The Trenton High School Class of 1970 is planning a reunion weekend for late August.

     Class members are planning to start the weekend by getting together at Del’s Pizzeria on West Jefferson at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.

     A Trenton High School tour and an evening banquet at Chateau on the River in Elizabeth Park are planned. The high school tour begins at 10 a.m. The banquet is set for 6 p.m.

     The banquet, which includes a buffet dinner, is $50 a person. For more information, visit the Facebook page Trenton High School MI Class of 1970 or call Linda Sinak Mosley at (313) 310-1960.

BY DENISE SOBH

trentontrib.com

     Do you ever wish that you could speak another language fluently, and have the chance to immerse yourself in that culture? 

     A local student at Trenton High School has received the chance of a lifetime to study Arabic for the summer in Morocco. Lucy Moberly, a junior at THS, has been awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youthscholarship for 2015-16.

     Lucy was one of only 620 competitively selected students from the United States, and will receive formal instruction and informal language practice in an immersion environment.

     At first Lucy’s parents thought her desire to speak Arabic was a phase, but she proved them wrong.

     “When I was 8 years old I had a pen pal from Egypt, the letters I received were written in Arabic and English, and this initially sparked my interest in the language,” Lucy said. “That year I asked the Easter Bunny for an Arabic language book. I kept learning, and for my 10^th birthday I started taking Arabic classes with my dad at Henry Ford Community College.”

     For the past five years, Lucy has attended a month-long summer immersion camp called Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota. She started going there when she was 11 (for a two week program). The last three years, she has gotten a scholarship to attend their one-month program that is equivalent to a year’s worth of high school language credit.

     Friends from the camp told her about the scholarship program, and Lucy felt like this program was the next step to move forward with Arabic.

     “She’s met a lot of great friends, counselors and teachers at the Concordia Language Villages from all over the country and the world,” said her mother, Jennifer Blackledge Moberly. “Lucy has always been a really adventurous kid, so that was a great experience for her.”

     The application process started in August 2014 and consisted of a 10-15-page application with essay questions, and a teacher recommendation. After five months the semi-finalists were contacted and interviewed in Bloomfield Hills. After being interviewed, Lucy was contacted in March and was told that she had been awarded the scholarship.

     “I’m really excited to be fully immersed in the culture and my host family’s way of life,” she said. “I hope to learn more about the religion that is completely different from ours.”

     A question that Lucy and her parents have been asked numerous times is, aren’t you nervous about being away for so long? But, as Lucy explains it, she’s not really nervous, but excited to be a part of this experience.

 She attended the Concordia Language Villages for the past five years and was not allowed to use a phone to contact her family. This scholarship program is providing her with a Moroccan cell phone, and Lucy will be bringing her laptop to email and keep a blog of her  adventures.

     Lucy will be in Morocco during Ramadan, when the people are participating in a fast from sunrise to sundown everyday for 30 days. She will get a chance to participate if she would like, and at the end of the month there is a celebration called Eid, which is the equivalent of Christmas in the United States.

     Lucy’s plane was scheduled to leave the morning after the last day of school and she could not be more excited to immerse herself in the language she’s been learning the majority of her life.

     Anyone interested in following along with Lucy’s trip can find her blog at https://yallayalulu.wordpress.com.

     The NSLI-Y program seeks to increase the number of Americans who can engage with native speakers of critical languages. The goals of the program include sparking a life-long interest in foreign languages and cultures, and developing a corps of young Americans with the skills necessary to advance international dialogue and cross-cultural opportunities in the private, academic and government sectors.

BY JOE HOSHAW Jr.

trentontrib.com

    Members of the Trenton Educational Foundation’s grants subcommittee were on hand at the June 8 Board of Education meeting to pass out another round of grants aimed to help enhance learning opportunities for all Trenton schools.

    Subcommittee Chairman Carl Pate presented awards totaling more than $12,000 to fund five new learning projects throughout the district. The subcommittee presented its selections to the TEF board at its May meeting following its review of all the grant requests that had been submitted since last fall’s awards, which totaled $16,774.

    “Interestingly, these five innovative projects will directly impact and benefit over 558 students,” TEF Chairman Mike McCullough said. “I commend the grants sub-committee for their time and effort expended and I thank all residents for their investment in the Trenton Educational Foundation and our students.”

    Since its founding in 2008, the non-profit 501(c)3 group has awarded more than $107,000 on grant requests submitted by Trenton educators.

     The goal of the grants program is to support individual and collaborative efforts in the areas of technology and learning, scholastic enhancement, arts and education, cultural enrichment, continuing education and professional development. It aims to encourage learning projects that help expand the curriculum beyond the realm of what school tax dollars provide.

     The non-profit group raises funds through donations and by staging a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, including the fall Signature Event and a football tailgate party.

    The largest spring award was a $5,000 grant that will enhance technology learning opportunities for 200 eighth graders at Arthurs Middle School. The grant was submitted by Valerie DePaoli.

