The Dryden Red and Black
December 9, 2020
Remote Learning Continues
Dryden Junior/Senior High School students have been learning remotely since the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a “Three Week Pause” on face-to-face instruction on November 15.
On Monday, a Gatherings and Face Mask order was announced which extended remote learning through December 20. Students in grades 7-12 won’t return to the building until after Winter Break on January 4.
The move to remote learning comes with an adjustment period. Eighth grader Cloey Kreiner said the biggest adjustment for her was “being able to not have distractions on your phone and turning in assignments because it is already hard to learn with a lot of assignments to do.” Another adjustment, said sophomore Lauren Abromaitis, is “probably trying to stay focused on the Zoom/Google Meet calls. It’s also difficult to understand what the teachers are teaching. Not because of them, but I feel because of the fact it’s over a computer and not in person.”
Even with the adjustments, staff and students have both found positive aspects of learning while at home. Spanish teacher Mrs. Yurk likes the modified schedule. “I think it's been a good thing for students, especially those who may have fallen behind prior to the three-week-pause,” Mrs. Yurk said. “I especially enjoy having the option of small group time after class, and have had several students take advantage of it for making up presentations, or just to catch up on socialization with myself and other students,” she added. “I can get things done faster without interruptions from other kids,” said 7th grader Cara Prusakiewicz. Most students, including Nadia Terlesky, Brady Rutledge, and Brianna Snavely, like the idea of waking up a little later than they usually do.
Everyone is looking forward to the day when we can return to the school building and be together again. Freshman Audrey Napolitano is anticipating “winter sports (cheerleading), being able to socialize and see people/ leave my house and walk around more.” Her fellow 9th grade classmate agreed. Nathan Baughman would like to “be able to see and talk to people in person.” Beyond socialization, students want to get back to schoolwork full time. “I want to go back to school so I can keep my grades up in math and science so I can get a better GPA than what I have now,” said 8th grader David Insley. “I want to learn stuff so I can get into a good college, get a good job and make lots of money,” he added.
This year has been hard on all of us, and we appreciate all those trying their best to make a positive impact despite the difficult times. “I would like to thank the teachers for all the hard work they are doing to make sure that we still have a good education in this time of crisis,” said 8th grader Matthew Ball, and we can all agree.
Though both students and staff have adjusted to the new schedule and different ways of learning, we are all putting togetherness at the top of our Christmas list.
Remote Learning Schedule for Grades 7-12
Winter Break: December 21-January 1
School Resumes on January 4
Dryden Staff and Students: What Have You Thought About Remote Learning in 2020?
Congratulations, Miya Wolff! 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist
Dryden Junior/Senior High School is proud to announce senior Miya Wolff as Lapeer County’s only 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist.
Wolff reflected on her semifinalist status while preparing for the next level of competition. “I am honored to have the opportunity to apply and be considered for such an award,” she said. “It really makes me feel proud of the hard work I've put in throughout high school to get to where I am today.”
“We are extremely proud of Miya’s success,” stated Dryden Junior/Senior High School Counselor Kimberly Fleming. “Being named as a Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a direct result of Miya’s dedication to her academic work. I look forward to working with her as we complete her application to advance to the next level.”
Mary Finnigan, Dryden Community School Superintendent and Principal of Dryden Junior/Senior High School, echoed Fleming’s thoughts. “Miya has attended Dryden Schools since Kindergarten and has been completing advanced coursework since Junior High. We’re so happy to see her reap the rewards of years of hard work, and we wish her good fortune in the next step of the competition.”
Semifinalists Announced
The names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program were announced in September. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Over 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
Senior Seminar Speakers
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ever since my sister graduated from U of M, I always wondered what it would be like to go there. I always knew that it was hard to get into and that the admissions process is very selective, but I never knew a whole lot about details about the school until the speaker talked to us.
U of M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is basically a small city instead of a campus. It is Michigan’s oldest university and it offers more than 250 degree programs that you can choose from. They have nineteen colleges within their university. Some of the most well-known programs at their college are Business Administration and Management, Computer and Information Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. They have an outstanding medical program and a great hospital. I personally applied to the University of Michigan and if I got in, I would go into a medicine related field.
They also have more than 1,600 student organizations that you can participate in. You can participate to explore new things or participate academically in leadership commitments. Most first year students live on campus in one of their many residence halls that are extremely close to the dining halls that offer anything from international cuisine to vegetarian and vegan options. The campus is also very bike friendly and you can easily get around to different places.
I think the University of Michigan is a very good school with a lot of benefits and can offer a lot to students.
Four County & Lapeer County Community Foundations
After listening to this presentation last Friday, I learned that there is a lot of free money out there for students like me trying to get into college for the fall of 202. LCCF and FCCF offer money to individuals specifically in Lapeer County, which is where I currently reside. They have a handful of scholarships for students to try and achieve and it’s not a nationwide competition like other scholarships.
Foundations like these two are very helpful for kids and students like me. It makes me feel like we are not alone, and that college debt has affected mostly everyone at some point in their lives. These people know what we are going through because they were in the same exact situation, but they didn’t have foundations like this to help them out.
