Dear Families,
It has been an amazing few weeks for our Highlander sports teams. Last weekend, Hunter Gubeno claimed the State Championship in both the 200 and 500 Freestyle at the State Swim and Dive meet, earning him All-State Honors. Our boys basketball team ended a fantastic season today in a tough loss to Ypsilanti Lincoln in the state semifinals. This year’s team was the first Livingston County basketball team since 1927 to advance to the state semifinals. Despite today’s loss, the team and coaches should hold their heads high knowing they have made Howell history.
In other sports highlights, our gymnastics team took seventh place at their state championship, with Alyssa Murphey, Kali Lechtanski, Alyssa Weber and Reese Burnia earning All-State honors. From our varsity hockey team, Graham Hassan was named to the Division Two All-State Second Team, and Ethan Ryan earned a Division Two All-State Honorable Mention.
Our sports teams are not the only ones making headlines. All of our high school bands earned honors at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 4 Band and Orchestra Festival. Wind ensemble, concert band, and symphonic band all earned a superior rating. The Highlander band earned a high (excellent) rating. I am very proud of all of the students involved in the various bands.
Additionally, members of the Howell High School DECA club had a great showing at the DECA State Career Development Conference. Three students, Ben Hibbard, Jackson Dukes, and Michael Bonanni were named state finalists. Also at the event, Haley Smathers earned a high test score, and Ben Hibbard earned a role play high score.
Howell High School’s annual Senior Survivor fundraiser is just over a month away. This year, the Howell High School student council is creating a community-wide event to kick off Senior Survivor Week! All Howell Public Schools’ students and families are invited to the carnival on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. in the Howell High School Field House! The carnival activities will include games, inflatables, photo booth, arts and crafts, raffles, entertainment, and food. Admission is $10 per person (kids under age 3 are free), or you can buy a family pass for $30 (up to 5 family members from the same home.) An adult must accompany students in eighth grade or below. All proceeds from the carnival will go towards a scholarship in memory of Julianna Ward-Brown.
Last week, another one of our teachers was honored as a WHMI Making the Grade Winner. Last weekend our First Robotics Challenge Team the S.C.O.T.S. Bots had a great performance at their first competition of the year. You can read more about each of these items below.
Challenger Elementary’s Mrs. Calisti Named a WHMI Making the Grade Winner
Last week, Challenger Elementary fifth grade teacher Mrs. Crysta Calisti was named a WHMI Making the Grade Winner. Mrs. Calisti was surprised with the award by WHMI staff and some of her former students. Mrs. Calisti was nominated for the award by one of her former students, showing the incredible impact she has had on her students. To watch a video of the surprise, please visit https://vimeo.com/322336373.
S.C.O.T.S. Bots Had a Great First Competition
Last weekend our high school FIRST Robotics team the S.C.O.T.S. Bots had a tremendous first competition. A strong performance during qualifying matches led to the team being selected as a member of the sixth alliance in the playoff matches. Additionally, the team earned both the Safety and Entrepreneurship Awards.
Substance Abuse Prevention Educational Opportunity
Wake Up Livingston has partnered with Candle Inc. to bring the Reality Tour to our area. The Reality Tour is a parent/child drug prevention experience with a lasting impact.
The Reality Tour Includes a dramatic presentation of choices made and the consequences of a teen on drugs and coping skills to use as a family. The program is free and will be held on Tuesday, March 19, from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Livingston County EMS Building. To learn more or to register for the event, please visit https://goo.gl/c8utQo.