     The funds will be used to implement a junior-level robotics program where the students will create and program LEGO robots using LEGO Mindstorm EV3. The EV3 materials and software help engage students in a hands-on manner the areas of computer science, general science, technology, engineering and math.

    Also presented was a $2,996 grant that will benefit 100 second-graders at Hedke Elementary School. The project is called Teaching with Technology and was submitted jointly by teachers Andrea Woody, Jenni Kongeal, Jennifer Wilson and Andrea Segedi.

    The funds will be used to purchase an interactive Mimioteach system and software for all second-grade classrooms at Hedke. The teachers stated that the system allows them to personalize learning by supporting individual, small-group and whole-classroom instruction and provide “alternate pathways to learning along with engaging the learner with a 21st century format.”

    Trenton High School teacher Rob Douglas was approved for his grant request of $2,051 to obtain a wireless dynamic sensor system that will be used in advanced-placement physics and PT physics classrooms.

    The teacher stated that the sensors allow the users to leave the classroom and measure three different aspects of motion (force, acceleration and altitude). It also will allow students to interact with surroundings and work collaboratively. Software and computers to support the program already have been purchased.

    High school instructor Marcia Gutierrez also received a grant for $1,606 to help meet a school improvement goal for vocabulary, a customized magnetic white board used to create a life-size Scrabble Board to facilitate vocabulary skills. All English and Spanish students are expected to benefit from the word wall.

    Andrea Thorn, who heads the PAES program at the high school, also received a $443 grant to help fund an innovative program called “Perk This Place Up.”

    PAES, or “Practical Assessment Exploration System,” is offered in cooperation with the Downriver Career Technical Consortium for mildly cognitively impaired students who are enrolled in participating districts.

The PAES students, who are 11^th and 12^th graders, are offered first-hand exposure to various career possibilities.

    Thorn said the funds will be used to purchase coffee pots and a beverage cart used to focus on the vocational skills of consumer service, adding that the project will help teach vocational skills, life skills and create a positive school culture.

    The TEF publishes a complete list of all grants than have been awarded as a result of its fundraising efforts on its website, www.trentonedfoundation.org. Follow the TEF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TrentonEducationFoundation.

   Nominations are now being accepted for the Wall of Fame. To be considered for this year the nominations need to be in by Sept. 1. However, nominations can be turned in at any time and remain active for five years.

    According to Tom Dickman, a TEF member who coordinates the selection process, “The purpose is to honor district graduates and those who influence Trenton Public Schools through their work, whether that be as a volunteer, teacher, administrator or support staff personnel.”

    Since its inception five years ago, 11 men have been honored. Their plaques hang in the entrance of Trenton High School.

    Inductees include Boyd Arthurs, Neil Van Riper and Richard Hedke, all of whom were named to the Wall of Fame posthumously, along with John “Jack” Doyle, Randy Wiseman, Jack Kripowicz, Larry Leapley, J.J. Putz, Lonnie Shea, Donald Kolcheff and William C. Taylor.

    Nomination forms can be downloaded from the TEF website, www.tren-tonedfoundation.org, or picked up at the district’s Administration Building, 2603 Charlton, where they must be returned by 4 p.m. Sept. 1, to Robin Miles, administrative assistant to Supt. Rod Wakeham.

    Further information can be obtained by calling Dickman at (734) 675-0893. 

The Trojans look to return to the state playoffs.

BY BRIAN RZEPPA

trentontrib.com

      After a string of not winning more than five games since 2008, the 2014-2015 Trenton Trojans football team bounced back in a big way. With seven wins and a first-round 20-6 playoff victory over Romulus, the Trojans regained some respect in the always challenging Downriver League, which is laden with larger schools.

     The season last year may not have turned out as they would have hoped in the end, but overall it was a great learning experience for the players.

     “We were pleased with the outcome of last year,” Head Coach Bob Czarnecki said. “Early on during the tougher part of the schedule, it was harder for us because Christian (Mercure) was hurt and Patrick (Czarnecki) had to step in and he wasn’t quite ready for the Wyandotte’s and Allen Park’s at that point. But he eventually got going. It would have been nice to beat Huron (in the second round) and play on, but overall I’d say it was a good year.”

said Coach Bob Czarnecki of his 25^th year as Trenton head coach.

     The momentum and experience gained from last year’s run will be vital to this team, especially considering the amount of key players that they will bring back.

     “We have four of our five starting offensive lineman coming back, which will be huge,” Czarnecki said. “Patrick has four varsity games as a quarterback under his belt already and Grant McClellan will be playing both sides for us.

     “Jake Nabozny and Mason Doree will be making players for us, too. We feel good about the overall experience and I think last year will be a great building block moving forward.”

     With returning starters all over the field, including many of the skill positions, things seem to be on their way up even with the high bar that was set last season.

     Though there are many areas of strength, Czarnecki realizes that there is always work that’s going to be needed to propel this team to the next level.

     “Our secondary will be young in the sense that we really only bring back one guy who has a lot of playing time and another who played a bit throughout last year; it’s an area we’re going to spend more time with,” he said.

     “Along with that, Brady Tanguay graduated so we’re going to have to find a kicker, but we’ve been lucky to have kickers over the past few years, so we hope to get that settled.”

