Following a high school career where he excelled in four varsity sports and ranked in his class’s top 10 academically, senior Wilson McClelland displays the official notification of his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. (Matt McClelland photo)

4-sport athlete appointed to Naval Academy

BY SAMANTHA ELLIOTT

     Not all that long ago, Wilson McClelland was enjoying his senior year spring break, cruising around the Caribbean when he got news that changed his life.

     On June 8, McClelland and his classmates will walk as Trenton High School’s Class of 2018 and most of his friends and classmates will spend their summer enjoying themselves before heading off to various colleges, but he will be on a different path, with an extremely different mindset, 528 miles from home.

     On June 25, McClelland will begin his appointment on Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy. Accepting his appointment to the Naval Academy required a commitment of nine years for the Trenton senior; four years attending the Naval Academy where he will graduate as an officer in the Navy and then serve for five years after graduation.

     McClelland had eagerly been awaiting his application decision and mom Laura had bought Internet access for the cruise ship so he could find out right away.

     “I was super excited when I found out and my mindset changed,” McClelland said. “It was not just a dream anymore; it was reality.”

     He began considering the Naval Academy during his sophomore year when he was contacted by the track coach about running for them. The coach introduced McClelland to a program called the Naval Academy Summer Seminar and helped him through the application process. NASS is a six-day program for students who have just finished their junior year of high school that introduces those considering applying to the Naval Academy what life would be like as a Midshipman. The week consists of morning PT, classes and a mini version of Sea Trials and helped McClelland make his decision to accept his appointment if he was given the opportunity.

     “Following NASS and continuing my way through the application process is really where I made up my mind that if I were to be accepted that this is where I wanted to go to school,” he said. “The prestigious education and leadership program that they offer is like none other. The application process is very extensive and the length and effort it takes to complete helps to weed out candidates within itself. My application started back when I applied for NASS because the NASS application is the same as the pre-application to the Academy.”

     While he attended NASS, McClelland completed a second part of the application process; the Candidate Fitness Assessment, which consists of six parts; basketball throw, pull-ups, shuttle run, sit ups, push-ups, and a mile run.

     After that came another list; transcripts, test scores and recommendation letters; but not just any recommendation letter – one must get a nomination letter from a senator or congressmen or congresswoman.

     “You must apply to even be interviewed with each office that you qualify for,” McClelland said. “I interviewed with Congresswoman (Debbie) Dingell’s office, Sen. (Debbie) Stabenow’s office and Senator (Gary) Peters’ office.  Around January of 2018, I learned that I had received a nomination from Debbie Dingell.”

     Then came more paperwork over the next few weeks — data records, activities record, academic records and a medical qualification. McClelland hit a minor speed bump during the medical qualification due to pain in his knee during his freshman year but applied for a waiver from the Naval Academy and it was granted.

     Now, McClelland is simply trying to enjoy his last few weeks in Trenton before embarking on his journey of a lifetime.

     “When I was first accepted, I was super excited and not worried about anything,” he said. “Now that Induction Day is approaching, I am becoming more nervous, but I am still super excited about going to school there. I’m sad to leave all of my friends and family, but I’m looking forward to this opportunity and I’m excited to see what is in store for me.”

     While McClelland will miss the familiarity of Trenton; knowing the area, hanging out with friends and his time on the track and cross country teams, he says the sports he was involved in prepared him for this next opportunity.

     “I think what most prepared me for this next step in my life is participating in sports,” he said. “It not only helped me create good time-management skills, but also strengthened my teamwork skills and leadership skills, which will all be vital to my success at the Academy.”

     For anyone else considering applying to any service Academy, McClelland encourages them to get involved, seek leadership positions and start the application process early.

     “These schools aren’t just looking for the kid who is involved in 40 clubs, but doesn’t lead any of them; they would much rather have a student who is involved in three clubs, but is the president of two of them or the captain of their sports teams,” he said. “(Also) start your application early on and get as much as you can done as early as possible.”

     As Induction Day draws near, McClelland is excited about meeting the class of 2022. Of 1,200 students, he knows four personally from his time at NASS.

     Later this month, McClelland and his classmates will enter what the Naval Academy calls “Plebe Summer,” a form of basic training, and in four years, about 1,000 will graduate.

     “I’m most nervous for the mental stress that is going to be put on me and all the other Plebes during Plebe Summer,” McClelland said. “Having to memorize pages and pages out of Reef Points, wake up at 0530 and have no idea what is in store for us that day.”

     But he also would not change his decision and considers himself fortunate to take this next step.

     “I’m honored to be able to serve my country and to be able to attend one of the best military schools in the world,” he said. “Not everyone gets this type of opportunity and I will give it my all because I know there are lots of people that would give anything to be in my shoes.”

     The local affiliate of the American Association of University Women celebrated numerous significant contributions and accomplishments of local women and girls of all ages earlier this year at the Wayne County Community College District campus in Taylor.

