Ubly Schools Takeover

UBLY SCHOOLS TAKEOVER

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FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

HURON DAILY TRIBUNE

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Pictured are some members of the Ubly High School Band. (Submitted Photo) (Left) First place went to senior Sadie Souva for her Prismacolor piece, “The One that Makes Me Happy.”

(Right) Third place went to freshman Katelyn Grifka for her ceramic mug creation. (Submitted Photo)

A ‘major’ achievement the 2019 band seniors accomplished and celebrated something quite remarkable.

UBLY — “Fix that wrong note, As the Ubly band quietly saxophones.” “Flutes, make sure and respectfully walked off of you’re sitting with good posthe stage at this year’s Festival ture.” “Don’t rush, percussion.” competition, all members were All of these phrases can be more than satisfied with the pasrepeatedly heard in the Ubly sion-filled performance they had band room as Band Festival just given. quickly approaches each spring.

The seniors though, felt a Every year, Mrs. Nicol and her little more anxious than the students work tirelessly to perrest about the rating they were fect their best pieces to present about to receive. On the line was in front of the judges and fellow their streak of Division I ratings members of the band commuthat began in seventh grade and nity. hadn’t been broken since.

While the entire Ubly ensemAfter the band members ble contributed to the success of patiently and nervously waited the group at Festival this year, for what seemed like eternity,

BY ANNA GREYERBIEHL Ubly High School

Second place went to senior Cheyenne Janik for her charcoal piece, “Elvis.” (Submitted Photo)

Art show

BY DANIELLE TSCHIRHART Ubly High School UBLY — The Ubly Art Department honored many students earlier this month at its annual art show.

The hallway was lined with extraordinary artwork created by students from the fifth through twelfth grade.

There was a variety of artwork on display, including paintings, drawings and sculptures made out of clay and papier-mâché.

The third-place winner was Katelyn Grifka, a current freshman with a beautiful ceramic mug.

The second-place winner was Cheyenne Janik, a current senior with a bold charcoal drawing of Elvis Presley.

The first-place winner was Sadie Souva, a current senior with a detailed Prismacolor drawing of Central Perk from the hit sitcom Friends. She called it “The One that Makes Me Happy.”

Congratulations to all of the art students on their accomplishments this past year!

Lunch Club held

by Youth for Christ every Wednesday often announce different things going on.

In my personal expeUBLY — Lunch Club rience, I have made is an activity in Ubly multiple friends through High School done every this program and have Wednesday. This event had many opportuniis helped put on by our ties because of it. Some local Youth For Christ of these opportunities program. include: traveling to I am our student lead- Florida, practicing leader and we have 30-40 ership, and opening kids come per week. doors for my future.

During this time, we This activity has been have food brought in, an amazing outreach such as pizza, by one of program in our school, our adult leaders. and it shows students While we are eating, that there will always be there is a speaker who a place for them. gives a small devotional Anyone in our high about five minutes long. school is allowed to come Speakers for this activity to this, and it is one of are students, teachers, the few places where you and different leaders will see students from from around the commu- every walk of life interact nity. with each other.

This is a great way for Just recently, we have students in our school to also started a breakfast get to know others who club on Friday mornings. are not in their grade This allows students or in classes with them. who have other obligaThis is also a good way tions during lunch to for our students to get still be plugged into the plugged into different group and have the same events going on in our opportunities as everycommunity, since we one else.

BY JOSH BRANDEL Ubly High School

Mrs. Nicol walked in the room, expression unreadable, ready to announce the results.

And when she did, everyone erupted in hugs, smiles, and tears of joy.

The sense of accomplishment and the proud feeling in the room seemed almost magical.

The seniors had received a Division I rating, completing their perfect streak as their time as Ubly band members neared its end.

Every single one of these graduating musicians will always remember the greatness they achieved with each other and the beautiful music they created together.

Change is for the best Student reflects on the transition from homeschooling to public school

appeared perfectly normal, so they just did not understand why I was homeschooled.

Well, I would always make up reasons why I didn’t go, or I would just simply say ask one of my parents to respond to the questions.

If I did tell people the truth, it

BY KATE GARNER wouldn’t be enough for them. They Ubly High School would want to know more, and I really didn’t want to explain that I UBLY — When you think about had an anxiety disorder that makes two years, it seems like such a long most everything hard. time. But it goes by in a blink of an So most of my life has been eye. somewhat strange and hard.

That’s how it seems to me when I really didn’t think that I would I think about my decision to attend be able to go to school, but I knew Ubly High School. that I really wanted to go. One Looking back, I don’t really know day, I was talking to my brother, why I wanted to go so bad. I was and he said that I should just try it. homeschooled for about seven My brother put in my head that it years and I was good with it. In fact, would be easy, and that I would be I very much liked it, but I always fine. I’m so glad that I have such a wondered what it would be like to good and caring brother because if go to a public school.

I didn’t, I don’t think I would have It’s not like I was all that closed enrolled in Ubly High School. minded about public school. In fact, The rest of the summer consisted my dad is a public school teacher, of me preparing myself for school. so I would hear things from him, I was somewhat scared, but I was and most of my friends went to doing it. So, when it came for us public school. My brother had to go to school, I was ready. Yes, I decided to go to Ubly the previous was sad that I wouldn’t be homesyear. chooled any more, and I would be I did really want to go, but I moving from my childhood home, didn’t think it was possible. When but I was so ready for the change. people asked me about why I My first day at school was overdidn’t go to public school, I had I whelming but good. I was what hard time telling them. To them, I you would call your basic homes-

chooled kid. I was new to everything and I was somewhat clueless.

Over the two years I went to Ubly, the change had its Kate Garner ups and downs.

Let’s just say there are some very wonderful people at Ubly. I have met so many good friends here and have had so many wonderful teachers who really do care about my education.

One of those teachers who really made a difference in my life is Mr. Nicol. He has done so much for me and my family. Without him, I don’t think I would be able to graduate. I owe him a lot and I won’t ever be able to thank him enough.

Over the two years I have been at Ubly, I have learned a lot about life. When I think about my old life or when people ask me if I miss it, I do of course, but change is necessary. Without change, we wouldn’t grow. We would just stay the same, and we are meant to change.

FFA Chapter has a rich history many, FFA is the highlight of these golden years.

From leadership competitions, to convention sessions, FFA memUBLY — Eight years ago, Chey- bers everywhere feel the impact enne Porzondek sat at a table in of the organization. This group of the multipurpose room of Ubly students is no different.

High School. Her brother was in They have competed, all the the same position she is currently: way up to the national level. They A senior FFA officer in his last year have attended conventions from of service. here in Michigan to down south in Cheyenne watched the team say Kentucky. They have traveled as conduct its opening ceremonies, far away as Disney World. The best unaware of the impact the words memories, though, were made would have on her years later. As right here, in the Ag. Room — in the banquet came to its close, tears their home. welled in the eyes of the outgoing After high school, they all have seniors. This display of emotion plans for the future of themselves. was confusing to her as an elemen- That being said, the future of tary student. agriculture will never leave their Now, though, after years of FFA hearts. service, it makes complete sense.

Some members have decided to The Ubly FFA has an astonishdedicate their lives to agriculture, ing 150-plus members. Of them, 19 while others will carry their leaderare seniors. ship skills into whatever pathway High school is often described they decide. as the best years of your life. For Their passion, developed here

BY AMBER ESSENMACHER AND CHEYENNE PORZONDEK Ubly High School

at Ubly, will be ongoing. Their love for this organization is undeniable.