     With the high point of last season in mind, it appears that this year’s Trenton team can meet and surpass the expectations that have been set on them coming into this year.

     “I would hope that we’d be a playoff qualifier and we’re hoping to vie for a league championship,” said Czarnecki, who enters his 26^th season as a new member of the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame (see related story). “We got a lot of real valuable experience and I think that will play a big role for the team this year.”

Varsity football Head Coach Bob Czarnecki, entering his 26th year his fall, recently was inducted to the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

BY BRIAN RZEPPA

trentontrib.com

    Heading into his 26^th year, Trenton varsity football Coach Bob Czarnecki recently added a new honor to the list of achievements.

    Earlier this summer he was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

    While Czarnecki no doubt was appreciative for the recognition, he seemed even more appreciative that he still is able to pursue what has become his lifelong passion. 

    “My start in football was in front of the television,” Czarnecki said. “My father was and still is an avid football fan. He and I would always watch the games; it was an every Sunday afternoon thing. He never pushed it onto me though; I just fell in love with the game early on.”

    Growing up in Trenton, Czarnecki had a great mentor in Coach Jack Castignola, a legend in his own right. When he listened to Castignola talk to the team, he realized that he knew what he wanted to do with his life.

    “When I was a sophomore in high school, Jack Castignola would bring us together after practice and just talk about the next team, or what he had planned or really whatever we wanted to talk about,” Czarnecki said. “To me, he was a God among men, whatever he said was the God’s honest truth. At times, I realized that I wasn’t paying attention to what was being said because I was envisioning doing what he was doing. I knew I wanted to be a football coach and I knew I wanted to do it at Trenton.”

    It didn’t take long for Czarnecki to jump into the coaching world, as he began his career while still at Eastern Michigan University. As a young coach at a middle school in Birmingham, he inauspiciously began the journey that would become a Hall of Fame career.

After his graduation from Eastern, he traveled to Louisiana to accept a coaching position with Crowley High School, one of the stronger teams in its division. He was very happy there, but an opportunity opened up that he just couldn’t pass up.

    “I got a telephone call from Skip Howey, who was the Trenton hockey coach at the time,” Czarnecki recalled. “He told me that Coach (Don) Warner, who had preceded me, had planned to resign. So I came home at Christmas from Louisiana and had a meeting with him on Friday, then on Sunday I had a phone call with the athletic director.”

    While it had been a productive conversation with both men, Coach Warner ended up sticking it out one more year at Trenton. It ended up working out well for Czarnecki, whose team in Louisiana went on to win the state championship that next season.

    When the next year rolled around, though, he finally had his chance to apply for his dream job.

    “When Coach Warner retired, I came home and filled out the application and then got the job,” Czarnecki said. “I was fortunate to get the job though, because from what I know guys with a lot of experience had applied. I think that’s part of what makes Trenton great though, we’re always looking out for other Trenton people.”

    The shadow of Castignola, who died in 1986, still hovered over the program. But since the transition wasn’t directly to Czarnecki, he didn’t feel the pressure that he may have if he directly replaced his mentor and career idol.

    “Since I was part of the program in the past, there wasn’t any pressure,” he said. “In fact, I had even more desire to get it back to where it was when I was there. I’ve always been very proud of being from Trenton and being a part of the program. One of my goals was for our kids to feel the way that I did when I played here.”

    He was excited to get started, but there were some different challenges that faced him as he moved into the head coaching position.

    “Inevitably all decisions have to be stamped by you, where as an assistant there’s more flexibility in that you can give suggestions that make sense but you don’t have to think about all of the ramifications,” Czarnecki said. “Everything had to come through me and I had to be right, but I think I was trained pretty well and I think I had a pretty good grip on everything that it was going to take.”

    Over the past 25 years, it’s safe to say that he has continued to make the right decisions for the program. Not only has the football team managed to stay competitive despite many factors working against it, but also the overall popularity of the game in Trenton is something that makes Czarnecki proud.

    “When I first came back I thought the one thing that seemed odd was that I saw no one playing catch with the football. The biggest joy I see is when there are kids playing pick-up football and truly enjoying the game.”

    As he prepares to open practice with his 2015 squad this month, Czarnecki is focused on continuing to build a winner. After a playoff victory last year, the team is on the right track and it has many people excited for the future, but he’s trying not to focus too far beyond this season.

    “At this point in time, I plan on coaching as long as they’ll have me,” he said. “I realize I’m getting toward the end of my coaching and teaching, but I plan to be here as long as I can, within reason. If I feel that I at all diminish, there’ll be no question; people won’t have to ask me to resign.

    “My youngest, Joe, is in seventh grade and it’d be a real treat to say that I coached all four of my boys. For now, though, I’m just looking forward to this season.” 