     A major portion of the event included the 27th annual Student Scholarship Awards presentation. Three students from neighboring communities were awarded full subsidies to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders at the University of Maryland in College Park in May. AAUW Wyandotte-Downriver was pleased to award $750 stipends to Haleigh Cotton from Brownstown and Chelsea Gerring and Jacqueline Helstowski, both from Trenton.

     Cotton is a University of Michigan freshman on a pre-law track, with majors in political science and history. Gerring seeks a degree in Criminal Justice. She has an associate’s degree from Schoolcraft College and has articulated to Ferris State University for the remainder of her courses. Helstowski is a sophomore at Western Michigan University, pursuing a degree in Public Health, with a minor in Spanish. 

     Over the past 30 years, this conference has transformed the lives of more than 10,000 young women. Those who attend the fast-paced event gain an understanding of the issues and policies affecting women, and learn how, why, and when to take action. The local students are excited to attend their first professional conference at NCCWSL, joining with nearly 800 college and university women and campus professionals from across the United States and around the world to redefine women’s leadership. They will undoubtedly return inspired and empowered to make a difference.

     In addition to completely funding three students’ attendance at NCCWSL, the local AAUW affiliate announced the distribution of an additional $12,000, to be shared by six local college women from four area institutions of higher learning.

     Ashley Constanti lives in Brownstown and studies surgical technology at Wayne County Community College. Alissa Drouillard, from Flat Rock, is a student in the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Baker College, and will graduate in December. Alyssa Kowalski graduated from the Wayne County Community College Fire Academy and obtained her EMT license in 2016. She presently works as a paramedic for Elite Technical Rescue Services Group and Rapid Response Emergency Services, and volunteers as a teaching assistant and mentor to other young women at the Fire Academy.

     Southgate resident Alyssa Downs is studying Civil Engineering at Lawrence Tech. After graduation in 2021, she plans to work on new methods for architects to incorporate in their  designs, entailing preservation and incorporation of surrounding native habitats, to achieve a reduced overall carbon footprint with their projects. Hannah Foggs is in her second year of the accounting program at Henry Ford College. The Brownstown resident aspires to launch her own firm in the future. Angela Nutter, also from HFC, used her award to obtain a two-year degree last December in Medical Facilities Management. She resides in Dearborn Heights, and is presently pursuing a position in her field.

     AAUW has a distinguished history of advancing educational and professional opportunities for women globally. AAUW provided more than $3.7 million in funding for more than 250 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations in the 2017-2018 academic year. For information about the Wyandotte-Downriver Affiliate of AAUW, its mission and its many activities, contact Madeleine Jones at mizmadlin@yahoo.com, find the organization on Facebook, or visit http://downriver-mi.aauw.net/.

Bill Matakas (left) and Katie Hartwell (right) of the U of M Club Downriver with honorees David Ameriguian, Daniela Kabeth and Ian Stewart.

The University of Michigan Club of Downriver met for its annual spring dinner meeting May 9 at Arnaldo’s Banquet Center in Riverview. The attendees included alumni of U of M, distinguished speakers, promising high school juniors who have an interest in applying to U of M, and scholarship recipients and their families.

The club briefly took care of business by entertaining nominations for board members. The following current board members were re-elected to three-year terms: Susan Klotz (Allen Park), Bill Richardson (Riverview), Katie Hartwell (Grosse Ile), John Ball (Wyandotte), Dave Deszi (Southgate) and Rayana Safah (Brownstown).

After dinner Scholarship Chairman Katie Hartwell introduced the three recipients of this year’s Leaders and Best $1,500 scholarships. These merit-based awards take into account rank in class, SAT score, rigor of curriculum, leadership in the community, and well roundedness of their activities. Once those scores are compiled the committee looks at the applicants’ essays. For the final step, the top six finalists come in for an interview. Julie Elstrom Matthews, Christine Dowhan Bailey, and Christine Chambers, leaders in the Downriver community, helped with the interviews. Included in the top six finalists were Diana Nunez and Abby McNeill of Grosse Ile High School and Davis Mears of Bellevue High school.

David Ameriguian was the recipient of the Lloyd Carr Scholarship. David wrote in his essay about a trip last summer to his birth country of Armenia to help build a home for a poor Armenian family. David was adopted from Armenia at the tender age of 3 months into a loving home in Michigan. He realizes he was afforded many opportunities by his good fortune. Through hard work he is the co-valedictorian of Grosse Ile High School where is president of the National Honor Society, captain of the Varsity tennis team, and business manager for the Robotics Team.

He plays the saxophone in the marching band and is a section leader. He has volunteered in many church and community activities. At U of M he is going directly into the Ross Business School, where he believes, as Charles Dickens wrote, “the best way to lengthen our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose.” He hopes to use his business degree to find pathways to bring hope to underserved areas such as the Armenian village he visited.

The recipient of the John and Sue Ghindia Award was Daniela Kabeth from Woodhaven High School where she graduates No. 2 among 415 students. Daniela has been president of her student council for three years, and is treasurer of the National Honor Society this year. She was No. 1 singles on her varsity tennis team her sophomore year and was on the varsity dance team all four years, serving as captain her senior year.