For them, nothing compares to the FFA. As they part ways, they have one thing to say to their advisors, fellow members, teams, and the organization as a whole: Thank you.

Thank you for being the best teachers of many strengths that now define them. Thank you for building their courage and abilities. Thank you for not only believing in the future of agriculture, but in the future of the youth involved.

Thank you for opening their minds and their hearts to the world of agriculture.

Most of all, thank you, Ubly FFA, for being a family. Even when this group grows old, they will forever bleed blue and gold.

These students may be turning a page in the story of their lives, but they will never forget the “chapter” that built them.

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FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

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Production note: It may change your life

BY ANNA GREYERBIEHL Ubly High School UBLY — The curtains opened. The lights went up. It was my time to shine.

A timid freshman version of myself walked out onto the stage to speak the opening line of the Ubly drama department’s production.

With the lights beaming down and my palms sweating, all I was focused on was presenting my best to the countless faces staring back at me. Little did I know that in that moment, I was falling in love with drama and slowly morphing into the person I have become today.

When I attended my very first drama club meeting in ninth grade, I was quite intimidated.

I quietly sat in the back of the room and let the veterans do all of the brainstorming about that year’s production. Soon after this initial meeting, I was cast in my first role: An anxious teacher named Ms. Pixley. It seemed easy enough, but I had no idea the challenges that would lay ahead.

At practices, I was constantly told to project my voice and hide my nervous habits. It seemed that no matter what I did, there was always something the directors wanted to change about my acting.

They were always critiquing and telling me what I could do better.

Though I despised these comments at the time, they were what allowed me to grow, not only as an actress, but as an individual.

By the time my first show came around, I was certain that I was going to make many mistakes

The Ubly sixth grade and student council encourages you to reduce, reuse and recycle. (Submitted Photo)

Reduce, reuse and recycle

BY HAILI GUSA Ubly High School

Pictured are some members of Ubly’s Drama Department.

(Submitted Photo) on stage. I completely doubted myself, but as they say, the show had to go on.

I took a deep breath and confidently — (or as confidently as I could) — made my way onto the stage.

Before I knew it, my cast members and I were bowing for the congratulatory audience before us.

The feeling of pride and accomplishment I felt when the show was over was something I knew I could never give up, and the following year, I couldn’t wait to make my way to drama practice.

Since my first year as an Ubly drama member, I have changed and grown tremendously.

No longer am I the shy girl who has to wear a microphone to be heard.

I am the loudest voice on stage, moving and speak-

ing confidently with each line I deliver.

Not only am I confident in my acting, I am confident in myself and who I am because of the wonderful person drama club has created of me.

Before my final production, I shed a few tears as I waited backstage for the start of the show. Never again would I step foot on the Ubly stage and perform for the audience that filled the gym.

I let myself take in the moment, reminiscing on all of the memories I had created during my time in drama club.

After pulling myself back to reality, I prepared to speak the opening line of the play, just as I had my very first year.

All of a sudden, the curtains opened. The lights went up. It was my final time to shine.

UBLY — Recycling is important to Ubly Community Schools.

The sixth graders, taught by Mrs. Courtney Dekoski and Mr. Jason Harris, play a huge role in the school’s recycling program.

These helpful sixth graders are each assigned a classroom. Every Friday, these students empty the recycling bin found in their respective classrooms.

Items that can be put in these recycling bins include cardboard, paper, plastics #1 and #2, returnables pop cans and bottles. The cardboard, paper, and plastics are put in the trailer and delivered to Thumb Industries. The returnable pop cans and bottles put in the bins are given to the Ubly Robotics Program.

Mr. Moses Garner, the student council advisor, and Haili Gusa, a member of student council, wanted to promote recycling in the school.

This thought occurred to Gusa after she saw people throwing out paper and other recyclables.

At Ubly, it was widely considered common knowledge that paper and cardboard could be recycled, but few students knew that plastics and returnables could be put in the bins.

Gusa set out to change this.

She put this information on the school’s announcements and created posters (from recycled paper) to inform the students and staff of what could be recycled.

As a thank you for all the effort that the sixth graders put into recycling, Garner and Gusa rewarded them with an ice cream party.

All the sixth graders who helped were given an ice cream sandwich and thanked for their help.

Since the posters had been put up around the school, the amount of plastic being recycled has increased.

The Ubly sixth grade and student council encourages you to reduce, reuse and recycle!

Unplanned Review

BY HAILI GUSA Ubly High School UBLY — The movie Unplanned was an impactful, but intense movie.

The movie is based on a true story highlighting a woman who worked at Planned Parenthood, until one eventful day that changed her mind, and now she is a huge prolife advocate.

The movie held your attention and offered a moving message of life.

The movie uncovered some of the

behind-the-scenes business of the abortion industry. The movie is rated R for the inherent violence of the issue the movie covers.

There is blood, but unlike a gory horror movie, this movie tackles real issues.

Regardless of where you stand on this issue, it is worth viewing this movie.

Unplanned is highly recommended.

It covers an important issue in today’s society and will get you thinking.

STEM opportunities make Ubly unique

BY REBECCA PARTICKA Ubly High School UBLY — Ubly Community Schools offers students several opportunities to explore their interests.

We have an array of sports, strong visual and performing arts programs, and an assortment of clubs and organizations.

But the STEM opportunities at our school is definitely what makes Ubly unique.

Our school offers a variety of science and technology classes. Students can take courses on physics, chemistry, computer principles, veterinary science, botany, and biology.

Classes that are unique to Ubly are mechatronics and media technology.

Mechatronics combines the skills learned in a traditional

woodshop class with modern engineering basics. Students learn how design C.A.D.s, use a 3D printer, read a micrometer and a caliper, and how to program a C.N.C. router.

Media technology is a course designed to teach students about video editing and broadcasting. The students in that class create commercials and skits and broadcast them along with our daily

announcements on Facebook Live (Our page is called Ubly Media Class).

At Ubly, students can also explore STEM through extracurriculars. Our FFA program offers our students a chance to discover agricultural sciences, and the technology applied to it. The best example is our greenhouse. Students study the plants they grow. They have also developed an auto-

mated drip system to water the plants.

Ubly also hosts three robotics teams: Vex IQ, which is designed for elementary students; and Vex EDR and F.I.R.S.T. (For Recognition in Science and Technology) for junior high and high school.

Students learn the fundamentals of engineering and programing along with other important skills like commu-

nication and time management.

The STEM classes and extracurricular activities are important part of our school. Science and technology careers are growing in demand. The opportunities to discover science and technology at Ubly introduces students to STEM jobs and inspires them to continue exploring the field beyond high school.

Academic All-Conference Awards lette, Sandusky, Capac, and Ubly schools. The west conference consists UBLY — On Thursday, of Bad Axe, Lakers, USA, April 25, five seniors Cass City, Reese, Caro, from Ubly were honored and Vassar schools. as a part of the east acaThe teams are creatdemic conference. The ed from a formula of a conferences are divid4.0 max GPA and SAT ed east and west, with score. The top five stueach side consisting of dents from each school, the same schools as the according to the formula, sports’ conferences. are ranked in order and In the east conference awarded. are the Brown City, MemSeniors Ryche Rogphis, Harbor Beach, Mar- genbuck and Kelsey

BY KELSEY KNOBLOCK Ubly High School

Knoblock were awarded first team all conference.

