer Educators; Sky Zone; Symon’s Party Rental; Tan Bellissimo; Taylor Café; Taylor Police Department; Taylor School District; Taylor Yoga; Texas Road House; Thrifty Florist; Truman School Store; Vitamin Shoppe; Yazee’s Boutique; Zap Zone.

TAYLOR RECREATION CENTER: Closed Monday and Tuesday for renovations (but classes are still being held)

The Taylor Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12, due to the install of new flooring.

However, Zumba and Karate classes will be held on these two days. Everyone attending these classes MUST enter through the rear doors.

MOTHER'S DAY: Why not chose brunch at the Lakes of Taylor?

Mother's Day Brunch will be served at The Lake House Grille inside the Lakes of Taylor Golf Course on Sunday, May 10.

Seatings will be scheduled between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations are required. Call (734) 287-9001. 

Prices are $9.99 for children 10 and under; $22.99 for seniors 55 and older; and $23.99 for anyone over 11 years old. Tax and gratuity will be added.

On the menu will be Vegetable Frittata, French Toast, Hash Browns, Bacon, Stuffed Pork Loin, Vegetable Lasagna, Chicken Chadonnay, Kielbasa and Kraut, cheesy potatoes, green beans, salad bar, fruit, rolls and soft drinks. There will also be a dessert bar.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: PTA comes up big!

The Taylor Parks Elementary School PTA surprised students with outdoor recess equipment.

Kick balls, jump ropes, chalk, Frisbees, soccer balls, whiffle ball sets, and much more.  Using money raised by fundraising, it was finally time to shop and give back to the students. 

Shannon Vance, PTA President, along with the help of Watch Dog James Ferry, spent hours shopping and then more time distributing to each classroom. 

To say the students were excited is an under statement .  PTA also purchased new floor hockey equipment for gym classes.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Staff appreciates the love!

The Taylor Parks Elementary School staff are convinced that they are appreciated and loved. 

First, teachers were given a gift of a red and white mouse pad, picturing the mascot “Roadrunner.” A very kind note from Ms. Downie, principal, and Mrs. Payter secretary, was attached thanking each for their hard work and dedication.

Ms. Downie then invited her teaching and support staff to a wonderful luncheon, provided by Pia's Restaurant. 

The staff enjoyed pepperoni loaves, antipasto salad, chips, popcorn and a huge array of desserts. Staff members were able to enjoy the food along with the company of their friends. 

Thank you, Ms. Downie.

TAYLOR PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Don't judge a book (or person) by their cover

Taylor Parks Elementary School students had a surprise waiting for them during their visit to the library.

The "usual selection" was removed from the shelves and replaced with disguised books that haven't seen the hands of any student for a while. 

To entice the students, Mrs. Lind, librarian, wrapped the books in paper bags with only the summary of the book and the reading level taped on the outside. 

Mrs. Augustyns' fourth-graders were up to the challenge, reading what the book was about instead of selecting the “same ol' same ol'” based on the cover.

Once all books were checked out, the students were able to rip open the bags to see their choices. 

"It was like Christmas," remarked Mrs. Augustyn. 

The discussion after was how we should NOT judge a person or a book by its cover!

TAYLOR FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE: $30,000 donation to be used for annual scholarship

A retired Taylor educator has donated $30,000 to be used for scholarships in the Taylor School District.

Charlie Dickelman, known as “The Big D,” is one of the most liked teachers in the history of the Taylor School District. “D” started in Taylor the same year as the first graduating class of Taylor Center High School and – what a coincidence – he retired the same year as the last Taylor Center graduating class of 1997.

What a fabulous career he had – he taught at Taylor Center Elementary School, Taylor Junior High, School Taylor Center High School, Kennedy High School and then back to Taylor Center. 

In addition to his classroom teaching, he was assistant coach in baseball and tennis and was the yearbook advisor at both Kennedy and Taylor Center.  It seems he can tell you something about every student he ever had.  Though he is now retired, Charlie has not and most likely will not ever retire from his ties with the Taylor School District.

Starting in 2016, a Charles Dickelman Scholarship award of $2,500 will be offered to graduating students of Kennedy or Truman, who has been accepted to the University of Michigan or the University of Michigan-Dearborn.