She has worked on their yearbook, and works retail part time at Justice. She has been as election inspector for state and federal elections.

The Kenneth Hartwell award this year went to Ian Stewart. He will go into the engineering school at U of M. Ian not only took every available AP class at Grosse Ile HS but has dual enrolled at U of M Dearborn to pick up three college level classes. He will be entering U of M well into his sophomore year in terms of credits. He is a National Merit Finalist scoring above the 99th percentile on the SAT test. But Ian is more than an academic. He is senior patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop, class vice president, and lead programmer for the robotics team.

He is an active rower and section leader in the marching band and involved in many community service projects. His truly inspiring essay quotes Joe Porcino, “Live each day as you would climb a mountain.” And so did Ian, as an eighth grader he climbed the largest mountain at Philmont Boy Scout camp in Arizona.

The keynote speaker was Allen Park Mayor William Matakas. Having lived and received his public education in Allen Park, Mayor Matakas chose the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree. He was thankful U of M offered so many choices for a major when the door shut on what he hoped would be his career in chemistry. Unfortunately his color blindness made that degree impossible. He instead focused on getting into U of M Law School from which he is a graduate.

He is well known for giving back to the community in which he lives, working on numerous commissions before running for mayor in 2011.

The final speaker of the evening was Brendan Scherer, the 2017 scholarship recipient. The evening concluded with a singing of the Michigan fight song, The Victors.

Janet Stanley on her final day at Trenton High School.

BY MELANIE YOUNG

Longtime Trenton High School General Office Secretary Janet Stanley has written her final “Daily Announcement.” She retired at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Her last day with students was June 14.

Stanley has been employed by the Trenton Public Schools for 29 years and at Trenton High School for 20 years. She also held positions as a lunch and bus aide and a health paraprofessional in the district. She is a 1973 graduate of Trenton High School.

After high school she worked as an operator and service representative for Michigan Bell until her son was born in 1980. She began her work in Trenton when her daughter was 3 years old.

“I wanted to get out of the house and have some extra spending money,” she said, adding that the hours were a perfect fit for her at the time.

Stanley said her main function at THS was keeping track of attendance. She also greeted visitors and had many other front office duties. She said when she was first hired, she did new student enrollment but that function has since been moved to the administration building. She also worked at many athletic events and sold tickets, such as football games, hockey games, basketball games and swim meets. She also created the graduation program and helped out with various tasks related to the ceremony.

In May 2016, Stanley was awarded the Trenton Public School’s Golden Apple Award for always going above and beyond for students, parents and staff. Stanley’s “Daily Announcement” was a well-liked part of the day at THS. It included student birthdays, lunch options, athletic schedules and any other important things happening that day. Each day, she also included a riddle that made it something everyone wanted to read.

One of many things she will always remember is the reaction each Friday to her weekly treats. Most Fridays, she made a special treat and brought it to school to share.

“The kids made a big deal of it. They said they’d miss the treats. Brownies were a popular thing,” she said.

The decision to retire can be difficult, but Stanley knew it was time.

“I want to have more flexibility to be with my family,” she said. Her mother is 94 years old and she has three grandchildren in Ohio she would like to spend more time with. Her husband also retired three years ago.

“She was the first person that staff, students, parents and visitors saw when they entered THS,” Trenton High School Principal Michael Doyle said. “Her ability to multitask is a great asset that will be missed.”

As far as plans for her retirement, Stanley said she is looking forward to doing some traveling, including a big family trip to Walt Disney World in February. She said she’d also like to play some golf, as her brother is a golf pro at a local golf course.

While she will miss being at the school, she said she hopes to continue to stay in touch by attending sporting events.

“I will really miss it,” she said. “I will miss my daily interaction with the kids and staff.”

     Just a little more than a month after Trenton voters approved a $57.1 million bond issuance for school updates and improvement, the process took a big step forward June 12 when Trenton Public Schools announced the successful completion of its bond sale.

     In preparing to sell the 2018 School Building and Site Bonds, the district, working with its municipal advisor, PFM Financial Advisors LLC, requested that S&P Global Ratings, acting through Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC, evaluate the district’s credit quality.

     Consequently, S&P assigned the district the underlying rating of “A+” with a stable outlook. The rating agency cited the district’s budgeting practice and board policies in generating and maintaining an adequate fund balance for their rationale for providing the rating.

     The bond process was conducted by the Michigan investment banking office of the brokerage firm Stifel, PFM Financial Advisors and the law firm of Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone PLC, which is serving as bond counsel.

     The district’s bonds were sold at a true interest rate of 4.06 percent with a final maturity of 2048 (a repayment term of approximately 30 years).

     “Trenton Public Schools’ Bonds were well received by the bond market,” said Brodie Killian, managing director with Stifel. “We had participation from a cross section of investors and were able to take advantage of current low interest rates that met the goals of the district.”

