The Dryden Red and Black

Happy Holidays from the Edge!

This edition of the Edge is a special one! Here is the Holiday special where we look into the different Christmas activities going on around Ed Tech, we play some festive games, an extra surprise from the teachers here at EdTech, and more.

Producer: Grace Belisle - Imlay City

Director: Kyle Swartz (North Branch) + Christina Weeks (Almont)

Anchors: Daniel Guthery (Lapeer) & Jackson Spencer (Dryden)

Reporters: Alex Stepke (Lapeer), Bethany Urbanek (Almont), Kyra Riggen (CFI), Jackson Spencer (Dryden), Rafe Buchanan (Lapeer), and Daniel Guthery (Lapeer)

by Jessica Peters

On Friday, December 2nd, our class had the opportunity to listen to speaker Wayne Haney from Farm Bureau Insurance. He told us what he does for his career as an insurance agent. For his job, he helps people get insurance plans. He was a retired teacher from North Branch High School and he ended up getting into insurance with one of his former teachers.

I found some good life things from this speaker. He told us about car insurance, life insurance, and house insurance. He told us the benefits of all of these different types of insurance and why you need them. He told us about real-life scenarios he has experienced and different types of people's situations that he has had to help get an insurance plan.

Wayne Haney also told us that in his opinion life insurance was the most important insurance there is. He told us that he likes his job because he is able to help people with different things and he gets the opportunity to help families save money. I'm glad that I got the opportunity to listen to him speak and I thought it was very beneficial. I thought Wayne Haney was a very good speaker. He spoke very well in our class and I'm glad I got to learn a lot about insurance.

Wayne has been one of my favorite speakers we have had because he shared information that I felt is important for when you grow up and have to start paying bills and you get your career started. Insurance is a very expensive thing but it is needed in life.

by Claire Wright

Did you know that there are two states in the U.S. (Georgia and Indiana) that have a town named Santa Claus?

by Audrey Napolitano

Mrs. Sisler is a junior high English and Social Studies teacher at Dryden Junior/Senior High School, as well as the varsity cheerleading coach and advisor of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club. Mrs. Sisler attended the University of Michigan and Oakland University where she earned two master's degrees in Special Education, a Bachelor's in Education for History and English, an Applied Science degree, and a degree in Physical Therapy. She also attended Mott College to earn a certification in the sign language interpreter program.

In her free time, she loves to read, paint, upcycle old furniture, and play with her dogs. She also enjoys listening to her grandson talk for hours on end about whatever his favorite thing happens to be at the time. She wants students to know that she loves to laugh and is rarely serious. She loves getting to know students so that she can talk to them about their favorite things when she passes them every day. Mrs. Sisler chose Dryden because of the school colors. Her favorite thing about Dryden is how you can connect to students and become almost like a family as the years go by because there are very few schools that provide that same opportunity. Her words of motivation for students are to believe in yourself!

compiled by Audrey Napolitano

We sent out a Google Form with three questions for all of the students at Dryden Junior/Senior High School about their favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler, their favorite memory with her, and the most valuable lesson they learned from Mrs. Sisler.

• John Tisch said that his favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler is her humor, and how funny she is. He said that she is also a very good teacher. His favorite memory with Mrs. Sisler was when he told her that she walks like Dracula, and later she started to mimic walking like Dracula. The most valuable thing he learned from Mrs. Sisler is how to walk like Dracula.

• Jase Tank said that he has known Mrs. Sisler for a while and always felt close to Mrs. Sisler since she was his sister’s teacher in high school. He said that his favorite memory with Mrs. Sisler is when his class would get done early and she would play mini-basketball with them. He said that she always finds ways to make class fun and that she really cares about her students and what they’re learning. The most valuable thing he learned from Mrs. Sisler was that things take time, and we may not get them done immediately, but eventually. He also said that he learned to fix his mistakes, and also learn from them.

• Mya Hill said that Mrs. Sisler is one of the funniest individuals in the school and always makes her laugh. Mya’s favorite memory with Mrs. Sisler was when Mrs. Sisler was making fun of her for eating her Pringles loudly because she was eating them loudly. The most valuable lesson she learned from Mrs. Sisler is to eat her Pringles more quietly.

• Caila Fitchett stated “OH MY GOSH. Where do I even start?? There are so many awesome things about Mrs. Sisler including her personality, her kindness, her patience, her humor, and literally everything else about her. She is super understanding and will probably become your best friend within a few minutes of meeting her. She is also by far one of the coolest teachers at Dryden” when asked about her favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler. She said that she had tons of amazing memories with Mrs. Sisler when she was her English teacher. The most valuable lesson she learned from Mrs. Sisler is that everyone is going through something, so you must be patient, kind, and understanding, because you have no idea what they’re going through.