Bethany Gornowicz, Joshua Brandel, and Anna Greyerbiehl were awarded as second team all conference.

This year the awards banquet was held at the Cass City golf course.

With this being the location, this year’s students were happily surprised to see the retired Athletic Director from Ubly, Mr. Delamarter, who was

there to golf.

At the banquet, school principals and the students each enjoyed a meal, and then each student was recognized one school at a time.

Each student shared where they will be attending college in the fall and their planned area of study.

Next year, Lakers will host the banquet.

Congratulations to these seniors!

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Media Class Produces MRWA Commercial

BY MADELYN PEPLINSKI Ubly High School

Teamwork Creates Unique Yearbook

BY MADELYN PEPLINSKI Ubly High School UBLY — While being part of the Ubly Yearbook team has proved to be extremely beneficial, there are numerous challenges that accompany it as well.

Many of the events that our team has to photograph are scheduled events. Therefore, if none of our students are able to be there to take pictures, it becomes a missed opportunity that cannot be repeated. Along with these scheduled events, the behindthe-scenes magic is what really makes being a part of this team so important.

Designing the yearbook is a very meticulous and time-consuming job.

When designing different pages within the yearbook, it is most important to include everyone as well as making sure dates, names, and sport records are accurate.

Not everyone within the school is involved in an extracurricular activity so our yearbook staff has created the perfect opportunity for students in the school to still be included within the yearbook.

Throughout the yearbook, as a team we have designed multiple “fun pages” that are made to include as many people as possible as well as showcase our students personal interests and hobbies.

This year one of our “fun pages” is our Self Expression page. This page was created to showcase the hobbies or activities that students participate

in outside of school. Without our team members working toward one goal to finish our yearbook on time, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish the end goal in mind.

Our yearbook staff this year consists of all first-year students with the exception of me being a second year student. For this reason, I was chosen to be the editor to help guide fellow students and to assist in designing pages.

While it has been a pleasure serving as the yearbook editor this past year, I am extremely excited for next year’s newest editors, Rachel Leppek and Danielle Tschirhart, to lead the class.

They have both proven to be exceedingly hardworking and conscientious.

Through all of our hard work, we have created a unique yearbook this year that also includes a brand new augmented feature.

Our augmented yearbook allows students to scan a special code on certain pages of the book with a device that then directs them to many more photos specific to that event that could not be included in the yearbook itself.

Students have the opportunity to see more photos than ever before and our staff is especially excited to introduce this to our buyers.

Print media has become an important part of my day and my life. We are not only a group of students, we are a team.

I couldn’t be more excited this year to reveal our final product to the rest of the school.

Ubly Track captain pens article

BY JOSH BRANDEL Ubly High School UBLY — The Ubly High School Track team is comprised of 12 members and I am our captain this year.

Although our team is smaller than usual, we are still having a lot of success. Although we have not won a meet yet, many of our athletes are medaling in and even winning events.

We have a fairly young team this year, with only five upper classmen, so it has been fun trying to

show them the ropes and mentor them.

We have practice every day after school for about an hour and a half, and we are scheduled to have about two meets per week. Many of our athletes have set personal records at the meets we have gone to.

Track is one of those sports where you are competing individually, but you are also competing as a team.

As a result, we have been trying to develop ways for our team to grow closer. We have

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done this by playing different games at practice, scheduling days where we hang out as a team, and just goofing around with each other in general.

This is the most fun I have had in a track season in all of my four years, and I believe it is because of the team we have. Our team likes to have fun, but when it comes down to it, we know how to get things done.

I am proud to be a member of the Ubly track team.

UBLY — At Ubly Community Schools, we students are offered the opportunity to be a part of the Media class.

This class consists of broadcasting live daily announcements to our student body and creating funny videos to put on the announcements. While this class has offered my fellow classmates the ability to express ourselves, this year, we were given an extra opportunity to create a commercial for the Michigan Rural Water Association.

Every year, this company allows high school students to create a commercial to have the chance to win money for their Media class as well as the winning students themselves.

My group — which consisted of Kelsey Knoblock, Rebecca Particka and William Spicer —created our own commercial to submit for the competition.

Our first challenge as a team was to think of a concept for our video.

After going back and forth with

ideas our media teacher, Mr. Stewart Kieliszewski, helped our group create our concept that would later be known as “ the water police.”

One of the many guidelines included was to create this commercial within 45 seconds. This proved to be extremely difficult for my group, as we had filmed almost 10 minutes of footage! After a couple days of editing, we were able to send our video in and were very hopeful that we might win the competition.

Months later, we finally received the news back that my group had indeed won the Michigan Rural Water Association video contest.

We were invited to travel to the Grand Traverse Resort to attend the company’s annual banquet to receive our award.

While at the banquet, we received $1,500 for our media class and each student in my group received $250.

While I was extremely grateful for this opportunity, I am also very grateful for the lesson it taught me.

Ubly Community Schools might not be the biggest school, but we are still able to work together to complete and achieve our goal.

Microsoft Teams incorporated into classroom activities Teams allows students to easily navigate through each class hours information and work. Their schedule is simplified, and it is nearly UBLY — Microsoft Teams has impossible to be unorganized as been incorporated into the daily classroom activities at Ubly Schools. it fetches the assignment for you because it recognizes the stored This program allows teachers name and that it was downloaded to upload assignments and other from the assignment. Classes can important information into each also collaborate on projects by sharclass period that they have. The ing opinions and information on a students that are signed up with chat-based format in the classroom their class can see everything that tab. Classroom discussions have is posted and submit their finished been able to span further and stuassignments directly back through dents can help each other outside of Microsoft Teams. the physical classroom.

The way Teams works is through Ubly has tried to utilize mulOffice 365 powered by Microsoft tiple different programs into the and using a cloud-based software, classroom that would make the meaning the files and documents new iPads even more productive are stored in the virtual cloud. and help to keep students stay on Teams is linked to all other Microtask with their classes by having all soft programs, such as Word and assignments and due dates readily PowerPoint, keeping everything available to access. seamless and properly formatted.

BY ISAAC BOOMS Ubly High School

From high school seniors to certified nursing assistants

BY MCKENZIE STOMACK Ubly High School BLY — The Huron Intermediate School District offers a wide range of technical skills program for all different types of students throughout the county.

Many of these programs offer certification at the end of the twoyear program or on the job training during the program.

Ubly seniors Madelynn Bukoski, Anna Messing, Natalie Pallas, Alexis Pionk, Brooke Ritter and McKenzie Stomack are taking full advantage of the Certified Nursing Assistant Certification offered by the health sciences program.

The course began in January the week after mid-term exams. Students studied in class for half days three or four times a week.

In class, students reviewed key concepts from the textbook, answered questions from a textbook related workbook, practiced clinical skills, and were quizzed over every

chapter. Some clinical skills the students had to perform at satisfactory level were hand washing, positioning patients, bathing, feeding, and range of motion exercises.

In the last week of April, students were able to begin their clinical rotations at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe. During clinical rotations, students get to practice the clinical skills they learned in class on patients.

Once the students are finished and perform all their clinical skills, they will have to take a final exam to obtain there CNA training certificate.

After students take the final exam, they must take a state test. The state test consists of two parts: a written portion that tests the general knowledge of a CNA and a clinical portion. The clinical portion is judged by proctors who pick out a certain clinical skills for the CNA to demonstrate.

Good luck to the Ubly seniors on their CNA final exam and their state test!