Mason Walz

 Football, Senior

 Student Athlete of the Month

Entering his third season with the Trenton High School varsity football team, Mason Walz has managed to make his mark all throughout the school, and the football team. On the field, Walz has been an anchor for the Trojans offensive line and has made appearances at football camps across the country including Harvard, Yale and the University of Toledo. Mason’s work on the field is impressive, but his other interests are equally so. He currently holds a 3.8 grade-point average, is a member of the National Honor Society, the German Honor Society, the varsity track team as well as the THS Marching Band (he marched in his football uniform following last year’s Homecoming game). Following a season-ending injury last year, he became inspired to study physical therapy and plans to major in that field after he graduates from Trenton. Mason’s parents, Jeff and Paula, find that his success on the field matches his personality off of it. “Mason has always been one of the biggest kids in his grade, and his classmates have always looked up to him as a friend and a protector. This makes him ideally suited to line play on the football team, and he really loves that role. He’s a big-hearted guy in a big, strong body.” They plan on enjoying what the future has in store for Mason both academically and athletically.

Nick Dabrowa (left) and Chris Mercure were named as the co-recipients of the annual Sandy Federico scholarship.

     The 2015 winners of the Sandy Federico Jr. scholarship have been named and they are Nick Dabrowa and Chris Mercure. Trenton High School golf coach Steve Burke could not choose between the two, so it was decided that this year’s scholarship will be shared.

     Both are students at Trenton High School and both received varsity letters each and every year since becoming freshman. Each received $1,000 to be used toward their education.

     Dabrowa will be furthering his education at Western Michigan University. He will be majoring in business. His parents, Mike and Jackie Dabrowa, are extremely proud. Nick grew up at West Shore Golf and Country Club and has been golfing since he literally began to walk. Nick contributed a number of victories throughout his high school career and was a co-captain of this year’s team.

     Chris Mercure will be continuing his education at Schoolcraft College where he will be attending on a baseball scholarship. Chris, one of the better all-around athletes to ever graduate from THS, earned 13 letters in 4 sports. Quite an accomplishment. His parents, Dan Mercure and Mary Evans, are both extremely proud of him.

     Both of this year’s recipients are fine young men and should represent their city and high school well in the coming years.

The Sandy Federico scholarship has been given out the past 12 years in memory of one of Trenton High School’s and areas finest golfers. Sandy lost his life way too early in October of 1983 at the age of 36 in a single car crash.

     Dan Richards started the scholarship to help THS Golfers and do so in remembrance of Sandy. Each year approximately 32 players attend this three-day outing to play golf and catch up on friendships that have been long standing.

     The oldest THS class represented is the class of 1957. Daryl Case and Jack Woods attend each year. Sandy’s younger brother, Eric (class of 1966), attends each year and always shares with the group stories of his older brother.

     This year’s event had two former THS greats, Kenny McLaughlin and Eddie Heineman, as captains. Kenny’s team got the better of it this year. Team members include Dan Richards, Roger Plumer, Mike Whaley, Don Daniel, Don Plassman, Joe Dixon, Jack Woods, Brian Aslanian, Barry Tinsley, Bill Cada, Skip Howey, Craig Varady, Chris Malicki and Bill Gibbs.

     Next year’s captains have been announced and they are Barry Tinsley and Milo Gaynier, both from the Class of 1973! It should be a great event!

Sadly, the group lost one of its most colorful members this past year as John Russell, THS class of 1969, passed away.

     Anyone interested in donating to this scholarship can find out how by emailing Richards at DLR5270@yahoo.com.

     (Article provided by Dan Richards on behalf of the scholarship fund’s supporters).

BY KATHY KANE

trentontrib.com

     The Trenton Educational Foundation is continuously working to coordinate various fundraising efforts to help raise funds for the 501(c)3 organization can continue to offer educational grants to the Trenton Public Schools.

     One of those fundraisers is the TEF Tailgate Party, slated to be held for the third year Friday, Oct. 2, from 5-6:30 p.m. The party will take place before the Trenton vs. Allen Park football game and will be held on the front lawn of Trenton High School on Charlton Road.

It is a family friendly event intended to both promote school spirit and increase community awareness of the TEF. Net proceeds will benefit the students of Trenton Public Schools.

     The TEF Tailgate Party will feature a Pep Rally led by the THS varsity cheerleading squad and the THS marching band will perform. All varsity athletes, past and present, are invited to attend in their jackets or jerseys. The pre-game TEF Tailgate dinner is being fired up by Chartwell Food Services Catering and will offer juicy hotdogs, grilled burgers, chips and a variety of drinks. 

     Tickets are $5. Tickets for the TEF Tailgate party will be limited and are best purchased in advance. There are several ways to purchase tickets. They are available in person at the School Board office at 2601 Charlton Road, or online via the TEF website, trentonedfoundation.org.

