This Week In the Ann Arbor Public Schools

May 24, 2010

This Week’s Good News!

  • The Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor held its annual scholarship awards luncheon today, May 24 and the awarded scholarships to 29 graduating seniors for post-secondary study.
    The Hunter/Clague Scholarships.  These scholarships are awarded annually to honor two past members of the club, Ralph Hunter and Ashley Clague.  The Hunter/Clague recipients have been selected based on their character, leadership, service to the community, and academic performance.  The 2010 recipients are:  Gabe Appel-Kraut, Community; Kevin Egedy, Huron; and Ian Gottschalk, Pioneer.
    The Carpenter Scholarships.  These scholarships are awarded annually to honor a past member of the club, Rev. Charles W. Carpenter.  The Carpenter recipients have been selected based on their character, leadership, service to the community, academic performance and involvement in promotion of understanding between different racial or ethnic groups.  The 2010 recipients are:  DeAndre White, Community; Sruthi Naraharisetti, Huron; and John Spalding, Pioneer.
    The Naylor Scholarships.  These scholarships are awarded in honor of past member, Don L. Naylor.  These recipients have been selected based on their demonstrated proficiency in the field of automotive repair; Lamar Todd, Huron and Victor Osomo, Pioneer.
    The Ray E. Cross memorial scholarship for studies in engineering at Michigan Technological University was awarded to Joseph Langley of Pioneer.
    The Eleanor K. Cross Memorial Scholarship for studies to prepare for a career in medical research was awarded to Andrea Manoppo of Community.
    The Gordon R. Doolittle Scholarship for studies to prepare for a career in health care was awarded to Kathleen Fluellen of Huron.
    The Eleanor M. Doolittle Memorial Scholarship for studies to prepare for a career in health care was awarded to Jacob Merrell of Pioneer.
    The John Devall Memorial Scholarship was awarded to George Kalell Quarles of Stone.
    The Bob Barden, Jr. & Kathy Perlberg Scholarship was awarded to Keenan Bear of Pioneer.
    The Letitia Byrd Scholarship was awarded to Cecilio Palacio, Jr. of Huron.
    The Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Bailey of Roberto Clemente.
    The Earl W. Shaffer Memorial Scholarship for studies to prepare for a career in business education was awarded to Kirby Lee.
    The U of M Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship for studies in engineering at the University of Michigan was awarded to Srilatha Eadara of Huron.
    The Dan & Adrienne Burroughs and Bill & Karen Tasch Scholarship was awarded to Spencer Johnson of Pioneer.
    The Kiwanis Business Group Scholarship for studies to prepare for a career in business was awarded to Ned Messmore of Huron.
    The Bettie Hunt Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Marriah Richardson of Roberto Clemente.
    The Rip & Judy Kinney Scholarship for studies to prepare for a career in education was awarded to Brea Haywood of Pioneer.
    The Fred & Sara King Scholarship was awarded to Marlen Cordova of Huron.
    The Former “Dean Al” Gallup Scholarship was awarded to Julia Mogerman of Community.
    The Mary Sexton & Robyn Menin Memorial Scholarship for studies in family planning and/or population issues was awarded to Will Scheiman of Pioneer.
    The Robert Barden, Sr. Scholarship was awarded to Donovan Hyter of Huron.
    The Kiwanis Business Group Scholarship for studies to prepare for a career in business was awarded to Robert Beckett of Community.
    The Wally Niemann Scholarship was awarded to Muhammed Ansari of Pioneer.
    The Cliff & Ingrid Sheldon Scholarship was awarded to LaShondra Wafer of Huron.
  • Christopher "Taylor" Proctor has been chosen for an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.  He will be presented with his appointment this June at Pioneer’s commencement ceremony.  Taylor was one of only 1,500 candidates chosen to be a cadet at the USAFA, after receiving nominations from both Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman John Dingell.  The appointment that Taylor has received is equivalent to $414,000 in scholarships.  Taylor is the son of Anne Ward, proud mother, and second grade teacher at Bach Elementary. Congratulations to both.
  • Pioneer senior Tim VanRiper was chosen as Ann Arbor.com’s 2010 Young Citizen of the Year.  Other nominees from Ann Arbor were: Sarah Juster from Community; Charlie Reischl, Community and Huron; Nickta “Nicki” Sanii, Huron; and David Shapiro, Community. Congratulations to all our outstanding young citizens.
  • The Ecology Club at Community High School was selected to work with the Huron River Watershed Council on 3-year project that teaches students scientific study of local waterways and connects their data results to community decisions. The students will evaluate the health of their local streams and develop skills to present their results and concerns to their communities. The project is funded by a generous $225,000 grant from Toyota.
  • Burns Park 3rd graders participated in the Skateboard Deck Design Contest that was a fundraiser for the Ann Arbor Skateboard Park. Design teams submitted their designs in their art classes with art teacher Kate Higgins and raised $225.00 for their skateboards at the auction on Saturday, May 15th at the Vault of Midnight Store.  All skateboards by local, national and international artists will be displayed on Saturday, May 22nd, at an art reception at the Ann Arbor Art Center from 6-8:00 pm.  All are invited to come.  The unveiling of the final concept design for the Skatepark is also on the agenda that night.
  • The Huron High School Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christopher Mark was selected to perform Thursday night as the opening musical group at the Michigan Music Conference.  (They were the only high school group selected to perform.)  The program will be on Thursday, January 20, 2011, 8:00 pm, DeVos Performance Hall.  The other performing groups are from the college level.
  • Forsythe Middle School students raised $1,077 in a Pennies for Peace fundraising drive. The money was sent to the Central Asia Institute to build schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Forsythe will raise more funds to build schools with a Benefit Night on Thursday, May 27, at Noodles and Company on State Street. If you mention Forsythe, 25% of proceeds will go to the Central Asia Institute. Thank you to Semra Koknar for organizing and overseeing the initiative, Advisory teachers who assisted with the collection, and Pat Carson, 6th grade counselor who counted all of the coins.
  • With a total of 317 Very Important Pancake Eaters and more than 1850 pancakes served, the 5th Annual Pancake Supper at Thurston was a HUGE success!  Michael Johnson coordinated the event and commented that this was by far the best turnout ever.  Special thanks to Ms. Deborah Morton, Ms. Janice Stewart, Ms. Ann Geinder, Mrs. Valerie Kelley, Ms. Stacy Smith, Ms. Ciera, Ms. Wendy Brush, Ms. David Lahey and Mrs. Patrica Manley. It was great to see  colleagues from around the district participate. Thank you for helping us Build the Bridges of Community. The Student Council will be making a contribution to a local non-profit organization by the end of the week.  Please send us the names of positive local organizations that could use some financial assistance: johnsomi@aaps.k12.mi.us
  • Haisley Elementary School held its 28th annual Walk-A-Thon last week.  Students take pledges and earn money for charity while exercising.
  • Pioneer Band Director Mr. David Leach has been elected 2010 Band Teacher of the Year by the membership of MSBOA District 12. Recipients of this award are recognized for service and excellence in the classroom, the community, and the music education profession.

Todd Roberts, Ed.D.
Superintendent