Trenton’s 2018 top 10: Annie Wilson (front, left), Hannah Miller, Adelaide Barcalow and Karli Gaffrey; Jonny Becker (second row, left), Mykel Dolinski and Amber Cheplick; Wilson McClelland (third row, left) and Connor Dolence; Michael Zahran (top). (Matt McClelland photo)
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
Recently I was at a breakfast for the Top 10 students in the Downriver League. I ran across an old classmate and we started talking about the “good ol’ days” — things like walking to school in the snow, uphill, both ways. My classmate had a tremendous passion for cars. Camaros and corvettes were, and still are, his vehicles of choice. As we were talking at the banquet, we talked about his son’s strong passion for academics.
So I thought I would take a few minutes and speak with Trenton’s 2018 Top 10 students — asking them questions such as, “What are your future plans? How well do you think Trenton High School prepared you for your next endeavor? What do you have a passion for? What helped you do so well at Trenton High School?”
I started talking with Jonathon Becker, who plans to attend University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to study material science. He felt one of the things that helped him be successful at THS was baseball. Baseball helped him connect with upperclassmen, then later operate as a leader on the baseball team during his senior year. He mentioned how a rigorous course like AP physics will help him in college.
Adelaide Barcalow had similar thoughts and mentioned how being a part of the Marching Band helped her because she knew people in August prior to school starting. This helped her entering THS as she already had a group of people to help her transition from the middle school to the high school. She is also going to University of Michigan at Ann Arbor for engineering. As for what helped her prepare for the challenges of Ann Arbor, Adelaide summed it up this way, “AP physics is what made me start drinking coffee.” She will miss her friends at THS.
Amber Cheplick will be attending University of Michigan-Dearborn. She felt that support such as softball pushed her to do better in school with her time management skills. Her advice to THS students is to never procrastinate. Softball allowed her to be closer to younger players as a senior and that clubs push you to do more and do better in school.
Karli Gaffrey is going to the University of Clemson. The chemistry program, the environment, and the weather are what drew her to Clemson as well as the strong graduate programs it offers. Dual enrollment through THS helped prepare her for the next level. Kari felt the many clubs she participated in and dual enrollment helped prepare her for Clemson.
Wilson McClelland is headed to the Naval Academy to become a pilot. The application process to attend school in Annapolis, sports such as soccer, basketball and track and dual enrollment all helped him as he prepares for the Navy. He is looking forward to being a member of the United States Navy.
Connor Dolence will be heading to Oakland to study both bio and mechanical engineering. Rowing and AP biology helped prepare him for Oakland. Connor mentioned how rowing is a very time consuming, but rewarding sport. Rowing and AP courses helped prepare Connor for Oakland University and with time management.
Mykel Dolinski will be attending the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to study biomedical engineering. Programs such as ACCESS, being in the Marching Band, tennis, AP physics and dual enrollment all prepared her for U of M. Being so involved allowed her to network. She will miss THS, and feels fully prepared for U of M.
Hannah Miller is heading to Eastern Michigan to study Health Sciences. Swimming and diving, band, cross country and AP courses all helped her with her confidence. She mentioned how being on a team and her teammates helped her confidence. She said she will miss the personal strategies of her teachers.
Annie Wilson will be attending Taylor University in Indiana, where both her dad and brother attended, to study elementary education. AP courses, cross country and staying active helped her with time management and her study habits. She will miss her teachers at THS and would like someday to return to Trenton.
Michael Zahran is heading to the University of Toledo to study engineering. His work as a tutor and other volunteer efforts helped prepare him, along with AP Chemistry. Challenge yourself, enjoy your time and do not stress too much at THS is his advice to THS students. He certainly feels prepared for the next level of his education.
Over the years, I have and will continue to mention to THS students that they need to do two things while in high school: Give your best and get involved. The students mentioned here certainly excelled in both.
Dr. Michael Doyle is principal of Trenton High School.