The Dryden Red and Black

Sean Finnigan, a senior at Dryden High School, earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program. The program celebrates the hard work of thousands of high school students nationwide to help them showcase their strong academic performance.

For the first time, the academic honors recognize first-generation students, in addition to rural and small town, Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/or Latino students. The program opens college access for more students because many institutions use the awards for their recruitment efforts.

At Dryden High School, Sean Finnigan was awarded the National Rural and Small Town Award.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing. We’re proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT® and PSAT™ 10,” said Mary Finnigan, Dryden High School Principal and Dryden Community Schools Superintendent. “There’s so much that makes our students unique, and this honor reinforces their individuality and achievements as assets for their future.”

Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify:

· Earn a GPA of B+ (equal to at least 3.3 or 87%-89%) or higher.

· PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program

· Attend school in a rural area or small town

The program expanded this year to include a fifth award. Over 35,000 students nationwide received the inaugural National First-Generation Recognition Program Award.

Every year, students can verify their eligibility on BigFuture® during their sophomore or junior year. At the start of the next school year, students receive their awards for their communities to celebrate them and colleges to recruit them as they head back to school for their junior or senior year. Thousands of nonprofit colleges and organizations using College Board’s Student Search Service™ can connect with awardees during the recruitment process to share more about their postsecondary programs.

“This year, the National Recognition Programs are recognizing more students than ever so that the outstanding academic abilities of more than 90,000 deserving students are not overlooked as they plan for their future,” said Amy Reitz, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. “We’re proud to support colleges and universities that are committed to supporting all students, and our program offers one way they can strengthen their recruitment efforts to students that will thrive on their campus.”

Stay updated on our progress with funds from the bond passed in May 2023 by using this checklist! We appreciate your continued support of our students, our schools, and our community.

by Giovonin Giganti

This week's speaker was named Tiffany, from Eastern Michigan University. She works in the EMU admissions office. She got in depth with all financial concepts when going to EMU, even covering college life on campus and requirements for when living on campus.

From what Tiffany gave us, EMU is specialized in education regarding arts; such as drawing, painting, acting, music, and theater. She also stated that your first year of tuition at EMU requires you to reside on campus for one year. Living costs were looking around the ballpark of $13,500. Their residence halls had a 200 million dollar renovation, having the newest HVAC and interior systems for their living quarters. Although they have this requirement, they have lots of restaurants on campus and just outside, ranging from Thai food to interesting bagels to eat up on.

EMU also provides student support services that help students who may have disadvantages compared to others: financial aid, food pantries, career coaches, and military resource center. The employment rate for EMU graduates is 89%, and many students have even gone to well known companies such as Ford, Detroit Lions, and even the Red Wings. Our speaker also emphasized what FAFSA is and why it is important for an expensive college career.

Tiffany was a great speaker, I appreciate her time coming to class and emphasizing why we should visit and even apply to Eastern Michigan University. I'm considering even possibly going to EMU for all their opportunities and fascinating campus activities. Applying to this school would be great regardless if I were to go or not because it branches off more opportunities for me to explore if my ideal college does not go as I thought it would.

by Lillian Wright

Rachel Chabot came out from Western Michigan University on October 24th, 2024 to speak to my classmates and me about why we should go to Western Michigan University. Chabot is the assistant counselor at Western Michigan where she attended and got her degree. She went to Western to earn her degree in education but soon realized that she would fit better within the role of being an admission counselor for the thumb area.

At Western Michigan University, there is something for everyone! From having D1 sports to being located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they have food and impressive shops for students to go to. They have everything that an individual might need to have. Students that have attended Western Michigan University have gone to the Chiefs football team and won a Super Bowl, the New York Fashion Week, and the Kentucky Derby in 2023. They are also located about halfway between Chicago and Detroit, along with being less than an hour from ski resorts and beaches (for example, Lake Michigan). Chabot also described how students get paid internships from major name-brand companies, for example: Apple, Amazon, Stryker, NASA, Whirlpool, Facebook, Ford, L’OREAL, and Microsoft. These help give students a hands-on feel of what their career would look like after college.

Overall, Chabot provided a well-presented overview on why Western Michigan University is a good university for everyone along with what degrees students could get and how they can use these degrees in real life.

Dryden Athletic Booster Meetings for 2024:

November 20

December 18

All meetings will be at 7pm in the Dryden High School Library unless otherwise specified

by Claire Wright

What’s blue and not very heavy? Light blue.

by Claire Wright

Last week's riddle:What has a neck but no head?

Answer: A bottle

Congratulations, Andrea Weiss!

You were the first with the right answer!

This week's riddle: What has hands but cannot clap?

Submit your answer below for a shoutout next week!

by Caila Fitchett

On Tuesday, Dryden faced Kingston in a close 2-3 loss, with scores of 25-13, 25-20, 25-27, 19-25, and 11-15. Keira Miller and Kierstyn Stankevich each served 21 points, with Kierstyn landing 6 aces. Maddie Gammon served 17 points with 3 aces, and Jalynn Demotte added 14 points with 1 ace. Keira Miller led defensively with an impressive 41 digs, followed by Maddie Gammon with 26. In attacks, Maddie Gammon led with 13 kills, and Mallory Barker and Kierstyn Stankevich each added 5 kills. Izzy Weier also contributed a strong 30 assists.