• Another student said that her favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler is how willing she is to help students and explain why they got something wrong if they did. Her favorite memory in Mrs. Sisler’s class was in 10th grade when everyone was done with their projects and content assessments, so they all danced and listened to music. The most valuable lesson she learned from Mrs. Sisler is to always be kind, because not everyone’s kind, so you must be the bigger person and just be kind even when someone else may not be.

• Rilynn Lindsay said that her favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler is that she always gives good compliments. Rilynn’s favorite memory with Mrs. Sisler was when Mrs. Sisler let her present her project with her horse. The most valuable lesson Mrs. Sisler taught her is ‘if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it’.

• Ian Weier said that his favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler is how funny she is and how she gets along with people. He said that he has many memories with her throughout his English and History classes in the past. The most valuable lessons she taught him were in the 10 habits of success lessons.

• Thomas Giles said that his favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler is how understanding she is. He said that she is stern in a good way, and always prioritized his education when she was his teacher. He said that she encouraged and understood his potential even though he didn’t have much tenacity. His favorite memory or rather lesson with her was when he was about to get into a fight and she asked him if it was really worth it. He said that he had been contemplating whether it was worth it or not, and her saying that helped him realize how it wasn’t worth it. He said that he was able to calm down while talking to her as a mature teacher. He said that he had wished he had her the following years for English because she was a really amazing teacher. The most valuable lesson Mrs. Sisler taught him was to take your time, have persistence, and treat all others the same, no matter what the circumstances are.

• Audrey Napolitano said that her favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler is how kind and caring she is. She said that Mrs. Sisler always puts the time in to understand her students’ perspectives and to explain the reasoning behind something. Her favorite memories with Mrs. Sisler are when she would do the dynamics with the cross-country team before they would run. The most valuable lesson she learned from Mrs. Sisler is to always look at both sides of the situation and to be the better person by default. She also learned how to be a leader and how to be an amazing cheerleader from Mrs. Sisler.

• An anonymous student said that their favorite thing about Mrs. Sisler is that she always makes them laugh and tells them what they need to hear. Their favorite memory with Mrs. Sisler was when they would always jam out to music. The most valuable lesson they learned from Mrs. Sisler is to keep to yourself, to not start drama, and to stay out of other individuals’ business.

Thank you to Mrs. Sisler and to all of the students who gave their feedback!

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.

Staying Well through the Holidays: An emotional health workshop for teens – Saturday Dec 3, 10 and 17

Teenagers already struggling with heavy emotions may not be looking forward to the holidays. But this Saturday workshop series from the Stay Well program shows teens how to cope with holiday stress in healthy ways. If you know a teen who could benefit, pass along this registration link: https://bit.ly/3SCal3D.

Coping with Grief and Loss through the holidays – Mondays (Dec 5 and 12) and Wednesdays (Dec 7 and 14)

The holiday season can deepen feelings of grief and loss. In this Stay Well workshop series, clinical mental health counselor Zeinab Moussa discusses emotions experienced by those who are grieving, and engages participants in drawing, writing, mental exercises, and relaxation techniques to help them cope.

Register for Mondays at 6 p.m.: https://bit.ly/3U03MsK

Register for Wednesdays at noon: https://bit.ly/3NaD91O

Creative Coping – Wednesdays Dec 7, 14, 21

Children aren’t born with the ability to understand and manage emotions. They learn those skills as they grow…and our Creative Coping family workshop series can help them get started. In this 4-program series, kids and parents make fun art projects together while exploring identity, self-awareness, and emotional expression. Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/3sE4S1D.

ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUPS

Support for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Do the shorter, darker days of winter bring you down? When the seasons change, an estimated 3 million people in the U.S. experience low moods, low energy, and feelings of hopelessness. If you’re one of them, join this Stay Well discussion group to gain emotional support from other Michiganders who feel the same way. Register at https://bit.ly/3TTp6QN

Support for managing holiday stress - Thursdays at 7 p.m.

‘Tis the “season to be jolly.” But for some, the holidays bring “un-jolly” feelings of anxiety, loneliness and dread, layered upon the uncertainty of another potential COVID winter. Join this Stay Well discussion group to gain emotional support for managing holiday stress. Register at https://bit.ly/3sM0z4b

by Kaeleigh Gourieux

by Lily Finnigan

On the 13th, the Varsity basketball team played Lapeer. They lost 46 to 47. Lucia Rodriguez got 16 of those points. Ava DeVlaminck had 8. Keira Miller got 6. Lauren Abromaitis scored 5, followed by Jessica Peters and Delaney Wolle with 4 each. Rilynn Lindsay had 2, and Sophia Peter got 1.