     The full cost of the bond process encompasses $50,630,000 million as the par value of the cost of improvements with the remainder allocated for associated costs, including premiums, underwriter costs and issuance expenses.

     The improvement funds will be used for the purposes of remodeling school district buildings and classrooms, including classroom improvements, roof replacements, mechanical and security improvements; furnishing, refurnishing, equipping and re-equipping school district buildings, including musical instruments, improving and developing sites, including traffic flow, signage, structures, fencing, sidewalks, playgrounds, parking lots, outdoor athletic facilities and other improvements in the school district; constructing additions to existing school district buildings, including a new high school pool; classrooms and flexible learning spaces; expanding and improving cafeterias, gyms, media centers, constructing a new facilities  and maintenance building; acquiring and installing technology infrastructure and equipment, including security technology and instructional technology equipment for students.

BY BRIAN RZEPPA

     As Gary Szalka led Melvindale to hundreds of wins throughout a Hall of Fame career, Trenton High School varsity baseball Coach Todd Szalka stood by his side and regularly served as the team’s batboy.

     While doing some digging throughout his parents’ house, Todd uncovered some VHS tapes. As he sat down to watch them, he was hit with a wave of nostalgia.

     On a locally recorded broadcast, Todd saw his dad and Melvindale taking on Southgate Aquinas in the 1983 District Championship game. With his dad on the bench and Todd playing around in the stands, the videos evoked positive memories from him.

     “We had a lot of VHS tapes and they used to just play these games on TV and my parents would record them. We had a number of copies and we started going through them and watching them and I enjoyed what those games did for the community and it’s something you don’t really see any more,” said Szalka.

     One of the biggest things that Szalka remembered was how important those games were for all those involved.

     “The way with how we receive information has completely changed. Within a few clicks on your phone you can access all the information and videos you could ever need in seconds, whereas back in the 80s and 90s there just wasn’t that level of technology. Getting around the TV and watching a high school game was really significant.”

     Having made numerous transformations to the Trenton baseball program over the years, Szalka has now set his sights on the viability of creating another locally televised event like his father had coached in so many years ago.

     That won’t come without challenges however, as national cable companies have replaced local providers and have made it more difficult for communities to provide the infrastructure necessary for these events. With Wyandotte Cable still hanging around however, there may just be a chance.

     “Wyandotte still has their own cable company so we think they have the ability to do something like this. They can set up the trucks and have the film crews. When I talked to the guy who used to announce the games and asked him if we could do this, he said it sounded interesting, but he didn’t know how we would get it done anymore.”

     He continued, “You have to have multiple camera angles like a pro game and nobody around here has that capability anymore because large cable companies have come in and taken over what local companies used to own. They’re not doing a whole lot of local stuff, so Wyandotte Cable may be the only way that we can resurrect this.”

     If it ends up being possible, Szalka believes this will be a great opportunity for both the fans and the community and it will serve as a throwback to more locally-oriented sports programming.

     “It was just fun going back and watching these tapes. They made these kids in the school seem like they were bigger than what they really were. You watch Tigers broadcasts and you just don’t see that any more in high school broadcasts — you don’t see announcers that know the kids, the programs and the coaches and to me that’s kind of what it’s all about. We got in this to have fun and provide better opportunities for kids and I think this just talks right to it.”

Trenton High School graduate Adelaide Barcalow.

The 13th class of Stamps Scholars includes 230 top students from across the country attending 30 partner universities. Selected from almost 300,000 applications, these scholars have diverse academic interests such as medicine, education, engineering, history, public policy, and visual and performing arts.

     Adelaide Barcalow of Trenton has been awarded the Stamps Scholarship and will attend the University of Michigan beginning in the fall of 2018. She plans to study industrial and operations engineering.

     Stamps Scholars are chosen for their academic excellence, leadership experience, and exceptional character. The value of Stamps Scholarships to the new class of Scholars over their time in school is worth up to approximately $36 million.

     “Given its selectivity and benefits, the Stamps Scholarship has become one of the most prestigious scholarships for high school seniors,” said Don Bishop, associate vice president for enrollment at the University of Notre Dame. “The Stamps Scholarships have become one of the most important and attractive offerings among our merit programs.”

     At many partner universities, the Stamps Scholarship covers the total estimated cost of attendance for four years of undergraduate study and also includes an enrichment fund that Scholars can use for academic and professional development, ranging from study abroad to internships to independent research. The Stamps Foundation also supports scholarships for current students at several colleges and universities.

     Stamps Scholars benefit from a national network of peers and the opportunity to attend biennial conventions and other events where Scholars gather together and learn from recognized community leaders.

     Stamps Scholars are known for their significant contributions to their local campuses and communities around the world, and for many, the Stamps Scholarship allows them to study at the top colleges for their career path.

     Stamps Scholars are among the recipients of prestigious awards including Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, Goldwater, Marshall, Rhodes, Truman, and Schwarzman Scholarships. Stamps alumni are working with top companies and organizations such as Google, Goldman Sachs, and NASA and are pursuing graduate degrees at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of Oxford.