 Emily Kemp

Swimming, Senior

Senior Emily Kemp continues to make her mark at Trenton High School — both on and off of the field of athletic competition. In each sport she has played she has quickly emerged as one of the team leaders. As member of the swim team, she was named Most Dedicated Player last year. But Kemp’s hard work and dedication have extended far beyond the swimming pool. In 2014, she was one of the driving forces behind the formation of varsity crew at THS. On that team, she was named captain and won the Coach’s Award during her junior year, which was the team’s inaugural season. In addition to her time in the water, she has asserted herself as a reliable goaltender on the soccer team, and she’ll be a key fixture on a team that looks to continue its own success. With her three sports along with her duties on the marching band, Kemp has managed to maintain a stellar 3.74 grade-point average throughout her years of high school, and she hopes to continue learning once she graduates. She’s undecided as to where she’ll end up, but she hopes to major in forensics and eventually be involved in crime scene investigations. Her parents, Dennis and Michelle Kemp, believe that she is very hard working and capable of achieving whatever she sets her mind to. They said they are looking forward to watching everything that she accomplishes this coming year.

BY JOE HOSHAW Jr.

trentontrib.com

      The season experienced by the 1975 Trenton High School varsity football team led to one of the most memorable sports controversies in school history, as the 9-0, top-ranked team in the state was left out of the very first state playoff championship.

     Through the years it has led to a lot of discussion and reminiscing about “what might have been,” and left the door open for team members and others to view that team as perhaps the best in the school’s history.

     Many former players and coaches will take to the field during halftime of the Oct. 2 home game against longtime rival Allen Park as they are recognized as part of a 40th anniversary celebration of the historic season.

     Mark Lybrook, one of three team captains that year, said the event will include a special announcement and a presentation involving a football that was signed by all the team members shortly after the season (See related story on Page 13-B).

     Reunion attendees also will be present at the annual Trenton Educational Association Tailgate Party, which will be held on the front lawn of the school before the game (See related story on Page 13-B).

     Lybrook said team get-togethers also are planned for post-game and then the following morning. After the game, the Trenton Touchdown Club will host a gathering at Legend’s Sports Bar & Grill, located on the upper level of  the Kennedy Recreation Center. A Saturday breakfast also is being planned, but the location was yet to be determined at press time. And there also was some talk of a possible golfing venture afterward.

     Team members can email Lybrook for additional details at marklybrook@yahoo.com.

  BY MARIA HEDGES, ZOE VAN AUKEN & NINA BALDWIN

     It’s a Friday night at Trenton High School, and hundreds of eager fans flood the stands of Farrar Field decked out in blue and gold waiting to cheer on their beloved Trojans. As the football team enters the stadium, the crowd erupts in chants and sings along to the fight song in celebration of yet another night under the lights.

     But one section of the stands seems to go above and beyond the rest when it comes to cheering and school spirit: the Trojan Pit. The Trojan Pit is the longstanding student section of Trenton High School that follows the varsity sports teams throughout the year and cheers them on during their games. The most popular sports that the Pit follows are football, basketball and hockey.

     Every year, a new leader, or “Pit Master,” is chosen to take charge of the Trojan Pit. This year, seniors Sam Conti and Mason Doree were chosen by 2015 graduate Dru Doree to take over. Some of their responsibilities as Pit Masters include selecting a theme for each game and event, communicating with the rest of the school through social media, and promoting school spirit in general.

     “Everyone goes all out for the games, especially football. We decide the themes based on who the opponent is, the location of the game, the weather, and most importantly the mascot of the opponent,” said Pit Master, Sam Conti.

     The Trojan Pit never goes unnoticed. In fact, it has been featured on Channel 7’s “Game of the Week” on more than one occasion. Students also compete in weekly social media competitions through The D Zone as a way to gain popularity and ratings that could potentially declare the Pit as a top student section in the state.

     Not only is the student section a fun experience for the people cheering in it, but it also shows great support for their classmates playing in the game.

     Senior football player and Captain Mason Walz commented, “It’s always a nice sight to see people caring about the team and showing their support every week at the games and on social media. I love how they become so involved, and I can hear them cheering the entire time I’m on the field. I absolutely love the Trojan Pit.”

     Being a part of the student section has created lifelong memories for students at Trenton High. It has introduced them to a sense of community as they dress in ridiculous outfits, cheer until they lose their voices, and most importantly, come together as a student body to support their school.

     “My fondest memory of my years in the pit was the Trenton vs. Carlson football game last season. The clock was winding down, and our team was losing. Everyone’s spirits were falling and ready to give up, so I went up to Dru (2015 Pit Master) and told him the Pit was either going to make or break the game. We started cheering and screaming chants so loudly that the next thing you know, the boys used the hook ‘n ladder play to pull off the win, taking us to the playoffs. It was the most exciting moment I’ve experienced in high school,” described senior Mallory Miller.

     The Trojan Pit offers a unique sense of togetherness that is incomparable to any other group at THS. Anyone can look to the Pit for a place to go when they are looking to be a part of something greater as a Trenton Trojan.

                Contributing writers Maria Hedges, Zoe Van Auken and Nina Baldwin are seniors at Trenton High School

By: Mia Moberly

Trentontrib.com

     October has finally arrived, and Arthurs Middle School is back into full swing. September was  a  busy month, full of new beginnings.

     The sixth grade students began their three-year journey with the help of several eighth  graders, called WEB Leaders. WEB stands for “Where Everybody Belongs,” a program that trains  eighth graders to mentor new students and ease their worries about coming to a new school.