Pictured before their CNA clinical rotation are Ubly seniors, from left, Madelynn Bukoski, Alexis Pionk and McKenzie Stomack.

(Submitted Photo)

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Ubly Community is AddisonStrong

BY MCKENZIE STOMACK Ubly High School UBLY — Cancer hit close to home when one of our sixth grade Bearcats was diagnosed with cancer in February.

Addison Stomack, daughter of Chris and Brenda Stomack, was diagnosed with stage 3 Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Addison’s treatment involved two surgeries to remove all visible signs of cancer and chemotherapy. Chris and Brenda went to Facebook to ask for prayers for their youngest daughter, but they received so much more.

Along with a new hashtag, #AddisonStrong, the community’s heart poured out with support and compassion toward the Stomacks. Within two days after Addison’s diagnosis, friend of the family, Katie Helewski, and Addison’s aunt, Bonnie Irvine, had taken on the responsibility of planning a benefit dinner in honor of Addison. The

money raised from the benefit dinner went to the family to help defray medical costs, travel expenses, lodging, groceries, etc.

The #AddisonStrong benefit was held April 13 at the Ubly Fox Hunter’s Club.

Dinner included spaghetti, beans, corn, bread, salad, and desserts. All the kids loved the special visit during dinner from Donald Duck, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse that was donated by Rainbow Connections. About 1,245 people were served dinner between the fivehour time span. But that does not account for all the people that didn’t eat and just came for the bake sale, bucket raffles, silent auction, and live auction. Over 300 items were donated by corporations, businesses, organizations, and community members. Carrie Mausolf, from Hillside Barber, Styling, and Tanning, was also at the benefit providing her services by putting teal colored extensions in hair.

Randy Brown from Randy’s

Hunting Center had set up several games including a Mystery Blind and Gun Raffles.

It is estimated that over 2,000 people attended the benefit.

“I was overjoyed and overwhelmed with the community support for Addison,” stated Katie Helewski. “The amount of people offering help of any kind before and during the benefit, the donations that were received locally and from across the country,

it was truly amazing. I’m beyond proud of how our small community came together to support the Stomack family. I am glad I was able to be a part of such a successful benefit in honor of Addison and I am glad I was able to be a part of all that.”

The Stomack family would like to thank the 140 volunteers who worked, all the people that donated to the benefit, and everyone that came to support Addison.

It was truly enjoyable to hang out with my class and teach them a sport I love. I taught them the only way I knew how from my own coaches.

UBLY — Powder Puff Football Eventually we had a whole playbook, here at Ubly was an event that I will and Nathan Partika made up a really remember for a very long time. good defense for the girls to use. We When I was asked to be a coach felt like we had a pretty good chance, for Powder Puff, I immediately said and the record shows. The last two yes. Knowing that I would like to be years, we have won the championa coach someday when I’m older, ship in two really close games.

I thought it would be an awesome It was really nerve-racking coachexperience for me to try it out.

Coaching a group of girls who have ing in a close game because you felt like your one decision impacted the never played a sport before sounds game. really difficult. I guess I didn’t really Coaching Powder Puff also made know what I was getting into, but it me realize what my own coaches wasn’t stressful at all.

BY ETHAN LEMKE Ubly High School

deal with day in and day out. It was an absolute riot to be able to coach Powder Puff, and I’m glad Ubly allowed us to have such an enjoyable event.

The boys of fall UBLY — For other Ubly alumni and I who have come through Ubly, we would give almost anything to play just one more snap. Four out of the five days, practice was always rough. But on Friday, it was game day and that’s all that mattered.

Friday’s during the fall were a feeling that will stick with me till I’m old and grey. Being able to put on your shoulder pads and

helmet, going out in front of your hometown, and battling against your opponent is an indescribable feeling that only those who played could understand.

Not only has football given me a number of endless memories and feelings, it has shaped me to be the man I am today.

Football here has taught me how to deal with ups and downs, wins and losses, adversity, and so much more.

To say that I have been lucky to play football here

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UBLY — Haili Gusa was elected to be the Michigan FFA Association State President on Friday, March 8.

She is the first state president from Ubly, and the first female president from Huron County. In addition, Haili is the seventh person from Huron County to become state president throughout the 91-year history of the Michigan FFA Association.

Earning this title was no easy task, as it entailed hours of preparation, practice, and interviews.

Haili had to go through several rigorous interviews at various levels. The first step was Regional State officer interviews, where three of our region’s finest members were chosen to advance to the state level.

The State level interview was more of a challenge. It included tests, formal and informal interviews, and being observed as she interacted with other candidates. This occurred over a three-day period, putting into perspective how intense the judging is for determining state office, let alone state president.

After this, the interviewing committee slated Haili and another FFA member into the President/Vice President position, meaning she would become State President or Vice President, depending on votes. The candidates must present a one-minute speech and answer questions in front of three delegates from each of the 118 chapters in the state. This was the final level in achieving state president. Next year, she will lead 8,000 FFA members, visit many of the chapters throughout the state, and facilitate workshops.

This is not the first time Haili has made history. In eighth grade, she competed in the Creed Competition, advancing all the way to the National Level. Haili was the first-ever national contestant in the history of the current advisor, Melissa Kramer.

She has competed in many other contests at the national level, including Greenhand Conduct of Meetings, Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management, and she will compete in Extemporaneous Public Speaking this fall.

Congratulations to Haili on all of her FFA accomplishments, and we are proud to have her as the Michigan FFA State President.

BY BETHANY GORNOWICZ Ubly High School

and have success with the program would be an understatement.

I find myself truly blessed to be able take a ride on this crazy rollercoaster that taught me so much

dren who we are going to shop for.

The more money we raise, the more money we are able to spend on each family.

UBLY — Every year, Ubly High This past December, we supported Schools student council, class repre12 families, and within those families, sentatives, and the National Honors there were 47 kids. Thanks to all of the Society join together for an event students and advisors within our high called Adopt-a-Family.

Adopt-a-Family is an event that hits school, we were able to supply every close to home to many of us within the single family and child with the basic Ubly Community. It is a way of giving necessities and gifts for each child to open Christmas morning. back to our community in a touching One unique thing about this event is way. that none of the students participating When December rolls around, many members of our respected orga- know what family they are shopping for. They just know the gender and the nizations within school raise money age of the children. From there, each for our beloved event: Adopt-a-Famstudent uses their best judgment on ily. what the child may want, depending if Our monetary goal is determined the child requested specific gifts. by the amount of families and chil-

Sales & Service

Haili Gusa named Michigan FFA Association state president

Ubly students make it on the Tribune Top 50 about myself and other parts of life.

Thank you, Ubly football, for everything you’ve done for my life and so many others. It has truly been great.

Ubly students help Adopt-A-Family

BY AMANDA WEAVER Ubly High School

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BY BETHANY GORNOWICZ Ubly High School

Teaching the game I love

BY ETHAN LEMKE Ubly High School

DAYNAMEHERE, FRIDAY,DAYLESSHERE MAY 17, 2019

UBLY — This year, the Ubly High School graduating class of 2019 made a statement when it came to being compared to the rest of the seniors of Huron County.

We had 11 students on the Tribune Top 50, which was put on by the Huron Daily Tribune, sponsored by Saginaw Valley State University, McLaren Thumb Region Hospital, Mid Michigan Community College, and Delta College. Our class only has 54 graduates, meaning that 20% of our graduating class was a part of the Tribune Top 50.