     “Through our strong partnerships with 40 exceptional colleges and universities across the country, we take great pride in our support of these remarkable young people,” said Roe Stamps, founder and chairman of the Stamps Foundation. “When we meet them, we so often hear about their deeply personal ambitions, which might be in music, science, design, business, or medicine. Penny and I love to learn about their unique goals, as we know that they, as Stamps Scholars, will have the financial support to pursue their ambitious aspirations. They will also benefit from the Stamps community, both on their campus and through the national network of Scholars, as well as from advice from faculty and alumni at their chosen university.”

Olivia Wakeham

Olivia Wakeham

Senior, Golf

 Over the course of her three years at Trenton High School, senior Olivia Wakeham has managed to raise the bar both academically and athletically, even when it didn’t seem there was any room to improve. Sporting a 4.0 grade-point average over her first three years, the Trenton Public School District’s move to a weighted grading system would push her GPA to a 4.2. As the Most Improved Player on both the softball and golf teams during her junior year, Wakeham has been on an upward trajectory all throughout her high school career. A member of the Quiz Bowl team, Student Council and the National Honor Society, Wakeham will have a vast array of options at her disposal as she looks beyond this year and into college. She hopes to continue her softball career at the collegiate level, and with whichever school she winds up with she is leaning toward majoring in kinesiology or exercise science. She was driven to this field after an injury in softball led her to visiting a physical therapist, at which point she realized that career path may be one she wants to follow. With one year left to go Olivia’s parents, Rod and Alexis Wakeham, are looking forward to enjoying all of the moments her senior year will hold.  — Brian Rzeppa

     The Trenton Educational Foundation’s eighth annual Signature Event, a Great Gatsby gala, is Nov. 10, but plans are well under way for the fundraiser, monies from which are biannually dispersed for programs not figured into the annual Trenton Public Schools budget.

     TEF was established in 2008 by a consortium of community leaders committed to enhancing educational opportunities throughout the district.

To date, $161,428.10 has been awarded for staff grants, plus 10 student scholarships in 2018, along with $2,500 for Challenge Day at the High School and the group announced funding for the Big Idea grant earlier this year, providing $57,768 to install an audio system in the elementary schools.

     Eager to provide further grants, the organizing committee is taking a slightly different approach to the event, which will still include Wall of Fame inductions.

     The committee has chosen the theme “Great Gatsby Gala,” and is adding elements of Roaring 20’s fun to the program, according to Tom Dickman, chairperson. This year’s event will be at Crystal Gardens, accommodating up to 450 people and including dinner, dancing, auctions, raffles and more, all keeping with the Roaring 20’s theme. Cocktail and Gatsby attire welcomed.

Tickets are available for $50/each or tables of 10 are $450 at http://trenton-edfound-ation.org/events/signature-event.html, or at the School Board office at 2603 Charlton in Trenton before they sell out.

     — Kathy Kane

Ronald Diroff

Michael Doyle

Trenton Public Schools made some administrative changes to start the 2018-2019 school year. 

     In an effort to keep the public informed of the happenings of the district, the Trenton Board of Education approved the addition of a community liaison director. The director will be responsible for communication directed toward the district achieving its strategic goals, fostering two-way community relationships, and expanding both internal and external outreach efforts. 

     This position is being supported by the use of Wayne County enhancement millage funds.

     Appointed to the community liaison position is high school principal, Dr. Michael Doyle. Doyle came to the district from Allen Park Public Schools in 2000. He served as an assistant principal/athletic director at Trenton High School until 2004 when he was approved to the position of building principal.

     The Board of Education also approved Mr. Ron Diroff to the position of Trenton High School principal. Diroff started with the district in 2000 as a middle school science teacher, moved to the high school and most recently was the high school assistant principal and CTE director.

Evan Adams

Evan Adams

Senior Football

One of the key options on the ground for Head Coach Bob Czarnecki’s high-powered offense and a headache for opposing offenses, Trenton High School senior Evan Adams has made perhaps even more an impact off of the field. Though on the field he was named All-Metro West, News Herald First Team and All-League, Adams also carries a 3.75 grade-point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. For his efforts in the classroom and on the field, he was named to the All-Academic team for Downriver. A standout on the football field, Adams has also played a vital role in the success of the Trenton basketball team. Though he hopes to continue his football career beyond high school, he has not yet decided where he will continue his studies; if he doesn’t continue playing, Grand Valley State and Michigan State stand as two of his top options. Wherever he does continue his studies, Adams is planning to major in either the Nutrition field or the Veterinary field. His mother, Stacy Adams-Frazier, is looking forward to continuing to support any path that he chooses to follow. — Brian Rzeppa

McNally, Misko and Schelke make the Wall of Fame 2018.

     “The Great Gatsby Gala,” this year’s Signature Event for the Trenton Educational Foundation, will be a dinner/dance at Crystal Gardens in Southgate on Saturday, Nov. 10. All aspects of the event will be fun and kept light along with the honoring of this year’s Wall of Fame inductees.