     This orientation happens a week before school starts. New students are given a tour of the school, and they take part in a few ice-breaking activities to help them make friends along the way. They also have a chance to ask any questions they may have about how the school works.

     However, the eighth grade students are already thinking about endings — the cherry on top of their middle school career: Cedar Point. If you see a student approaching you with a cookie dough order form this month, you’ll already know that they’re trying to earn their day of fun in Sandusky. Families can also pay the fee, but this fundraiser allows another way to get the trip paid for.

     Fall has come too fast. It’s the season for sweaters, pumpkin pie, and, of course, the Scarecrow Fest. The Arthurs Middle School Jazz Band, led by Peter Kopera, will perform the first of many great gigs on the stage in downtown Trenton. If you’re free on Oct. 3, come on down to West Jefferson and listen. Last year, Mr. Kopera booked us gigs at awesome places like The Zal Gaz Grotto in Ann Arbor, and the Hard Rock Cafe in Detroit.  We’re looking forward to another great year of music.

     It sounds busy, but that’s just a few of the things going on right now. We’ve got fall sports such as cross country, football, volleyball, cheer, and swimming, and play rehearsals to go alongside of that. With many talented students, I think we are going to have a fantastic season in all sports. Make sure to come and watch a few games or meets and cheer them on. This has been a strong start to what looks to be an amazing school year!

     Student correspondent Mia Moberly is an eighth grader at Arthurs Middle School.

By: Dr. Michael Doyle

As we progress through another school year, three goals to help improve student achievement at Trenton High School include the following: Is the objective of the day’s lesson clearly stated on the board for all students to see? Of the Marzano Nine, which of the nine proven instructional strategies is being used for the day’s lesson? Are all students engaged in the day’s lesson?

     Having each teacher clearly state the objective for the day’s lesson on the board for all students to see is important. Robert Marzano collected data from five studies on the general effect of setting goals or objectives for each lesson. The percentile gain of the instructional strategy that affects student achievement by stating the objective and providing feedback is proven to be a 23 percentile gain.

     Also in this finding, Marzano states that the instructional goals such as writing the objective on the board helps to narrow what students focus on during class time. Marzano also says that instructional goals should not be too specific and students should be encouraged to personalize the teacher’s goals.

     Robert Marzano spent close to 30 years collecting data on which instructional strategies show the greatest improvement in student achievement. The nine include: identifying similarities which has a percentile gain of 45, summarizing and note taking with a percentile gain of 34, reinforcing effort and providing recognition with a percentile gain of 29, homework and practice with a percentile gain of 28, nonlinguistic representation which has a percentile gain of 27, cooperative learning which has a percentile gain of 27, setting objectives and providing feedback with a percentile gain 23, generating and testing hypotheses which has a percentile gain of 23, and using questions, cues, and advance organizers which has a percentile gain of 22.

     The goal at Trenton High School is to have instructors using one of the Marzano Nine each and every day with all THS students. The nine instructional strategies are backed up with 30 years of data.

     The third goal for this year is that all instructors ensure that all students are actively engaged in the lesson each and every day. The instructors are the ones who are responsible that all students in the classroom are taking an active role in the day’s lesson. This means that instructors are actively monitoring students throughout the class period to be sure that all students are active participants in their learning.

     The three goals are rather straight forward. All are intended to increase student achievement at Trenton High School.

     Trenton High School has excellent students, with an excellent staff that is very focused  on getting the best results.

     Dr. Michael Doyle is principal at Trenton High School. He can be reached by email at doylem@tren-tonschools.com.

November is going to be a busy month at Arthurs Middle School. We’ve got many awesome things planned that you won’t want to miss.

     The beginning of winter sports is this month, and we’re looking for student athletes to make this a great season for boys basketball, girls competitive cheer and co-ed swim. The swim team was so good last year that 12 students traveled to the state championships to represent our school and won a total of 13 medals. Let’s aim for that again this year, Knights!

     A group of AMS students are putting on a production of the classic fairy tale, Snow White. They’ve been practicing hard since September. Come on down to the Trenton High School auditorium at 7 p.m. on  Wednesday, Nov. 18, to watch these talented actors and actresses put on an excellent show.

     The Goodfellows Can Drive is a school-wide event that collects cans for Trenton residents in need so they can have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner to celebrate with their families. As you all know, middle school students never like to get up early (especially on weekends), but on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 8:45 a.m., we will be out in the cold morning air for a good cause. AMS students will gather at Hedke Elementary to top off our school canned goods drive by collecting even more door to door. Students will be rewarded with donuts and hot chocolate for their hard work. We’d really appreciate it if you had your canned goods ready to help Trenton families in need!

     In October, the VFW gave a presentation to the eighth graders about the Patriot’s Pen writing contest. The theme this year is “What Freedom Means to Me.” The first place winner will be awarded $200, and the second-place winner will receive $100. The top 20 essays will be honored in an assembly Dec. 17.