The Tribune Top 50 is a ranking of students from in and around Huron County. Some of the schools that students were honored from were Bad Axe, Harbor Beach, North Huron, Deckerville, Caseville, Owengage, Unionville-Sebawing Area, Ubly, Cass City, and Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Lakers. This is based on GPA and SAT score.

This was the first year that the Huron Daily Tribune hosted an awards banquet for this honor.

The students and their families attended the dinner at the Franklin Inn in Bad Axe. There was also a guest speaker, Shelly Ginter Conrad, who spoke about the journey through life while relating it to mountain climbing, which Conrad participates in.

Kelsey Knoblock was ranked second overall.

Ryche Roggenbuck placed seventh. Bethany Gornowicz was 12th. Joshua Brandel received 13th.

Anna Greyerbiehl placed 16th. Cheyenne Porzondek was 23rd. Haili Gusa received 30th. Isaac Booms placed 33rd. Arisa Osentoski was 35th.

Sadie Souva placed 40th. McKenzie Stomack was 48th.

Congratulations to all who received this prestigious honor for their academic success.

LAURIE MESSING

Certified Public Accountant 2201 Main St., Ubly 989-658-8525 • 989-658-8528 lauriemessing@sbcglobal.net

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FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

HURON DAILY TRIBUNE

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Cafeteria Creativity

BY ANNA GREYERBIEHL Ubly High School

‘Truss’ the Process

BY ANNA GREYERBIEHL Ubly High School UBLY — We live in Michigan. Do you know what that means?

Unpredictable and unexpected weather.

No one would have ever guessed that schools around the area would have snow days numbering in the teens this winter. Despite this loss of in-class learning time, six seniors in the Ubly physics class made the most of the time that they did have together and were able to accomplish something that they all could be extremely proud of.

Students enrolled in the Ubly physics class this year were given the opportunity to create a deck-arch truss bridge for the MDOT/TRAC Bridge Building Competition. The class split into teams of three and began this project by brainstorming design ideas.

After much thought, the students were ready to put their designs to the test (or so they thought).

When the supplies arrived, the teams were quite shocked to see that they were only given a bundle of balsa wood and a bottle of glue.

How in the world were they going to make a bridge out of that?

The physics students were determined to not let this initial setback stop them though.

Months of hard work, snow day conflicts, building, and accidentally gluing wood to tables, went by, and before they knew it, the students were receiving their competition admittance results.

Two of the senior teams from the Ubly physics class had moved on to the next level.

Once these students had perfected and put the finishing touches on their competition presentations and bridges, it was off to Grand Rapids to show the judges their final products.

As they woke up on competition morning in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, the admitted team members were filled with excitement and nerves about the day ahead of them.

After a buffet-style breakfast in the ballroom with the numerous other high school bridge teams, the students were more than ready to compete.

Both Ubly teams gave their presentations about their design and building process confidently, receiving wonderful comments from the judges.

While their bridges didn’t hold as much weight as some of the highest scoring groups, the Ubly students were thrilled with what they had accomplished.

All of the seniors that competed were left with new knowledge of architecture and design and fun-filled memories they had created through this project.

Ubly Senior class goes on SVSU/Delta trip

BY CASSIE HOLDWICK Ubly High School UBLY — The Ubly senior class went on a college visit back in the fall.

They were given the choice to go to Saginaw Valley State University or Delta Community College.

The college visit consisted of a tour through the school of their choice.

They also got to ask any questions that they had about the school or about the class themselves.

The students who went to SVSU got to tour the whole school and then also got to see a dorm room.

Additionally, they got to ask questions to the tour

guide, who was a current student of SVSU. At Delta Community College, the students were separated into three separate groups. Each group had a specific focus: Tech trades, broadcasting, and health sciences. They got to walk around the school and learn more about the group they picked.

This trip gave the students an opportunity to see what the school has to offer, and they got to explore different careers to of interest.

This trip was a great opportunity for students, and it was very eye opening as to what the different colleges had to offer.

UBLY — The cafeteria is traditionally a place for students to eat, socialize, and re-energize after hours of hard work.

While artwork may not typically be found in a lunchroom, Andrea Grifka decided to change that.

She took her skill and determination to make Ubly a better place and created a beautiful mural that is now visible on the wall of the Ubly cafeteria for all to see.

Andrea was more than happy to be interviewed about her work so that others know exactly the ideas, time, and dedication she put into her mural.

Why did you decide to paint the mural in our cafeteria rather than somewhere else?

“I decided to paint the mural in our cafeteria for mainly three reasons. First off, the construction should not affect it. (If I was going to paint it, I wanted it to not get destroyed right away). And secondly, it is a place where many students gather for lunch, sports banquets, and other events. Lastly, there was not a lot of colors and art already in the Lunch Room/Multipurpose Room.”

What inspired your design idea?

“The extra curricular activities and sports inspired my designs.

I wanted to create art that would represent the positive impact

mural was finally complete?

“I feel so happy to know that I was able to paint something that represents what makes our school so special! It has been an honor to be able to paint something that represents something so much How did you choose the more than just a ‘sport’ or a ‘club,’ symbols that would represent but rather something that gives each club/organization? students an opportunity to feel like “I chose symbols that commonly they belong. Peeling the tape off represent these extra curricular was so rewarding, finally being able activities or are commonly recogto see the finished project, especialnized as relating to these activities.” ly after working on this for so long.

The response from everyone in the What was your painting school and community has been process? amazing. I am so thankful for all of “My process began by planthe assistance I received from Miss ning, lots and lots of planning.

Leslie, from advising me and givI first had to sketch out a small ing me advice to taking the time to scale drawing of what I wanted supervise me while I worked on the the mural to look like. Then, I mural! I also am so thankful that began by gathering supplies and Mr. Warner and the administration then started drawing the design allowed me to paint the mural. I on the wall with assistance from am also so appreciative for a fellow a projector that I was able to student of mine that assisted me use to project my scale drawing in the process of taping. It was also on to the wall. I then began the wonderful to have the help of others tedious task of painting, which to critique my work and offer sugtook many hours. I spent a lot of gestions to help improve it. Without time adding details and value to these wonderful people, I wouldn’t make the painting really come have been able to paint this mural. I to life.” would also like to say a huge thank you to anyone who complimented How long did this take you my mural, your kind words have to complete this project? been much appreciated!”

“This painting took me about two All of the students, staff, and and a half months to complete. It administration at Ubly are so very took me longer than expected due proud and appreciative of Andrea’s to practices occurring in the lunch wonderful artwork. We are all cerroom/multipurpose room.” tain that this mural is going to be admired by many in the years to How did you feel when the come. that these activities have on the students, as I have watched these activities impact students first hand. I also wanted to represent each activity Ubly offers that makes our school unique.”

Leaving a mark where we park

BY ANNA GREYERBIEHL Ubly High School UBLY — Each and every week, Monday through Friday, the Ubly high school students arrive to school, scanning the parking lot for the closest spot they can get.

No one wants to trudge from the far end of the lot in the rain, snow, or any other crazy Michigan weather.

At the start of this 2018-19 school year, the Ubly seniors were offered a creative opportunity to avoid the hassle of their typical morning routine.

For only $25, the members of the 2019 graduating class were able to “rent” a parking space for the entirety of their final year as a Bearcat.

The only way to claim this spot completely as their own, though, was to paint a design on their space.