     Tickets are $50 each and sponsors of the event have tickets included at trentonedfoundation.net. The new venue will allow for up to 450 guests at this year’s event. The past events held at Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club was maxed out at 220 supporters.

     The Wall of Fame honors men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the quality of education in Trenton and THS graduates who have distinguished themselves in their professions. This year’s inductees are 33^rd District Court Judge Michael K. McNally and longtime Trenton educators Janice Misko and Dr. E. Lea Schelke.

     As a Trenton High School 1980 grad, Mike McNally was nominated for his work in his career as judge mentoring students. After high school, where he served as Team Captain and MVP in 1976, he graduated from Central Michigan University and then Detroit College of Law as Juris Doctor Cum Laude 1983. He initiated the “court to school” program which exposes hundreds of Trenton High School students to the criminal justice system, helping to act as a deterrent to criminal behavior.

     He also coached Trenton students (with now retired teacher Bill Dunn) and Mock trial team for about five years until it disbanded. When it was re-established, he offered to coach the team and for the first time, this year’s team advanced in competition to sixth in the state.

     McNally has mentored dozens of interns interested in the legal profession. He has been a career speaker at Arthur Middle School, established a volunteer program for senior citizens, involving them in the efficient operation of the court. He initiated the Sobriety Court program and serves as presiding judge. Sobriety court involves extremely intense probation for those with serious substance abuse problems. The court is primarily funded with grant money acquired by the court.

     McNally has served as Downriver Bar Association President (1991-92), and has earned several local honors, including Trenton’s Outstanding Young Man (1996), Knights of Columbus Heart of Gold award (1998) and the Downriver Irish American Club President’s award (2002).

     He is the 33^rd District Court’s longest serving judge and is the son of the late Gerald McNally, who also served many years on the local court’s bench.

He is married to Kelli and the couple have three grown children, Jerry, Sean and Katie.

     Janice Misko was nominated for her 40 years of service in the classroom as well as completing a second career as principal at Taylor Elementary school from 2007-2010. Misko graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1960 and received her master’s in remedial reading in 1966 and post-master’s in math and science. She has mentored many other educators in her tenor.

     “Jan Misko and I met when she taught my third-grade son,” said Laura Trosien. “Long before she was a principal she taught concept like differentiation, student discipline with dignity, caring relationships and good school to parent communication. I even used these ideas and techniques with students my past 13 years at Hedke.”

     Misko was nominated for teacher of the year four times, a Golden Apple recipient for Trenton Public School employees, Outstanding Teacher of the year with Wayne RESA and nominated for Educational Leadership award and Michigan NCA State board representative.

Since her second retirement, Misko has instituted a literacy program with TPS Curriculum Director Ann Deneroff. She has volunteered to help struggling readers the past three years at Hedke. Last year she met with 32 students in six classrooms and worked more than 80 days with 140 hours worth of instruction.

     Misko also volunteers at St. Paul Church and serves the membership in various educational events. She has also been lauded for her enthusiasm and contagious motivating manner working to bridge the gap between the schools and the community. She is married to Alphone Misko and the couple has two grown children, Roberta and Susan.

     Lea Schelke graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor of education in 1962 and at Wayne State received a master’s in 1969 and doctorate in 1976. She served Trenton schools for 40 years when she retired in 2002. Schelke was the 1989 runner up for Michigan Secondary Education Teacher of the Year. She served as NEA state director for Michigan and chairperson of professional standards and practices committee for Michigan. She has also been a member of Kellogg Foundation of Michigan Middle start advisory and K12 National education research policies and priorities board for the U.S. Dept of Education.

     Schelke was one of two Michigan teachers to be invited to attend the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush. She has been a guide for the Detroit Institute of the Arts, helping direct and organize presentations.

     “Dr. Schelke is an educator’s educator,” said fellow retired teacher, Joyce Brown Gillespie. “Even her hometown high school of Bad Axe feels the same way after they awarded her the Bad Axe Public Schools Distinguished Alumni Award. She has done so much for our schools throughout her career and she truly deserves this honor.”

To help make the first day of school more fun, Arthurs teachers went all out to create an opening day theme by wearing numbered Arthurs Knights jerseys (Brooks Blackledge photo).

     Arthurs Middle School is getting back into the swing of things this school year with a school-wide baseball theme. The staff wanted to go with a fun theme this year to add to the PBIS program. PBIS stands for “Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.” It is used throughout all Trenton public schools to allow students to have fun while learning about and following the school rules. PBIS is also a positive behavior program that promotes being respectful, responsible and safe.

     The teachers really wanted to make the first day of school fun. We called the first day “Opening Day” because of the baseball theme. Every staff member in the whole school wore matching Arthurs Middle School Knights jerseys with their names and a number of their choice on the back.

     Mr. Beltran, Mr. Lee and Mrs. Cobetto made an ESPN Sports Center-type video to explain rewards and the PBIS system. The students got “tickets” to their knight pride class, and the knight pride groups were assigned major and minor league baseball team names. For example, my group is called the Toronto Blue Jays.

