The Dryden Red and Black
December 5, 2022
The Edge
Here is our sixth edition. In this edition, we learn how the nationwide staffing shortage is affecting our area, plus we meet the new paraprofessionals at Ed Tech. And as Ed Tech says goodbye to Mrs. Hyatt, we take a look at the impact of her 32-year career.
Producer: Kyra Riggen (CFI)
Director: Christina Weeks (Almont)
Anchors: Kyle Swartz (North Branch) & Bethany Urbanek (Almont)
Reporters: Grace Belisle (Imlay City,) Alex Stepke (Lapeer,) and Daniel Guthery (Lapeer)
Did You Know?
Did you know that if you drive to the sun at 55 miles per hour, it will take you about 193 years to get there?
Volunteers Needed
Staff Spotlight
Mrs. Kelly Dunnigan
Mrs. Dunnigan is a cook at Dryden Community Schools, cooking in both the elementary and high school cafeterias. Mrs. Dunnigan loves baking and spending time with her family and animals in her free time. Her favorite color is purple. She has a 17-year-old dog and a Clydesdale Fresian mix draft horse, and she has two sons who both graduated from Dryden; her oldest son is 32 and her youngest is 29 years old. Mrs. Dunnigan chose Dryden because the small town was where she and her husband of now 36 years were looking to raise their family. Her favorite thing about Dryden is the people because there’s always someone there for you when needed. Her words of motivation for students are to be true to yourself because it does not matter what other people think as long as you’re happy. She also said to talk to someone every day, because even saying “good morning” or “how’s it going?” makes a huge difference and allows them to have a much better day.
Students Say...
We sent out a Google Form with three questions to all Dryden Junior/Senior High School students asking their favorite thing about Mrs. Dunnigan, their favorite memory with Mrs. Dunnigan, and the most valuable lesson they learned from Mrs. Dunnigan.
Monica Kucharski said that Mrs. Dunnigan is a wonderful person and an amazing cook. She said that she has a great smile and laugh. Her favorite memory with Mrs. Dunnigan was in elementary school when Mrs. Dunnigan would call her name from across the cafeteria. Monica said that Mrs. Dunnigan helped teach her how to cook. For example, she wouldn’t have known how to make tacos without Mrs. Dunnigan.
Mya Grigg said that her favorite thing about Mrs. Dunnigan is her personality. She said that Mrs. Dunnigan is good about cheering anyone up who is having a bad day. Mya learned to be kind from Mrs. Dunnigan.
Rilynn Lindsay said that her favorite thing about Mrs. Dunnigan is how she is always happy. She said that her favorite memories with Mrs. Dunnigan were the lunches at the elementary school and going to Mrs. Dunnigan’s house with her dad. The most valuable lesson Rilynn learned from Mrs. Dunnigan is that life isn’t always as bad as it seems and to be happy.
Lauren Abromaitis said that Mrs. Dunnigan is always caring and always makes sure that everyone is loved. Her favorite memories with Mrs. Dunnigan occurred during all of elementary school. The most valuable lesson Lola learned from Mrs. Dunnigan is to love and take care of people.
Jade Insley said that Mrs. Dunnigan is the kindest person you will meet at Dryden Schools. She said that her favorite memory with Mrs. Dunnigan was in elementary school during the morning after cardinal club, she would go with her friends to see her and get some breakfast. The most valuable lesson Jade learned from Mrs. Dunnigan is to be kind to people, even if you don’t really know them well.
John Tisch said that Mrs. Dunnigan is the best lunch lady. He said that everyone was thrilled when they heard that she was going to be cooking for the high school this year, because she really cares about the students in Dryden Community Schools. His favorite memory with Mrs. Dunnigan is when she asks him to eat her food every morning. John said that he learned that breakfast is the most important meal of the day from Mrs. Dunnigan.
Thank you to Mrs. Dunnigan and all of the students who gave their feedback!
Essay Contest Opportunity
Senior Seminar Speaker
Zack Ballinger
by Addie Tresnak
On November 18, 2022, motivational speaker Zack Ballinger flew in from Atlanta, Georgia, to give a few words of wisdom to our senior seminar class. Ballinger gave us a backstory, a very inspirational one. He talked about where he came from, and how he was raised, especially mentioning he came from a small town, like ours. Because he came from such a small village, people always doubted him and his dreams. His goal was to make a lot of money, and he worked hard towards that goal, ending up attending the University of Tennessee after high school. After college, he became an extremely successful salesman, earning multiple awards at his workplace. However, due to the stress he went through at his job, he ended up losing most of his hearing but made a significant comeback as an even more successful motivational speaker, something he genuinely enjoys doing.
I really enjoyed listening to today’s speaker. Throughout my high school career, I’ve always dreaded what my future holds for me. The thought of leaving this part of my life behind has been terrifying. Ask my parents, I always talk about how much I dread working a job I hate every day for the rest of my life until I retire in my 60s and live the final ten-ish years I have left of my life doing nothing until I die. Listening to Ballinger’s speech today made me realize that it doesn’t have to be that way. While I do struggle with figuring out what I plan to do with the rest of my life, what career I want to pursue, and what college I even want to attend, it’s nice to get the reassurance that one, you don’t have to commit to something if you find out you don’t like it, and two, you don’t have to go down a career path you hate. This was another speaker who once again, helped me realize that your future isn’t something you have to dread, but something you can make great.