The best thing about this foundation to me is that it’s very local. It really tends to the people in my town and neighboring towns. There are specific scholarships just for kids in my school, and they have those for every school in our county. This gives me and other students a unique opportunity to earn money that only we have a go at, so it makes it much easier for us to obtain scholarship money than those who don’t have this opportunity.
LCCF and FCCF provide students in Lapeer Country an easy way to access scholarship money when trying to get ready for college. Only being offered to students in Lapeer County, it gives us an advantage compared to other kids who don’t have foundations like these in their communities or counties.
Lake Superior State University
by Teagan O’Bryan
Recently, the Senior Seminar class was given the opportunity to hear from a representative from Lake Superior State University. I truly enjoyed hearing about this college and all the amazing things this institution has to offer. Ms. Lisa Davis spoke to our class about the course offerings, potential scholarship opportunities, and what makes LSSU really stand out.
LSSU really sets itself apart from other surrounding colleges by its affordability. It has been rated as one of the most cost-effective universities in the state. At LSSU, they offer several different course options over a wide range, really broadening their horizons as an institution and expanding their potential student body.
Something that really piqued my interest during the presentation was the opportunity for academic communities within the campus. This allows for students with similar interests and similar courses to house together, thereby connecting students with peers in similar mindsets as well as similar academic course loads, which can help when it comes time to study.
Between their top-notch programs and great scholarship opportunities, Lake Superior State University is definitely a great option for many students. Although I do not personally plan on applying to LSSU, I truly appreciated the inside knowledge presented, which allowed me to narrow down my search for potential colleges to apply to.
Sports
Varsity Football
by Nick Abromaitis
The Imlay City and Dryden football team's season ended October 30th with a loss to Croswell-Lexington. Let's look at the stats for that game.
Jack Kaplan: 1TD and 72 Yards
Dakota Sandzik: 58 Yards
Lance Wolford: 1 Yard
Christan Rojas: 36 yards
Julian Rojas: 45 Yards.
Good season, boys! It was played a different way this year, but the players did awesomely!
The Cardinals are on the NFHS Network!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, December 9
- WEAR IT WEDNESDAY - JERSEY DAY
- Senior Seminar Speaker - Allyson Konen - Northwood University - 11:00 a.m.-noon
- Project Graduation 2021 Meeting - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (High School Library)
Monday, December 14
- Monthly School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (Library)
It Starts In Dryden
Alumni: We need you!
We're looking for Dryden graduates of any and all years to feature on our social media pages. Fill out the form here: https://goo.gl/forms/q9aZjWENFucIyxfx1
Yearbooks for sale
These 2008-2009 or 2012-2013 Dryden High School Yearbooks can be yours for just $10 each!
Contact Kim Fleming at KFleming@dryden.k12.mi.us
Riddle of the Week
Today’s riddle: You may catch me, but you cannot throw me. What am I?
Last issue’s riddle: No legs have I to dance, no lungs have I to breathe, no life have I to live or die and yet I do all three. What am I?
Answer: Fire
Last issue’s winner: Matthew Ball
Want To Join The School Paper?
December 14, 2020
January 11, 2021
February 8, 2021
March 8, 2021
April 12, 2021
May 10, 2021
All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.,
will be held in the Dryden High School Library,
and are open to the public.
Mark Your Calendars!
Check out the 2020-2021 Dryden Community Schools District Calendar here!
Random Student Spotlight
Justin Rampe
by Lily Finnigan
Justin is an 8th grader who has been in Dryden for one year. Justin is involved in Color me Green at Dryden and is also a Boy Scout in Warren for Troop 1477. Outside of school, he likes to hang out with his friends. Justin’s favorite thing about Dryden is that it is a small town full of nice people. Justin is looking forward to making friends once he gets into high school, and after he graduates, he plans on moving out and going to college to become a biologist. Justin says the hardest thing about COVID is wearing masks. Congratulations, Justin!
Alaina Penn
by Lily Finnigan
Alaina is a Junior who has been going to Dryden since kindergarten. Alaina’s favorite thing about Dryden is that everyone is close and knows each other. She used to be involved in Dryden Volleyball, but broke her wrist and had to take a year off. Some of the things Alaina likes to do outside of school include hanging out with friends, watching Netflix, and playing with her dog Red. After high school, she plans on attending either Oakland or NYU to become a Pharmacist or a Dentist. Alaina says the hardest thing about COVID is having to stay inside. Congratulations, Alaina!
The Team
Ava DeVlaminck - Editor
Connor Wolff - Reporter
Nick Abromaitis - Reporter
Lily Finnigan - Reporter
Jason Richardson - Reporter
Email: SCzerwinski@dryden.k12.mi.us
Website: dryden.k12.mi.us
Location: Dryden High School, Rochester Road, Dryden, MI, USA
Phone: (810) 796-2266
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drydencommunityschools
Twitter: @DrydenSchools
Quote Of The Week
“Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know.”
- Pema Chödrön
Joke of the Week
How did Darth Vader know what Luke Skywalker was getting for Christmas?
He felt his presence.