     Each grade even had a pep rally on Opening Day with music where the teachers and administrators were announced as the “starting lineup” for the school. The Arthurs Middle School staff really hit a home run this year with the baseball theme!

Michael Doyle

Well, Trenton Public Schools has kicked off another school year. As I begin my 34th in public education, the excitement of a new year still exists. One of the most exciting things is that, in this new position as community liaison director, I am able to travel to the different schools throughout Trenton.

     I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits to Anderson Elementary, Hedke Elementary, and Arthurs Middle School. My office is on the second floor of the high school, so I get to “tour” the high school every day.

     First and foremost, my door is always open to any student, staff, or community member and I encourage you to reach out to me as we all work together to establish effective communications with any and all who are part of Trenton.

     The excitement of all the students and staff was a joy to see as all began their first day of school, as many great things are going on in the buildings. It even brought back a few memories as I was once a student at Anderson Elementary. Yes, at one time I was an Anderson Viking prior to moving on to becoming a Slocum-Truax Steeler. It was certainly a flood of memories walking around the building and the excitement of the teaching and learning taking place throughout the Trenton Public Schools.

     I was also able to attend a Trenton Business Association breakfast sponsored by the Trenton Trib. The goal here was to develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with all stakeholders in the Downriver area as we not only work to strengthen support for the Trenton Public Schools, but ask, “What can the schools do to help our local business people?”

     For example, I was able to communicate with a director of a local funeral home. Now we all understand that working in a funeral home is not for everyone. But after speaking with a person from the business, there are many aspects of working in that business that would be important for students to learn about.

     The same goes with speaking with a local attorney. There are many myths about practicing law. Watch a couple of shows on TV, and you could certainly develop an image of what attorneys do. Spending time with a local attorney, in person, will definitely help you separate fact from fiction if one is considering practicing law.

     As part of building a strong relationship with the city, we have submitted a Competitive Schools Safety Grant for the 2018 Fiscal Year. The Michigan State Police is providing grants to schools to improve the safety and security of school buildings through the purchase of technology and equipment.

     A huge “thank you” is in order to Trenton City Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Haley and TPS Nurse Kathy McPartlin as the school system and the City of Trenton worked together on this competitive grant. Let’s all hope we are successful in receiving the grant.

     Please follow me on Twitter @DocThs80 or email me at doylem@-trentonschools.com.

     Dr. Michael Doyle is  community liaison director for Trenton Public Schools.

Therese Hebda

Senior, Cross Country

 Throughout her career at Trenton High School, Therese Hebda has established herself as one of the best in the classroom and on each of the fields she has chosen to compete on. All-League in cross country, Hebda has added the same honors in track as well as tacking on a state-qualifying season last year in the 4×2. On the court, Hebda was selected to the Dream Team and earned another All-League appearance in basketball, as well as capturing the team’s MVP during her sophomore season. To cap all of that off, Hebda is also a standout in the classroom with a 3.89 grade-point average. Beyond her athletics, Hebda is very involved in the school academically. A member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and the Interact Club, Hebda places high importance on excelling as a student just as much as she has as an athlete. The importance that she has placed on academics is one that she will continue at the collegiate level, as Hebda has chosen to forego any potential athletic career and will instead commit herself to focusing on her studies. Though she has not yet decided where she will be attending college, Hebda has narrowed her search down to Central Michigan University and Michigan State University at this point and has her sights set on elementary education as her major. Though she has chosen to move away from athletics after this year, Hebda’s parents, Joe and Maria, will be cheering on her classroom efforts just as enthusiastically. — Brian Rzeppa

Queen’s crowning highlight of a busy month at THS

    Picture it: Trenton, 2018. The lights come up on the stage and music begins to play. Thirty-three senior girls dance their way onto the stage to kick off the Queen’s Judging Pageant.              Each girl answers two questions and is judged on her poise, personality, and wit. At the end of the night, six golden girls are selected as the 2019 Homecoming Court. This year, Chloe Senica, Carly Smith, Deena Szalay, Madison Donaldson, Haylee Miller and Madison Kell were chosen for the court.

Throughout spirit week, each class competed in games and participation for the spirit week themes. After a fierce competition with the freshmen class doing incredibly well for their first year, the award for most spirited class went to the juniors. The juniors also won the float building competition with their house and twister themed float.

     At the Homecoming Game, the homecoming queen was crowned by the 2018 homecoming queen, Blake Livernois. The six court members lined up on the football field as Livernois walked behind each of the six girls, holding the crown until she finally placed it on one of their heads. Madison Kell, representing Interact Club, was crowned the 2019 homecoming queen as cheers filled the stands.

     “There were a lot of deserving people who were in queen’s judging,” the new queen said. “The six of us who made it on court were just super happy to be there, and I believe that every single person nominated could have been the winner. I am just super grateful that my class felt I was deserving enough and voted for me. It was an incredible experience.”