Once the seniors paid their fee — which was set in place to cover the expenses of paving over the spots for next year’s seniors — the fun began!

The students quickly collected their paint supplies and met at the school on a fall weekend to start working on their masterpieces.

Ideas were bounced back and forth between friends until everyone had a design that was com-

pletely their own.

The challenging part, though, was getting those ideas onto the pavement.

There was paint spilled and stepped in, leaves blown onto the parking lot from the wind, and images that didn’t quite turn out how the students had imagined.

But it all added to the fun and the memories that were being made.

After hours spent creating their unique spaces, the seniors were thrilled with the results.

The dull Ubly student parking lot had been transformed into a colorful, vibrant place for the students to arrive at each morning.

The underclassmen may have been a little jealous that the seniors claimed the closest spots to the school, but despite that, they were delighted with the creative designs as well.

The 2019 graduating class is proud to have been the first group to begin this Ubly tradition that will certainly be a hit for years to come.

It gives students the ability to prevent tragedies from occurring.

I know I’ve personally been in situations where I wanted to speak up but didn’t because I was too afraid and in the end I wish I would have.

Maybe your friend was “joking” about going home and harming themselves. Sure, maybe it was just a rough day, and they aren’t being serious, but it could also be

a cry for help.

Maybe you over heard a student threatening to bring a gun to school, they could be joking, but what if they are being serious?

It’s hard to know when the right time to speak up is and OK2Say gives students the opportunity to both speak up and potentially save a life or even lives.

All it takes is one person.

OK 2 Say

BY MACKENZIE UHL Ubly High School UBLY — I was first introduced to the OK2Say Program when I was a sophomore in high school.

A representative from OK2Say came to our school and gave a very moving and educational Presentation.

OK2Say is a website/ app where students have the ability to send in an anonymous tip. Tips can be sent in if a student suspects anything harmful is going to happen at their school or to any of the students.

I take this program very seriously. Being in high school, it’s sometimes hard to speak up even when you know you should.

Many students rarely speak up simply because they fear criticism from their peers.

Okay2Say changes that because it’s anonymous. Students no longer have to be worried about being criticized for speaking up.

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Mentor program makes progress would have something to start talking about as an icebreaker or as a way to build a connection.

UBLY — Ubly Schools is proud Mentors meet with their stuto announce the progress of the dents once a week, during the newmentor program that was started ly-built in Flex Time. The mentors at the beginning of the second were given a folder full of useful semester. information to start helping their This program was started to try student. From questions to get to to help students that were consisknow the student, to ways to learn tently getting referrals or having about the skills their student needs missing assignments by giving to work on, the packets are a great them an older student to connect to way to start. and receive guidance from.

Mentors have been surprised For this program, a collection with the way the program is of staff members made a list of working out. Some mentees have students that they thought would opened up to their mentor from benefit from talking to an older stu- day one, and others took some time dent. Then the staff did their best to be build a connection. to match the mentees to mentors The mentees are learning to have who were either involved in the someone else hold them responsame sport as them, had similar sible for their actions or missing personalities, or had previously work. Most kids seem to respond struggled with the same problem. better to a mentor reminding them The staff’s careful planning to get their homework done or to ensured mentors and mentees straighten up behavioral wise than

BY KELSEY KNOBLOCK Ubly High School

to teachers telling them.

To an outsider, it may seem that they just have another person trying to tell them what to do, but mentors are honestly making connections with kids and trying to show them that they care what happens to them.

Mentors are teaching the mentees ways to get through homework or studying. Upperclassmen are passing down ways they learned work better for doing schoolwork.

For some, this may be as simple as making a certain time homework time or teaching them to give themselves a small break between assignments.

In addition to the mentees learning, this program has taught the mentors a lot. The mentors have learned how to work with kids, how to understand other people, and how to relate to someone that they may have not known and have little in common with.

Quarterly Awards: What students really want!

BY KELSEY KNOBLOCK Ubly High School UBLY — Our staff has found a new way this year to reward students for good behavior, academics, and attendance.

At the end of each marking period, the junior high and high school all gather in the big gym for an assembly.

At the assembly, there are multiple drawings to win a $20 gift cards to the students’ choice from a variety of common stores, such as Amazon,

Walmart, and Bath and Body Works.

The junior high has three drawings, with one winner from each category: Honor roll; attendance (less than two days missed per marking period); and no referrals.

The high school drawings are from the same categories, but due to high school including four grades, and junior high including only seventh and eighth grade, two students are drawn from each category.

The students have been

enjoying this new rewards system. Giving students gift cards lets the student get something that they actually want or need, while still rewarding them for doing well in school.

It gives the student freedom to reward themselves how they choose.

Our school has basically realized that students appreciate three types of rewards. Monetary rewards always go over well for people of all ages.

Rewards that let students out of school, whether for a field trip or an excused

absence, also are received well.

The third reward type our classes enjoy is food.

Another advantage of this rewards system is for the school itself. The last day of the marking period often ends up being a half day, and many kids skip half days. By having this rewards assembly on the half day, kids come to school in case their name is drawn.

After the first rewards assembly, we learned that you must be present to win.

Doing their part with art

BY BROOKE RITTER Ubly High School UBLY — If you were to go into the Ubly High School, you would see numerous student-produced paintings and drawings on the walls.

These pieces of artwork are unique in fact that they use different materials and are produced from students in different grades.

This allows students in any art class at Ubly to show people what they’re capable of.

All of these projects take time and dedication. To some students, art comes naturally and they can just think of something on the spot. For other students, it takes minutes to brainstorm before they start their project. In the end, everyone knows it was worth all the time and effort it took.

Every month, there are projects

This canvas painting is by senior Molli Oswald. (Submitted Photo) put up that reflect events happening during that month. Examples

An impactful guest speaker they reached out for help, there were so many people willing to UBLY — The high assist. Nobody looked school of Ubly was at them differently given the opportunity when they opened up to have a guest speakabout what was really er come to explain happening. everything correlation The Olson family was between suicide and concerned about what mental illness. opening up about their The guest speaker, son’s depression could Jeff Olson, lost his son do to his reputation. to suicide, and he talked At one point he said, about the facts and gave “depression and anxiety tips on strategies that is an illness that cannot has helped him through be cured, but it can be it. controlled.” Reach out Throughout the preto counselors, doctors, sentation, he talked and anyone else you can about how he and his talk to for help. family hid their son’s He made everyone anxiety, depression, feel so loved and valand any other illnesses ued. He told everyone that he was believed to that there is help: You be affected by. just have to speak up.

He explained that you It was very moving should not hide anyand eye-opening to thing related to depres- have this individual sion, and that it is an come and speak with illness that people can us. Hopefully, this seek treatment for. helped struggling stuMr. Olson also dents and showed them explained that once ways to get help.

BY JALEESA MATTOX Ubly High School

of this include: Hearts for Valentine’s Day in February; Christmas trees with presents for December; and rubber ducks for April.

Every art student was allowed to use their mind and be creative while producing these masterpieces. I know that if I were in the art class, it would make me feel great to see my artwork up on the wall. It would make me feel like mine is worthy enough for others to see.

From the office to the cafeteria, there are so many different examples of artwork hung up. There’s even been countdowns on the door by the elevator to get kids pumped up for what’s about to come: Christmas Vacation, Spring Break and even graduation.

Displaying the student art work allows students and visitors to admire the hard work of the students in art class.