     All these memories we are making will be in our yearbook. One exciting change this year is that everyone can be a photographer! Students, parents, and teachers can download an app called Skipple to their phones and submit photographs directly to the yearbook. We are expecting a great variety of pictures that include everyone.

     We’re already two months into the school year and students are working hard. Stay tuned for information in next month’s article about December’s school happenings!

Seniors Maria Hedges (left), Zoe VanAuken and Nina Baldwin are teaming up to help keep the community informed about happenings at the high school this year.

BY NINA BALDWIN

     Our Homecoming festivities began the weekend of Oct. 10, when 30 girls representing different clubs and activities at THS partook in the 59th annual Queen’s Judging pageant. Queen’s Judging consists of both an informal, fun-loving question, as well as a formal, more serious question for each candidate. Judges from the city of Trenton ranked all 30 girls according to their poise, confidence, and attitude on stage, and at the end of the night, the top five candidates were chosen to be on the 2016 Homecoming Court.

     This year, Griffin Sawyer was the Master of Ceremonies, and the escorts were Ryan Quinn, Matt Irvin, Nick Roberts, Jordan Dionne, and Brad Drabczyk. The five finalists that were chosen were Nadia Kurtzhals, Abbie LeFevre, Veronica Slaven, Peyton Szczechowski and Jade Williams.

     On Friday, Oct. 16, the Homecoming Court and their escorts, as well as returning 2015 Homecoming Queen, Madison Moody, were all featured in the pre-game parade and also at halftime at the football game. After much anticipation and excitement, Veronica Slaven was crowned as the 2016 Homecoming Queen.

     “I was very shocked, and I felt very overwhelmed, but a good kind of overwhelmed,” stated Queen Veronica. “It was one of the best days of my high school experience.”

     The theme of this year’s Homecoming was “Dancing Through the Decades.” Each class was assigned a different decade which they had to portray on Thursday during Spirit Week, as well on their float for the parade. The freshmen class was the 1970s, the sophomore class the 1950s, the junior class the 1980s, and the senior class the 1960s.

     Throughout the week, students participated in Spirit Week with each day assigned a different theme. At the end of the week the senior class was named “Most Spirited” for earning the most spirit points based on school spirit, participation in spirit days, points earned during lunch games, and points earned at the pep rally on Friday.  

     Overall, Homecoming 2016 went down without a flaw, and really was a weekend that will “go down in history.”

     Student correspondent Nina Baldwin is a senior at Trenton High School.

Brendan Koziol  Student Athlete of the Month  Soccer, Senior

After joining the varsity soccer team during his freshman year, it was clear that Trenton senior Brendan Koziol was not only an immensely talented player, but also a leader that the other players on the team could easily relate to. As the leader of the soccer team with All-League, All-District, All-Region and All-State honors, a member of the Interact Club and holder of a 3.5 grade-point average, Koziol has managed to make his mark in many areas throughout his time at Trenton. As head coach Mike Hatfield explained, Koziol is a great mix of both an on-the-field and off-of-the field leader. “He’s taken over the leadership mantel on this team and he kind of runs the team from warm ups to cool downs. He’s the most talented Trenton soccer player that I think I’ve ever seen. He is a really cool guy and funny and gets along with everyone and he has all of the attributes to be a good captain and a good leader. He’s always disappointed when practice ends and just always wants to be on the field. Nobody trains as well as he does.” He is currently undecided as to where he wants to attend college, but he plans on majoring in a subject with the environmental sciences field. His parents, Rhonda and Jeff, have enjoyed watching all that he has accomplished over his high school career and look forward to him continuing throughout college.

Trenton linebacker Loren Sauve (top) lassoes Chelsea quarterback Jack Bush during Trenton’s second-round playoff matchup. The Bulldogs beat the Trojans, led on offense by senior quarterback Patrick Czarnecki (above), 29-16, and three weeks later played in the championship game at Ford Field.

BY DAVE MERCHANT

trentontrib.com

      Last month Trenton got an opportunity to avenge its 2014 second-round state playoff loss to Huron by upending the Chiefs, 34-21, in its first-round playoff pairing.

But the second round still produced an abrupt end to the season, as the Trojans fell to Chelsea, 29-16, the following week.

     The Trojans concluded the season 9-2, improving on last year’s 7-4 record.

     Head Coach Bob Czarnecki said the team had its chances against Chelsea, but the game just slipped away. A long Chelsea punt return to the Trenton 5 late in the first quarter and a kickoff return for a touchdown near the end of the half were key factors in the outcome. Another key factor was the loss of junior center Ean Purcell, who suffered a serious leg injury early in the second half.

The Bulldogs, who fought off road jitters in the opening half, made the most of their escape from Trenton by making their way to the finals at Ford Field three weeks later.

     Chelsea’s playoff run included a win the next week over Allen Park, the team that provided the only other blemish on Trenton’s season record. The Bulldogs lost the championship game Nov. 28 to Orchard Lake St. Mary, 29-12.

     Finishing the regular season 8-1, the Trojans were Downriver League co-champs with Allen Park, which incurred a loss early in the season to Wyandotte.