The Varsity Girls played Carsonville-Port Sanilac on the 15th to win 45 to 19. Keira Miller got 19 points. Rilynn Lindsay gave the team 9. Lauren Abromaitis had 5. Delaney Wolle got 4. Kierstyn Stankevich, Ava DeVlaminck, Sophia Peter, and Jessica Peters all had 2 each.

by Audrey Napolitano

On Sunday, December 11th, the Dryden Varsity Boys Basketball team played against Millington High School at Little Caesars Arena in a non-league game. Dryden garnished a total of 58 points, unfortunately losing to Millington who scored a total of 73 points. The leading scorer was Jaylin Taylor who earned Dryden 15 points. He was followed by Noah Slagle who scored 13 points. Jacob Burgess earned Dryden 11 points, Sonny Coscione scored 10 points, Dylan Ledford accomplished four points, Josh Harris earned three points, and Hayden Blair earned two points. Good job on your tremendous performance during the game, boys!

The Paul Grondin Classic was held on December 16 and 17. Dryden faced Capac on Friday, December 16, and came out on the winning end of the contest by a score of 60-42. Jacob Burgess and Dylan Ledford each scored 16 points, followed by Dorian Lewis with 12. Sonny Coscione added 5 points; Noah Slagle, 4; and Joey Delmotte, 3. Hayden Blair and Jaylin Taylor each put up a pair of points. Coach John DelCampo reflected, "It was good to get our first win. We finally have our full roster and should keep improving."

In the Championship game on Saturday, December 17, Dryden lost to Brown City by a score of 41-40. Brown City's Gaden Muxlow rebounded his own missed foul shot for a basket as time expired to win the game. He made the first foul shot. "That was a tough way to lose. However, we had our chances to put the game away in the last couple of minutes and did not execute," said Dryden Coach John DelCampo. Putting up points for Dryden were Dorian Lewis with 13, Jacob Burgess with 11; and Dylan Ledford with 8. Jaylin Taylor and Sonny Coscione added 4 points each.

The Dryden Varsity Boys Basketball team’s next game will be on January 6th at Mayville at 6:00 pm.

by Kaitlynn Knuth

On December 5th, the JV girls basketball team went against Brown City. The game was a close call but our Dryden girls beat Brown City 25-23.

On December 13th, the JV girls basketball team went against Lapeer. We sadly lost but we will get them next time! Dryden girls scored 35 points and Lapeer scored 41 points.

This year, students meet in small groups with their grade level peers in 1st hour Junior High Advisory (grades 7-8) or High School Seminar (grades 9-12). Besides being a "home base" for students with a trusted teacher, these courses provide information on the Positivity Project's character strengths.

You can be a part of Dryden Junior/Senior High School history! Becoming a Yearbook sponsor is easy and affordable. Your name will live on in our 2022-23 Yearbook for generations!

Monday, December 19

2:30 PM-3:30 PM - Color Me Green - Room 153 (Mrs. Decker's room)

3:30 PM-6:00 PM - Bowling @ Capac @ Holly Meadows - bus departs @ 2:30 pm - Holly Meadows Golf Course, 4855 Capac Rd, Capac, MI 48014, USA

Tuesday, December 20

2:30 PM-4:00 PM - Homework Club - Room 133

No School from Wednesday, December 21 to Tuesday, January 3

Wednesday, January 4

Wear it Wednesday - Detroit Red Wings Day

2:30 PM-4:00 PM - Staff Meeting - High School - Library

Thursday, January 5

7:00 AM-7:15 AM - NHS Meeting - Room 331

2:30 PM-4:00 PM - Homework - Room 133

6:00 PM-9:00 PM - JV/Varsity Girls Basketball @ Mayville - Bus departs @ 4:45 pm, JV game @ 6:00 pm, Varsity game @ 7:30 pm

Friday, January 6

8:45 AM-9:45 AM - Senior Seminar Speaker - Teri Pagano, Macomb

6:00 PM-9:00 PM - JV/Varsity Boys Basketball @ Mayville - Bus departs @ 4:45 pm, JV game @ 6:00 pm, Varsity game @ 7:30 pm

Every week a different riddle will be posted in the paper for you to solve. When you think you have the correct answer, submit it to us using the feedback doc at the bottom of that week's issue, along with your name. The first person to submit the correct answer will be given a shoutout in the following week's issue. The answer to the previous riddle and the shoutout can be found under each week's new riddle.

by Ava DeVlaminck

Last week's riddle: What tastes better than it smells?

Answer: Your tongue!

The first correct answer was submitted by Cara Prusakiewicz.

This week's riddle: Where does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?

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.

by Ava DeVlaminck

How was the snow globe feeling?

A little shaken!

Check out the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 Dryden Community Schools District Calendars here!

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

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