Give where you live!
Four County Community Foundation holds several funds that award grants directly to your local community. Grants support your schools, your museums, your food pantries, your local parks and trails and so much more. Consider donating to your Community Fund today!
Your donation will come right back to your local community.
Help wanted!
Trivia Contests
Thanksgiving Trivia Results
by Logan Korth
THE WINNERS THIS WEEK WERE MIKEY LUCIANO AND BRENDA SMITH WITH A SCORE OF 30/60
Q: When does Thanksgiving take place?
A: The Fourth Thursday of November
Q: How many calories are (on average) consumed every Thanksgiving?
A: 4,500
Q: Which of the following was NOT served at the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving meal?
A: Cranberries, corn, and mashed potatoes
Q: On average, how many turkeys are bought around Thanksgiving?
A: 300 million
Q: What is a “snood”?
A: The loose skin on a turkey’s neck
Q: Which state breeds the most turkeys per year?
A: Minnesota
FUN FACT: Only one person got this question right! (on the first try)
Class of 2023 Information
Who's Hungry?
Substitute Teachers Needed!
Dryden Cardinal Team Rosters
Varsity Boys Bowling
Coach: Kevin Shute
Matthew Livingston
Matthew Hickmott
Michael Hickmott
Tyler Biggs
Connor Wolff
Ian Weier
Sean Finnigan
Varsity Girls Basketball
Coach: Marcus Lejia
Jessica Peters
Lauren Abromaitis
Rilynn Lindsay
Sophia Peter
Olivia Stickler
Delaney Wolle
Ava DeVlaminck
Lucia Rodriguez
Keira Miller
Isabella Weier
Varsity Girls Bowling
Coach: Kevin Shute
Mikayla Fleming
Lily Finnigan
Chloe DeLoy
Kaitlynn Knuth
Varsity Boys Basketball
Coach: John DelCampo
Hayden Blair
Jaylin Taylor
Sonny Coscione
Jacob Burgess
Dorian Lewis
Dylan Ledford
Noah Slagle
Joshua Harris
David Insley
Joseph Delmotte
Varsity Sideline Cheer
Coach: Jacqueline Sisler
Audrey Napolitano
Kaitlynn Knuth
Jade Insley
Karlie Harris
Mallory Barker
Mercedes West
Alexis Godbey
Serenity Vigil
JV Girls Basketball
Coach: Marcus Leija
Keira Miller
Kierstyn Stankevich
Mya Hill
Isabella Weier
Jalynn Delmotte
Trenna Bowman
JV Boys Basketball
Coach: Matt Burgess
Hayden Blair
Jacob Buffo
Nick Abromaitis
Drew Raymond
Owen Gall
David Insley
Dedrick Freeman
Sebastian Rager
Rowan Handley
Brenden Peter
Donivic Earehart
Dain Raymond
Positivity Project
This Week: Supporting Others When They Struggle
Yearbook
Sponsorships Available
Upcoming Events
Monday, December 5
6:00 PM-9:00 PM - JV/Varsity Girls Basketball vs Brown City - JV @ 6:00 pm, Varsity @ 7:30 pm
Tuesday, December 6
2:30 PM-4:00 PM - Homework Club - Room 133
7:25 AM-10:50 AM - CPR Certification - MPR
2:30 PM-3:30 PM - Color Me Green
6:00 PM-9:00 PM - JV/Varsity Boys Basketball vs Brown City - JV @ 6:00 pm, Varsity @ 7:30 pm
Wednesday, December 7
Wear it Wednesday - Animal/Animal Print Day
2:30 PM-4:00 PM - Staff Meeting - High School - Library
3:30 PM-6:00 PM - Bowling vs Capac @ Almont Hideaway Lanes
Thursday, December 8
7:00 AM-7:15 AM - NJHS Meeting - Room 331
7:30 AM-2:30 PM - English Dept Meeting - Room 121
6:30 PM-7:30 PM - Winter Band Concert - MPR
Friday, December 9
6:00 PM-9:00 PM - JV/Varsity Boys Basketball @ Almont - Bus departs @ 4:45 pm, JV game @ 6:00 pm, Varsity game @ 7:30 pm
Riddle of the Week
by Ava DeVlaminck
Last week's riddle: There's a woman in a boat on a lake wearing a coat. If you want to know her name, it's in the riddle I just wrote. What is her name?
Answer: Theresa or Ina
The first correct answer was submitted by Michele Spencer
This week's riddle: What goes up but never comes down?
December 12
January 9
February 13
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m., will be held in the Dryden High School Library, and are open to the public.
Joke of the Week
by Ava DeVlaminck
Why did the cookie go to the doctor?
It was feeling crumby.
Mark Your Calendars!
Check out the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 Dryden Community Schools District Calendars here!
The Team
Ava DeVlaminck - Editor
Lily Finnigan - Reporter
Kaeleigh Gourieux - Reporter
Kaitlynn Knuth - Reporter
Logan Korth - Reporter
Audrey Napolitano - Reporter
Penelope Spencer - Reporter
Claire Wright - Reporter
Email: SCzerwinski@drydenschools.org
Website: https://www.drydenschools.org/
Location: Dryden High School, Rochester Road, Dryden, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 796-2266
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drydencommunityschools
Twitter: @DrydenSchools