     Really what she wanted to say to the whole school was, “Thank you for being a friend.”

     We threw a party and invited everyone we knew on Oct. 13. The homecoming dance was themed, “There’s no place like homecoming.” Students boogie-oogie-oogied ‘til they just couldn’t boogie no more. The crowd was alive the whole night, the senior girls did an encore of their senior girls dance from the pep rally and the queens judging candidates did the dance from the pageant one more time. When the lights came on everyone went home, but we didn’t have to click our heels together three times to get there.

     Student correspondent Emily Madden is a senior at Trenton High School.

Officials breaks ground on the new $15 million Horticulture Education Center in Taylor. The center will offer agriculture, hydroponics, gardening, aquaponics and other related learning and career opportunities.

     Wayne County Community College District last month broke ground on its new $15 million Horticulture Education Center that will focus on learning opportunities and career advancement in Michigan’s second largest industry sector — agriculture. The new Education Center is at the Downriver Campus, located at 21000 North Line Road, Taylor.

     The WCCCD Horticulture Education Center is expected to provide “an innovative learning space in the comprehensive study of Agriscience Technology and specialized programming in landscape and fruit and crop management.”

     The facility will be a LEED-certified learning environment by using rainwater harvesting systems, mechanically ventilated operable roofs, computer controlled greenhouse systems and a passive ventilation system. Students will use a STEM lab for extensive research, specialized greenhouse technologies, and spaces for hands-on experiences in aquaponics, irrigation, landscape restoration and urban agriculture.

     “Our mission has always been to provide pathways to better lives through higher education,” WCCCD Downriver President Anthony Arminiak said. “The new Horticulture Center goes straight to that mission, providing new career and learning paths for students and residents alike in a high-demand, multi-faceted field.”

     The Horticulture Education Center will offer certification and associate’s degree programs for those seeking agricultural careers. The center will also offer continuing education opportunities in programs such as urban agriculture and gardening, as well as workforce development and training, and academic programs towards advanced degrees in partnership with Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology. These programs will be available to community partners as well as local high schools, colleges and universities, area conservatories, gardening clubs, and landscapers.

     The WCCCD Horticulture Education Center is scheduled to open in 2020.

     WCCCD, the largest urban community college in Michigan, is a multi-campus district with six campus locations, including the Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center and the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education, serving more than 70,000 credit and non-credit students annually across 36 cities and  townships, and more than 500 square miles. For more information, visit www.wcccd.edu.

Lily Green

Junior Cross Country

Though she still has one and a half years left in her high school career, Gabriel Richard High School junior Lily Green already has proven herself to be one of the top athletes in the school. After medaling in many races throughout her time with the cross-country team, Green took her skill to the next level in November when she qualified for the Division III State Championship meet in Brooklyn. While there the Trenton resident made her presence felt, finishing sixth amongst the Downriver runners competing in the tournament.

In addition to her athletic efforts, which also include being a standout on the track and volleyball teams, Green is a star in the classroom. Her 3.5 grade-point average has opened up numerous opportunities for her at the collegiate level and will assuredly help widen her base of options as she pushes towards her senior year. She has not yet decided on where she will attend, but Green knows that she wants to continue running and also that she wants to major in law. Green’s decision to jump into the legal field was motivated by the fact that her father is a lawyer and she wants to follow in his footsteps. Her parents, Bryan and Monica, look forward to seeing all that Lily can accomplish throughout the next year of high school and beyond. — Brian Rzeppa

BY SAMANTHA ELLIOTT

     A year after securing a spot in the district final, the Grosse Ile boys’ basketball team is back and ready for a go-around in the 2018-2019 season.

     Last year, the Red Devils finished 13-11 overall and 8-8 in the Huron League. This year will mark Coach Mohamed Elhaj’s sixth season with the Grosse Ile boys’ program and he returns a solid core of veterans to this year’s squad.

     Key returnees include Karar Al-Rakbi, Zak Thompson, John Blanzy, Tyler Symons and Nick Morey. Al-rakabi and Blanzy will serve as captains for the Red Devils this year.

     Al-Rekabi is excited about his team’s possibilities this season.

     “We are a young team that will develop as the season goes, but I hope the season will be fun and have a lot of memories,” he said. “(I’m) excited to be playing in my last basketball season at Grosse Ile and as team captain, I hope to teach the young ones the ropes of a basketball leader. I’ll be having Johnny Blanzy as another captain with me, but in the end, I’ll hope to see good results as a team and have fun this year.”

     Elhaj is equally as excited for the season.

     “Our team this year is pretty small, so we will have to use our speed and quickness to our advantage,” Elhaj said. “I’m excited for all my newcomers. We are going to work very hard at practice and be ready for the new season.”

     This year the Red Devils are working under the Kevin Durant motto of “hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”

     Grosse Ile opened the season Nov. 29 by taking on non-league Riverview Gabriel Richard. They will play Trenton and Melvindale in non-league action on Dec. 4 and 11 before opening up Huron League play Dec. 14 when they host Milan.