Then on Thursday, Dryden played Deckerville, with a hard-fought match that ended in a 1-3 loss, with scores of 21-25, 17-25, 25-17, and 14-25. Izzy Weier, Maddie Gammon, and Keira Miller each served 13 points, with 4 aces from Izzy and Maddie. Jalynn Demotte contributed 10 points and 1 ace, and McKinley Gammon added 8 points with 1 ace as well. On defense, Maddie Gammon led with 17 digs, followed by Mikayla Fleming with 11 and Keira Miller and Jalynn Demotte each adding 10. Maddie Gammon led kills with 10, and McKinley Gammon added 6, while Izzy Weier and Kierstyn Stankevich contributed assists, with Izzy tallying a notable 26.

Dryden Seniors with Coach Gall

Dain Raymond, Jacob Buffo, Sonny Coscione, Owen Gall, Thamo Trieglaff,

Drew Raymond, Preston Kuligowski, David Insley

by Logan Romain

On October 25th, 2024, the Dryden Varsity Football team went and played against Merritt Academy for their last game of the season. The final scores were 22 points for Dryden and 8 points for Merritt Academy, resulting in another win for Dryden! The Cardinals finished the season with a record of 4-5.

On the offensive side of the field, Gianni Coscione - 5/6 passing for 55 yards and 2 TD’s with 16 rushes for 123 yards; Sonny Coscione grabbed 4 receptions for 40 yards and 2 touchdowns, 15 rushes for 66 yards, and a 1 two-point rush; David Insley seized 1 carry for 1-yard touchdown and 1 reception for 15 yards; and Owen Gall captured 3 rushes for 17 yards.

On the defensive side of the field, Sonny Coscione clutched 4 solo tackles, 4 assists, and 2 interceptions; Preston Kuligowski collected 5 solo and 6 assists; Owen Gall obtained 3 solo and 5 assists; Gianni Coscione secured 4 solo and 2 assists; Dain Raymond attained 1 solo and 3 assists; Logan Korth gathered 3 solo and 2 assists.

Hunter Gall, the Head Coach of Dryden Varsity Football, “I’m proud of the way we closed out the season, it’s always good for the seniors to go out with a win. We doubled our wins from last year, and we were much more competitive, which is all you can ask for. The growth was exponential, and I’m very excited for the future of this program.”

by Cara Prusakiewicz

The Boys Cross Country team had an outstanding performance at the Region 35-4 Championship on October 26, winning the championship and qualifying for the State Finals on November 2. Leading the pack was Logan Romain, who finished 6th with a time of 17:42.67. Other notable finishes included Levi Fitchett in 13th (18:21.62), Noah Hall in 15th (18:24.13), Sean Finnigan in 16th (18:33.58), Jaycen Roberts in 21st (18:47.33), Nick Abromaitis in 22nd (18:48.70), and Dylan Lasher in 25th (18:59.58).

On the girls' side, congratulations to Cara Prusakiewicz, who earned the championship title, finishing first and breaking her own school record with a time of 19:54.51! Claire Wright also qualified for the State Finals, finishing 12th with a time of 21:38.61. Other girls' finishes included Lilyana Lasher in 27th (23:00.55), Caila Fitchett in 29th (23:09), Ivy Brown in 38th (24:59.81), and Penelope Spencer in 44th (25:51.13).

Good luck to all our runners as they head to the State Finals!

by Claire Wright

In the match against Deckerville, the JV volleyball team faced a tough defeat, losing all three sets with scores of 5-25, 21-25, and 9-15. Key players included Kayla Lapka and Hailey Messerschmidt, who each contributed 2 attacks. Brianna Snavely made a significant impact with 2 attacks and led the team with 6 aces. In terms of assists, Kayla Lapka provided 1, while Brianna Snavely added another. On the defensive side, Hailey Messerschmidt recorded 1 dig, and Brianna Snavely contributed 2 digs.

The JV volleyball team faced another challenging match against Kingston, resulting in a clean sweep of defeats with scores of 12-25, 9-25, and 5-15. Karley Phillips emerged as a key player, contributing 2 aces, 3 assists, and 3 attacks. Kayla Lapka also played a vital role with 1 ace and 3 assists. Defensive efforts were made by several players, including Karley Phillips, Claire Wright, and Elaina Yatros, who each contributed digs.

• 9:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.: Senior Seminar Speaker - David Clayton, Face Addiction Now
• 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Curriculum Meeting, Room 121
• 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.: Basketball Open Gym (Grades 9-12), Gym

• 7:10 a.m. - 7:25 a.m.: Weekly Encouragement Meeting, Library
• 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: PSAT Retesting, MPR
• 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Color Me Green, Room 153
• 6:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.: JV/Varsity Volleyball vs Peck
• JV game @ 6:00 p.m., Varsity game @ 7:30 p.m.

• All Day: Wear it Wednesday (HS) - Halloween/Orange and Black Day
• 9:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.: Senior Seminar Speaker - Justice Fowler, Michigan State University
  
• 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Junior High Halloween Dance, MPR
• 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.: Basketball Open Gym (Grades 9-12), High School Gym

• 9:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.: Senior Seminar Speaker - Amber Hadley, Macomb Community College
  

• 9:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.: Senior Seminar Speaker - Gary Campioni, Mott Community College
• 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Girls Basketball Open Gym (Grades 9-12), High School Gym

• Cross Country State Finals @ Michigan International Speedway

November 11

December 9

All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m., will be held in the Dryden High School Library, and are open to the public.

Check out the 2024-2025 Dryden Community Schools District Calendar here!

Faculty Advisor:

Ms. Sheryl Czerwinski

Editors:

Caila Fitchett & Cara Prusakiewicz

Reporters:

Logan Romain & Claire Wright

Email: Cardinal@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

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