Flex time pays off for Ubly Community Schools

BY JALEESA MATTOX Ubly High School UBLY — In the past, homework was to be taken home and done. Questions for teachers were to be asked in class or after school.

Though Ubly schools offered help before and after school, students were still not completing assignments or having questions about their homework.

This year, the principal and staff has tried something new. It was called flex time.

It is a half hour on both Tuesday and Thursday to do any homework, meet with any teachers, etc.

The Tuesday session of flex time occurs in the morning, and the Thursday session of flex time occurs in the afternoon.

Ubly also instituted a mentor program that involves upperclassmen working with some of the lower grades. Flex time has given these mentors and mentees a set time each week where they can meet.

Flex time has been very beneficial to other students and myself. It has given me the opportunity to get things done instead of taking it home and to ask questions when you need help. I feel that this time really benefits students who may be struggling.

This has been a very great addition to Ubly Schools and I hope that all students enjoy it. Hopefully flex time is here to stay!

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

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The kite flying tradition

BY MACKENZIE UHL Ubly High School UBLY — For the past 50 years, Ubly High School seniors have been carrying on the kite flying tradition.

Some would even call it “a right of passage” for all of the seniors at Ubly.

Before graduation, every senior will have completed the Kite Project.

During the last week of school, the seniors go through the steps of building a kite along with the writing assignments that go with it. On their very last days, the seniors get the chance to go outside and attempt to fly them.

The Kite Building Project is not just meant to be a fun project to get the seniors through their last few days of high school. It’s so much more than that.

It is a problem-solving activity that requires the seniors to do research, learn how to manage their time, and handle the frustration that may come with failure if things don’t go as planned.

While this project may be difficult in the beginning, it allows the student to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end.

It also allows students to bond with one another during their last week together as seniors at Ubly High School.

I personally have looked forward to this project ever since I was a freshman. The kite project is the very last big project you will ever do in high school and it symbolizes that the end is near.

It is truly a bitter sweet moment for all seniors at Ubly, knowing that graduation is right around the corner and this may be the final memory of being a bearcat that they will take with them.

Moving day

BY MACKENZIE UHL Ubly High School UBLY — As a senior who’s about to graduate, I can tell you first hand that the hardest step to becoming an adult is moving and having to live on your own for the first time.

For the past few weeks, I have been packing up my room little by little in anticipation of the upcoming move to my very first apartment.

As I was packing all of my belongings into boxes, I began to feel overwhelmed. There were so many different emotions running through my mind all at the same time. I felt sad that I was leaving my family and the small town that I’ve become so familiar with behind.

It worried me that there was no way of telling exactly what the future held or what obstacles I may have to face.

Finally, after a lot of struggle and anxiety, I finished packing my very

last box. I stood back and looked around at my empty bedroom feeling both sad and accomplished.

I’m not going to lie to you, senior year isn’t exactly easy, especially having to move away from what you’ve known for so long.

What I can do is give advice to the people who are also experiencing this or are about to. I know the fact that everything is about to change is scary and overwhelming, but trust me when I say you are about to step into the most exciting part of your whole entire life!

Please know that change is good and it will only allow you to grow as a person.

Things will be rough at first, but everyone goes through it at some point in their lives, and you will adapt.

When things get difficult and you feel like you want to throw in the towel, keep pushing forward, it will be worth it in the end.

Library technician does more than stack books

BY AMANDA WEAVER Ubly High School UBLY — This year I, had the opportunity to serve as a library technician. This class was much more than simply stacking books on the shelves. It turned out that there is a system of doing things, and you have to do it multiple times a day.

Mrs. Tibbits taught me well, and did not give up on me, even when I couldn’t find where the Captain Underpants series went.

From decorating the library to repairing books ripped apart by dogs, I have learned the ways of the library.

Because of the projects throughout the year, I was able to read many good novels and even learn about some of my favorite authors.

Due to Mrs. Tibbits leaving for maternity leave, we have been blessed with the wonderful Mrs. Osentoski. It has been a joy to see her help 5-year-olds find their Froggy books, and having her learn their names.

All of our library tech students have gotten a chance to teach Mrs. Osentoski a small part of what being a library tech is about.

Within this class, I have gained many leadership skills. I have helped Mrs. Osentoski make sure that every library tech has participated in our monthly library decorating.

Getting many compliments from students K-12, and teachers, our team of library techs have accomplished returning spirit within our library.

Constant shelf organizing, decorating, helping children find books, and fun projects are all part of being an Ubly High School library tech.

I am pleased with myself by how much I have gained from the experience of being part of the library technician class.

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FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Mural, Mural On the Wall

BY ANNA MESSING Ubly High School UBLY — This year, the Ubly administration has been trying to find a way to make the school feel more personable.

They have been putting up different pictures and art that have been done by the art department. One student took this opportunity to create something that all students would see and could reflect back on.

Andrea Grifka, an eleventh grader, daughter of Kerry and Shelia Grifka, took a blank wall that would not be affected by the bond and created a masterpiece mural in the cafeteria.

She combined everything that Ubly students take part in: hockey, band, football, golf, FFA, gymnastics, cross country, equestrian, print media, art, softball, FCCLA, track, quizbowl,

baseball, wrestling, volleyball, robotics, NHS, basketball, and drama.

She combined it all, spending lots of time on it from sketching out different ideas to spending several hours of her own time in making something for all the students to enjoy.

I asked Andrea why she wanted to create the mural, she responded, “There are three reasons.

First, the construction wouldn’t effect it, second of all, it was in a place that it would be seen by others, and the third reason was because the cafeteria didn’t have a lot of color, so this would help brighten up the area and help with when banquets, and award ceremonies are held to be a cool piece that reflects everybody.”

Overall, Andrea did a great job and made the cafeteria have a great piece of art to enjoy looking at while eating.

Ubly participates in Drive Your Tractor to School Day

BY ADAM WEBER Ubly High School UBLY — On April 26, a number of students at Ubly participated in “Drive Your tractor to school day.”

In the Thumb, and especially in Ubly, we are a very agriculturally-based area. It was very easy for students to participate since a lot of kids grow up on a farm or have ties with farmers.

Despite the very rainy weather, all the kids still got up early and made the long slow drive, through town, and to the school. Some of the tractors that came from the east side of Ubly met up at our farm on Verona road for a few pictures before going to the school, and the rest just went directly to Ubly.

There was a wide range of tractors brought in. A

mix of John Deere and Case tractors were brought, ranging in size and year. Most tractors were cabbed, but a couple of open cab tractors also made the trip even in the rain and cold!

The lineup at the school even included a semi and a small classic tractor from the 1940’s. We really appreciate our administration for allowing us to bring tractors to school. It is very unique to our area, and I feel it is a great memory for the students.

I find the best part of it is telling family members and people from other areas about this unique tradition.

This is the second year the school has done drive your tractor to school day, and hopefully it continues to happen every year and more and more people take part in it.

Successful year for the Student Council

BY MIKAELA VANERP Ubly High School UBLY — The 2018-19 school year was perhaps the most successful year for the Ubly Student Council.

In May, the following new officers were elected: President Mikaela VanErp, Vice President Haili Gusa, Secretary Amber Essenmacher and Treasurer Anna Greyerbiehl.

Shortly after that, their work began. Their first goal for council was to eliminate Ubly’s sports fee that was formerly known as “Pay-to-Play.”

For years, Ubly athletes had to pay $50 for every sport season they played.