     “We came into the season with very high hopes,” Czarnecki said. “Aside from the center we brought back the entire offensive line. “We also returned fullback Grant McClellan, quarterback Patrick Czarnecki, who started five games for us as a junior, Jake Nabozny and Carl Olds as running backs. Our initial concern was our defense. We had many holes to fill.”

     Along with Purcell, the offensive line included senior guards Mason Walz and Loren Sauve, and senior tackles Dylan Pasquali and Brent Kennedy.

     “It was not surprising that we averaged over 30 points a game with this group,” he commented. “It allowed us to be able to very effectively run and throw the ball.”

     Patrick Czarnecki quickly emerged as a team leader. He threw for 18 touchdowns and scored another eight touchdowns on the ground. Czarnecki said his son had almost 2,400 yards of total offense on the season.

     “The addition of transfers such as Dontell Hampton, Josh Sauve and Tyler Crawford helped fill slots,” he said. “In Dontell’s case (10 rushing touchdowns for over 500 yards), gave us a multipurpose back, kick returner, outside linebacker. He is a very special talent and even better than that he is a wonderful young man. Josh and Ty made us stronger at other positions.”

     Czarnecki said the group of players did not want to stop playing; it just didn’t work out in their favor.

     “The group got people in the city and school excited about football,” he said. “Our seniors led us to back-to-back playoff appearance which was reminiscent of the middle 2000s when we made the tournament nine out of 11 years.” He continued to say how very proud he was of this group.

     “Everyone played a role on this team. Not all were in the spotlight on Fridays; many were prep team players, drill guys, behind the scenes,” he commented. “Many ran down on special teams and all accepted their roles for the good of the group.”

     Czarnecki said some of the players will be going to college to play football. Pasquali has a gray shirt offer to Central Michigan University and has chances to play at Ball State or Western Michigan University. Walz could play at Division 2. Patrick Czarnecki or Sauve could end up in Division 3 or MIAA.

“I am lucky I am here at this job,” said Czarnecki, who was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame last summer after leading the Trojans for 25 years.          “There is no pressure to win and this has been the ideal job for me.”

    Footnote: One of the interesting sidelights from the Trenton-Chelsea game was the matchup between father-and-son coaching and quarterback combos for each team.       Along with Bob and Patrick Czarnecki filling those roles for Trenton, Chelsea Coach Brad Bush’s team was quarterbacked by his son, Jack.

     Dave Merchant is a freelance writer for the Trenton Trib and can be reached at dmerchant1970@yahoo.com. Editor Joe Hoshaw Jr. contributed to this report.

BY DAVE MERCHANT

trentontrib.com

     The Trenton Trojans hockey team usually has a bull’s eye on its back with other teams. This year might be a little different with the team, according to second-year head coach Chad Clements, who is putting bull’s eyes on the backs of some of their tougher opponents.

     No doubt with 14 state titles under the team’s belt, there are high expectations among the community, the school and especially the coaches and players.

     “We lost last year, 4-3, to Livonia Stevenson in the regional finals,” Clements said. “We have developed quite a rivalry with them. We were down two goals to them going into the third (period).”

     This year the Trojans have 14 players coming back. The seniors on the team are defenseman Jeremy Ross and captain Grant McClellan, and David Chavez. Key forwards include Solomon Markus, forward/defense Tyler Carlos, and forwards Carl Olds, Jason Welsch, Parker Dukus and Robert De LaRosa. Other key senior forwards include Captain Griffin Sawyer and Joey Krolicki.

     The three goalies are all juniors. They are Joe Sant’Angelo, Anthony Lemerand and Brody Wilson. Juniors on the team include defenseman Drake Ryznar, Kyle Lucas and Connor Howey. Junior forwards are Kenny Styles, Captain Brandon Morgan, and Nick Trela. The two sophomore Trojans are defenseman Kenny Styles and forward Jordan Cormier. The two senior managers on the team are Cody Montroy and Tyler Vaclav.

     “My best offensive players this season will be Sawyer, Markus, Dukus, Morgan and Styles,” Clements said. “On defense it will be McClellan and Ross. I have three goalies and the two of which will split time between the pipes are between Lemerand, Sant’Angelo and Wilson.”

     Clements is excited about having so many players back from last season. “We hope to improve on last season each and every day so that we are playing our best hockey come playoff time,” he said.

     Assistant coaches this year include Greg Obrycki, Johnny Wilson, Freeman Floyd and Ray Miller.

     Clements said they play in two different leagues, Michigan Interscholastic High School League (MIHL) and the other of course is the Downriver League. This year they have 25 games and scrimmages scheduled for the regular season.

     “The schedule stays the same pretty much year to year,” he said. “We started the season hosting Plymouth Salem on Nov. 20, and we play at U-of-D Jesuit the next day.”

     Clements said tough teams they play this year are Livonia Stevenson, Catholic Central (2), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Cranbrook (2).

     “Every year the expectation is to get into the second week of the playoffs,” he said. “We have had success.”

     Dave Merchant is a freelance writer for the Trenton Trib and can be reached at dmerchant1970@yahoo.com.