Dear Families
It has been a great few weeks here in Highlander Nation. Our students continue to excel and earn statewide honors in various programs, and the high school Performing Arts Department is gearing up for a fantastic musical performance next month.
Last weekend several of our archery teams and archers competed at the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Program Michigan State Championship event, with one team and four individual archers coming home as state champions. Howell High School Team 1 claimed the High School 3D State Championship as a team. The individual archers earning state championship titles were Ethan Niemczewski (High School Boys 3D), Abby Mazurek (High School Girls Bullseye), Logan Long (Middle School Boys Bullseye), and Scarlett Rich (Elementary Girls 3D). We also had numerous teams and archers in the top 10 of their respective events. To view the full list of our top 10 finishers, please visit http://bit.ly/3yYB7vy.
Recently 28 of our high school DECA club members competed at the DECA state competition. The students advanced to the state competition based on their performance at the DECA district tournament. At the state competition, two of our teams claimed first place and advanced to the DECA International competition in Florida next month. Going to the international competition are Jillian Smith and Aubrey Bellenir in the Buying and Merchandising category and Jacob Clark and Elise LaCour in the Financial Services category. Five other teams were named state finalists and earned medals, one team was awarded a high role-play medal, and one student earned two role-play medals and a high test medal. To read more about these accomplishments, please visit http://bit.ly/3LNpaR0.
At their competition a few weeks ago, our high school robotics team, the S.C.O.T.S. Bots earned the prestigious Impact Award (formerly the Chairman's Award). The Impact award is the highest honor a robotics team can achieve, and our team is a frequent winner of it, which speaks to the high caliber of our robotics program. Earning the Impact Award automatically qualifies a team to compete at the state championship event, which will be held next month. On the playing field, the team ended qualification matches in 7th place. They were picked by the 4th Alliance and advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated. Team member Mary Carstensen was selected by judges as a Dean's List semi-finalist and will interview for the award again at the FIRST in Michigan State Championship event. The students who earn FIRST Dean's List Award status as semi-finalists, finalists, or winner, are great examples of student leaders who have led their Teams and communities to increase awareness for FIRST and its mission.
As we head into the final part of this school year, we are actively planning for the 2023-2024 school year. This week we finalized the 2023-2024 school year calendar. The school year calendar is negotiated with our teacher's union as part of its contract. I want to thank the District and the union negotiation teams for their hard work in quickly agreeing on the calendar. Another aspect of our 2023-2024 school year planning is accepting applications for enrollment in HIghlander Virtual. If you would like to enroll your child in Highlander Virtual for the first time, or if you would like your child to remain in Highlander Virtual for the 2023-2024 school year, please complete the Highlander Virtual Application and Consent Form. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 28.
Next month the Howell High School Performing Arts Department will present "Mamma Mia!" This hit musical is set to the music of the 70's Europop group Abba. Performances are set for April 14 and 15 at 7 p.m., and April 16 at 2 p.m. Performances will be held in the Howell High School Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors and can be purchased at https://howellperformingarts.ludus.com. To read more about the show, please visit https://bit.ly/3lBLBhd.
I hope you all have a safe and relaxing spring break.
Sincerely
Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools
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