In June, the officers went to work to eliminate the fee. Multiple meetings, copious phone calls, and a lot of facts and data helped them to convince the Ubly School Board to eliminate the “Pay-to-Play.”

The second goal of theirs was to create a weekly student spotlight for the high school. Each week, two people from each grade were picked to be spotlighted. Participants had to give their three favorite hobbies or activities, a photo of them with a white board that had one word that described them, and each week there was different question to answer. The information and photos were then displayed on a TV in the high school hallway so students would be able to learn more about their classmates.

Another great thing the Student Council does every year is the Student of the Month. Each month, teachers nominate students from seventh through 12th grade who demonstrate good characteristics and qualities.

Based on how many times a student has been nominated determines if they get to be Student of the Month. Each month, one student from each grade is picked. Students then get a certificate, an Ubly T-shirt, and a picture in the newspaper.

Amongst all of those activities, the Student Council also hosts Homecoming, Coming Home, powder puff football, and “bolleyball” (boys volleyball). They also volunteer for the Adopt-A-Family and the Ubly Athletic Boosters.

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Second annual Bolleyball Game is a hit each grade to perform games of “bolleyball,” or boys’ volleyball.

The first game was Freshmen UBLY — The Ubly Student vs. Seniors, with the Seniors Council hosted the second annu- taking the win. The second game al “bolleyball” games this year was Sophomores vs. Juniors, during Coming Home week. and the Juniors took the win.

Students formed teams in The championship game was

BY MIKAELA VANERP Ubly High School

between the Sophomores and the Seniors, and it ended with a Sophomore victory.

The teams are coached from volleyball players in their grade.

The varsity volleyball coach, Aaron Mueller, reffed the matches along with his wife.

Ubly creates Trap Team

BY ADAM WEBER Ubly High School UBLY — This is the first year that Ubly has had a trap shooting team, and so far this season has been very fun and successful.

Once a week, members of the trap team get together at the Ubly Fox Hunters to shoot for a few hours.

Trap shooting involves five people who stand at five stations all facing the same direction. In front of them is a “trap house,” which has a machine that throws the targets. The targets are called clay pigeons, and they are

little orange disks that fly through the air when they are launched from the machine.

Each shooter has 5 attempts from each station equaling a total of 25 shots total per round. The score is based on hits or misses.

When you shoot, if

you hit the target out of the air and it breaks, it counts as a hit, and if it doesn’t break, and you don’t connect, it counts as a miss. A perfect score is a 25 out of 25, which is very challenging to do.

Our team has shown a lot of improvement

since the beginning of the season and it has been a lot of fun.

We shoot 12- and 20-gauge shotguns, which are semi-auto, pump, or break guns.

Our team has had a good amount of participants for it being the first year, but I hope over the years, the team grows and more people participate.

Our coach, Mike Warner, has been awesome!

He has helped us shoot much more accurately, and he has taught us lots of firearm safety.

As a team, we are very thankful for our coaches and sponsors who have made it so enjoyable.

Prudential Spirit of Community Award bar for school lunch. Amber, along with a few other FFA members, worked to gather supplies from UBLY — Amber Essenmacher, a local businesses and planted 21 senior at Ubly, was a finalist for the garden beds.

2019 Prudential Spirit of CommuThey chose a variety of different nity Awards in Michigan. fruits and vegetables, including In order to be eligible for this carrots, squash, broccoli, tomaaward, one must apply and explain toes, lettuce, strawberries, waterabout a project they have conduct- melon, and much more. ed for the community. For Amber, Not only did Amber help choose this was the community garden the produce of the garden, but she she helped create as part of her was vital in applying for grants FFA chapter. and getting donations from local The goal of the garden is to pro- organizations and businesses. She vide fresh fruits and vegetables to was an important factor in the local food pantries and any memplanning and budgeting process ber in the community absolutely as well. free of charge.

For her accomplishment, Amber Some of the produce harvested received presidential recognition, was even used as a part of the salad along with recognition from the

BY CHEYENNE PORZONDEK Ubly High School

Jumping with Joy

BY ARISSA OSENTOSKI Ubly High School UBLY — Ubly High School seniors are going on a class trip to Skyzone in Saginaw, on Thursday, May 9.

This is a reward for the outstanding job the seniors did on the SAT last spring. The 2019 graduating class had the highest SAT scores in Huron County and tied with Cass City for the highest scores in the Tri-Counties.

The seniors had the incentive to do good on the SAT, and being rewarded for the hard work and dedication the students put forth was a brilliant way to get students to try their best on the SAT. To celebrate this success, the seniors are going to enjoy a day filled with fun at Skyzone. We will have the option to jump around, play dodgeball, and do obstacles.

This will be like the old elementary school days when we used to play around on the playground.

At Skyzone, we will able to play like a kid one last time!

Afterward, we plan on eating lunch together.

This will be the last time the seniors are all together as Bearcat students on a class trip.

Michigan Senate and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

She also received an engraved bronze Distinguished Finalist medallion Cheyenne Porzondek for this prestigious achievement.

Congratulations, Amber! Your service for the community is highly appreciated and does not go unnoticed.

Ubly Agriscience Offers On the Job Training entire year of what my future career may look like. Knowing the ins and outs of what it takes to be an agronomist has UBLY — The Ubly FFA Agriscience given me a better idea of what being Program had a new addition to its an agronomist would ask of me. I have course options. This year, we had a developed skills that will be crucial trial run for an On the Job Training to my future career, and I learned an Program. exponential amount of facts and tips In order to be a part of it, you have about agricultural production. to be pursuing a career in an agriculNext year, we will have three stutural related field and be in eleventh or dents participate in the program. twelfth grade. I was a part of this proBeing a part of the On the Job Training gram, and I am planning to get a degree Program was one of the best decisions in crop and soil science.

I could have made for my senior year.

I did my On the Job Training at Star No class would have prepared me of the West Milling Company in Rapbetter for college and my future than son. I worked side by side with agronthis opportunity. Even if you train omists and the plant manager. Some for a job but decide to not pursue it, of the activities I assisted with were: there are still many valuable skills that grower data files, fertilizer recommen- are earned through this experience, dations, bean grading, scouting temincluding professionalism, cooperation, plates, and many other tasks. My main responsibility, and developing connecjob was helping with a new data input tions with coworkers. system that compiled grower data into I would recommend this class to fields, field plans, scouting templates, anyone. You may find what you want to jobs, and plans for applications. major in in college, or you may be able The benefits of this program are to find out more about what you want infinite. I was able to experience an from your career.

BY BETHANY GORNOWICZ Ubly High School

Ubly Golf Team is very independent

BY NICK WRIGHT Ubly High School UBLY — This year’s Ubly varsity golf team consists of Blake Badger, Ethan Peruski, Nathan Partika, Eli emming, Nicholas Wright, and Zach Ziehm.

Isaac Warzinski, Austin Peruski, Mathew Brandel, and Jaiden Schulte make up the JV team.

The team is very independent and works on their skills alone a majority of the time. When assistance is needed on techniques, the team’s coach, Dave Hanson, is there to give guidance.

He teaches the rules of golf, import-

ant fundamentals, and techniques. One of the tactics Dave uses to help the team is recording them while they are on the range. This is done so that individuals can see what their swing looks like and how to improve it.

Golf practice consists of the driving range to work on swings, the practice green to work on their chipping and putting, and the course to improve their overall game.

The Ubly golf team has finished with a pair of second place finishes and one third place finish in its three meets.

The team continues to improve as the season moves forward.